Talk of the Town: Shortcomings of Scots on shortlist

WEST Lothian's favourite singing star, Susan Boyle, is in the running for Scot of the Year, making it on to a shortlist of five, along with big names such as Ewan McGregor and Colin Montgomerie.

But SuBo might be a little disheartened to see that she is also rubbing shoulders on the shortlist with recently-convicted perjurer Tommy Sheridan.

Organisers, the charity Scots in London, tactfully describe his reason for nomination as "for showing his fighting spirit".

Dream reults led to a good night's sleep

LOTHIANS MSP and Labour peer George Foulkes got a good night's sleep on Tuesday after staying up all night on Monday as battle continued in the House of Lords over what Lord Foulkes calls the "Gerrymandering Bill".

The Government had been expected to force another all-night sitting, but instead allowed an early adjournment. The former Hearts chairman says: "I went to bed about 9.30pm, having heard we had just beaten Kilmarnock and Ayr United had beaten Hibs, so I had a very good night's sleep."

Time and place for jokes

IF you're going to make comical references to drugs, you might be advised that a formal public meeting is not the best arena.

During a meeting of the council's policy and strategy committee, council director Mark Turley had explained to councillors that, at the moment, the salt used on Edinburgh's roads is generally imported from Latin America.

Cllr Wheeler, the city's finance leader, quipped: "I take it he is checking what quality of white powder he is getting from Latin America?"

Help charity by gossiping

IT'S no secret that women like to gossip - although a recent study of feminine chat Habits might raise a few eyebrows with its claim that they devote almost a month every year of their lives to "girly gossip".

While many might consider that a conservative estimate however, those behind the study are hoping the gift of the gab can be turned to positive effect by encouraging people to sign up for the Edinburgh Race for Life.

The survey, conducted by YouGov, marks the launch of Tesco and Cancer Research UK's Race for Life - the UK's largest women-only event series.

And organisers are urging local ladies to channel their passion for chatting into a rallying cry to 'join the girls' at Race for Life events across Scotland.

Now that's the real power of word of mouth.