9am Briefing: Firefighters attacked by teenagers

FIREFIGHTERS were spat at by teenagers in one call out as crews attended 120 bonfire incidents at the weekend, including a large blaze on Arthur’s Seat.

The number of bonfire-related incidents was higher than last year, though fire chiefs say it was lower than they expected.

A large blaze broke out on Arthur’s Seat on Saturday night and in another incident firefighters attending wheelie bin fires at Whitburn Community Centre were spat on.

* A YOUNG driver has died after his car crashed into a tree near a village in West Lothian.

The incident happened around 9pm on Saturday on the B8046 between Ecclesmachan, and Three-mile town near to Linlithgow.

The victim, a 21-year-old man, was driving a red Peugeot 206 northwards when his vehicle collided with the kerb, left the road and crashed into a tree.

He sustained serious injuries and was taken to Edinburgh Royal Infirmary, where he later died.

* POLICE have warned city residents to be extra vigilent after two bogus health visitors offering a flu jab tried to con their way into a pensioner’s home.

The pair, who were wearing the uniforms of health workers, knocked on the door of an elderly woman’s home in Muirhouse on October 27, but she refused to let them in without checking with her doctor.

A police spokeswoman said: “If you are not expecting someone at her your house, take the time to check their ID.

“Genuine callers will not mind you calling their employer for reassurance.”

* A DOG who is thought to have fallen 40 metres down a ravine is recovering at home after a dramatic rescue by firefighters.

Border terrier Meg was trapped on a ledge for nearly three hours after apparently plunging down a steep embankment Roslin Glen in Midlothian last night at 8.50pm.

Fire crews were called to the scene around 6pm and set up a line rescue to navigate the steep drop.

* EDINBURGH Zoo is to spend around £70,000 a year importing bamboo from the Netherlands to feed its giant pandas.

A farm near Amsterdam will supply 85 per cent of the bamboo 18,000 kilos which Tian Tian and Yang Guang are expected to eat every year. The remainder will come from a network of UK growers, it was reported today.

The imported organic bamboo will arrive every two weeks by ship and lorry and will be kept in a specially created storage facility to ensure maximum freshness.