9am Briefing: £1.13bn RBS loses bigger than expected

But the results are an improvement on the previous year when the Edinburgh-based bank recorded losses of 3.6 billion.

And the group, which is 83 per cent owned by the Government, said it returned to the black in the final three months of 2010, with 12 million in profits.

Analysts had predicted 2010 losses would be reduced to 700m or even 400m, but the results showed the forecasts were over-optimistic.

VIRGIN Money is set to be unveiled as the new financial backer of the Edinburgh International Festival fireworks concert, it was revealed today.

The future of the spectacular event, watched by around 250,000 people, looked in doubt after Bank of Scotland pulled an estimated 250,000 of funding after 16 years.

However, it is understood that the Edinburgh-based bank will step in.

Earlier this month Virgin Money confirmed plans to open a new HQ in St Andrew Square and employ 300 new staff, adding to the current city workforce of 60.

LOTHIAN and Borders Police have vowed to track down and prosecute time wasters who dial 999 with frivolous non-emergency calls and have revealed some of the worst examples.

The force, along with Fife Constabulary, revealed one man called for officers to deal with a swarm of bees, another reported traffic lights stuck on red for five minutes, a pet owner wanted help tracking down her budgie and a dog owner dialled 999 because someone farted on his pet.

THE Lord Provost of Edinburgh has sent a message of condolence to the Mayor of Christchurch as hopes fade of finding more survivors in the quake-shattered city.

The official death toll stands at 98 and there are grave fears for more than 200 missing.

Lord Provost George Grubb wrote to the Mayor of Christchurch on behalf of the people of Edinburgh, extending heartfelt condolences.

Mr Grubb said: "The news from Christchurch is heartbreaking and I'm sure everyone in Edinburgh shares my horror at the scenes of devastation we have seen on the news."

Craig MacIntosh, 22, a Christchurch resident originally from Edinburgh, said people in the area were growing concerned about supplies of water in the wake of the disaster and many were leaving the city.