A new Gaelic primary school could open in the Scottish Borders where fewer than 500 people speak, read and write the language.

Senior councillors have agreed that the school could open next summer on the condition that the Scottish government agrees to fund the project.

Five pupils in primary one and eight in primary two are initially expected to attend the single-class school in Peeblesshire.

It is expected to cost £190,000 to set up and is estimated to require an annual revenue budget of £210,000.

The council wants the Scottish government to provide at least 75% of funding on an ongoing basis.

Scottish Borders Council does not currently employ any teachers who speak Gaelic, and a recruitment drive would be required over the coming months.

The Scottish government said it welcomed the council's decision and would engage with it over a "Gaelic-specific" grant.

The most recent census suggests that 409 people in the Scottish Borders can speak, read and write in Gaelic - about 0.35% of the overall population.

In total about 1,500 people in the region say they have some knowledge of the language which is more commonly spoken in the Highlands and Western Isles.

A family in the Peeblesshire area, where a Gaelic-speaking nursery already operates, approached Scottish Borders Council last summer to request primary education.

Under the Education (Scotland) Act 2016, parents have a legal right to request that an assessment is carried out.

A region-wide consultation found that families representing a total of 24 pre-school-aged children expressed an interest in their child starting primary education in a Gaelic-speaking school over the next five years.

According to the survey, if the P1-3 school was established by next summer, 13 pupils could be attending at the start of the 2027/28 academic year.

They would be taught all their lessons in Gaelic, before English is introduced in P4.

Scottish Conservative councillor Jenny Linehan described the decision to agree to the new school as "absurd".

She said: "There's no reason that Gaelic can't be taught in schools like other languages, but not an immersive education that is going to cost us hundreds of thousands of pounds.

"I understand why it is required in the Highlands and Islands where it is widely spoken but not here in the Borders.

"It just doesn't make sense to be spending so much money on this for a handful of pupils."

Seventeen of Scotland's 32 local authorities now offer Gaelic medium primary education.

The number of primary schools has increased to more than 60 across the country.

Julie Pirone, who is also part of the Conservative-led administration, said she wanted an assurance that the Scottish government would guarantee at least five years of funding.

"I would hate for us to introduce Gaelic medium primary education only for it to be taken away through a lack of funding," she said.

"While I agree to Gaelic medium primary education in principle, I do have concerns over the provision being for a very small number of children."

She added: "This needs to be balanced on the pressures this council already faces such as making sure nurseries and small schools are supported when facing falling roll numbers."

Education Scotland, Bòrd na Gàidhlig and parents group Comann nam Pàrant have all supported the introduction of Gaelic medium primary education being introduced in the Borders.

SNP councillor Marshall Douglas is a strong advocate for the new facility.

He said: "It is vital that we have this facility for parents that have asked for it.

"Gaelic is a national language of Scotland and there should not be any division of where we speak it.

"For Gaelic to survive it needs to be a national language and available everywhere."

A Scottish government spokesperson said: "Gaelic is an official, national language of Scotland and we want to see many more children able to learn through Gaelic.

"We therefore welcome Scottish Borders Council's decision in principle to open Gaelic medium education classes.

"Local authorities are responsible for providing Gaelic medium education in their areas.

"The Scottish government supports councils through the Gaelic-specific grant and will continue to engage with Scottish Borders Council about this."