Orkney Islands Council advise car park users that new ticket machines will be in operation from today in the car parks on Great Western Road (North) and Burgh Road.

These car parks are located adjacent to the old Scarthcentre and the Police Station respectively.

In addition, new ticket machines have now been installed in the existing pay-and-display car parks in Kirkwall and Stromness.

Users are advised to display the parking ticket clearly by putting it inside the vehicle on your dashboard, so that the car park attendants can read the ticket through the windscreen.

The 24th Hoy Half-marathon will be held on Sunday, June 13.

Organisers have stressed that places are available on a “first come first serve” basis, so are appealing for people to get their applications in as soon as possible.

Jude Callister, who organises the race along with Jan Witkamp, said that numbers for the Half-marathon are “strictly limited”.

Young runners, aged nine to 17, can take part in the quarter marathon.

Entry packs for both can be obtained by e-mailing hoyhalf@googlemail.com, or by contacting Jude or Jan at Cot o’ Midhouse, Brims, Longhope KW16 3NZ, or by calling 701300.