Evening Times

I Laughed with Dad Hours Before He Was Shot Dead Family Tell of Agony Over Gentle Giant's Death

THE grieving son of a man murdered by gunmen today told how he and his dad had a laugh in the pub just hours before he was shot dead. David Gardiner, 16, said his father William was "the best dad in the world".

Ticket Rush As Oasis Head Back to Secc

OASIS are coming back to Glasgow. The Gallagher brothers today revealed they would play the SECC on December 14 and 15.

Jobs Axe As Texstyle World Shuts 8 Shops Pledge to Customers As Bosses of Troubled City Chain Sell Up

HOMES store Texstyle World is to axe eight outlets in Scotland with the loss of dozens of jobs. Customers caught up in the closures were today assured all orders would be honoured and deposits already paid for goods were secure.

Gbp2 M Plan to Revamp City Hotel

TOP chef Michael Caines has said his fine-dining plans for Glasgow will succeed where Gordon Ramsay failed. Mr Caines and business partner Andrew Brownsword plan to turn the city's Art House Hotel into one of the most fashionable destinations in Scotland.

Sir Bob Wanted Me to Cancel Wedding

FRANZ Ferdinand guitarist Nick McCarthy has told how Bob Geldof tried to get him to cancel his wedding so the band could appear at Live 8. Alex Kapranos, Nick McCarthy and Bob Hardy told of the unusual request when they popped in to Clyde 1 to chat to breakfast presenter George Bowie.

Gglasgow Boysmake the Sparks F Ly with an Explosive Display Franz Ferdinand Review

FRANZ Ferdinand have stated their much-anticipated second album You Could Have It So Much Better is all about being positive. And that's exactly what 6000 fans got when the Glasgow four- piece gave an emphatic performance in Princes Street Gardens, Edinburgh.

Teenagers Can't Wait to Join Evening Times' Team

THE Evening Times has been inundated with calls from teenagers who want to deliver Britain's best evening paper . . . and pick up a free mini iPod. Scores of teenagers called in from Glasgow and around the west of Scotland to sign up as new recruits for our army of paper boys and girls after our offer appeared in yesterday's paper.

Nohiding Place for Scots Child Sex Suspects Call to Put Accused On Register Before They Appear in Court

TOP cops today called for changes in the law to make sure perverts had nowhere to hide. They want people facing sex charges put on the sex offenders' register - before they appear in court.

Council Throws Out Plans for New Prison Executive May Be Called in for Final Decision Over Jail

PLANS for a new prison at Lowmoss in Bishopbriggs have been turned down. But prison bosses are understood to be examining Crown powers that could force through plans to double the size of the jail, regardless of local opposition.

Clarke Launches Third at Tempt to Be Tory Leader I'm the Man to Take Party Back to Power Says Ex-Chancellor, 65, As Rivals Focus On Age Barrier

FORMER Chancellor Kenneth Clarke was today firming up campaign plans with his supporters after he revealed he will stand for the Tory party leadership. Mr Clarke said he would make a third bid for the job, adding that he was the man to lead the Conservatives back into power.

10-Per Cent Increase in City Drugs Deaths

DRUG deaths in the Glasgow area rose last year by more than 10- per cent, according to the latest official figures. There were 120 deaths in the Greater Glasgow Health Board area, accounting for one-third of the Scottish numbers.

Msp Rosie to Hand Herself in to Police

SOCIALIST MSP Rosie Kane plans to hand herself in to police tonight over an antinuclear protest. She said a warrant had been issued for her arrest for not paying a fine imposed after a protest last year at the Faslane submarine base on the Clyde.

Clyde Salmon Found Dead

A PROBE was under way today by environment watchdogs after hundreds of dead salmon were discovered on the River Clyde in Glasgow. George Parsonage of the Glasgow Humane Society said he removed more than 100 dead salmon between Glasgow Green and Rutherglen Bridge and around 100 were found dead up-river.

Missing Teenager Is Found

A MISSING girl has been found safe and well. Kerrie-Anne Meiklen, 14, disappeared from her home in Helensburgh almost a week ago. Police had become concerned for the teenager's welfare.

Fire Crew Attacked Twice in 40minutes

A FIRE crew was attacked by youths twice in less than an hour. The firefighters, based in Livingston, West Lothian, were hit with stones when they dealt with a rubbish fire in the town.

Asbestos Found at Nursery

DOZENS of children have been moved out of a nursery school following a health scare. Workmen have been brought in to remove deadly asbestos found in the roof at the council-run nursery in Johnstone, Renfrewshire.

Sspwithdraws Legal Threat

THE Scottish Socialist Party has withdrawn its threat of legal action over the suspension of four of its MSPs from the Scottish Parliament. Party leader Colin Fox says the party can't afford the GBP100,000 cost of the action and had been told by its legal advisers that the MSPs would have to apologise before getting a judicial review.

Boy, 10, Airlifted Off Hill After Fall

A YOUNG boy was recovering in hospital today after falling 50ft on a Scots mountain. Emergency teams managed to reach the 10-year-old who had suffered head injuries and a broken leg.

Scotland Could Act Now to Cut the Easy Sale of Killer Airguns

SCOTLAND can go its own way and introduce a licensing scheme for airguns without delay, the SNP said today. The nationalists repeated their demand for action after Mark Bonini, 27, was jailed for life yesterday for killing Easterhouse toddler Andrew Morton.

Cops Call for Suspects to Go On Sex Register Rory's Murder Sparks Plea for Radical Reform to System

SENIOR police officers today called for people accused of sexual offences to be placed on the sex offenders' register before they appear in court. Their calls come following the murder of Livingston schoolboy Rory Blackhall after it emerged the prime suspect was out on bail for sex offences.