Talk of the Town: Left feeling tender by Chambers jibes

HAVING provided the loudest voice in the fight to halt the controversial council care and support tendering process, Labour councillor Lesley Hinds has proved to be something of a thorn in the side of the Lib Dem/SNP administration.

As well as care and support services, she has also spoken out about proposals to privatise a range of council services.

She was at it again this week, trying to block plans to re-tender advocacy services for a range of vulnerable people to a selected three organisations.

Her campaigning spirit is not lost on the Lib Dems, it would appear. Cllr Gary Peacock said: "If we tendered paper clips, I doubt we'd get it past Lesley Hinds."

Health leader Paul Edie appears to be similarly frustrated with Labour councillor Ewan Aitken, who he described as "Cllr Hind's 'mini me'".

Be quick if you want to make tracks to London

IT will be the wedding of the year, so it's little wonder that keen Royal spotters are being advised to book early.

Those hoping to get a peak of William and Kate have been advised to book their train tickets early, with East Coast rail expecting "strong demand" for its cheapest advance tickets to London.

Storing up trouble

THE Liberal Democrats may have led the fight against the SNP's "Tesco tax" which was thrown out by MSPs on Wednesday. But before seeing his proposal defeated, Finance Secretary John Swinney recalled the Lib Dems have not always been on the side of the supermarkets.

He told parliament he remembered Lib Dem activists out with their placards in Stockbridge, trying to keep Sainsbury's out of the area. The band of protesters included Westminster hopeful Kevin Lang, Scottish leader Tavish Scott and even Vince Cable. Mr Swinney added: "The Liberal Democrats referred to him as the ever-popular Vince Cable. They do not do that any more."

Dead exciting

THE revival of Edinburgh's Secret Society has already proved a great success and it seems organisers are now looking to take their events to new levels.

Details have emerged about the next meeting, on February 18, which promises "An Evening of Death".

In case that isn't enough to pull in the crowds, the event will also feature manifestations from beyond the grave, a Victorian machine created to talk to the dead and a live operation.