9am Briefing: Block of flats evacuated after bin store blaze

FIREFIGHTERS were forced to evacuate a block of flats in the early hours of this morning after a blaze broke out in a communal bin store.

Around 40 residents were taken to safety at 3am after a member of the public made an emergency 999 call to alert crews to the fire in Salamander Court, Leith.

A number of large plastic bins were found to be alight in the store which is located underneath the properties.

Emergency services were this morning unable to say if the fire was being treated as suspicious.

Tram chiefs admit breaking the rules

TRAM bosses have admitted they broke government guidelines by failing to advertise contracts.

TIE last year handed the job of moving utility pipes and cables to two companies, Clancy Docwra and Farrans, after terminating its previous contract with Carillion.

The company said both contracts were below the 3.49 million threshold which would require them to be advertised in the European contracts journal.

However, guidance issued by the Scottish Procurement Directorate says that contracts under the threshold should also be advertised unless they are at the "lower end".

TIE conceded the guidance had been breached, but deputy project director Susan Clark said the contracts had been awarded "appropriately and responsibly".

Lloyds chief gets 2.3m bonus

THE chief executive of part-nationalised Lloyds Banking Group has given up a 2.3 million bonus.

Eric Daniels had been entitled to a maximum 225 per cent of his 1.04 million salary due to his "significant individual contribution", but has waived a bonus for the second year in a row to stave off another row over bank pay.

Lloyds chairman Sir Win Bischoff said the board "greatly appreciates the leadership shown by his action".

Bow before Boyle

SINGING sensation Susan Boyle is getting used to star treatment, but now she has been mistaken for royalty.

On a visit to Paris, Eurostar staff apparently greeted the 48-year-old from West Lothian with bows and curtseys, thinking she was the Queen.

Susan had been performing at Italy's Sanremo festival before flying to Paris for a TV show. She was then about to travel first class with her manager and niece on the fast service to London.

An onlooker said: "A rumour went round that the Queen had arrived so everyone was told to observe royal etiquette.

"It soon became clear it was Susan and not Her Majesty, but one train attendant still thought she was.

"Susan roared with laughter when she realised the mix-up."