MANY of the region's leading painters and sculptors are brushing up ahead of the biggest arts fair ever held in the Borders.

Around 70 artists, galleries and collectives from the region and beyond will be on display at the Borders Art Fair in Kelso next month.

Last year's event attracted over 6,000 visitors with more than £150,000 worth of art being sold.

And this year's three-day event at Springwood Park is expected to be even busier.

Frances Fergusson, director of the Borders Art Fair, told us: “The Borders Art Fair is a wonderful opportunity to discover and be inspired by some incredibly talented artists from the Scottish Borders and beyond.

"The event enables our artists to exhibit and sell to a shared audience and is also helping to put the region on the map as an exciting centre of visual culture.

"We’re greatly looking forward to building on the success of last year’s Borders Art Fair and to delighting and inspiring visitors from across Scotland and the rest of the UK.”

Many of the artists will be on hand to talk about the inspiration and processes involved in the creation of their work.

And visitors can also take part in artist-led workshops and enjoy demonstrations and talks supported by the RSA (Royal Scottish Society of Arts, Manufactures and Commerce).

Speakers include 83-year-old Scottish abstract sculptor Keith McCarter from Melrose, Andrew Mackenzie, president of Visual Arts Scotland, from Galashiels, as well as Irene Kernan and Catherine Holden from Craft Scotland.

The Travelling Gallery will visit Kelso Town Square on the Friday and Saturday, March 13 and 14, with a free exhibition of new work by three young artists based in Scotland – Amy Gear, Rhona Muhlebach and Suzie Eggins.

As part of the Borders Art Fair programme, two of the region’s most important historic houses will open their doors to host tours of their art collections.

Robert Adam's masterpiece, Mellerstain House, will introduce visitors to work by artists including Van Dyck, Gainsborough and Ramsay, while at 18th century Palladian mansion, Marchmont House, visitors can see a variety of work including sculptures by Anthony Gormley and Keith McCarter.

A programme of free activities for children has been developed aimed at engaging and inspiring the next generation of artists and the event will also feature a unique collaboration with Hawick-based Alchemy Film and Arts.

The Borders Art Fair takes place from Friday, March 13 to Sunday, March 15 at Springwood Park.