9am Briefing: Hunt for robber after attack on shopkeeper

The robbery happened at Assars Grocers in Boswall Parkway in Pilton at 7pm last night.

The victim was left with a minor head injury and police said he was shaken by the incident.

The suspect is described as being aged between 25 and 30, about 6ft and thin, with a pale complexion. He wore a dark coloured top with the hood up and dark trousers.

Officers are appealing for witnesses.

In a separate incident, police are hunting an armed robber who held up two female members of staff at Coral bookmakers on Main Street in Fauldhouse, West Lothian at around 8pm on Friday, before making off with more than £100.

• A 64-YEAR-OLD woman was treated for burns and smoke inhalation after being rescued from a fire in sheltered housing.

Firefighters were called to the second-floor property in Redford Road at around 8.50pm last night.

The fire, which had broken out in the bedroom of the property, was extinguished using a hose reel and six breathing apparatus.

A Lothian and Borders Fire and Rescue spokeswoman said the casualty received treatment at the scene before being taken to the ERI suffering from smoke inhalation and burns.

Two cats who were in the building were also rescued and taken in to the care of the SSPCA.

• SIX people including a child were taken to hospital after a head-on collision in Leith.

Three cars were involved in the incident in Great Junction Street, which saw four ambulances rush to the scene.

Those taken to hospital after the collision, which happened at around 12.20pm yesterday close to the junction with Leith Walk, included a 52-year-old woman complaining of chest pain and a 39-year-old man with a back injury. A man, woman and child with injuries which are thought to be minor were also among those taken by ambulance to the Royal Infirmary.

• POLICE are appealing for help in tracing a missing man.

Andrew Connell, 52, from Loanhead, was last seen after he left his home at about 5pm on Saturday.

Police say Mr Connell failed to return home and there has been no contact from him, which is very much out of character. He is known to frequent the woodlands around Mavisbank and Roslin viaduct.

He is described as white, 5ft 8, slim build, short light grey hair, short beard and was wearing blue jeans, black and grey checked shirt and a black Barbour style jacket.

Anyone with information should contact Lothian and Borders Police on 0131 311 3131, or Crimestoppers in confidence and complete anonymity on 0800 555 111.

• ENVIRONMENTAL wardens in the city are being forced to wear stab-proof vests after a series of violent confrontations with dog owners.

The city council reportedly now issues the vests to wardens responsible for issuing fixed penalties to offenders.

The extreme measure is revealed in a BBC Radio Scotland investigation to be broadcast today.