9am Briefing: Flight hopes dashed as restrictions continue

Making the ruling, air traffic control company Nats said conditions around the movement of the layers of the volcanic ash cloud over the UK "remained dynamic".

Nats said it was maintaining close dialogue with the Met Office and with the Civil Aviation Authority.

Lib Dems top poll

THE Liberal Democrats are ahead of both the Conservatives and Labour according to a new poll.

The UK-wide YouGov survey gave the Lib Dems 33 per cent, the Tories 32 per cent and Labour 26 per cent.

It was the second poll in 24 hours to show Nick Clegg's party surging ahead following his success in the leaders' debate last Thursday.

Today the Conservatives launch their manifesto for Scottish voters with a pledge to protect the health budget and continue a freeze on council tax.

Parking fines 'could be illegal'

ALL parking fines issued to drivers in Edinburgh over the past 12 years could be illegal, according to the former head of the Metropolitan Police's Traffic Branch.

Former superintendent Chris Leithead, now an advisor on decriminalised parking, claimed the city council had been fining drivers under "non-existent legislation".

But the council dismissed Mr Leithead's claims, saying the legislation allowed any term to be used.

Jenny survives

THE Capital's Over The Rainbow contestant Jenny Douglas's has survived another week of the popular reality show.

At the weekend the finalists were reduced to eight after singer-actress Dani Rayner, 16, from Cheshire, was eliminated from the BBC1 talent show.

Jenny, 18, a former Tynecastle student, has impressed Andrew Lloyd Webber in the first few weeks.

Honeymooner Hoy misses marathon

RUNNERS pounded the Capital's streets as they took part in the Chris Hoy Marathon.

More than 4000 people took part in the 13-mile race yesterday, although the Olympic triple gold medal winner could not be there, as he was on honeymoon.

On Saturday he was married to Sarra Kemp at St Giles' Cathedral.