Talk of the Town: You've got to hand it to the real fans

FOR most people it would be a novelty snack to serve up with a cup of tea, rather than hang on to for years.

The Edinburgh fan of Coronation Street who won a cast of Ken Barlow's hands made from bread dough certainly won't be putting out slices for friends, however.

Mags Wilson paid 30 for the memento of the long-running soap after an auction on eBay.

"I'm such a huge fan of the show, which I have been watching since 1977, so when I saw the Ken Barlow dough hands up on eBay, I just had to bid for them," Mags said. She added, perhaps optimistically: "I'll certainly take good care of them. Who knows, in a few years they may be worth something!"

MSPs have the perfect date for Wills and Kate

AMID the speculation about just when Prince William and Kate Middleton plan to marry next year, Scottish politicians have suggested consideration be given to May 5.

The happy couple have said their wedding will be in the "spring or summer", but May 5 appears to be the day of choice for major events - it's already the date for the Scottish Parliament elections and the UK Government's referendum on a new voting system.

So what better than to time the Royal nuptials for the same day? One senior Scottish Government minister appeared to back the idea, saying: "We don't think there's enough happening on May 5."

Job ad's media Claus

EVERYONE'S got to be media-friendly these days, even Father Christmas, it seems.

Jenners is currently advertising for a Santa. Some of the requirements in the advert are fairly standard - the applicant must be an "enthusiastic and jolly person" and a "cheery fellow".

But that's not the end of it. The successful candidate will also "have worked in the entertainment field" and the job description includes "hosting short interviews with the children". Formal media training is presumably optional.

The big question, of course, is whether anyone's told the REAL Santa that Jenners is looking for one of its own. He won't pleased.

Truly epic appetites

BEING a rock star may not seem like the most physically demanding job in the world but The White Lies might just beg to differ.

Their performance at The HMV Picture House on Tuesday night was obviously so strenuous that they worked up a massive appetite, as fans spied a pizza delivery man offloading a tower of food on to their tour bus after the gig. They must have worked up a major thirst too, judging by the amount of beer being shipped on to the bus.

Doesn't sound like a bad job.