Local news: Judges warm to Capital artist's touch of glass

AN artist who graduated from Edinburgh College of Art has received an award for his work. Graeme Thyer was recognised in the Warm Glass UK Prize for artists working in glass.

His piece, Charcoal Glass, was praised for its technique and artistry and beat more than 70 entries.

Mr Thyer said: "I am deeply surprised my glass has achieved something so honourable. After only working with glass for two-and-a-half years it shocks me how far I have come."

Pupils urged to sign up for book swap

SCHOOL pupils across Edinburgh are being urged to sign up to a book-swapping scheme.

The deadline for entries to the ScottishPower Story Swap Shop is May 13.

Now in its third year, the swap shop enables students to swap books with classmates in exchange for a 50p donation to charity.

This year the initiative will support Aberlour, a charity which helops vulnerable children and young people in Scotland.

Big names at Wee Folk Club

ALISTAIR Ogilvy and Jim King will appear at the Wee Folk Club, beneath the Royal Oak Pub on Infirmary Street, on May 1.

Singer Alistair will be accompanied by guitarist and singer Jim. The event starts at 8.30pm and entry is 5 on the door.

Green activists gather in city

FRIENDS of the Earth Scotland is set to hold its AGM in the Capital.

The event takes place at the Out of the Blue Drill Hall, Dalmeny Street on May 28.

The meeting will be followed by a free public conference on land rights. The keynote speaker will be Andy Wightman, a leading land rights expert.

Thousands get in line to bag a bargain

THOUSANDS of people queued up to grab cut-price suits and iPod Nanos as a new cash and carry opened in the Capital.

Around 2500 bargain-hunters queued outside the BigOffers Discount Warehouse at Newbridge on Thursday morning to get their hands on 150 suits for 8 and iPod Nanos for 20.

The new 60,000sq ft outlet, launched by BBC online Dragon Shaf Rasul and ex-Matalan boss Duncan Sutherland, is the latest venture by the entrepreneurs.

Voice support for Japan

A CHARITY concert in support of the survivors of the earthquake and tsunami in Japan has been organised by the Japanese Singing Group in Edinburgh.

The Cheer Up Japan Concert will take place next Friday at St Cecilia's Hall.

Tickets for the concert, which starts at 6.30pm, cost 3.