Six rowers who were rowing from Shetland to Orkney arrived at the Cornslip in Kirkwall on Friday, after a marathon 20-hour journey.

The six men who were rowing to raise money for a CAT scanner in Shetland, left Sumburgh on Wednesday night at 5pm.

They then rowed to Fair Isle which took four hours. From there, after a short rest, they rowed for nine-and-a-half hours to get to Sanday.

From Sanday, they headed for Shapinsay, which took four-and-a half hours and after a brief stop, they reached their final destination, Kirkwall, just before 3pm on Friday.

A warning has been issued to motorists of the need to take care on Orkney’s roads following a near-miss between a cyclist and a car.

A female cyclist on the Kirkwall to Deerness road, was forced to take evasive action recently when met by an oncoming vehicle on the wrong side of the carriageway, according to community safety officer, PC Dave Dawson.

He said: “The road ahead may well appear clear in as much as there are no motor vehicles present. However, extra care should be exercised to ensure those less easily visible road users such as pedestrians and cyclists may be up ahead.”

Peedie Breeks Nursery in Kirkwall has made “adequate” progress in implementing key recommendations following an inspection in 2003.

As a result, HM Inspectors will request a further report from the nursery and education authority in 12 months time.

In particular, adequate progress was made by nursery staff interacting more effectively with children to extend and challenge their learning, the report highlighted.

Orkney and Shetland MP, Alistair Carmichael, has called on the Government to make digital radio services available to the Northern Isles.

The call comes after electrical retailer Dixons announced they will only be selling digital radios in future. Currently 85 per cent of the UK population can receive DAB digital radio. However, this excludes the Northern Isles.

"At the moment the Government is failing to take responsibility for this," said Mr Carmichael. "It is time they made it clear when we can expect to enjoy DAB digital radio services. Communities in Orkney and Shetland must not lose out."

Police are appealing for information on a book of nursery rhymes which has gone missing from the Orkney Museum.

The book, Kitty Berdo's Book of Nursery Rhymes, went missing from the 20th century book display, in the museum, between 5pm on August 4, and 11.30am on August 7.

A spokesman from Kirkwall Police Station said: :"If anyone has any information, or has been offered the book they should contact us on 872241. It may be that it was inadvertently taken."

Alcohol is the root cause of almost every violent assault which occurs in Orkney, police revealed this week.

With national forces vowing to clamp down on drinking in public places, Orkney remains one of only three areas in Scotland not to have a bylaw against consuming alcohol on the streets.

Kirkwall Sergeant Eddie Graham said problems stemmed from underage youngsters who binge drink in public. “When they are binge drinking, they are not fully in control; they act out of character. Almost every assault we deal with is alcohol-based or has alcohol as a factor.”

The lighthouse boat Pharos will arrive at Stromness for the last time on Saturday.

The vessel has been sold to a company in the Falkland Islands and will be replaced later this year by a brand new Pharos, the tenth to have the name.

Pharos will be alongside the ferry pier in Stromness from Saturday morning until Monday morning for serving and retired Northern Lighthouse Board staff and their families to visit.

The boat was launched by The Queen in 1992 and has completed more than 250,000 nautical miles in NLB service.

A visiting diver was taken for treatment on board a German Navy vessel with decompression facilities in Scapa Flow on Tuesday.

It was reported to Shetland Coastguard about midday that a male diver, off the Belgian dive vessel, Commandant Fourcault, was suffering suspected bends.

Orkney Harbours advised the coastguard that a Navy ship, Mulhausen, was close by with a doctor on board and a chamber.

Harbours director, Captain Nigel Mills, said: “We informed the coastguard they had the opportunity to take the diver to a facility that was closer and therefore quicker.

Kirkwall's Highland Park distillery has retained its five star attraction status, the highest award in the Scottish tourism industry.

The site was first awarded the top accreditation in 2002. The status is reviewed every two years to ensure that the expected standards are met.

Scotland's Deputy First Minster, Nicol Stephen, insisted Orkney has the potential to lead the way in the renewables sector, when he concluded his visit to the county on Tuesday.

During his two-day visit, Mr Stephen also visited the European Marine Energy Centre, which he said continues to fulfil an important role.

As well as focusing on the renewables industry, Mr Stephen attended Orkney College, which he praised for its influence in the local community.

"I think Orkney College is playing a vital role in developing the local community, and hopefully it can continue to expand," said Mr Stephen.

Almost £8,500 is waiting to be reunited with Premium Bond holders in Orkney.

The 63 unclaimed prizes range in value from £5,000 to £25.

National Savings and Investments, who operate the Premium Bond system, say that prizes often remain unclaimed as people either fail to pass on new addresses when they move, forget where they bought them from, or children or beneficiaries are unaware that Premium Bonds are held after their owner dies.

A Stenness pensioner has been shortlisted for the Older Learner of the Year Award to be presented next month by learndirect scotland.

Mary Page, 77, is one of only three learners shortlisted for the award, and will join 70 others attending learndirect scotland's "Celebration of Learning" event on September 11, at The Hub in Edinburgh.

Mary, who was nominated by Orkney College Learning Centre, has been gaining IT skills to help her realise her life's ambition - to write her autobiography.

The strict security measures, introduced at airports nationwide last week, because of terrorist threats, have been relaxed slightly at Kirkwall Airport, and security will now allow one item, such as a laptop, to be taken on board as hand luggage.

David Blackman, Kirkwall Airport manager, said on Monday that there is still a ban on all liquids, and also pens, but apart from that things were almost back to normal.

A 27-year-old man, who denies assaulting a woman at the weekend, was released on bail from Kirkwall Sheriff Court on Monday.

Appearing from custody, Jonathon Hodgson, of Kinedar, Holm, pleaded not guilty to assaulting the woman at Flat 3, Newerne, Holm Road, on Saturday.

A trial date has been set for October.

Police are warning householders to lock their doors, even when in the property, following an incident at the weekend.

Acting Sergeant Bob Christie explained that a male, in his late 20s, or early 30s, entered an insecure house, and slept in the spare room.

"He refused to leave and as a result some damage was caused to a window in a door. We would generally advise all residents, even if they are in the house, to secure the doors."

A report is to be submitted to the procurator fiscal.

Weekend revellers have been praised by Kirkwall police for their good behaviour on County Show night.

In all, several thousand people hit the streets of the town on Saturday evening, attending pubs, clubs and organised dances.

Acting Sergeant Bob Christie said there was one disappointing incident whereby a child’s wheelchair was stolen from the show park and later found damaged in Junction Road. Police are appealing for anyone with information to call 872241.

Regarding the County Show, he said it was well attended, and while there was a lot of minor drink-related things, generally people were of good behaviour.