THE company behind the planned Rumbletonrig wind farm two kilometres off the Berwickshire coast has entered into an agreement to help tackle youth unemployment in the area.

TCI Renewables is to fund Borders College, Scottish Borders Chamber of Commerce, the Federation of Small Businesses and the Borders College campus in Galashiels to provide a range of training programmes.

The £40,000 scheme will focus on young people and employers local to the proposed 22.5 mega watt wind farm, should it gain planning permission when it goes before Borders Council later this year.

The Rumbeltonrig Skills Fund is in addition to a community benefit fund the renewables firm has set up.

TCI is hosting events at the War Memorial Hall in Greenlaw and at Westruther Village Hall between 3pm and 8pm on Monday, October 7 and Tuesday, October 8 to highlight the scheme.

In addition to training programmes, the skills fund will offer modern apprenticeships and financial incentives for businesses to provide jobs.

Paul Beale, project manager for TCI Renewables, said: "We are extremely keen to demonstrate to members of the community the socio-economic benefits that a wind farm like Rumbletonrig, not just through its construction and maintenance alone, can bring.

"And that is why over and above the potential community benefit fund we are committing this additional funding, encouraging young people in particular to stay in the area through delivering much-needed training and employment opportunities."