Talk of the Town: World Cup piglets are having a ball

WHILE the 2010 World Cup may be one the England fans want to forget, staff at Edinburgh Zoo have made sure it will be a tournament to be remembered for years to come.

Staff have named their newest additions – three male red river hog piglets – Ellis, Moses and Nelson after the Ellis Park, Moses Mabhida and Nelson Mandela stadiums.

Sue Gaffing, head keeper of hoofstock at Edinburgh Zoo, said: "At almost a month old they are really playful and have been chasing each other around their enclosure.

"At this age they are particularly cute so it's really good to see them."

Boisterous George is lost for words over agreement

LOTHIANS Labour MSP George Foulkes was uncharacteristically lost for words in the Scottish Parliament yesterday.

Normally one of Holyrood's most boisterous hecklers, the noble lord relishes sparring with the SNP and stirring up trouble. But yesterday he found himself in the unusual position of having the whole chamber agree with him.

He was proposing an amendment to the Criminal Justice Bill to require licensed premises to give information on disabled access. It was a cause all parties were happy to sign up to.

Lord Foulkes didn't know what to say, but managed to thank everyone for their support before adding: "It's not something I'm used to."

Friends in high places

THE SNP candidate for the Liberton/Gilmerton by-election taking place later this year readily admits that – as an Oxford graduate and music conductor – he has a background slightly different to most Edinburgh councillors.

And it seems that, in his time at Oxford, Richard Lewis made friends with some people who went on to quite big things.

One of his acquaintances at the time was George Osborne,

and Mr Lewis even claims to have won the Tory's support when he was standing for the role of student president in the early 1990s.

But it seems that now he has converted to nationalism, he is unlikely to renew that particular friendship. The 39-year-old said: "He voted for me for JCR president at the time, which is more than I'll ever do for him."

A taste of Wimbledon glory

ANDY Murray marched into the semi-finals of Wimbledon yesterday, and there's little doubt the country will be backing him to reach the final.

Juice Almighty, on Castle Terrace, is doing its bit to support Murray and give locals a taste of the tournament.

The team has decided to distill the unique taste of Murray Mania with a smoothie including wild strawberries, banana and some low-fat yoghurt.