This year 11 local athletes are benefiting from the sportscotland Athlete Travel Award Scheme (ATAS). The Scheme is an ongoing partnership between sportscotland and the participating local authorities in Highlands & Islands - Orkney Islands, Western Isles, Shetland Islands and Highlands Councils.

Orkney Islands Council are extremely grateful to also have a partnership with Stagecoach which allows us to enhance and extend our programme in Orkney.

Coca-Cola has issued a recall on a limited number of Coca-Cola Zero Sugar multipacks with Christmas cardboard. Some packs have been wrongly boxed and may contain Coca-Cola Original taste.

This may pose a risk to certain consumers.

Pack size: Multipack of 24 x 330ml cans

Batch code: 301WA1, 302WA1, 303WA1, 304WA1, 305WA5, 306WA5, 307WA5 and 308WA5

The Food Standards Agency (FSA) issued a risk statement regarding the recall.

This explained that there is a "potential risk to consumers who need to manage their sugar intake".

The FSA stated: "Coca-Cola is recalling the above product. Point of sale notices will be displayed in all retail stores that are selling this product.

"These notices explain to customers why the products are being recalled and tell them what to do if they have bought the product."

The 10km surveillance zone around the avian flu infected premises in Tankerness has been lifted, Scottish Ministers have confirmed.

This follows the completion of preliminary cleansing and disinfection, and mandatory surveillance requirements and means that all zonal restrictions within this area have been lifted.  

Orkney Islands Council is advising the public toilets at St Magnus Lane are temporarily closed, and Shore Street loos open daytime only, following vandalism over the weekend.

Orkney Islands Council is advising that, as in previous years, there will be disruption in kerbside recycling for households over the festive period due to public holidays.