9am briefing: teenage girl dies after being kicked by horse

A TEENAGE girl has died after she was kicked in the head by a horse she was given for her birthday.

Lauren Bryant, 16, from West Lothian, suffered serious head injuries after her pet, Solo, struck her as she prepared to go for a ride.

She died on Sunday afternoon after the incident at Duddingston Farm stables in Newton, West Lothian.

Although nobody witnessed the incident, her severe injuries indicated that she had been kicked in the head.

Letter reveals how King George met man who cured his stammer

A LETTER discovered in the archives of the National Library of Scotland has revealed how the man who cured King George VI of his stammer was introduced to the Palace.

The monarch, played by Colin Firth in the Oscar-winning film The King's Speech, overcame his speech impediment with the help of therapist Lionel Logue.

The missive revealed Logue's address was passed to the Palace by John Murray V, a member of the John Murray publishing dynasty whose archives are housed at the library.

It is believed that Murray's recommendation to his friend, Lord Stamfordham, meant Logue was introduced to the Palace.

Chief Exec stands down from Essential Edinburgh

TOM Campbell has resigned from his position as chief executive of Essential Edinburgh.

Mr Campbell, who had been on sick leave since mid- December, announced his decision to step down yesterday.

It comes just a month after Jane Wood announced that she was quitting her role as chair of Essential Edinburgh. She has since been replaced by Denzil Skinner.

Sarah Brown reveals details of loo drama

GORDON Brown's wife Sarah has revealed that the caterer for a prestigious dinner got trapped in the loo and could not be freed as party leaders tucked into a luxury meal.

As Prime Minister Gordon Brown hosted a meal at his home in North Queensferry for First Minister Alex Salmond and other Scottish party leaders, the caterer from Edinburgh delicatessen Valvona and Crolla was stuck in the toilet.

Mrs Brown said: "We lost the caterer half way through the evening. We couldn't work out where she'd gone.

"It turned out she'd gone to the toilet and the lock had broken. It was this important dinner and I spent half the night trying to get the bathroom door open.

"The lady in the loo was very good but she didn't want to make a noise by banging on the door. It's funy now but at the time it would have been a terrible story."