Five walkers were airlifted from the Cheviot Hills after being cut off by flood water.

The group, two of whom had heart conditions, was rescued from the Bowmont Valley, west of The Cheviot. Members of the Borders Search and Rescue Unit drove through flooded valleys to reach the walkers, who were staying at the Auchope bothy.

The rescue was lent added urgency because the two with heart problems had run out of medication.

Rescuers completed their journey on foot, having got their vehicles as close as possible, near Upper Halterburn, and walking over The Curr.

A Royal Navy helicopter from HMS Gannet at Prestwick reached the stranded walkers about midnight on Saturday, 4½ hours after the first emergency call.

The party was taken by helicopter to Edinburgh Royal Infirmary for treatment.

Members of the Borders rescue team then had to walk back through torrential rain to safety, arriving back at Kelso at 3am.

The rescue involved 75 man-hours.