A late brace from James Collins was not enough to snatch a point as Hibs went down 3-2 against an incisive St Mirren team.

There was bad news for the home side even before a ball had been kicked, with news that defender Paul Hanlon was out with a thigh strain. Hanlon has been flourishing under the reign of new manager Terry Butcher, playing in every minute of every game so far this season, and his presence at centre-half was missed in the Hibs defence. Jordon Forster moved into the middle, while Alan Maybury made a rare start to fill in at right-back.

St Mirren took the lead within five minutes when a Paul McGowan shot rebounded off the post and hit keeper Ben Williams in the back, rolling back into the net. Sean Kelly had made a good run down the left hand side, and the 35-year-old Maybury didn’t have the pace to close him down enough to prevent the dangerous cross coming in. McGowan’s resulting shot was powerful, and Williams was helpless as the ball came off him for the goal.

Hibs could have been level minutes later, with teenager Jason Cummings provided with a good change, but the 18-year-old could only head over the bar.

After eight minutes Alex Harris came on to replace Ryan McGivern because of injury. This compounded Hibs woes, as there were no available defenders on the substitutes bench; in fact, both teams had only named six out of the available seven subs. Lewis Stevenson slotted in at left back, while Harris took Stevenson’s place in left midfield.

With a back four which was beginning to look more and more makeshift, Hibs were put under pressure by a St Mirren side who were quick and ruthless on the counterattack. After 23 minutes they doubled their advantage with a shot from a tight angle from Adam Campbell. Campbell was dangerous down the right-hand side, and he linked up well with John McGinn who was given too much space by the Hibs defence, allowing him to set up Campbell for the goal.

The away fans were delighted with their team’s display, and they didn’t have to wait long for goal number three. Only a few minutes later, Campbell the goalscorer turned provider and set up Steven Thompson with a good cross which the striker was able to head past Williams into the top corner.

McGowan could have made it four before the break, but his curling shot only hit the woodwork.

Half-time was met with a chorus of boos from the home support, who were unimpressed by their side’s capitulation in the first half. Terry Butcher saw fit to make a substitution at the break, with the rather uneffective Paul Cairney being replaced by 19-year-old Sam Stanton.

Stanton, who has been in and around the fringes of the first team this season, made a positive impact when he came on, looking to run with the ball and attack the St Mirren defence more directly. A series of corners saw the home side pile on their first real spell of pressure in the game, and it was through one of these that Collins managed to claw a goal back for Hibs.

Harris fired in low from the corner and Collins met the ball in the middle of the box with a bullet header into the top right-hand corner. The striker ran to the East stand to celebrate before quickly making his way back to his own half, to try to make the comeback count.

Hibs always looked at their most threatening through set-pieces, and their second goal came in the 89th minute when a long-range free-kick was headed down by Forster. Again it was Collins who was first on the scene with another header that set up the home side with a chance at grabbing a point.

With four minutes of added time to play, Hibs tried to push for an equaliser but despite the late comeback, the performance in the middle of the park was slack and ponderous for large spells, with players unable to pick out passes and instead giving the ball away or playing it aimlessly long. St Mirren, on the other hand, were quick and sharp with their passing, moving quickly on the counterattack to build moves that always looked to threaten Hibs at the back.

Screams for a penalty in added time were turned down by referee Willie Collum, who said no to the claims of handball by Campbell, the scorer and provider of two of St Mirren’s goals. Hibs fans and players alike felt aggrieved at the dubious decision, but St Mirren would feel that they deserved all three points over the course of  the game.

Hibs manager Terry Butcher was critical of his players after the game, saying that their first-half performance was unacceptable.

“It was the most wretched 45 minutes I’ve seen from one of my teams, I must say,” he said. “That was absolutely abysmal.

“At half time there were a few choice words and it was about getting a bit of pride back which I think we did in the second half, but you can’t give teams three goals of a start as we did and then hope to get something from the game, which we nearly did.”

Butcher was also infuriated about the penalty, which could have seen his side rescue a point.

“I’ve just seen the penalty [appeal] on the far side. It’s an unbelievable flick-up. He could probably get a contract in a volleyball team doing things like that and Willie Collum’s got a great view of it as well, but he doesn’t give it.”

A few Hibs players may also have to start worrying about their place in the team, with Butcher keen to point out that those kind of performances would see players on their way out of Easter Road:- “I don’t know where that first half performance came from because that is not like us at all. Defensively we were a shambles and going forward we weren’t much better.

“There were a few players in the first half that said to me by their performances that ‘I’m not good enough, get someone else in.’ I can’t do that in January but I will in the summer, because that was not acceptable. That was awful.

“The youngsters were showing the older ones this is the way we should go by being a bit fearless and having a go.

“They were going to have Monday off but they are in Monday now and I’m going to work them hard. If they are going to give the ball away and defend as poorly as we did in the first half then they are going to have to work hard to get the ball back and that means extra fitness and extra work.”

Hibs: Williams, Maybury, Forster, Nelson, McGivern (Harris 8), Cairney (Stanton 46), Craig, Robertson, Stevenson, Collins, Cummings (Zoubir 76).

Substitutes not used: Murdoch, Tudur Jones, Heffernan.

St Mirren: Kello, Naismith, McAusland, McGregor, Kelly, Goodwin (Wylde 65), Newton, McGowan (Van Zanten 81), McGinn, Campbell (Grainger 90+3), Thompson.

Substitutes not used: Dilo, Reilly, Brady.

Referee: Willie Collum.

Attendance: 9,610

Photo by John Preece

http://www.photoboxgallery.com/jlp-photography

Following the discovery of a boy’s body in Fife believed to be missing Drylaw toddler, Mikaeel Lukar, Community Safety Leader and local councillor Cammy Day today spoke of the impact of the unfolding situation on the local community in North Edinburgh.

Police Scotland is investigating following an offensive social media comment made in relation to the Mikaeel Kular missing person enquiry.

The remark, which was made on Twitter, originated from the Greater Manchester area and was brought to police attention by an Edinburgh resident.

Officers are now liaising with colleagues from Greater Manchester Police to identify the individual responsible.

A Police Scotland spokesman said: “Any reports of racist, offensive or abusive comments made online will be thoroughly investigated and those responsible will be brought to justice.

“If you commit an offence, we will investigate it and you will be prosecuted.

“Anyone who wishes to report offensive communications online can call 101 or contact their local policing team.”

Just after midnight Assistant Chief Constable Malcolm Graham called a hastily arranged press conference outside Fettes Police Station, where he broke the sad news that officers had recovered the body of a young boy in Fife.

The news brought audible gasps from members of the public who had accompanied reporters  to the conference.

ACC Graham also praised the public response, saying: “I would like to thank everyone who has responded to these highly unusual events by assisting with searches and other activities in support of this investigation.

“I would also like to acknowledge the overwhelming public response to requests for information, assistance and sightings. As ever, the Police rely on the vital support of those who live and work within our communities.”

Acclaimed writer Irvine Welsh who was brought up in the area tweeted: “So sad about wee Mikaeel, but couldn’t be more proud of where I come from & the amazing people there who tried everything to help out.”

A criminal enquiry is underway following the discovery late last night of the body of a young boy, thought to be Mikaeel Kular.

The body is understood to have been found at a property in Dunvegan Avenue, Kirkcaldy, Fife, owned by Mikaeel’s aunt Pandeep Kular.

The body is being left in situ for forensic and scenes-of-crime officers to carry out investigations

The house and a wooded area to the rear have been cordoned off.

As reported last night, a person has been detained in connection with the discovery. That person has not been identified by police although various media sources have named the individual concerned.

Under Scottish law, the person can be detained initially for 12 hours during questioning and then on the say so of a senior officer can be held for another 12 hours.

At the end of that period police must decide whether to release, charge, or formally arrest the person concerned.

An update is expected later today.

The Daily Mail produced a video of the moment when Assistant Chief Constable Malcolm Graham broke the news of the grim discovery to the media at Fettes in Edinburgh:-

The People’s Postcode Lottery handed over £100,000 to Edinburgh Zoo this week to the penguins. Instead of champagne the inhabitants of Penguins Rock celebrated with a bubble machine.

Awarded to the conservation charity the Royal Zoological Society of Scotland (RZSS), who own and manage Edinburgh Zoo and the Highland Wildlife Park, the monies will go towards the organisation’s charitable remit.

This funding, players of People’s Postcode Lottery will help the Society take care of the animals at Edinburgh Zoo and the Highland Wildlife Park and enhance the visitor experience, such as the creation of a new meerkat enclosure, new entrance plaza and then later a brand new discovery centre. The support will also help fund vital conservation and research projects both in Scotland and around the world. Currently with 29 projects around the globe that specialise in endangered species and genetic study, these include ground breaking giant panda research, exploratory work in Brazil surrounding the little known giant armadillo and closer to home the vital conservation of the Scottish wildcat.

Chris West, CEO of the Royal Zoological Society of Scotland, said:-“As a conservation charity we receive no government funding, instead relying on donations and visitors to our two zoological parks. This support from players of People’s Postcode Lottery is greatly appreciated. The funding will help RZSS to maintain both Edinburgh Zoo and the Highland Wildlife Park and help our crucial conservation projects at home and abroad. The role of a 21^st century zoo is vital now more than ever in terms of conservation, education and research and these funds will go a long way towards helping RZSS make a difference.”

Trusts Manager at People’s Postcode Lottery, Hazel Johnstone, said:-“On behalf of players of People’s Postcode Lottery, I would like to say how delighted we are to develop this new relationship between the Royal Zoological Society of Scotland. We’ve enjoyed being here today at Penguins Rock, celebrating on behalf of our players with the gentoo, rockhopper and king penguins at Edinburgh Zoo and look forward to seeing the benefits to this well-loved historic Scottish institution.”

Colin Oulton, Team Leader for Birds at Edinburgh Zoo, said:-“Our penguins are hugely inquisitive and playful, so they were delighted to step up and accept this cheque from players of People’s Postcode Lottery. They loved the giant cheque, but for very different reasons to us! As celebrations are usually synonymous with champagne, we thought it would be fun to introduce bubbles of a different variety that were more suitable for our birds. The penguins at Penguins Rock love bubbles and it is a great form of enrichment for them, so they took great delight in chasing and popping them with their beaks.”

Boy’s body found- Fair Trade Awards – Edinburgh South FC – Photographs – Jupiter Artland

This morning the city is faced with the grim news that the search for three year-old Mikaeel Kular has ended overnight.

ACC Malcolm Graham of Police Scotland announced at a press conference convened just after midnight that a young boy’s body had been recovered from a house in Kirkcaldy. You can read more here and watch the BBC coverage of the press conference here.

ACC Malcolm Graham – “We strongly believe the body of the young child found in Fife is Mikaeel Kular.” http://t.co/cOg1rciYja

— EdinburghPolice (@EdinburghPolice) January 18, 2014

The Scotsman said the policeman, a former CID boss and former Commander of the police in Edinburgh, was ‘visibly shaken’.

ITV claim that the boy’s mother has been detained and The Daily Record asserts that the house in Fife is owned by Mikaeel’s aunt.

Hundreds of people had been involved in the search in North Edinburgh over the last two days.

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You have till next Friday to vote for your favourite Fair Trade community, school, achievement or newcomer in the Lord Provost’s Fair Trade awards.

You can access the survey here and there are prizes on offer for those taking part.

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Looking for a way to entertain your children born in 2004, 2005 or 2006? Edinburgh South FC are holding an open evening to recruit some players for their coaching sessions.

“On Wednesday 29th January @ 6.30pm we have a parents night for all kids born in 2004,2005 & 2006. The venue is the Clubhouse at Inch Park. The first hour will mainly focus on the kids currently in teams & how a new player pathway will allow players to play peer-peer in the correct league from March this year. The second hour will focus mainly on the new players moving into teams from the 2005 & 2006 age group. Some 2006 players will start in Soccer 4 teams. All parents/guardians from those year groups should attend as the club sets out the agenda for the year ahead. The same evening we will also start the process of club registrations for the 7s teams for players not already registered.”

More information on their Facebook page.

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Our photo shown here is from Edinburgh, but maybe you would like to guess where? No prizes for guessing, just local kudos…..

While we are talking about photos, our cat storyboard on EdinburghReportage is still the out and out winner with photos of your cats in all sorts of poses! We have one for dogs – would you perhaps like to pawse for a moment, take a photo of your dog and add it to the Dogs storyboard? We know you love all your pets dearly, so if there is another storyboard you would like to see then feel free to suggest it!

Add a photo of your wee pooch here.

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Jupiter Artland has a competition for schools to get involved with later this year and they are looking for locals to get involved. They explain more on their website:-

“Jupiter Artland has been invited to host ARTiculation Scotland next year by the Roche Court Educational Trust, an innovative arts education charity based at the New Art Centre sculpture park and gallery in Wiltshire. The Articulation Prize is an annual initiative designed to promote the appreciation and discussion of art. S5 and lower sixth students are invited to deliver ten-minute presentations to an audience of arts professionals and their student peers about a work of art, artefact or architecture of their choice.”

They are running an evening when teachers can find out more on 23 April 2014.

A body of a young boy has been found and a person has been detained by police investigating the disappearance of missing Edinburgh three year old Mikaeel Kular.

The body was found in Fife shortly before midnight.

Police Scotland Assistant Chief Constable, Malcolm Graham, said: “The investigation into the disappearance of Mikaeel Kular has been wide-ranging and fast moving.

“As a result of enquiries the body of a young child was recovered in Fife just before midnight.

“We strongly believe this to be the body of Mikaeel.

“A person has been detained in connection with the recovery of the body and members of Mikaeel’s family have been informed of the recovery.

“Our thoughts and sympathies are with them at this time.

“I would like to thank everyone who has responded to these highly unusual events by assisting with searches and other activities in support of this investigation.

“As a result of this development clearly there will now be no requirement for any further help in relation to searches in the Drylaw area.

“I would also like to acknowledge the overwhelming public response to requests for information, assistance and sightings. As ever, the Police rely on the vital support of those who live and work within our communities.

“I am sure you will understand that I am unable to answer any further questions as the investigation continues.”

Mikaeel was reported missing from his home in Ferry Gait Crescent by his mother Rosdeep on Thursday morning.

She told police that she had put him to bed around 9pm on Wednesday night and when she went to wake him at 7.15am the following morning he was not in his bed.

Since then there has been a huge public response and comprehensive searches have been carried out in the Muirhouse, Silverknowes and Cramond areas.

Over 200 members of the public joined emergency services at the West Pilton Neighbourhood Centre and were deployed by experienced search coordinators.

Police in Edinburgh have thanked the public for their overwhelming support and assistance during today’s search activity to trace three-year-old Mikaeel Kular.

Over 200 local residents came out to participate in the extensive police search operation throughout the Drylaw area.

Officers will continue with this activity during the night.

Further searches will continue tomorrow (Saturday) and any volunteers wishing to assist are asked to attend at the West Pilton Neighbourhood Centre in West Pilton Grove at 10am.

Any members of the public coming along are reminded to dress for the conditions and ensure they have appropriate clothing and sturdy footwear.

To ensure the safety of all civilian search members, it is requested that only those over the age of 18 attend.

Specialist search dogs will also be deployed and so it is asked that volunteers leave their own pets at home.

Edinburgh coach firm’s licence halved for a month by Scotland’s Traffic Commissioner

Order to reduce licence from eight to four vehicles comes after public inquiry 

Company driver suspended for two weeks for driving without the correct entitlement

Edinburgh based Cramond Coaches Ltd will be prevented from running four of its vehicles during February 2014 following a ruling by Scotland’s Traffic Commissioner.

Joan Aitken, who held a public inquiry into the firm’s operator’s licence, said she was “highly displeased” that it had breached licence undertakings and by director Graham Pender’s “lack of full cooperation” with a government enforcement body.

The company, which operates from West Harbour Road in Edinburgh, appeared before the bus and coach industry regulator following an investigation by the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (incorporating VOSA and DSA) and a report from Lothian and Borders Police.

During the inquiry, Miss Aitken heard the force carried out a check at Prospect Bank School on 28 August 2012. They found that an employee working for Cramond Coaches Ltd did not have the correct entitlement to drive the vehicle he was using.

As a result, officers from the DVSA – the government agency responsible for commercial vehicle and driver standards – requested records from the company relating to its drivers and their work. However, the company initially failed to provide this documentation.

When the records were made available, a traffic examiner found that two of the company’s drivers had driven on a total of 90 occasions without the correct licence entitlement for the vehicles they were using.

She also told the Miss Aitken of other shortcomings with the firm’s record keeping.

In addition, the officer said that director Graham Pender told her a vehicle was carrying out an airport run when records from the vehicle’s
tachograph unit showed that it had not actually carried out that journey.

In evidence to the Traffic Commissioner, Mr Pender said that he now understood that when the DVSA asked for something, he had to comply. In respect of the driving licences of his employees, he had checked their entitlements every six months but thought that the categories listed on the licences allowed them to drive all types of passenger transport.

He added that he had learned from his mistakes and did not want to be at public inquiry again. The company was no longer carrying out school
contracts and concentrated on other work, including moving airline crews.

In a written decision issued after the hearing, Miss Aitken said that the company’s failure to fully cooperate with the inspectors was not
acceptable.

“The operator did not cooperate by having vehicles available to the examiner when she asked for such. The traffic examiners deserve
cooperation.

“I am highly displeased by the breaches of the licence undertakings and by Mr Pender’s lack of full cooperation,” she added. “It shows a contempt for operator licensing.”

The Traffic Commissioner also made an order to suspend the vocational driving licence of one of the company’s drivers, Ian Taylor, from 23:59 on 17 January for two weeks.

“I do this because a professional driver must ensure he has the correct entitlement. It was his responsibility and he had not sat or passed the required driving test.”

Mr Taylor took the necessary driver training and passed the required test after the issue had been brought to his attention.

Police have confirmed that detectives from the Major Incident Team are involved in the investigation onto the disappearance of three year old Mikaeel Kular and have an open mind as to whether the youngster did leave his house of his own accord.

Speaking at a press conference outside the former headquarters in Fettes Avenue, Assistant Chief Constable Malcolm Graham said: “The purpose of the briefing is to keep media and the public informed about the ongoing efforts and investigations to trace 3-year-old Mikaeel Kular who was reported missing to us by his mum on Thursday morning.

“At this point in time the reason for Mikaeel’s disappearance from home is unknown and he remains missing.

“Given the length of time between him last being seen on Wednesday evening in the family home by his mum and siblings, the lack of any confirmed sightings of Mikaeel and his very young age, we continue to look at every possible reason for his disappearance. It remains possible that he left his home on his own accord.

“It is also a possibility that there could be other factors involved in his disappearance.

“We have at this time nothing to confirm either way why Mikaeel has gone missing and strenuous efforts are ongoing to establish the full circumstances around this.

“Officers from the Police Scotland Major Investigation Team are working alongside local policing officers and detectives from across Scotland and specialist teams from Operational Support. It is normal in inquiries such as this to take a twin track approach aimed at finding the missing person and at the same time investigating and preparing for the possibility of a crime being committed.

“Major Investigation Team detectives are proactively trying to establish the full circumstances around Mikaeel’s disappearance including confirmation or otherwise that he left of his own accord or if a crime has been committed or not.

“The full range of resources available to Police Scotland is being deployed to assist with this inquiry.

Supt Liz McAinsh added: “I would continue to appeal to people in the Drylaw area and surrounding communities to report to us any information – specifically of sightings or with information about his whereabouts – to us.

“The dedicated telephone number 0300 200 0200 remains active and we have had a good response so far – although we have not yet had that vital piece of information which has led us to Mikaeel.

“We are continuing to work towards establishing whether a sighting in West Pilton Gardens was Mikaeel. Members of the public in a vehicle reported seeing a small boy resembling Mikaeel’s description. The boy was wearing a cap or hat. We need to know if that was indeed Mikaeel – or if we can eliminate this sighting from our investigations.

“The area where Mikaeel lives is densely populated. At 8.30am the area would have been busy with people going about their business – dropping kids at school or going to their work. I would ask anyone with information who saw this child to come forward so we can either focus our attention elsewhere or confirm if it was indeed Mikaeel.

“There continues to be huge amounts of support from the local community, with many members of the public helping our searching operations. Staff from partner organisations has also been involved in the search including from Scottish Power and the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service.

“I would thank them for that continued support.”

A man who was responsible for the death of his mother and the disposal of her body has been convicted.

At the High Court in Edinburgh today (Friday) James Dunleavy was found guilty of the culpable homicide of 66-year-old Phyllis Dunleavy, whose dismembered body was found buried on Corstorphine Hill on May 7th 2013.

The 40-year-old, who was also convicted of attempting to pervert the course of justice, will be sentenced at a later date.

Phyllis Dunleavy was visiting her son in the capital, having come across from Dublin. She is believed to have died sometime between April 30th and May 7th.

Detective Chief Inspector Keith Hardie, who led this investigation said: “James Dunleavy was involved in causing his mother’s death and then failed to report the matter to police, instead opting to conceal her body within a wooded area in Corstorphine Hill.

“Following the discovery of Phyllis Dunleavy’s body Police Scotland launched a major investigation and appeal for information, which was assisted by a number of specialist agencies.

“Thanks to this support a facial reconstruction was created and released to the public and soon after, we had a confirmed identity and a subsequent arrest.

“I would like to thank everyone involved in this enquiry for their contribution, which has resulted in today’s conviction.”

Police Scotland have confirmed that the remains found in Arrochar earlier this month are those of  missing student Yulia Solodyankina.

Following further forensic examination and DNA testing, we can confirm the identity as that of Russian student, Yulia Solodyankina who had been reported missing in June. There are no suspicious circumstances in connection with the death.

Yulia’s family has been informed and a report has been submitted to the Procurator Fiscal.

 

The 22-year-old was last seen on CCTV at the concourse of Buchanan Street bus station in Glasgow around 4.55pm on Friday, 7 June 2013.

Officers believed that she boarded a bus following this sighting, with the most likely destinations being either Fort William or Inverness, where police had carried out local inquiries in order to trace her.

A young Edinburgh director has been short listed for an Academy Award.

Edinburgh director Sara Ishaq has been selected as one of 5 finalists for the Best Short Documentary Award at this year’s Oscars.

Her film Karama has no Walls depicts the day when protesters in Yemen added their voices to those of other nations during the Arab Spring. The government responded with an attack that left 53 people dead and inspired widespread sympathy throughout the country.

Sarah studied at Edinburgh’s Scottish Documentary Institute (Edinburgh Art College) and qualified for an Academy award with her first film.

She became eligible for consideration by winning the Best Documentary Short award at EDINDOCS Documentary Film Festival in Edinburgh in 2012.

EDINDOCS is Edinburgh’s only dedicated Documentary film Festival and is held in late Autumn each year. It is also one of only a few Academy qualifying festivals in the World.

Submitted by Stuart McInnes

Police Scotland are asking for the public’s help after a potential sighting of a child matching the description of Mikaeel Kular.

Members of the public have come forward as a result of information appeals and reported seeing a boy at West Pilton Gardens, Edinburgh, yesterday morning at around 8.30am. The timing of the sighting has been confirmed by CCTV inquiries although these cannot confirm the identity of the child.

Superintendent Liz McAinsh said: “Since Mikaeel was reported missing, we have been contacted by a number of people with information which we have been working to assess and respond to. Members of the public have come forward to report seeing a boy walking in the vicinity of West Pilton Gardens at 8.30am yesterday. The witnesses were in a vehicle driving down West Pilton Gardens at the time they saw the boy. They described seeing a small boy on the right hand side pavement running towards the junction with West Pilton Park. They noticed him because he was small in build and alone at the time. They said he matched the description given of Mikaeel although they also reported the child they saw was wearing a cap or hat.

“We would ask that anyone who also saw this child contact us as a matter of urgency. We need to confirm if this was Mikaeel or if it was another child. If it is your child who was out at this time and in this location, we want to hear from you so we can eliminate this line of inquiry as swiftly as possible.”

Retired Detective Superintendent Bert Swanson said: “It is very encouraging to hear that but I would expect to hear of a number of potential sightings. There has been so much publicity and people are eager and keen to assist, therefore the priority is to ensure that whoever this child is to identify him as quickly as possible.

“The priority at this stage of course is to find out exactly where the boy is and to return him safe and well; the secondary priority is to establish the circumstances surrounding his disappearance.”

Anyone with information relating to this sighting is asked to contact the dedicated telephone number 0300 200 0200 and speak to Police Scotland.

Around 50 firefighters are tackling a fire in a roof space in a derelict building on Dundee Street in Edinburgh.

The alarm was raised at 12.02pm this afternoon and Scottish Fire and Rescue Service Operations Control Edinburgh quickly mobilised fire appliances from Tollcross, Sighthill, Liberton, McDonald Road, Crewe Toll and Newcraighall to the scene with a number of specialist appliances including two height appliances.

Firefighting operations continue at the scene.

If you enter this competition you could find yourself on a stage at the Edinburgh Fringe entertaining the crowds.

Fosters “So You Think You’re Funny?” applications will open at 12noon today. If you are aged over 18, new to stand-up comedy, and have not performed regularly before June 2013 and think you might have a pretty active funny bone, it’s definitely time to apply to Foster’s “So You Think You’re Funny?”!

Fosters So You Think You’re Funny? is the leading amateur stand-up comedy competition in the UK and has seen the likes of Peter Kay, Lee Mack, Sarah Millican, Johnny Vegas, Dylan Moran and Jack Whitehall as winners and finalists in previous years.

“The Final was the biggest gig I had ever done. Peter Kay hosted it and Russell Howard, Jimmy Carr, Andy Zaltzman and Josie Long were in the final. Winning it definitely gave me the confidence to keep writing the sort of stupid crappy jokes and songs I still do today”

David O’Doherty (Winner, 1999)

“For me it was the single most important thing I did in my career, it helped me leap from a lot of the crap in the business and gave me the extra push I needed but it also changed my life forever”

Jason Byrne (Finalist, 1996)

Now in its 27th year, this is truly the original competition of its kind, and we want you to be a part of it!

The Competition

The competition starts in the spring of each year with showcases countrywide. Last year the search for the best comedy newcomers went to Bristol, Leeds, Liverpool, Birmingham, Newcastle, Manchester, Leeds, Glasgow, Inverness, Dublin, Brighton and Nottingham as well as ten comedy clubs in London. Last year there were over 500 applicants for only 70 places in the Edinburgh heats. The demand for places is high, so the sooner the applications are received the better!

The event is open to new acts, who have been performing for less than 18 months, and who have yet to have been regularly paid for a comedy gig.  (For full details of the Rules and how to Apply, please visit the website www.soyouthinkyourefunny.co.uk )

Regional Showcases, Heats and the Final

Each showcase is not a direct competition. Instead the judges select the best acts from the combined showcases and invite them to take part in one of seven Heats at the Gilded Balloon during the Edinburgh Festival Fringe in August. Winners of each of these heats go forward to the Final, where the overall winner is selected.

The Final will be held on Thursday 21^st August 2014, where the best 9 comics, perform their funniest 7 minutes to industry judges and a full audience in the Gilded Balloon’s Debating Hall.  The winner receives £5000 and a trip to Montreal’s Just for Laugh’s Festival.

The Sponsors

After an extremely successful second year Fosters are again the sponsors of So You Think You’re Funny? bringing the competition to new heights! Sharing the same values of nurturing and developing up and coming comedic talent in the UK, we believe our collaboration will provide the perfect foundations for a wider talent support network for the future.

Dates to remember

Police in Edinburgh have praised the community spirit shown by the public as they continue their search for three-year-old Mikaeel Kular who has now been missing for over 36 hours.

The young boy has not been seen since 9pm on Wednesday night when his mother put him to bed in the family home in the capital’s Ferry Gait Crescent.

She reported him missing yesterday morning at 7.15am when she discovered he was not in his bed.

An extended search is currently being coordinated from the North Neighbourhood Centre in West Pilton Gardens where members of the public have congregated before been briefed by police officers.

Inspector David Happs from Drylaw Police Station told volunteers: “I thank you all for your patience. It is important to us that you are supplementing the search and complimenting us in what we are doing. It is important that we get an idea of who is all here to marry up who is going out and who is searching so that we can track you when you come back in.

“Health and safety is very important. It is dry just now and reasonably warm and sunny but that can change. Jackets and wellington boots are available.

“The community spirit has been fantastic and that is absolutely recognised by ourselves and I would give my sincere thanks to everybody who has come out and helped so far and it’s great to see that continuing today.

“The search today is going to continue along the Silverknowes and Crammond area and the intention is to get down there just now and deploy from there. Our search advisers will deploy people in groups and get a systematic and thorough search of that area done.

“I realise that was done yesterday as well, but it is important that we have the confidence that this is done absolutely thoroughly.

“A number of businesses have offered their help regarding refreshments which is fantastic and information will be put out on our twitter page regarding that and the Neighbourhood Centre has agreed to open up and provide facilities.”

Supt Liz McAinsh said: “Significant Policing resources were deployed throughout the night but there is still no trace of Mikaeel.

“There has been a fantastic response from the public with the dedicated phone number, which we issued yesterday, receiving numerous calls. However, we continue to urge anyone who may have information relating to Mikaeel’s disappearance or current whereabouts, who hasn’t yet contacted us, to get in touch via 0300 200 0200.

“As people are awakening again, I repeat our requests for them to be vigilant and check out any area where they see something different or out of place. Also to revisit their gardens, sheds and outhouses – even if they checked them yesterday.

“Today, we are continuing with our search using specialist officers, Police dogs and horses and the air support unit.

“We recognise that the local community is eager to help and we really appreciate their support.”

Police Scotland has confirmed that a third person has died following a road collision in East Lothian.

Dawn Morris, the 21-year-old driver of a Ford Ka was pronounced dead at the scene after her vehicle was involved in a collision with a Ford Focus on the A1, near Torness on Thursday 9th January.

Her rear seat passenger, 21-year-old Claire Jamieson later passed away in hospital after sustaining serious injury. Both women were from the Cowdenbeath area of Fife.

The male driver of the Focus, 23-year-old David Forsyth from Invergordon, was also taken to hospital and has since passed away.

Enquiries into the full circumstances surrounding this incident are ongoing and any motorists who witnessed the collision, or who have information that can assist with our enquiries is asked to contact police immediately.

Those with information can contact Police Scotland on 101 or alternatively, the charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

Missing boy – Boost Bingo – Edinburgh Mountain Film Festival  – Craigmillar Computer Classes – EdinburghReportage

A three year-old boy went missing from his home at Ferry Gait on Wednesday evening at 9pm. Many people from the local area along with Police Scotland and other agencies were  involved in the search for Mikaeel Kular yesterday.

At a press conference earlier this morning, Police Scotland asked locals to search their gardens and sheds again, but said that there have been no positive sightings and they remain ‘deeply concerned’.

The Edinburgh Reporter spoke to Robert Pearson Chair of Tenants and Residents in Muirhouse  (TRIM) late last night to find out what TRIM had been doing to try and help yesterday:-“North Edinburgh Time Bank had a meeting at North Edinburgh Arts yesterday morning when the news broke, and after their meeting they initially started walking the streets. They then asked me if I could help organise something a bit more formal. So from one Facebook message we ended up with about a hundred people combing the area.”

“We got 50 residents together at North Edinburgh Arts and Inspector Happs from Police Scotland briefed the residents. We went out under his instructions in groups. There were bigger numbers throughout the day and we had around 100 people by half past seven. Councillors Day and Redpath joined in our search today and the council’s North local office released staff early if they wanted to come and help.

“This evening the police have extended the cordon around the house and there are 20 or 30 forensic officers searching the area.

“For me this proves how the residents of this area rally round. It is amazing. Tomorrow (Friday) residents will be meeting at 10am in the North Team’s offices at West Pilton Gardens to resume searching. Police Scotland will also be there at this time.”

RNLI Queensferry were involved in the search:-“Queensferry lifeboat was paged to launch today at 14:04 to assist in the search for a missing 3 year old child from Edinburgh. The Lifeboat was requested to carry out a detailed shoreline search between Granton and Cramond. We also transported Coastguard search teams to Cramond Island for a search to be carried out there. After approximately 3 hours of searching and with nothing found, the lifeboat was stood down and returned to station.”

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Sheila Gilmore, MP for Edinburgh East, will help to launch a very special national bingo game at the Gala Bingo Club in Edinburgh tonight.

The MP will be taking part in the launch of Boost Bingo, happening simultaneously in nearly 400 clubs around Britain. Customers at the Gala Bingo Club will be wearing special Boost Bingo T-shirts, as they play a free Boost Bingo game, with a cash prize. Sheila Gilmore will be trying her hand as a bingo caller for the special Boost Bingo game.

Boost Bingo, launched by The Bingo Association, calls on the Government to bring tax on bingo in line with other popular leisure pursuits. Most other gambling activities are taxed at 15%, but the bingo industry has been subjected to bingo duty at 20%. Lowering the duty will lead to investment, modernisation and jobs.

A recent survey found 61% of British adults said they feel bingo clubs provide an important local service, and bring communities together. If you’re there tonight send us a snap or two of Mrs Gilmore in her new role!

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Something for Valentine’s weekend, the Edinburgh Mountain Film Festival fills that special weekend in February. The three-day festival is being staged, as always, at George Square Lecture Theatre in Edinburgh. Tickets for the popular festival (from £7) are on sale now at www.emff.co.uk with the organisers reporting the best advance ticket sales in its 11-year history.

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Portobello councillor Maureen Child is a dab hand with her iPad – we’ve seen her in action. So it is not surprising that she supports the computer class being held at Craigmillar Library:-

“Here’s a strong recommendation for a local ‘over 50s’ computer club which I helped promote last year – and will again. Marion from the Christians/Brands neighbourhood told me:- “I just had to write to tell you that a friend and I have just returned from our first session at the Computer Club at Craigmillar Library.  We are just so impressed with the excellent help that is available.  The tutors are so knowledgeable and friendly (as is the whole group) and have the happy knack of making “students” feel eager to learn and in no way did we feel patronised about the applications etc which we did not know about.”  The club is always keen to look for new people to come along.  Find out more for you or someone you know. They have a website here.

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The EdinburghReportage cats storyboard is full of snaps of your pets. All different colours and sizes! Today we would like you to take a photo of your coffee or your full English and share that with us.

Coffee photos or videos here.

Breakfast photos here.

Although teenage winger Alex Harris is unlikely to start against St Mirren on Saturday, his performances on the training ground have convinced Terry Butcher that he could play up front in a similar role to Arsenal and England striker Theo Walcott.

Harris returned to the first team as a substitute against Aberdeen last Friday night after suffering an injury in the first game of the season, and the Hibs boss hopes that his pace will help the club climb the table.

Butcher said:  “With Alex Harris coming back, it gives us options out wide, or even up front. Alex could be another Theo Walcott. Theo was always seen as a wide player, and still plays on the flank, but he always wants to come further forward and push through the middle. Pace scares defenders, and it’s possible Alex could fill a role up front for us. Alex could play through the middle and I wouldn’t rule that out. His pace will scare defenders.

“I feel there are goals in him, and, from what I have seen in training, if you put him through on the keeper then he invariably scores. That’s a good sign.”

“He has shown he can play out wide very well, but with pace he can get into other good areas and travel with and without the ball. He’s still learning and still raw and still getting back to full sharpness, but we will look forward to the day that happens. There’s a goal threat with Alex, and that’s the point. We want to put him in positions where he can get one on one with the goalkeeper and he wants to get in those positions.

Meanwhile, the Easter Road boss insists that he won’t be spending large sums of money in the transfer market although he remains hopeful that new faces will be joining the club and others will be leaving.

He continued: “We won’t be buying players. I think I bought just one player at Inverness. That was Danny Williams for £5,000 from Chester. I don’t spend a lot of money. I think at Motherwell I spent £3,000 on a goalkeeper, Colin Meldrum, to get him out of his contract at Forfar. That was big money for us, so I don’t think I’ll spend much money here either. I said to the chairman Rod Petrie that, if we are spending big money to bring a player in, that’s money, we could use to bring in two or three free transfers.

“We will see. You never know. I could end up spending £75,000 on a player who is out of contract at the end of the season if we feel it is the right thing and Mr Petrie gives me the money.”

“No-one is in or out at the moment. Sometimes it’s a case of crossing people off your list more than adding to it or trying to secure players. A lot of clubs have done a lot of business but we’re not aware of anything that is going to improve us, so, for now, we’re keeping our powder dry, but that’s not to say we won’t be doing anything, because the last two weeks of a transfer window are normally the busiest period. Sometimes it’s about waiting for the clubs down south to make their moves first, because that then frees them up to move on some of the guys not featuring much.

“You speak to clubs about players early on in January but they’re not available. Then, three weeks later, they’re back on asking if we’re still interested.I call it the dominoes world championships. When someone signs for a club, it frees someone else up and it becomes a domino effect. We want to take part in the dominoes world championships ourselves and do a bit of business if we can.”

Photo by John Preece

http://www.photoboxgallery.com/jlp-photography

Police in Edinburgh have issued a new image of missing boy Mikaeel Kular as enquiries continue to trace the three-year-old.

The image shows Mikaeel in the jacket he was believed to be wearing when he disappeared.

Officers are keen for local members of the Drylaw community to come forward if they believe they have seen a child wearing a coat like this within the area since 9pm last night.

Mikaeel is described as being of Asian appearance, two feet tall and of slim build. In addition to the thigh-length beige coat, it is possible he is also wearing black gloves with multi-coloured fingers, dark navy blue jogging bottoms, a grey pyjama top featuring an embroidered turquoise dinosaur on the chest and brown Clark shoes with two Velcro straps.

He has a faded scar on the bridge of his nose and a sore on the left hand side of his mouth.

A Child Rescue Alert has been activated as part of the search for Mikaeel and a dedicated number has been set up for those with information that can help establish his whereabouts.

That number is 0300 200 0200

Door to door enquiries are being conducted in support of this investigation, with specialist support being provided by Operational Support Division, including Air Support, Roads Policing, Police dogs and trained search officers.

Anyone who can help trace Mikaeel is asked to contact police immediately.

Superintendent Liz McAinsh said: “Our enquiries to trace Mikaeel have been ongoing for over 12 hours now and so far, we have still to receive that vital piece of information that will lead to his discovery.

“I would like to thank the local community for their continued support and assistance during the search, and I also wish to thank those who have already called our dedicated number with information.

“All information received is being quickly progressed by our officers and I’d like to urge anyone who thinks they may know where Mikaeel is to get in touch if they haven’t done so already.

“This new image shows the jacket we believe Mikaeel was wearing when he disappeared. Local residents and those who travel through the Drylaw area on a daily basis are urged to be vigilant for a young child matching Mikaeel’s description who may be wearing a jacket like this.

“Anyone who has information that can help us trace Mikaeel and bring him home is asked to contact police immediately.”

Small Steps for the New Year

Now that it’s February, you might find that those good intentions you had at the beginning of the New Year have slowly diminished and you’re back to your old eating habits. Every year people set New Year’s resolutions in a bid to shed those extra pounds and increase their health. However, by the end of January, approximately 80% will have given in to the temptation of unhealthy food or abandoned those gym routines which started off so promisingly. With so much contradictory information around, unrealistic goal setting and the sheer complexity of most diets, it is easy to feel overwhelmed and quickly become discouraged.

We are in no shortage of novelty diets which promise quick weight loss, particularly at the start of a new year. The question is do they actually work? Worryingly, most of the diets you read about in magazines are based on no scientific research and often advocate eating practices which could potentially damage your health and leave you feeling ill. Often these diets are geared towards drastically reducing calorie intake – known as ‘crash’ dieting, which although can lead to rapid weight loss initially, are not maintainable in the long run, meaning you’re likely to gain back any weight you have lost.

Our bodies are like cars, in the sense that we put in the right fuel in order to run effectively. This means getting the right balance of protein, fats and carbohydrates as well as a range of other vital nutrients – as shown in the Eatwell plate.

You might find on these types of diets that you’re excluding certain food groups such as carbohydrates, meat, fish or dairy products which can be dangerous for your health. Cutting out certain food groups altogether will not necessarily cause any immediate effect, but over time can lead to deficiencies in nutrients that your body needs to function properly.

The only way to lose weight for good is to make permanent changes to the way you eat and exercise over a number of months or years – not a few short weeks! Setting small goals for the year ahead is much more realistic and achievable than making radical changes in your diet or exercise regime, and small, simple changes have been shown to have long lasting results. Making a few small healthy alterations needn’t be expensive, time consuming or leave you feeling hungry, and you’ll be surprised at how quickly you see positive results! Here are a few simple suggestions to get your year back on track:

• Make a healthy eating schedule – Planning out meals and snacks in advance will not only keep you on track health wise, it could also save you money by avoiding last minute trips to the supermarket.

• Swap fizzy drinks for water – Fizzy drinks hold no nutritional value and are full of sugar which if consumed in excess can contribute to weight gain, tooth decay and type 2 diabetes. Opt for mostly water, herbal teas or milk.

• Fill up on fruit and veg – if you struggle with portion sizes and like a lot of food on your plate, fill up with a large salad or other low calorie vegetables. Snack on berries and other fruits instead of chocolate or crisps. Not only are they rich in healthy antioxidants, they are low in fat and high in fibre.

• Switch to wholegrain carbohydrates – Wholegrain carbohydrates (oats, wholemeal bread/pasta/rice) are digested slower so will keep you fuller for longer, preventing you from snacking in between meals and helping you maintain a healthy weight.

• Reduce the amount of salt you add to foods – Use herbs, spices and garlic and even lemon juice to add flavour to meals instead.

• Get moving – You don’t need a gym membership to get your daily exercise. Try squeezing fitness opportunities in throughout the day such as climbing the stairs at work, leaving the car at home and walking, or getting off the bus a couple of stops early.

Once you start to incorporate eating nutritious food and doing physical activity into your daily routine, you will find it becomes habitual and the idea of dieting will suddenly seem a bit strange! Making small changes like these may be what we all of us need to break less healthful habits and create new ones which will lead to a sustainable healthy lifestyle.

Edinburgh Community Food is all about helping people enjoy delicious, fresh healthy food and making sure everyone in our city has access to a healthy diet.

“Our aim is ‘to get people into healthy food, and healthy food into people.’

“We tackle health inequalities in low-income communities in Edinburgh through our food and health development and promotion work including cooking courses, cookery demonstrations, nutrition workshops, health information sessions and tasting sessions.”

Submitted by Gail Hutchison

Police are continuing in their search for three year old Mikaeel Kular who went missing overnight from his home at Ferry Gait Crescent Edinburgh.

A press conference was held at the Fettes Avenue Police Station at 4.30pm where Superintendent Liz McAinsh announced the launch of the dedicated telephone number 03002000200 which has been activated throughout the UK and will be answered by dedicated police officers

She said: “I would stress that the focus of our search remains in Edinburgh, in the Drylaw area, specifically in the Pennywell, Muirhouse and Silverknowes areas. I am aware that you all know that numerous police officers and other organisations are assisting us in our search today in that area and I would like to thank everybody for the help that they have given us.

“I can also give you some additional information in relation to a description of Mikaeel. As you know is a three year old boy. He is 2ft tall. He is British of Asian appearance and he is believed to be wearing a beige coloured jacket with a grey fur lined hood. He may be wearing black gloves with multi coloured fingers. He has on dark blue jogging bottoms, a grey pyjama top with a wee turquoise dinosaur embroidered onto it and brown Velcro shoes.

“He has a small scar on his nose which is faded and also a wee sore on the left hand corner of his mouth.

“Again I would stress that our focus remains in Edinburgh, in the Pennywell area, Muirhouse and Silverknowes and I would ask anyone who has information to contact us on the dedicated number.

When asked whether she thought that any harm had come to the youngster, Superintendent McAinsh said: “I would stress that at the moment we have no evidence of criminality and it remains a missing person enquiry. Our concerns are obviously with the passing of time. He was last seen at 9pm last night and I would ask people in the locality to please continue searching in your own personal property. If your neighbours are away, think about searching their gardens, sheds, common stairs, wheelie bins, anywhere where a three year old boy might shelter.

In relation to whether it was possible for a three year old boy to get through a heavy security door, she replied: “I have been assured that it is possible. Three year old children are resilient and they do have a good deal of strength and ability to open doors and I am assured that Mikaeel is capable of that.”

When asked whether police had spoken to Mikaeel’s father she said: “We have spoken to all key members of the family, we have been in contact with them and they are assisting us with our enquiries.”

Regarding any suspects, she said: “We have no suspects because we have no evidence of criminality. This is a missing person enquiry and that is where our focus is on, tracing Mikaeel safe and well.”

“We haven’t had any sightings of Mikaeel and that obviously causes us concern so I would again appeal to members of the public in the locality to please, if you have any information at all, contact 03002000200.

“We started the search at the house then spread out in a ripple effect and out search moves outwards and outwards all the time.  We’ve been speaking to people and carrying out door to door enquiries. We are looking at CCTV and carrying out all possible enquiries.

“Mikaeel has two brothers and two sisters. He has a twin sister and his other brothers and sisters are older than him. He would normally share a bedroom with his twin sister but it is my understanding that he was sleeping on his own last night. His mother put him to bed last night; she was the last one to see him.

“There have been no arrests, no formal detentions but several people are helping us with our enquiries.

“As you can appreciate, this is a fast developing enquiry so we are prioritising throughout the whole of Police Scotland. We have all the available resources that we would want to help us.

POLICE SCOTLAND has activated CHILD RESCUE ALERT to assist in tracing three-year-old Mikaeel Kular in Edinburgh. A dedicated telephone number has been established for anyone who has seen Mikaeel or has information about his whereabouts.

This number is 0300 200 0200.

Calls to this number will be answered by dedicated members of staff who will take details of any information provided to assist with the inquiry.

By launching Child Rescue Alert, which is supported by all UK Police Forces, it is hoped that the public and media can assist Police Scotland in safely tracing Mikaeel. Police are seeking information specifically from anyone who has seen Mikaeel or anyone matching his description in the last 24 hours.

The current focus of the co-ordinated searches remains in the Drylaw area of Edinburgh, which includes Muirhouse, Pennywell and Silverknowes. Specialist officers and resources are working with officers from City of Edinburgh Division to trace Mikaeel. Mikaeel is described as being of Asian appearance, two feet tall and of slim build. He was possibly wearing a thigh length beige jacket with grey fur lined hood, black gloves with multi-coloured fingers, dark navy blue jogging bottoms, a grey pyjama top featuring an embroidered turquoise dinosaur on the chest and brown Clark shoes with two Velcro straps. He has a faded scar on the bridge of his nose and a sore on the left hand side of his mouth.

A photograph of Mikaeel, which was taken just prior to Christmas, has been widely circulated. His hair may be slightly longer than featured in the photograph.

He was last seen in his home in Ferry Gait Crescent around 9pm on Wednesday, January 15 when he went to bed. His mother raised the alarm at 7.15am today (Thursday, January 16) when she discovered he was not in his bed and a full Police response was put in place. Mikaeel communicates well and speaks English.

Intensive searches are taking place in his community and local residents from the area have been assisting. Members of the public are asked as a matter of urgency to check all property including gardens, out buildings, garages, sheds and vehicles for Mikaeel.

If people are aware their neighbours are not available to carry out these checks, they are asked to do it on their behalf. Door to door inquiries are being conducted in support of the search. Specialist support has been provided by Operational Support Division including Air Support, Roads Policing, Police dogs and trained search officers.

The Scottish SPCA is appealing for information after two seriously ill rats were handed them into the charity’s Edinburgh and Lothians Animal Rescue and Rehoming Centre.

A member of the public found the creatures in a lay by at the side of the A70 just after the right-hand turn for Kirknewton on Sunday (12 January

Sadly, both male rats were in poor condition and suffering from tumours.

One of the rats has since been put to sleep to end his suffering while the other remains in a critical condition.

 Assistant manager Kenny Sharpe said, “There were two rats left inside the cage, one white and one brown, and they were both fairly large.

“The white rat was in a very bad way, suffering from multiple tumours and a skin condition.

“Tragically, he was dying in our hands and the kindest and only humane option was to put him to sleep to end his pain.

“The brown rat also has a tumour and is continuing to be monitored by our veterinary team.

“Whoever abandoned these rats left them outside on a very cold day and it seems they didn’t care what happened to these animals.

“It may be that their owner couldn’t afford to take them to the vet to seek the help they desperately needed, but this is no excuse to leave any animal at the side of the road like a piece of rubbish.

“We would like to hear from anyone who knows who these rats may have belonged to as abandoning an animal and failing to provide them with necessary veterinary attention are criminal offences under the Animal Health and Welfare (Scotland) Act 2006.”

Anyone with information is being urged to contact the Scottish SPCA animal helpline on 03000 999 999.

Police have urged residents in the Drylaw area to search gardens and outbuildings to help trace three year old Mikaeel Kular who went missing from his family home in Ferry Gait Crescent overnight.

Speaking at a press conference outside former Police Headquarters at Fettes Avenue, Superintendent Liz McAinsh said: “Mikaeel is a three year old boy who was put to his bed by his mother at 9pm last night and when she woke up this morning at 7.15 Mikaeel was not in his bed and was not within his house.

“Police have been involved since that time. We have a live, ongoing search of the local area from where he is missing in Ferry Gait Crescent in Edinburgh.

“We are focusing our search at the moment in the Pennywell area, the Muirhouse area of Drylaw in Edinburgh.

“We are asking everybody who lives in that area, or who passes through that area or who works in that area, to keep their eyes open for this wee boy.

“He was last seen last night at 9 ‘clock. He is a British boy who us of Asian parents. He is about 3ft tall. We believe that he is wearing possibly a beige jacket, blue jogging trousers and brown Clarke’s shoes.

“He is obviously just three years old so he won’t know his way about the local area.

“Anybody who sees him, we would ask to look after his safety and get in contact with the police. I would ask local residents to think about their own homes, gardens and outbuildings, and have a look anywhere you think a three year old boy might be.

“If you are walking in the locality then keep your eyes open.

“At this stage we are keeping an open mind and are following up all lines of enquiry that we have.

“There is no evidence to suggest criminality at the moment, but clearly we are keeping an open mind.

“We are a big organisation now at Police Scotland and we are using all of the resources at our disposal to look for this three year old boy.

“My appeal here today is for you to help us in our search for Mikaeel and to report any sightings to the police obviously help the child in the first instance but please report any sightings to us.

When questioned about custody issues, Superintendent McAinsh said: “There are no concern that we have at the moment, we are following all lines of enquiry. The family have been very helpful, as you can imagine Mikaeel’s mother is distraught and she wants our help and the public’s help to find her little boy. I am not aware of any custody issues at the moment. There are many lines of enquiry and one of them will be to speak to Mikaeel’s father

When pressed on this issue, she continued: “We are speaking to all the family members who have had any contact with Mikaeel and will continue to do so. We are speaking to all the family members who have had any contact with Mikaeel.

“In the family home last night was Mikaeel’s mother and the other four siblings including Mikaeel’s twin sister as well.

When asked specifically whether police had spoken to Mikaeel’s father and knew of his whereabouts, she responded: “They could be speaking to his father at the moment. We are endeavouring to speak to all of his family members, obviously one of whom is his father.”

Police in Edinburgh have released an image of missing boy Mikaeel Kular, who is reported missing from his home in Ferry Gait Crescent.

The three-year-old was last seen within the address at 9pm last night (Wednesday) when he retired to bed.

However, his mother contacted police this morning after the family awoke and Mikaeel was not inside the property.

Local officers are conducting a through search of the Drylaw area and are keen to hear from anyone who can assist with their enquiries.

In particular, police would like to speak with anyone travelling through the Muirhouse and Pennywell areas this morning and may have seen the child walking on his own.

Mikaeel is described as being of Asian appearance, three foot tall and possibly wearing a beige hooded jacket, blue jogging bottoms, brown shoes and nightwear.

Those with information can contact Police Scotland on 101 or alternatively, the charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

This week’s photo comes from Jordan Moffat, taken on the club’s recent photowalk around Holyrood Park and Salisbury Crags.

The Stockbridge Photography Club is a non-profit photography club that aims to operate in a different way from the traditional photography club mould. They have informal monthly meetings where they discuss their photos over a cup of coffee and learn about the month’s theme.

Outside of this, they arrange photowalks and trips to various locations and landmarks in and around Edinburgh, providing their members with something interesting to photograph, whilst always having someone on hand to answer any questions.

Their exhibition is ongoing, and Rosie McKenzie has kindly extended the running time. Why not pop into her gallery on St Stephen Street? Everybody is welcome, and all proceeds go to charity.

Our brand new website launched last week, and over the coming months we plan to add new features! Visit their website (stockbridgephotographyclub.co.uk) for more information.

More of Jordan’s work can be found on his Facebook page here or on his website.

Submitted by Stockbridge Photography Club

A child has gone missing in North Edinburgh and Edinburgh Police have made an appeal to the public for any information.

Three year-old Mikael Kular was last seen going to bed at his home address in Ferry Gait at around 9pm yesterday evening.

However, when his family awoke this morning, the infant was not in the house.

Officers are now conducting local enquiries in the area to trace Mikael and are being assisted by officers from the Air Support Unit.

Anyone who believes they have seen him since last night or this morning is asked to contact police immediately.

Mikael is described as three foot tall and is possibly wearing a beige hooded jacket, brown shoes and nightwear.

Chief Inspector Sara Buchanan said: “We currently have a large police presence within the Drylaw area as we conduct our enquiries to trace Mikael.

“We are keen to hear from anyone who remembers seeing a young boy matching his description since yesterday evening to contact police immediately.

“As part of our investigation we are also trying to determine how the child has left his home and anyone with information that can assist with these enquiries is also asked to get in touch.”

Those with information can contact Police Scotland on 101 or alternatively, the charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.