Talk of the Town: Midges enjoy a substantial meal

MIDGES, the scourge of the Scottish summer, seem to be supersizing their targets.

Keen runners this summer have been warned to beware of the bloodsucking creatures, especially if they are "women with a large BMI index".

One scientist involved in the midge research was suitably diplomatic when she described the creature's favourite snack.

She said: "Larger people would provide a more substantial visual target for host-seeking midges as well as greater amounts of heat, moisture and attractant semiochemicals (behaviour modifying chemicals), such as carbon dioxide, which encourage midges to bite."

And you thought they just hated the whole of humanity.

Obstacles to overcome

IT'S competition, achievement and endurance in all of its muddy glory - the Men's Health Survival of the Fittest will once again return to the Capital in October.

Although the Edinburgh course is still to be finalised, organisers say it is certain to put runners through their paces on the most challenging of terrain, "from ye olde cobbled walkways and medieval alleys, to palatial Holyrood Park".

The race takes place on a specially designed 10km course through the city, with 10 major obstacles placed en route, though the biggest obstacle is likely to be the roadworks blocking the contestants' route to the start line.

Ball's up for the cup

IT may not be the "perfectly spherical" Adidas Jabulani made famous at the World Cup, but it is hoped a 9.99 football will help score a different type of goal.

For the Homeless World Cup, which has its HQ in Edinburgh, has launched its own official football to kick start a drive to eradicate homelessness globally.

All proceeds from the sale of the ball will be donated to the charity. Stars including French legend Eric Cantona and Manchester United ace Rio Ferdinand have backed the tournament which this year takes place in September on Copacabana Beach, Brazil.

Let's hope their respective nations fare better than they did in South Africa.

Nurse, the screens

MOST Fringe gigs are sweltering and run on for far too long, so if you take a turn for the worse during one, hopefully it will feature comedian Adam Vincent.

The Aussie funnyman was a newly-qualified nurse on his honeymoon when a fellow passenger on the flight had a heart attack at 30,000ft over Indonesia.

This year, Adam has dedicated his stand-up routine to his other profession in his gig Vital Signs.

We can only presume he managed to revive the stricken flier.