Bingo players at the Pavilion Bingo had a narrow escape when the ceiling collapsed on Thursday evening. Nobody was injured at the Scottish Borders club in Galashiels.

The building was evacuated along with the adjoining cinema building and the Fire Brigade was called to the scene. Cinema-goers received a refund as they left the building.

The building was sealed off by Lothian and Borders Fire and Rescue Service Crews and inspectors from the Scottish Borders Council's building control team will investigate the incident.

A spokesman for the rescue service commented: "The information we have is that a large part of false ceiling has come down in the bingo club. No persons were injured and the matter will be investigated by building control."

The Scottish Ambulance Service added: "We attended at the scene because of concerns raised but no persons were required to be taken to hospital."

It is not uncommon for such incidents to occur in bingo clubs. Many of them have false suspended ceiling tiles and many UK bingo club have been around for sometime. Leaks in the external roof material in older buidlings over a period of time leave the tiles absorbing water and becoming heavy and eventually a section will cave in. Regular inspections can help to avoid such incidents.