Talk of the Town: Innovation needs some enthusiasm

WHILE Edinburgh inventors were being rightly praised at a recent awards ceremony, they might want to rein in the excitement.

A recent npower survey has revealed that while we all love a labour-saving gadget, it seems we don't love them for very long - 78 per cent of people in Scotland admit they hoard items such as blenders, curling tongs and grilling machines.

The survey also revealed that Scots forked out cash on gadgets they knew they wouldn't use, with the top offenders including egg poachers and bread makers.

It's a whole new ball game at stormy council meeting

JUST a week after the angry bust-up between Celtic manager Neil Lennon and Rangers assistant Ally McCoist that has dominated the headlines, it seems that Edinburgh's political leaders want to get in on the act.

After a council meeting where city leader Jenny Dawe and deputy leader Steve Cardownie were subjected to intense questioning by opposition councillors over their role in The Gathering, angry scenes broke out afterwards between Councillor Cardownie and Andrew Burns, leader of the Labour group on the council.

One councillor who witnessed the confrontation said: "Steve was pointing the finger and invading Andrew's body space. Yes, sometimes feelings are high, but for the deputy leader of the council to act like that I do not think is right. Put it this way - Neil Lennon got a four-match ban for less."

Cereal success in making

IT HAS drawn a cult following as an unusual snack at Scottish rock festivals. Now Stoats Porridge is hoping to replicate that success across the UK after being named one of Britain's best food trucks.

This year, the Edinburgh-based company will be attending 15 festivals including T in the Park, Belladrum Tartan Heart Festival, and Wickerman but is hoping to have a greater impact on the wider UK market.

It's easy, it's a shoe-in

CHARITY fundraisers are appealing for workers to shed their regular footwear and put their best foot forward in the name of cancer research.

Macmillan Cancer Support is urging city residents to give their feet a rest and wear trainers for the day. And while you're at it, it's urging runners to raise cash for their campaign by running events such as the Edinburgh Half Marathon on April 10 and Kilomathon Scotland on April 17.