ROTARIAN Sandra Stokoe will have the honour of being Chieftain at the forthcoming Innerleithen Pipe Band Championships.

The President of Innerleithen, Walkerburn and Traquair Rotary Club, who now lives in Peebles, can't wait for the 15th Championships to begin.

Sandra told us: "I am truly honoured to be asked to perform the duties of Chieftain for the 15th Innerleithen Pipe Band Championships on behalf of the Rotary Club of Innerleithen Walkerburn and Traquair.

"Rotary is always eager to support local clubs and societies and this is no exception.

"Innerleithen Walkerburn and Traquair has been a supporter of the Championship since its inception and this is a great honour for the club to be given the privilege of holding the position of Chieftain during my second term as President."

Organisers have been buoyed by the number and standard of entries for the Championships on September 10.

AQ total of 27 bands will perform in the Grades 2, 3 and 4 categories.

Allan Johnston, Secretary of the St Ronan’s Piping Society, is delighted a local Rotarian will be this year's Chieftain. He said: "Our local Rotary Club have been a massive help to the smooth running of our contest from its very inception 15 years ago, therefore we felt it only right and fitting that our Rotary Club should be awarded the honour of selecting one of its members to assume the title of Chieftain this year.

“Sandra was born in a small seaside town, Amble, in Northumberland, she trained as a nurse in Newcastle then travelled the world and has visiting many counties. Sandra often visited the Borders she eventually planted her roots in Peebles and grew to love the surrounding countryside."

The Championships will be held in the grounds of St Ronan's Primary Scholl.

Trade stalls, a beer tent and plenty of family entertainment will accompany the performances throughout the day.

A grand raffle will also give visitors the chance to win a complete set of Scottish Small Pipes.

Chieftain Sandra will be piped down to the school grounds from St Ronan’s Road about 10.45 am to take over the reins from last year’s Chieftain Norman Scott.

She will also take the salute from the massed bands at 5pm and (weather permitting) will be saluted by the participating bands as they parade through the town.