Famed rocker Brian Johnson of Australian band AC/DC told a Sunday newspaper he enjoyed driving along the A68 to the Borders town and surrounding area.

The lead singer told Scotland on Sunday: “I love driving about up there.

“I used to go up a lot to Loch Lomond and Loch Ness, but you know my favourite place now? Melrose in the Borders. Driving around there is fabulous, it’s beautiful”.

The town is a consistent winner in Scottish Borders Council’s Floral Gateway competition, regularly scooping the best large village title, though this year Melrose went one step better and was judged the best in the Borders, winning the champion of champions title.

And last year Melrose was Beautiful Scotland’s runner-up best village.

VisitScotland’s regional director, Sandi Hellowell said: “The Scottish Borders is the ideal place for touring, whether it be by car or bike, so I’m not surprised Brian Johnson has said he enjoys his time spent here.

“Endorsements from celebrities such as Brian from AC/DC are very welcome and help raise the profile of the region and the great things to see and do.

“I’m sure he will be returning soon and we will all be pleased to offer him a great Borders welcome when he does.”

The musician, who joined the iconic band in 1980, was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2003.

His first album, in 1980, with AC/DC was the phenomenally successful Back in Black – the second best selling album of all time and the best selling album by any band, which issued at full volume from thousands of teenage boys’ bedrooms throughout the 80s.

He co-wrote the band’s songs with the Young brothers, Angus and Malcolm, who have family connections in Hawick, until 1990. And, last year, the band released their new album, Black Ice.

The 62-year-old from Gateshead, now living in Florida, dismissed speculation that he was about to retire, telling the paper: “People have been talking about it, but it’s not me that wants to retire.

“I’ll go as long as I keep going, but I only have one gear as a singer. I don’t want to break down in the middle of a set or only perform for half the show.”

The news that Melrose has such a famous fan was welcomed by community council secretary Val Miller.

“It’s a great boost, but somewhat ironic that our town gets this positive publicity at a time when Scottish Borders Council seems determined to wreck our positive tourism image by plonking a crematorium at Wairds Cemetery,” said Mrs Miller.

Meanwhile, if you spot an ageing rocker with a flat cap pulled down over his face, chances are it is Mr Johnson who, far from driving down the Highway to Hell (one of his band’s most popular songs), may well be tootling along to Melrose.