City heritage hailed in poll

THE historic heart of Edinburgh has been voted the fifth best world heritage site in a global poll.

Almost 250,000 world travellers rated the Capital's Old and New Towns above the old towns of Prague, Vienna and Venice, the works of Gaudi in Barcelona and London's Palace of Westminster.

First place went to Angkor in Cambodia, followed by Rome, Florence and Istanbul.

Adam Wilkinson, director of Edinburgh World Heritage, said: "This is fantastic news and proves that the Old and New Towns are a unique, must-see destination.

"Tourists consistently mention Edinburgh's built heritage as a primary reason for visiting and once here they find the architecture and sense of history the most impressive aspects of the city."