Evening Times

Munro Bid for Charity Fundraiser

HILL-WALKERS are being asked to bag a Munro to raise cash for autism sufferers. The Scottish Society for Autism wants people to take part in a series of hikes and has a choice of four Munros - mountains more than 3000ft high - which walkers can try to climb raise cash for the charity.

Roller Les Slams Manager Over Cash

The former frontman of the Bay City Rollers has hit out at the group's manager, claiming he conned them out of millions. Singer Les McKeown, 48, said he believes he was swindled by the group's former manager, Tam Paton.

Brother has 4-Year Wait for Postcard

TWO brothers were stunned when a postcard sent by one arrived at the other's house - almost four years after it had been posted. The card was sent by Terry Smith, now 53, as he celebrated his 50th birthday on a weekend holiday with his wife in Suffolk.

Our Son Missed Out On Iraq ... Only to Die in Crash Horror; Family Pay Tribute to Tragic Soldier Alan

THE parents of a teenage soldier who died after a crash on a friend's motorbike today told how their son lived for the army. Private Alan Pollock, 18, died from his injuries after being involved in a road accident close to his parents' home in Renfrew.

We Don't Have Gun Dramas or Hostages in Bothwell - but a Baby in the Salon Is Spot On!; Cutting It: Hairdresser Thomas Mcmillan Reveals How How the Popular Bbc Drama Isn't All Make-Believe

BETRAYAL, bust-ups and bitchiness. No wonder the hit BBC drama, Cutting It, is hair-raising stuff. The series, which stars Ben Daniels and Sarah Parish, revolves around the lives and loves of the staff of a Manchester hair salon. Their lives are a tangled mess as they try to juggle the demands of work and parenthood. Over-the-top storylines have viewers hooked. The staff do the hair of celebrity clients, appear on TV shows and compete against each other in cut-throat competitions. But is it a...

Boom Time in Building

THE housing boom in Scotland continues to fuel the building and construction industry, according to new figures. The Scottish sector of the industry looks set to outperform the rest of Britain as a whole each year until 2006, according to a report by information providers Experian.

Bar Boss's Gift to Club

A WRESTLING club is celebrating after a pub boss offered to pay its transport costs to take kids to competitions. Around 20 youngsters aged from 7 to 16 from the Red Road Wrestling Club will benefit from the (pounds) 900 gift from Andy Beattie, boss of Bar Cini in Glasgow's Renfield Street. The money will pay for members to go to competitions across Scotland and England.

Kids Meet Star Monty

TOP golfer Colin Montgomerie shared the secrets of his success with school pupils yesterday. Monty was speaking as part of the Sporting Champions scheme funded by the Scottish Executive to try to inspire young people to take part in sport.

Water Fun for Pupils

KIDS will be taught the importance of water at a science show with a difference. Scottish Water's Water for Life show will see pupils dressed up as otters, surfers and birds and also give them the chance to take part in hands-on experiments.

Corner Shops Are More Important Than the Pub...; ...Says the Man Who Plays Navid in Still Game; News Special: Comedy Star Reveals Why the Local Store Is Here to Stay

AS the latest awareness day celebrates independent shopkeepers, Evening Times Chief Reporter DAVID LEASK speaks to two men who know exactly how vital the local store is to its community SCOTLAND'S favourite TV shopkeeper today delivered a defiant message to big supermarkets - the corner shop is here to stay.

Protesterssave Their Historic Primary

CAMPAIGNERS have saved a historic primary school from demolition. Proposals to bulldoze Old Mearns Primary in Newton Mearns, have been thrown out for the second time in less than a year.

Store Card Warning Is of Interest

SHOPPERS are being warned about the danger of taking out store credit cards. South Lanarkshire Council is supporting a campaign to highlight the pitfalls of store cards, which can have interest rates of up to a massive 30%.

Agency in Plea to Cut Energy Bills

SCOTLAND'S environment watchdog wants companies to save cash by cutting down on waste. Saturday is World Environment Day and the Scottish Environment Protection Agency says that it is an ideal time to introduce simple measures at work that reduce costs and environmental damage.

Accused 'Not Spotted Night Jacqui Died'

THE MAN accused of murdering prostitute Jacqui Gallagher has claimed he would have been spotted in Glasgow city centre on the night she was last seen. George Johnstone said it was impossible that up to 35 closed circuit TV cameras could have failed to spot his van if he had been in Glasgow's red light area the night she girl was picked up.

Family's Horror at Crash

Relatives of a teenage motorcyclist seriously injured in an accident said they have been left "devastated" by the incident. Brian Redmond, 19, is in intensive care at Glasgow Royal Infirmary after being injured in a crash in Starpoint Street, Cranhill, last Thursday. It is thought he lost control of his bike and hit a fence.

Bosses Fear Tribunals May Hurt Business

Employers are worried industrial tribunals could harm their finances and reputations, according to a new survey. Around 75% of those quizzed worry about the financial cost and more than two-thirds fear the damage a tribunal case could do to their business reputation, according to the research, carried out for the Department of Trade and Industry.

Shop Owners' Parking Fury As Wardens Ticket Delivery Vans

SHOP bosses in the heart of Glasgow today called for an end to parking rules they say are crippling their businesses. A string of firms say they cannot get stock delivered at any time without traffic wardens swooping to issue tickets.

Pups and Chick in Training to Be a Top Team

TWO cuddly pups and a rare falcon chick are to be trained to become one of the country's most deadly hunting teams. The animals, who are just two weeks old, are inseparable after starting their training early.

Ryanair Profits Tumble by 14%

Budget airline Ryanair today posted a 14% drop in profits - but revealed passenger numbers had hit a new high. The Dublin-based no-frills carrier said pre-tax profits in the year to March 31 were down to (pounds) 152.1million from (pounds) 176.1m the year before.

Broadband Link for All Scots

Every community in Scotland will be able to access high-speed internet connections with broadband by the end of next year, the Executive was announcing today. Jim Wallace, the Deputy First Minister and enterprise minister, was due to announce further government support to ensure that coverage - currently at 78% - reaches 100% by the end of 2005.