A FIRE-EATER entertains hundreds of children as they mark the 500th anniversary of the Battle of Hornshole in which a group of youngsters from Hawick defended the town from an English raiding party.

Around 1800 children took part in the event yesterday which heralds the start of the Scottish Borders Common Ridings and Festivals. A group of 22 boys from Hawick High School played the parts of the victorious youths.

Picture: Steve Cox