Talk of the Town: Another criminal Christmas record

WITH the thrilling climax of the nation's biggest karaoke competition The X Factor, the race for Christmas number 1 has begun in earnest.

Up against newly crowned crooning champ Matt Cardle are the anti X Factor campaign "Cage Against The Machine" and fans of Biffy Clyro trying to get their original song Many of Horror (When We Collide) - which Cardle has covered - the top spot.

So the chances are slim that local burrito restaurant Illegal Jacks will make it to number one.

The Lothian Road restaurant's latest video is a tongue-in-cheek effort which extols the virtues of Mexican food as an alternative Christmas treat.

What they lack in budget and musical ability, however, they more than make up for in celebrity endorsements, with none other than crime-writing legend Ian Rankin appearing in a Santa hat stuffing his face with a burrito.

MSP reveals thwarted desire to go west

MUCH like the recent foul weather, the political fall-out from the blizzard-induced chaos which saw the M8 closed for a staggering 45 hours last week rumbles on.

It seems the trouble has brought up the long-standing tensions between Edinburgh and Glasgow.

Yesterday, in a hostile meeting of the Holyrood transport committee, MSPs were told that it would have been "nigh on impossible" to swiftly close the snowbound motorways and prevent gridlock.

Angry Glasgow Labour MSP Charlie Gordon revealed that he had been caught up in the chaos, revealing: "Yours truly was stranded in Edinburgh for two nights, a cruel and unusual fate for a dyed-in-the-wool Glaswegian."

Mr Gordon doesn't realise it could have been much worse - he could have been stuck in Glasgow.

He's behind you!

GRANT Stott is ubiquitous on the buses at this time of year, as the adverts go up for his pantomime appearance at The King's.

Not only that, but in his role as the face of Lothian Buses, he is also now appearing sporting a Santa hat and beard on the firm's "Stott The Difference" competition adverts.

He's behind you! And in front of you! And going past on the side of the Number 10!

Snapping up festive feasts

EDINBURGH residents are often labelled the snobbiest of Scots, and according to research by a budget supermarket, the slur might be justified.

More than half of those surveyed said they were ditching the traditional turkey dinner this Christmas and opting for more luxurious seasonal fare, including whole lobster. The chain was perhaps carrying out its research exclusively in Morningside.