A MAJOR recruitment drive created by a multi-million pound project in the Borders has begun.

A hiring team was in Peebles this week as the process to fill around 60 positions at the £18m forest lodges project at Glentress kicked off.

The development – which will see 56 ‘environmentally sensitive’ cabins constructed – is expected to draw thousands to the region each year.

Tweeddale East councillor Robin Tatler said: “This is great news for Tweeddale and the Scottish Borders.

“These jobs and this development will be a much-needed boost for our local economy and will hopefully help support our current hospitality and retail businesses.”

With a target to open in November, staff for full-time roles including facilities and housekeeping managers and team leaders are being sought.

There are also opportunities for a full-time cook, and retail and beverage staff as well as part-time roles in all areas.

Human resources specialists handed out brochures round the town on Monday for the jobs, which they hope to start filling from September onwards.

It is hoped the lodges, which are being run by Forest Holidays and include a hot tub, will bring a host of “significant benefits” to the Borders, including boosting visitor numbers by up to 20,000 per year.

The project near Peebles is part of the ‘Glentress Masterplan’, which aims to reinvigorate the area. The masterplan sets out a vision for Glentress to be a ‘well-integrated, multi-user destination that offers a world-class visitor experience’.

The attraction is expected to generate £2m for the local economy annually.

Booking is already active on the Forest Holidays website.

Listed among the holiday experiences are in-cabin food delivery, spa treatments and hiring a personal chef.

The Forest Holidays website suggests Peebles is perfect for seven experiences: Tweed Valley Forest Park; 7Stanes mountain biking; the River Tweed; Go Ape adventures; alpaca trekking and horse riding; Kailzie Gardens; and ‘ancient ruins, holy sites and historic spas’.