Local round-up: Help with new benefits for ME sufferers

Organised by city organisation Edinburgh ME Self-Help, the free event will take place on April 7 at St Cuthbert's Church on Lothian Road from 2pm.

A benefits adviser from the council will speak at the talk on the issue which could affect sufferers.

A spokeswoman for the charity said: "Changes to benefits are a concern for many members at the moment."

Coal firm looks for investment

Bosses of a company that extracts coal were set to appear in Edinburgh today to try to attract new investment.

Oracle Coalfields, based in Cambridgeshire, were today set to meet with some of the city's fund managers and private client brokers to inform them about the company.

Work starts on affordable homes

Port of Leith Housing Association has commenced work on the development of 98 affordable homes in Fox Street, Leith.

The properties, which range from one-bedroom to four-bedroom main-door duplex apartments, are scheduled for completion in January 2013.

Pupils learn struggles of the deaf-blind

PUPILS at George Heriot's School were given a taste of the daily struggles of a deaf-blind person.

The event, hosted by John Whitfield of Deafblind Scotland, was aimed at promoting awareness of the condition as part of the Touching Lives project funded by the Big Lottery Fund.

Young people had the chance to take part in some practical activities and learn to use a deaf-blind manual.

Felted design is first exhibition at eco store

ECO shop Frugal Cool is set to stage its first exhibition later this month.

The exhibition of felted design by Portobello-based designer, Heather Potten, will get under way on Saturday and run until March 31.

It will take place at Frugal Cool's ReMade eco store in Musselburgh and will show Heather's 2011 collection of felted scarves and collars.

Silk forms the basis for each piece with merino fibres laid onto it, which are then decorated with assorted silks, bamboo and mohair.

Studies could aid disorders

STUDIES by Edinburgh University boffins could help improve understanding of disorders like epilepsy, dementia, multiple sclerosis and stroke.

Scientists have identified a protein crucial for maintaining the health of the nerve fibres that control transmission of messages within the brain.