Clock ticking for Earth Hour

THE clock at Midlothian Council HQ will be plunged into darkness for 60 minutes to mark Earth Hour on March 31.

The lighting at Midlothian House will be switched off at 8.30pm to support the World Wide Fund for Nature initiative, which is aimed at raising awareness of climate change.

Last year, Midlothian ranked eighth highest out of 100 UK council areas for the proportion of its population signing up to take part. Council leader Councillor Derek Milligan said: “As one of the first signatories to sign Scotland’s Climate Change Declaration, Midlothian Council is committed to reducing its own greenhouse gas emissions while also encouraging our local communities to reduce theirs too.

“So let’s hope that people in Midlothian rise to this year’s challenge and exceed last year’s achievement.”