Talk of the Town: Beat It if you can't take gallery Thriller

FEATURING a striking collection of paintings featuring crucified chimps, staring eyeballs and Michael Jackson, not to mention some rather disturbing cutouts of little old ladies holding severed horses heads, it's hardly surprising that the latest exhibit at the Axolotl gallery in Dundas Street has raised some eyebrows.

Yesterday, the gallery was faced with a full-blown walkout after a customer at one of its previous exhibits was left shocked at the latest works, by Gregor Laird.

Gallery owner Sarah Wilson admitted its previous exhibit, featuring nice butterflies and watercolours, had attracted a lot of families and old ladies.

"One woman came in yesterday to see a painting that was previously on display, but when she saw the crucified chimp she said that, as a Christian, it was offensive and she had to leave," she said.

Anyone not so easily offended and curious to see an image of Michael Jackson on the cross should head along to the gallery before August 1.

Decked out buses on the prowl along no.5 route

WE'VE been enjoying the new designs for some of the Lothian buses, with coloured top decks and pictures inspired by each route.

The latest is the number 5. It now sports a beige top deck, and takes its inspiration from the fact that, as the Lothian Buses website says, "Morningside is renowned as Edinburgh's literary quarter, with celebrated writers including JK Rowling and Ian Rankin".

We hope Rowling and Rankin won't be offended, then, to discover that the literary giant chosen to grace the side of the number 5 is in fact Maisie the Cat.

Brew your bit for charity

FOR those of you fed up with feeling you have to take part in a run or a bike ride to raise money for charity - take heart.

Here's a charity event for those of us whose favourite sport is the sprint to the bar: Stewart Brewing has laid down the gauntlet to Alloa-based counterparts, Williams Bros Brewing, to have a summer brew-off. The two will try to create the best summer ale they can, and then an audience at The Queen's Arms in Frederick Street on July 27 will take part in a taste-off. All proceeds go to Maggies.

Rolling in it

A RECORD boss who produced The Rolling Stones has picked a little-known Edinburgh band from thousands of hopefuls to be the stars of the future.

The Asps were stunned when Ron Nevison chose them from 9000 internet hopefuls.