Royal staff serving at Balmoral are being offered bingo sessions to keep them off the booze it has been reported in a book by royal biographer, Robert Hardman. City workers posted to Scotland have struggled wit the rural lifestyle and turned to excess drinking. Concerned managers have arranged bingo nights, mountain biking and pony trekking to pass the time.

Staff hated being sent from London for the Queen's annual stay on Deeside - so they ended up drinking heavily, according to a new book.

Royal biographer Robert Hardman wrote: "At Balmoral, there has been occasional problems with drinking among the staff who are brought from London to look after the royal family and its guests.

"The Highlands have never been as popular with the staff as with the Windsors. Some employees are unashamedly urban creatures who cannot see the appeal of a mountain hike in driving rain.

"It is by far the most remote billet on the royal rota. As a result, some preferred to spend their off-duty moments in the bar rather than enjoying the scenery.

"So staff are now offered mountain bikes and kayaks. The Queen also lets them ride estate ponies, the first time some employees have ever sat in a saddle.

"And for those who still cannot see the appeal of the Highlands, every staff bedroom has now been equipped with its own television using the proceeds from the Palace cafe."

There are also weekly bingo sessions at Balmoral that the staff are encouraged to join in.