Its latest ‘treasure trail’ has been opened in Hawick – in addition to the established Peebles and Kelso routes.

Treasure Trails regional manager, Jill Morton said: “The current trails have been really well received.

“A Treasure Trail is basically a quiz and a guided walk all rolled into one. You can hunt for buried treasure, solve a murder mystery or even foil the plans of an evil genius in our spy trail.”

The award-winning Cornwall-based company has 11 other trails – which combine learning with keeping fit – throughout the country.

And they plan to focus their development in the Borders with routes scheduled for four more towns in the area.

Ms Morton said: “My intention is to concentrate on the Borders and I’ve written four new trails for Melrose, Eyemouth, Jedburgh and Selkirk.”

She says the aim of the trails is to help people discover the area.

“The trail aims to take you around the best sites of your chosen location, giving you interesting historical and factual information while finding the treasure, the murderer or the hidden device,” Ms Morton explained.

“The trails are inexpensive and suitable for all ages. There is no limit on the number of people that can be in the group – and you can do them whenever you like and take as long as suits you.”

The company’s Alistair Johnson has been delighted with the project’s success.

He told us: “We’re active throughout the whole of the UK but there’s been a real increase in the Borders, a real push to include people.

“I think it’s a fantastic concept.

“It gets everyone out and active in a fun, healthy way.

“When you’re with children there is a real incentive to do the walk and two hours disappears in two minutes.”

The trails cost £5. More information is available on www.treasuretrails.co.uk and tourist information centres.