Public benches in Uplawmoor are set for a new year makeover, thanks to the efforts of caring residents.

After being approached by a number of villagers, members of Uplawmoor Community Council have identified several benches that are in disrepair and situated on plots that are seriously overgrown.

They include a memorial bench paying tribute to the memory of local resident John E.V. Ward, erected in 1992, along with three others at Castburn Path, The Glen and opposite Spunkie Cottage.

Now a plan has been drawn up to replace the old, neglected benches with new ones made out of hard-wearing recycled plastic.

Uplawmoor Community Council secretary Ross Leggat is delighted to see progress being made.

He said: “Some of these are in really bad shape. The worst is the memorial bench, which you can’t even sit on.

“I priced up the cost of four benches with engraving and ground fixing.

“I’d like to have them engraved with a message from the community council, all except for the memorial one.”

The community council has now secured funding of £3,340 to replace all four benches around the village, with work due to start soon.

The plan is for each of the benches to be replaced with eco-friendly, recycled plastic earth anchor benches, which are low maintenance and have a long lifespan.

Costs for engraving, fitting the kit and shipping will be met through a grant from the National Lottery’s Awards for All Scotland programme.