Peebles High School is to get new dual-use sports facilities following Scottish Borders Council's (SBC) decision to commit £4.8m towards the scheme.

The school is currently the only high school in the Borders region that does not have its own sports facilities, and the new centre will form part of the council's £40m investment in local education over the next five years. Plans for the new sports centre include a four-court sports hall, a fitness suite, a general purpose room and changing facilities, as well as a secure community entrance to allow the complex to be used after school hours.

Meanwhile, external facilities are set to include an athletics track and a full-size, all-weather, multi-use games area. The council's architects will now work on developing detailed designs for the centre, with a public consultation scheduled later this year. A detailed planning application will then go before SBC later this year and it is hoped that the new facilities will be completed by 2015.