FOUR new 'sheep seats' have been installed in the heart of Galashiels.

Crafted by Powderhall Bronze Fine Art Foundry in Edinburgh, the unique feature has been put in place on the paved area adjacent to Stirling Street, near Home Bargains.

Kerry Hammond, from Powderhall Bronze, said: "We were delighted to work on this project, and we hope that the sheep seats bring a smile to the faces of visitors and the locals of Galashiels."

The installation is part of the Build a Better Gala project – a town centre regeneration initiative managed by Energise Galashiels Trust, funded by the South of Scotland Enterprise and Scottish Borders Council.

Positioned opposite the Interchange, the seats are designed to welcome both visitors and locals to the town and give a "contemporary nod to the area's rich textile heritage".

Ian Dalgleish, chair of Energise Galashiels Trust, said: "The installation of the sheep seats marks the end of the Build a Better Gala project, and we are thrilled that this last piece of work brings something visible and engaging to the town centre.

"The sheep seats, with their creative design, pay homage to the town's historical association with the textile industry, reflecting Galashiels' commitment to celebrating its past while looking forward to the future.

"In the age of social media, we hope to see many posts of the sheep seats.

"There couldn't be a better way to promote Galashiels than with locals and visitors sharing photos of them."

Energise Galashiels Trust will launch a competition in the coming weeks to name the four sheep.