A competition to give deserving Borders residents a "golden ticket" for an inaugural journey on the region's new rail service has been launched.

Scottish Borders Council is seeking nominations for people from all walks of life and all ages to enjoy a special ride on the Borders to Edinburgh railway on September 5, the day before regular journeys commence.

Council leader David Parker said: "I can promise that golden ticket holders will have a unique experience.

"I am very keen to encourage applications from right across the Borders and from all walks of life, so that a wide variety of people from our region are rewarded for the tremendous things that they do."

Nominations must be submitted by May 29.

Nominations can be made by visiting www.scotborders.gov.uk/goldenticket or via the council's Facebook and Twitter pages.

Nominations forms will also be available at libraries.