The people of Orkney dug deep into their pockets this year, raising almost £18,500 for the annual BBC Children in Need fundraiser.

BBC Radio Orkney were on air until 1am on Saturday morning, accepting donations and running the annual on-air auction.

The grand total raised by 1am was £18,480.69 - £2,772.80 more than last year's "on the night" total.

More cash following success of cultural co-ordinators pilot

The Scottish Executive have announced an additional £1.5 million to promote the arts and culture, following a successful pilot scheme involving Orkney.

Orkney Islands Council used pilot funding to recruit two 'Cultural Co-ordinators', one covering the arts, the other heritage.

The latest funding will allow local authorities across the country to extend the programme until 2006.

Norse Islands Ferries reassure farmers

Norse Islands Ferries (NIF) have reassured local farmers that they remain committed to shipping livestock to the Scottish mainland.

The announcement follows news that an OIC committee have delayed approving the loan for the development of the livestock cassette system, which has prompted fears the project may not happen.

A NIF spokesman said that they had ample capacity for off-peak times and that Livestock Express ships would again be operating during the autumn busy period.

Witnesses sought after Kirkwall vandalism spree

Police are appealing for information about 30 separate acts of vandalism in Kirkwall.

The incidents occurred in Willowburn Road, Garrioch Street and Slater Street around 1am on Friday morning.

Police would like to hear from anyone (872241) who saw a group of people in the area around the time.

Cash grant will help Pipe Band expand

Kirkwall City Pipe Band have received a grant from the Scottish Arts Council to help expand its membership and create a second band.

The £15,000 grant for equipment will allow the pipe band to recruit new students and expand on their annual schedule of public events.

Balfour Castle malt whisky selling well

Shapinsay’s Balfour Castle has introduced their own malt whisky - available exclusively to visitors to the island.

The undated single Highland malt has been specially selected and bottled for the Zawadski family of Balfour Castle by Rabbie’s Dram in Midlothian.

The first year’s sales seem to be doing well with around 1,500 bottles sold to visitors from around the world already.

Bowling alley opening delayed until New Year

Expectations were high that Kirkwall's £604,000 bowling alley would be ready in time for the festive season.

However, Mr George Drever, the developer behind the project, confirmed this week that he was now looking at an opening date in mid-January.

Councillors recommend additional cassette loan guidelines

A private meeting of the OIC's development committee on Wednesday has recommended additional guidelines for the Orkney Auction Mart loan to run the new livestock shipping system.

The committee met on Wednesday afternoon to discuss the £4.3 million commercial loan to mart subsidiary, Northern Isles Cassette Services.

The revised terms will be subject to another vote at a special meeting of the full council within ten days.

NHS Orkney have secured additional funding to provide extra cover for alcoholics while their alcohol specialist nurse is on maternity leave.

Fears were highlighted in The Orcadian recently by service users, who claimed they were going to receive a second-class service during Mrs Janet Burgon’s absence.

Staff at the Pickaquoy Centre are looking for assistance from Orkney’s schools in helping millions of children worldwide to experience a merry Christmas.

They are hoping to generate interest from local schools in the Operation Christmas Child campaign, which encourages people to send goods to relieve the suffering of children abroad who live in orphanages or are without family support.

Further details on the scheme can be had from the Pickaquoy Centre or found at www.samaritanspurse.org.uk

Sub-station fire knocks out power

Around 1,300 homes in the West Mainland, Rousay and Westray lost power on Tuesday night after a fire in the Stromness sub-station.

A local Scottish and Southern spokesman said that a previous lightning strike had damaged a component, which had eventually ignited.

Supplies were restored to Rousay and Westray within 17 minutes and in about an hour to customers on the West Mainland.

Orkney remains covered as UK prepares for national firefighter strike

As the national firefighters' 48-hour strike takes hold, Orkney's firefighters continue to provide emergency cover following their previous decision not to strike.

Industrial action over pay started on Wednesday night, but Orkney's retained firefighters voted last month to provide cover for all 999 calls. Routine duties such as training will not take place on strike days.

A decision on the contract to store oil from the Atlantic Frontier oilfields has been delayed until later this month.

Flotta oil terminal operators Talisman submitted a bid to ship in oil from both fields - Foinaven and Schiehallion, competing with the Sullom Voe terminal in Shetland.

An announcement was due to be made by BP last week, but the oil company say it has been put back.

No new virus cases at St Rognvald's

The illness that has gripped St Rognvald House in Kirkwall looked like easing on Tuesday, with an OIC spokesman saying there had been no new cases for a second day.

The elderly care home was struck by what is suspected to be the winter vomiting virus, which had affected 24 staff and residents.

See also: St Rognvald's struck by virus

Claymore makes first Invergordon freight trip

A new freight service between Orkney and Invergordon began on Monday, with the first run of Pentland Ferries' vessel Claymore.

The ferry arrived in Invergordon with a cargo of sheep on Monday night, returning to Orkney on Tuesday morning with a general cargo.

The service will run daily from Monday to Saturday over the winter period.

NHS Orkney hand Papay nurse's house back to islanders

The former nurse's house in Papa Westray was handed back to the islanders by NHS Orkney on Monday.

No longer required by NHS Orkney, the community plan to convert Morven House into a 'gateway house' to help boost the island's population.

"Some families might like to come and stay for a short while to see if they would enjoy Papay life," commented Douglas Hourston, chairman of Papay Development Trust.

Ambulance call handling shifted to Inverness

From 10am on Monday morning, ambulance 999 calls in Orkney are being routed through an operator in Inverness.

The control centre in Inverness takes the details before despatching an ambulance back in Orkney.

Satellite navigation is to be installed in Orkney ambulances before the end of the year to allow crews to follow routes on a laptop computer in the vehicle.

St Rognvald's struck by virus

A sick bug has hit an elderly care home in Kirkwall, closing it to further admissions and "all unnecessary" visitors.

Orkney Islands Council have confirmed that the suspected winter vomiting virus outbreak in St Rognvald House has so far affected 24 residents and workers.

Infection control methods were put into place at the weekend to try and stop the spread of the virus.

Islands fly the flag at World Travel Fair

Orkney Tourist Board is among the three organisations representing the Northern Isles at a national travel fair in London this week.

Joining Orkney Tourist Board at the World Travel Fair until Thursday are Shetland Tourist Board and ferry operators NorthLink.

50 years of Last Post for Billy Stanger

Local trumpet player Billy Stanger (70), from Laverock Road in Kirkwall, played The Last Post on Remembrance Day on Sunday for the 50th consecutive year.

Mr Stanger has played The Last Post since 1952, aged 20, after completing his national service for the Royal Air Force.