Representatives show their awards at the ceremony: from left, Stuart Fuller-Shapcott, BSARU; David Fuller-Shapcott. BUWST; Rhona Morrison and Steve Penny TVMRT; and Brian Tyson BSARU

The work of a volunteer mountain rescue team has been recognised by police.

Tweed Valley Mountain Rescue Team received a Lothian and Borders excellence award for its valued service last year.

Chief Constable David Strang hosted the awards at the force’s Edinburgh headquarters.

The Tweed Valley team was nominated by officers in G-division for the valued service category.

The team covers a large area from the English border to the Firth of Forth, with the highest hills of the Southern Uplands including 840m Broad Law, much of the Pentland Hills, the Eildon Hills, the wild and remote Ettrick and Yarrow valleys and some of the best and most popular mountain biking areas in Scotland at Glentress and the 7Stanes at Innerleithen.

It also jointly won the overall winner in the category for the Lothian and Borders area, with the Borders Search and Rescue Unit and the Borders Underwater Search Team.

Steve Penny, Tweed Valley team leader, said: “We are grateful to Lothian and Borders Police and the chief constable for recognising the work of the volunteers in the teams in the Borders.

“We have been actively assisting the police and supporting the communities in the Lothians and the Borders for just under 50 years – it’s our 50th Anniversary in 2013 – and we look forward to continuing that support and the excellent relationships with the police as we move forward.”