Local Round-up: Readers get a double-booked treat

TWO special events are taking place at Waterstone's bookshop in Princes Street today.

Author Iain M Banks is due to sign copies of his latest book, Surface Detail at the shop between 12.30pm and 1.30pm.

This evening will see the launch of Douglas Watt's Testament of a Witch, the second of the author's John MacKenzie series.

The second event is free but ticketed, with tickets available from the shop. For more information call 0131-226 2666.

School flying the eco flag

PUPILS and staff at St John Vianney Primary School are celebrating after achieving their first Eco Schools Green Flag.

An Eco Schools assessor visited the school in May and saw what the pupils had done to reduce litter, recycle paper, compost waste and grow their own vegetables.

New salon's a real beauty

SALON group Zen Lifestyle has teamed up with a design and refurbishment specialist to help create a new beauty and cosmetic centre in Edinburgh.

Bosses researched various spas and hotels to work with the design team at Space Solutions on the Hanover Street centre.

Nurseries' recipe for success

A CITY nursery group has published a children's recipe book.

More Please was compiled and published by Edinburgh's Pinocchio's Children's Nurseries in aid of the Sick Kids Friends Foundation. The book costs 5 and is available from the nurseries.

Pupils show Continental knowledge

PUPILS from Edinburgh Academy have won this year's final of the Euroquiz challenge.

Thirty teams of primary six pupils from schools all over Scotland took part in the event held in the Scottish Parliament's debating chamber.

The quiz, which is run by the Scottish European Educational Trust, saw more than 1500 pupils from 370 schools competing in the heats. Winners of each heat took part in the final.

Interactive city cycle map is rolled out online

AN interactive version of Edinburgh's "Innertube" cycling map has gone online.

Modelled on the map of the London Underground, the plan shows the city's off-street cycle network, allowing those on two wheels to avoid those on four.

The project was designed by city cycling charity The Bike Station and is being supported by the People's Postcode Lottery.

More details of the map can be found at www.innertubemap.com or on Twitter@InnertubeMap.