Local news: Department on budget via staff controls

STRICT recruitment controls have helped one of the council's biggest departments come in on budget.

The health and social care department is expected to finish the year in a balanced position.

A report by director of health and social care Peter Gabbitas and director of finance Donald McGougan said: "A 2.8 million overspend on the purchased services budget is being offset by a 900,000 underspend in staff costs and 300,000 on staff development."

Fundraising for Bangalore's blind

There will be a fundraising evening of music and dance from around the world at the Churc Hill Theatre on Sunday at 7.30pm.

The event is to raise money for Mathru School for the Blind in Bangalore, India. Tickets are 7/5 on the door. For information see www.utsavfundrais ingevent.webs.com.

Students hope to make the cut

Hairdressing students at Telford College will take part in their annual Hair Factor competition on Monday.

Celebrity hairdresser Patrick Cameron will judge 12 hopefuls, who have worked their way through several "boot camps".

The top three will go on to the UK Skills Competition.

Students speak of Auschwitz experience

Students who have taken part in the Lessons from Auschwitz Project gathered at the City Chambers last night to talk about their experiences on a visit to the Nazi extermination camp.

The pupils also heard Angela Constance MSP announce that the Scottish Government would continue to fund the project, which each year offers a trip to Auschwitz to two students from every school and college in Scotland.

Runners remember colleague

THREE colleagues from HM Revenue and Customs in Edinburgh have completed a marathon in Athens, raising 750 in memory of a former colleague.

Jim McLay, Matt Wilson and Sam Holliday completed the run in honour of George Ewan, who died last year.

Station car ban while south ramp refurbished

WORK is set to get under way to refurbish Waverley station's south ramp as part of the 130 million project to renew the station's roof.

From Friday, March 4 until the end of May no taxis or private vehicles will be able to access the station while the structure is excavated, waterproofed and resurfaced.

To help reduce disruption, a new taxi rank will be created on Market Street.

Ron McAulay, Network Rail director Scotland, said: "This project is vital and disruption cannot be avoided."