THE 1st Battalion of the King's Own Scottish Borderers (KOSB), based at Catterick Garrison, has been presented with a new pipe banner.

Ken Grier, brands director for whisky makers The Famous Grouse presented the pipe banner to Major Gavin Lenthall, the officer commanding A Company.

The presentation at Somme Barracks was particularly poignant for Mr Grier, who is originally from Dumfries, as his paternal grandfather served with the KOSB and was killed in action in Archangel, Russia, in 1918.

After receiving the banner, the battalion's Pipe Major, Warrant Officer Two Ewen Stuart, marked the occasion by playing A Drop of Grouse on the pipes - composed in 1980 by Angus Lawrie.

Major Gavin Lenthall said: "A Company are nicknamed the Grousebeaters and are delighted to receive this new banner which we will be toasting with a drop of The Famous Grouse.

"From now on it will be proudly carried on the pipes of the Grousebeaters Company Piper whenever they march."