Local News: Bike challenge gets workers in the saddle

COMMUTERS are being challenged to compete against one another as part of a competition to encourage more people to cycle to work.

Organised by local charity The Bike Station, the Edinburgh Cycle Challenge is part of the Better Way to Work campaign.

Employers are entered into league tables, depending on their numbers of employees.

To get involved visit www.abetter waytowork challenge.org

Telford wins safety award

TELFORD College has become the first higher education establishment in Scotland to be awarded the OHSAS health and safety award.

Health and safety manager Alan Crawford said: "This award is a great achievement.It is normally awarded to high-risk organisations in fields such as oil."

City's licence target on track

COUNCIL chiefs are on track to meet targets for processing houses in multiple occupation (HMO) licences quickly.

The council has set a target of circulating details of HMO applications that have been processed to all consultees within 10 days in nine out of every 10 cases.

Forth's champions to host annual conference

THE body which promotes the sustainable use of the Firth of Forth is holding its annual conference at the end of the month.

The Forth Estuary Forum will host the conference at the Queensferry Hotel, North Queensferry, on January 31.

The event will be addressed by local and national speakers. Chairwoman of the forum, Ruth Briggs, said: "This is an exciting programme that will help with challenges of maintaining the Forth's importance as a natural habitat and economic resource."

Class Act set to stage a celebration

TRAVERSE Theatre's "Class Act" project, which offers schoolchildren the chance to turn playwright, is celebrating its 21st birthday with a series of gala performances.

The coming-of-age showcase will see 21 plays performed on January 27 and 28, with one taken from each year of the scheme's existence.

The following evening a special gala performance will be hosted by past alumni Greg McHugh of BBC1 hit sitcom Gary: Tank Commander fame.

'Monroe' joins the Rat Pack

SUSIE Kennedy, the world's leading Marilyn Monroe impersonator, has been added to the Rat Pack Show at Edinburgh Playhouse.

Ms Kennedy, an established stand-up comedienne, will star in the show on January 27.

Tickets start from 16, but are free for accompanied children.