9am Briefing: Man taken to hospital after flat blaze

The 31-year-old was taken to the ERI by ambulance to be treated for his injuries.

The blaze in his flat in Springwell Place, Dalry, broke out at 1.45am.

A vet was called to deal with some cats that were in the property.

Fire crews were also called out just before 9pm last night to a property in Magdalene Avenue.

The 76-year-old male occupant was treated at the scene by paramedics.

Livestock perish in cattle truck crash

FIVE cattle and dozens of sheep have been killed after a 32-tonne truck overturned on a country road in the Lothians.

The cattle truck was transporting 330 sheep and five cows when it flipped onto its side shortly after 3pm yesterday.

Emergency services rushed to the scene at the entrance of the Arniston Estate near Gorebridge to find a scene of devastation.

More than 400 litres of diesel escaped from the vehicle after the crash and threatened to enter a nearby stream.

An emergency vet was requested by the attending services to put many of the injured animals down.

Sir Sean says acting days behind him

SCREEN legend Sir Sean Connery -who celebrates his 80th birthday today -says he will never act again.

The Bond star has also told of his recent health problems, but said he was on the mend.

"I don't think I'll ever act again," he said. "I have so many wonderful memories but these days are over.

"I'm swimming every day and I'm even trying to get the golf swing working again - but that might take a little bit longer. During the summer I wasn't feeling great."

Meanwhile, rival 007 Sir Roger Moore, 82, has hailed Sir Sean as the greatest ever Bond.

Susan Boyle's Pope song choice revealed

SINGING sensation Susan Boyle will sing the hymn "How great thou art" and her signature song "I dreamed a dream" in the build-up to the Mass to be celebrated by the Pope in Glasgow next month.

The Britain's Got Talent star, from Blackburn, West Lothian, has described the opportunity to sing for Pope Benedict XVI as "her greatest dream come true."