9am Briefing: Police officer was driving car that killed Hogmanay reveller

Dad-of-three Martin Douglas, 41, died after being hit by a black Toyota in the early hours of the morning after leaving the CC Blooms nightclub near the Playhouse theatre.

And it has now emerged that the driver - who initially continued on his journey before later returning to the scene - was a police constable who had just finished a shift at a nearby north Edinburgh station.

EDINBURGH-based oil explorer Cairn Energy has announced a major step forward in its controversial hunt for oil in Greenland.

It has confirmed that it has secured two rigs for its drilling campaign, causing its share price to soar by 2.8 per cent.

Chief executive Sir Bill Gammell said: "By contracting two vessels for the Greenland exploration programme Cairn has increased operational capability and flexibility and continues to demonstrate its focus on safety. We look forward to drilling up to four exploration wells offshore Greenland during 2011."

A CYCLIST had to be taken to hospital after he was hit by a car in Edinburgh.

The cyclist was taken to the Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh with what was thought to be a minor wrist injury.

The accident happened on Telford Road in the city at around 7.25am yesterday.

A WOMAN was treated for smoke inhalation after a fire broke out in a flat in the Old Town this morning.

A number of passers-by reported the fire shortly after 8am in a second floor flat at 149 West Port.

A man had to be rescued by firefighters using a turntable ladder.