Councillor Sandy Aitchison, executive member for locality services, said: “We are very pleased with the level of interest in the Localities Bid Fund. It is sometimes difficult to get a new funding stream off the ground but I’m glad people right across the Borders came forward with so many positive ideas that could really benefit and improve their communities.

“The next milestone will see members of the public casting their votes for their preferred projects in February, which I’m sure will generate a great deal of excitement.

“Unfortunately, not all projects met the criteria to go forward to the voting stage but we’re happy to speak to people involved with these bids to explore other funding avenues.”

People were encouraged to put forward ideas that could improve their communities up until the deadline at the start of this month.

The fund is split between five areas - Berwickshire, Cheviot, Eildon, Teviot and Liddesdale, and Tweeddale - with each one allocated a certain amount based on its population.

More information on the projects going forward to the public vote stage will be announced in January.