Evening Times

City Pupils Are Trout and About!

HUNDREDS of pupils have been given lessons in fishing - not in catching them, but rearing them. Now some of the youngsters have released this year 's first batches of brown trout into the River Clyde and its tributaries. The 25 P5 pupils from Thornliebank Primary in Renfrewshire put 209 fish - each measuring 1in - into the Cart at Pollok Country Park.

'Parking Charges Will Destroy Trade' West End Hotel Bosses Slam Plan for Meters

HOTEL owners in Glasgow's west end fear they could lose up to 50- per cent in trade if new parking restrictions come into force. The small businesses in Sauchiehall Street, Gray Street and Royal Crescent believe proposals to introduce restrictions and new pay and display bays may force them out of the area because customers will be deterred from parking.

Job Fight Woman Claims 'Religious Bias' at Workplace

A DESIGNER claims she was discriminated against on the grounds of religion after colleagues left items relating to Celtic Football Club on her desk. In the first case of its kind, Stacey Broadfoot, 18, claims she was also subjected to sectarian comments by colleagues and management at Airdrie-based print firm HCV Design and Print and another company, Paul Castle Consultancy Ltd of Shettleston, Glasgow.

Cheap Rail Fares for Over-55s

TRAIN fares in Scotland were today reduced for the over-55s. First ScotRail cut up to 77-per cent off prices for journeys within Scotland.

Chamber in Bid to Find Work for City Refugees Initiative Taps Into Professional Skills of Immigrants

A NEW scheme aims to give Glasgow's refugee population a foothold in business and the community. The Glaswegian Initiative, a programme of classes launched by Glasgow Junior Chamber of Commerce, will equip refugees with the personal skills and contacts to get into the workplace.

Thug Who Hit Girl Given Court Rap

A BOUNCER who punched a woman, breaking her jaw, has escaped a detention sentence. James Clark, 19, was a steward at the Universe Nightclub in Coatbridge, when he assaulted his exgirlfriend Jacqueline Smith.

Atta's Charity Football Date

GLASGOW actor Atta Yaqub is to turn his talents to football in a ChildLine Scotland fundraiser. Ae Fond Kiss star Atta has agreed to take part in the charity's Euro Footie tournament 2005 in association with Beat 106.

Singer Rushed to Hospital After Fall

SCOTS singer Gerry Rafferty was rushed to hospital yesterday with a serious head injury. The Paisley-born star, who had hits with Stuck In The Middle and Baker Street, is believed to have hurt his head in a fall in his London home.

Splash Out This Summer Style Friday Get Cool Sunshine Looks From Big- Name Designers at High Street Prices

IT'S hot in the city . . . or at least it is heating up in the shops. Barely have the clocks wound forward than the high summer collections are hitting the shops with a blistering impact. And with the lure of cheap flights to the sun - and not a little wishful thinking for this year's Scottish summertime on everyone's part - there's no time like the present to invest in some scorching poolside attire.

Spanish Visitors Plan to Hoop It Up in City

MORE than 100 Spanish football supporters arrive in Glasgow tonight as part of a weekend of celebrations between Celtic fans and followers of their opponents in last year's Uefa Cup, Villarreal. Youngsters at the city's Yorkhill Hospital for Sick Children will be the beneficiaries of a number of charity events staged between the supporters over the next few days.

Disaster Teams in Flood Exercise

EMERGENCY crews teamed up to tackle a major fictional flood. Cumbernauld Town Hall was the venue for the table top exercise, which involved public sector agencies that would be called to tackle a real disaster if it arose.

Glasgow Cuts Hospital Bed Blocking Problem Number of Patients in Long-Term Stays Reduced to 189

HOSPITALS in Glasgow have made a big reduction in the number of people who cannot leave wards because there is nowhere else for them to go. Wards have managed more than a 20-per cent cut in delayed discharges - best known as bed blocking.

Award for Community's Youth Cafe

A YOUTH club has been honoured by the Rotary Club. Milngavie Youth Cafe, which was set up three years ago to take teenagers off the streets, has been awarded the Community Project Award by Allander Rotary.

Working Hours Rule May Hit Number of Doctors Wards Could Lose Staff If They Fail to Enforce Regulations

HOSPITALS across Scotland face losing more junior doctors if they fail to make sure staff are not forced to work excessive hours. Tough regulations on the hours worked by some junior doctors will be expanded to cover other grades from August.

20mph Zones Hailed for Fall in Crashes Council Reaches Target of 40- Per Cent Reduction 5 Years Early

ROAD safety chiefs say new Twenty's Plenty zones have helped slash the number of serious road accidents. South Lanarkshire Council claims it has beaten government targets set for reducing accidents five years early.

Pope Is Dying After Heart Attack John Paul Ii Is 'Fading Serenely', Says Cardinal

THE POPE was today "fading serenely" as Catholics all over the world joined in prayer for the failing pontiff. AVatican spokesman said he was in a grave condition, after suffering heart failure and septic shock. However, the 84-year-old was lucid enough to celebrate Mass with some top aides.

Theatre Screens First Film Festival

A COMMUNITY theatre will launch its first film festival tomorrow. To mark the school holidays, the Fort Theatre, in Kenmure Avenue, Bishopbriggs, will screen Harry Potter And The Philosopher's Stone, starring Daniel Radcliffe, above, at 2.15pm.

Solemn Mass Held at Cathedral for City's Catholics

GLASGOW'S Catholics gathered at the city's St Andrew's Cathedral this morning for a solemn mass. Many lit candles before the service as worshippers met to comfort one another.

Log On for Advice On Court Injustice

THE Scottish Criminal Cases Review Commission has celebrated its sixth birthday by setting up a new website. The group was set up to review miscarriages of justice in the Scottish courts.

Ward Open Heart Unit in Mrsa Scare Gets All-Clear

ALIFE-SAVING heart and lung unit at the centre of an MRSA scare reopened to new admissions today. Health chiefs have given the Western Infirmary's cardio thoracic unit the allclear after lab tests confirmed it was now free of the deadly superbug.