9am: Ash cloud chaos continues

BRITAIN faced further travel chaos today after most flights in and out of the UK were grounded until tonight.

Edinburgh Airport was deserted with all flights grounded until 7pm, as the giant cloud of volcanic ash continued to cause travel chaos.

The air traffic control company NATS warned that the situation was showing no signs of improvement, and ash from the Icelandic volcano meant restrictions would remain in place.

Ashdown: No time for triumphalism

FORMER Liberal Democrat leader Paddy Ashdown today urged his party to avoid triumphalism after Nick Clegg emerged as the surprise winner of Britain's historic first televised election leaders' debate.

Early polls showed Mr Clegg had impressed voters more than the Tories' David Cameron and Labour's Gordon Brown in the 90-minute clash last night.

An ITV News poll of over 4,000 viewers made Mr Clegg the winner by 43 per cent to Mr Cameron's 26 per cent and Mr Brown's 20 per cent.

Blaze at air strip

FIREFIGHTERS fought a huge blaze at a disused airfield, as police warned neighbours to stay in their homes.

Six fire appliances were called to Drem Airfield, in East Lothian, and spent four hours battling the fire which started at around 8.25pm last night when the hangar caught fire.

The hangar included three cylinders of argon, oxygen and acetylene gas, which posed an explosion risk.

Elderly driver hurt in car crash

A PENSIONER was taken to hospital after his car ploughed through a metal railing and crashed into a tree.

The 72-year-old man was thought to have only suffered minor injuries when his car overturned near Straiton at 8.40pm yesterday.

Firefighters were called to the scene to help free the man from the car and was taken to the Edinburgh Royal Infirmary for precautionary checks.

Holyrood economy drive

THE Scottish Parliament has announced an 11.8 million cost-cutting drive to address the looming squeeze in public spending.

A review into all Holyrood spending will be be undertaken, with a 15% cut in the current Budget of 78.7 million being targeted in three years.

About 500 staff work at Parliament and job losses are among the options being considered.