Local Round-up: Older mums blamed for baby woes

A RISE in the number of babies born underweight has been blamed on the increasing number of new mothers in their late 30s and 40s.

Latest figures show that 7.3 per cent of births last year resulted in the newborn being either of very low, or low birth weight.

The statistics also showed that youngsters born in the Lothians' most deprived areas were more than twice as likely to be underweight than those in wealthier parts. The statistics do not differ drastically from the national picture.

University to open its doors

Edinburgh Napier University is holding an undergraduate open day at its Craiglockhart Campus.

Staff and students will provide advice on all aspects of studying on Thursday, August 25 from 9.30am to 3pm.

See www.napier.ac.uk/opendays for a full timetable.

Gallery hosts free concert

A FREE concert is to be held at the National Gallery

The Wildings is a new traditional trio will present a musical accompaniment to the gallery's exhibition of works by Elizabeth Blackadder, in a journey through the Scottish landscape.

The free concert is being held on August 18 at 6pm.

College swap gives food for thought

Two West Lothian College exchange students from Texas, in the US, proved their Scottish culinary skills when they prepared a traditional Scottish banquet for VIP guests at the Macdonald Houstoun House Hotel in Edinburgh.

Anjum Hadwani, 17, and Whitney Pustka, 17, won the chance to travel to Scotland for a hospitality internship in a school essay-writing competition.

Shoppers to do charity write

Sainsbury's Cameron Toll is to hold a fundraising book sale in aid of the veterans' charity the Mark Wright Project from 10am to 4pm this Saturday.

Jem Wright, one of the founders of the charity, will join Sainsbury's worker Pat Lee on the day.

Come fly with Emirates as cabin crew sought

Emirates Airlines is holding a recruitment event on Saturday for those looking to join the carrier's cabin crews.

Successful applicants can expect to be based in Dubai and will have the chance to travel around the world.

Emirates said those entering must be 21 years old, be good team workers and have high school qualifications.

The event, to which applicants should bring a CV and photos, will be held at the Apex International Hotel on the Grassmarket on August 13 at 9am sharp.