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FUNERAL directors from as far away as Seahouses and Edinburgh have expressed an interest in using the Borders’ first crematorium, which opened next to Waird’s Cemetery at Melrose on Tuesday.

Adrian Britton, operations director of the Bristol-based Westerleigh Group, confirmed the company had been contacted by firms both within and outwith the Borders.

He said: “We’ve had enquiries from as far as south as Seahouses and many from Edinburgh, as well as across the length and breadth of the Borders, from Peebles and Langholm to the Berwickshire coast.”

His firm, the second largest private operator in the UK, is planning an official opening ceremony and dedication service in the spring.

Mr Britton explained: “The facility is very much up and running and six cremations took place on our opening day, but we want to improve the landscaping before the crematorium is formally opened. However, the level of interest is very satisfying and is, I believe, a vindication of our proposals which had their fair share of controversy when the site was first selected and before Scottish Borders Council gave us planning permission.

“We have since had very positive feedback that the location in the lee of the Eildon Hills is much more discreet that many people imagined and can hardly been seen from the Melrose bypass.”