Pensioner charged after brakes slammed on Jim Clark Rally

Police have confirmed a man has been charged in connection with an incident which resulted in one of the Borders biggest sporting events being cut short.

The Westruther stage of the Jim Clark Rally had to be cancelled yesterday (Saturday) after a vehicle was found blocking the road.

That led to delays which, in turn, resulted in a second stage of the closed-roads event being cancelled at Eccles.

It's understood one of the lines of investigation being followed is that it was left there on purpose by a farmer unhappy with spectators on their land.

Police say there were no injuries and a 70-year-old man has been charged in connection with road traffic offences.

The return of the Jim Clark Rally - which this year doubled as the second round of the British Rally Championship - had been widely welcomed in the lead up to this weekend's event, which is named after the former F1 champion who lived locally.

It's the first time it has been held in full since three spectators were killed in 2014 - although a scaled-back event was held in 2019 - and is believed to be worth more than a million pounds to the local economy.

WATCH: Former world rally car champion Louise Aitken-Walker - who handed out the medals at the ceremonial finish in Duns - says the event wouldn't be possible without local support...

Irish stars Keith Cronin and Mikie Galvin were crowned overall winners of the event in their Volkswagen Polo GTi. There was also a third place for Duns driver Garry Pearson.

A Police Scotland spokesperson said: "Police attended at the Westruther stage of the Jim Clark Rally on Saturday, 28 May, 2022 following the report of a vehicle blocking the road.

"There were no injuries and an 70-year-old man has been charged in connection with road traffic offences."

Click on the link below to watch drivers leave the ceremonial start in Duns...

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