Supermarket back-paddles on duck race ban

THE organiser of a charity duck race who was told he could not raise funds for the event in an Edinburgh supermarket as it was "a form of gambling" has finally been given permission to sell the ducks there.

Bill MacDonald, 63, was left bemused after staff at Sainsbury's told him he could not sell the ducks at the Straiton store, despite being allowed to do so last year.

Mr MacDonald sells ducks in advance for the race, which will take place in Pittendreich Burn in Bonnyrigg on January 23 at 2pm. He will be selling the ducks in Sainsbury's at Straiton on January 15.

He said: "I'm pleased that I'm able to sell them at Sainsbury's now though I'm still puzzled about the misunderstanding."

This year's race will be started by two "mystery" sports stars - one a Commonwealth Games medallist and the other a rugby player.