The figure is down by just over 100 on the last six months of 2004, which reflects the trend of previous years.

The figures come from the Audit Bureau of Circulations (ABC), the official body recording and regulating newspaper circulation figures for the benefit of advertisers and other interested parties.

The data shows that sales of Orkney Today remained static, at 5,600 per week, although circulation was boosted by 529 copies per week, which were either sold at below normal price or given away free.

Under ABC rules, newspapers have to differentiate between sales which are "actively purchased" at cover price and those which are regarded as "bulk" sales, either given away or substantially discounted.

Click here for the ABC website

Getting contractors to fully complete jobs in Orkney is still a problem, according to Alan Moar, the OIC's head of corporate property, who confirmed the ongoing dilemma at this morning's land and property sub-committee meeting.

Speaking at the meeting, councillor James Stockan, asked: "Is it still as difficult to get contractors to fully complete work."

Mr Moar replied: "It hasn't changed a great deal. There are one or two projects with concern. it is still a problem, but we are working away at it."

The global surge in oil prices, as a result of Hurricane Katrina earlier this week, could see fuel prices in Orkney rise by as much as 10 pence per litre.

At one Kirkwall filling station, unleaded petrol rose by nine pence a litre overnight, giving a price of £1.07 pence per litre (£4.86 a gallon). Diesel went up four pence per litre to £1.03.

It is feared that the petrol price at some rural and island filling stations could be more than £1.10 per litre (£5 a gallon).

The hurricane, which hit the Gulf of Mexico, has caused most oil and gas production in the region to be shut down due to damage, causing an increase in worldwide oil prices.

It looks like the cash-strapped women's refuge in Kirkwall will finally be able to open its doors.

Islands councillors at Thursday's social work meeting agreed to part-fund the running costs of the service.

There had been fears the new facility, on the site of the former Phoenix Cinema, would not be able to open after funding promised by the Scottish Executive had been withdrawn.

Nearly 200 applicants are joining the council house waiting list every year, it was revealed on Thursday.

The waiting list contained 550 people at the end of June 2005.

Orkney's assistant director of housing, John Richards, said: "Demand is growing at a time when the housing stock is diminishing."

From geology to archaeoastronomy, folklore to renewables, the festival was launched with an event in St Magnus Kirk, Birsay, where, Dr Duncan Heddle recounted the life of the Rev George Low - traveller, naturalist and Birsay minister.

Full programme details are on the OISF website.

The girl, whose condition is described as stable, was taken to Aberdeen on Friday of last week and later transferred to York Hill Hospital in Glasgow.

The environmental health team at Orkney Islands Council, working with Orkney's consultant in public health medicine, Dr Ken Black, have carried out an intensive investigation which has confirmed this to be an isolated case.

NHS Orkney would like to remind patients and visitors that from Thursday, smoking is banned on all NHS Orkney sites, including car parks.

The ban applies to all staff, visitors and patients, with some exceptions if patients are terminally ill.

Supermarket giant Lidl's plans to develop a store in Kirkwall have stalled amid fears of traffic chaos on Pickaquoy Road.

While nearly all members of the OIC's planning committee said on Wednesday that they would like to see the store developed at the former St Clair's Emporium Site, they agreed talks should be held to resolve the traffic situation.

The decision was deferred.

Units from Kirkwall Fire Brigade attended an incident at 43 Albert Street, Kirkwall on Wednesday afternoon.

The street was closed around 4pm while firefighters dealt with the fire in the property, known locally as the Ivy House.

It is understood the house suffered extensive damage.

Dr Tony Trickett MBE has spoken of the great honour in his appointment as vice Lord Lieutenant of Orkney, a supporting role to the current Lord Lieutenant, George Marwick.

Dr Trickett, who moved to Orkney in 1973 to take up a position as Hoy's GP, has been a deputy Lord Lieutenant for six years, and now fills the vacancy which arose in 1995 when the present Lord Lieutenant was appointed.

Her Majesty the Queen has approved the appointment.

A controversial application to open Buster's Diner in Kirkwall until 3am on Saturdays has been thrown out by islands councillors.

The owners of the Junction Road diner were seeking the removal of a condition which does not allow them to trade after 11pm.

Councillors at Wednesday's planning committee meeting instead recommended that the current opening hours be extended to midnight at weekends.

The Zebu Express, chartered by NorthLink for an eight-week period, is currently on her way across the Atlantic to the Northern Isles from Cuba.

This year's peak season timetable will see Zebu Express carrying livestock from Kirkwall to Aberdeen every Monday night.

Over 70 learners, learning centres and learning employers have been invited to attend learndirect scotland's Celebration of Learning on September 12 in Edinburgh.

Deputy Minister for Enterprise and Lifelong Learning, Allan Wilson, will present awards to the winners in a number of categories, including Personal Achiever of the Year and Jobfinder of the Year.

Councillor James Stockan, who has spearheaded the TCP initiative, and Laurie Sparrow, OIC¹s strategic architect, who outlined the potential changes that could be brought to the pierhead and old auction mart site.

Among the suggestions presented was the construction of a covered market or a covered square at the pierhead, which could be used as a gathering place, a festival venue or a market area.

The OIC has released its draft Renewable Energy Planning Framework and is now looking from comments from the public.

Planning chairman, Councillor Jim Foubister, said: "The Renewable Energy Planning Framework, when finalised, will provide the council with improved guidance on where to locate wind turbines.

"The public consultation stage is very important, and we are looking for the views of the public and relevant agencies to help us shape future policy guidance."

The document, which identifies preferred areas for development, as well as areas that could be considered for development, will be available for the public to comment on until October 7.

The draft document is available from the OIC website.

OIC convener, Stephen Hagan, said: "The seminar was an opportunity for all members to gain a better understanding and reflect on the issues that need to be resolved in relation to how the Picky Centre is governed, financed and managed. Decisions about these matters will be taken through the council's normal committee arrangements later this year."

Among the points raised was the need to reconsider long term funding issues, and address the centre's opening hours, current cash needs and equipment issues.

More discussions will take place at the OIC's special recreation and cultural services meeting on September 14.

Kirkwall police have renewed their appeal for "missing" South Ronaldsay woman, Juliet Annesley Gamester, to make face to face contact with them.

Although she has been in touch again by telephone since being reported missing last week, acting Sergeant Andy Hill, said they would still like to ensure her wellbeing, and that of her two-year-old daughter, Oceiah Annesley Suter, who is with her.

They were last seen at 7.30am last Tuesday morning, and subsequently reported missing.

The OIC want to hear the public's views on the strategy, which aims to guide how outdoor access can be developed throughout the islands

Copies of the draft strategy can be downloaded in pdf format from the 'Publications' section of the OIC's website.

If you have any comments, contact Derek Manson on (01856) 873535 or e-mail derek.manson@orkney.gov.uk before Friday, October 14.

Police inquiries are continuing after a two vehicle road accident near St Mary¹s village in Holm on Monday.

No-one was injured although both vehicles and a stretch of fencing was damaged.

Meanwhile, Kirkwall police are keen to speak to the driver of a wine-coloured people carrier following a road accident on Saturday in Marwick.

The accident occurred at 3.30pm near Stara, but police are not releasing any further details at this time.

Police have confirmed the sudden death of Kirkwall man, Colin Low.

Mr Low, 41, Hindigar, Berstane Road, was discovered at his home address on Monday morning.

A post mortem is due to be carried out this week and as a matter of course, a report will be submitted to the procurator fiscal.

There are not thought to be any suspicious circumstances.

The Orkney MSP has invited Mr Kynoch to join the Parliamentary proceedings, on September 9, as a leading member of the county's business community.

Among the issues he hopes to raise are Orkney transport issues, broadband and the challenges the emerging renewables sector faces.

Views and questions can be passé to Mr Kynoch on 01856 872540 or email brian@dagkynoch.co.uk

Orkney islands councillors have agreed to loan a "significant"number of Stanley Cursiter paintings to the City Arts Centre, Edinburgh and possibly the Fleming Institute, London.

An exhibition on the life and times of Stanley Cursiter is to be held in the Orkney Museum and Kirkwall community centre during 2007.

The two south organisations wish to take the exhibition after it has been on show in Orkney.

The University of the Highlands and Islands (UHI) has taken the next step towards gaining university title.

The organisation, of which Orkney College is a part, has applied to the Privy Council for the power to award its own degrees. As part of the process, a team of assessors will visit UHI for a year to rigorously examine how it manages its courses.

At the moment most UHI degrees are awarded through the Open University Validation Service (OUVS). Gaining degree-awarding powers would allow UHI to validate and award its own taught degrees.

The Conservative MSP will meet with OIC Convenor, Councillor Stephen Hagan, on Tuesday morning to discuss issues including underfunding and the new ferry contracts. After meeting with Orkney Fisheries Association's Alan Coghill, he will then talk to Stephen Harvey of Quoydandy regarding livestock ferry contracts

Mr McGrigor will also meet with Orkney Tourism Group in the afternoon. He will also hold surgeries at Support Training in Kirkwall from 1pm - 2pm on Tuesday and at the Stromness Community Centre on Wednesday from 9.30am - 10.15am.

Clean up operations under way in the One Stop Shop

Orkney Islands Council's customer services reception was open for business on Monday morning, after being flooded at the weekend.

A leak from a water cooler on the top floor of the building on Saturday morning damaged ceilings, carpets, furniture, and electrical equipment on all three floors.

Local contractors and council staff worked through Saturday and Sunday to ensure the centre would open on Monday.

A spokesman said: "There may be some slight delays in cash transactions but apart from that we expect it to be business as usual."

One hundred and forty people in the Clay Loan area of Kirkwall were left without power for four hours during the early hours of Sunday morning.

Investigations by Scottish Hydro-Electric engineers revealed a switch gear fault in the King Haakon Street sub-station.

Electricity to the area is currently being supplied by other sub-stations, with ongoing repair work being carried out the affected station, according to Orkney¹s district manager, Stevie Burns.