Evening Times

Cops Hunt for Pickpockets After Oaps' Purses Stolen

TWO elderly women had their purses stolen from their handbags as they waited at a bus stop. The thefts happened in Duke Street, opposite the Forge Shopping Centre, on Friday and Saturday.

My Sweaty Palms Have Gone . . . Thanks to Yorkhill Docs Young Girl's Life Transformed by Revolutionary Op

EVEN simple things in life such as shaking hands or doing her homework were a nightmare for 12-year-old Cydnee Bennett. The youngster from the Gorbals in Glasgow suffered from a condition which made her palms sweat so much they looked as if she had spent too long in the bath.

Scandalous Love Letters, a Priceless Burns and a Gbp6 M Book of Birds . . . The City Treasures Set to Be Uncovered Burns and a Gbp6 M Book of Birds . . . The City Treasures Set to Be Uncovered World Book Day One-Off Exhibition at the Mitchell Celebrates Glasgow's Enduring Love Affair with Books

IT'S very rare for the Mitchell Library to unlock its strong room and display its treasures - but not every day is World Book Day. Some of Glasgow's most prized possessions will be on show in a one- off exhibition on Thursday. MAUREEN ELLIS reports HE was the Ayrshire Lothario with a timeless way with words, she the infamous Victorian socialite with a penchant for poison.

Wardens Are Winning Fight Against Crime Street Patrols Tackle 11,000 Incidents in Their First Year

STREET wardens in Glasgow are winning the war against antisocial behaviour - after tackling 11,000 incidents last year. The 53 Community Safety Patrol Officers filed 11,387 reports on everything from gang violence to vandalism over their first full calendar year.

Asda Staf F Set for Strike Ballot Workers Renew Stoppage Threat at Warehouses

ASDA today faced a renewed threat of stoppages after union leaders agreed to launch a strike ballot among warehouse staff across the UK. The supermarket giant is accused of attempting to end collective bargaining involving thousands of staff at a network of more than 20 distribution depots including warehouses in Grangemouth and Falkirk.

Lord Provost's Praise for Boy Wizard Ged

LORD Provost Liz Cameron, left, will share her fascination with a boy wizard on Thursday when she talks to pupils at Holy Cross Primary in Govanhill. But she's not afflicted by Harry Potter-mania - she's a big fan of Ursula K Le Guin's creation A Wizard Of Earthsea.

Park Talksboost for Sports Club 500-Strong Group Get Hope in Battle for New Facility

MEMBERS of a sports club in Glasgow's west end say they've been encouraged by a meeting with council officials about plans for the area's Victoria Park. Representatives of Broomhill Sports Club met heads of departments at Glasgow City Council to discuss the club's plans to run a facility in part of the park.

Wardens Are Winning Fight Against Crime Street Patrols Tackle 11,000 Incidents in Their First Year

STREET wardens in Glasgow are winning the war against antisocial behaviour - after tackling 11,000 incidents last year. The 53 Community Safety Patrol Officers filed 11,387 reports on everything from gang violence to vandalism over their first full calendar year.

Cartoon Bid to Reach Out to Self-Harmers Campaign Aims to End Stigma for Young People

AHARD-HITTING cartoon campaign has been launched in a bid to tackle the stigma of self-harming. See Me, an alliance of five mental health organisations, has unveiled animated TV and poster adverts as new research showed 56- per cent of Scots adults don't know how to help youngsters trying to harm themselves.

Glasgow Unveils New Bid to Help Sporting Stars of the Future Support for Clubs As Commonwealth Games Fight Gathers Pace

MOVES to nurture Glasgow sports stars of the future were unveiled today . . . and immediately won support from Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson. Council chiefs have pledged more support for grassroots sports clubs as the city's Commonwealth Games bid gathers pace.

'Chav' Prisoner Is Back in Court Over Designer Gear Crown Fights On Over Man's Gbp349 Compensation

A "CHAV" prisoner's battle for compensation over lost designer clothes was back in court today. . . for the third time. Joseph Hughes is seeking GBP349 compensation in a long-running case that has already cost taxpayers thousands of pounds in legal fees.

R-R Jobs Fears in Storm Over New Test Plant Union Warns 1100 Could Be at Risk

ROLLS-ROYCE sparked jobs fears today amid concerns it could scrap plans for a new GBP45million aero engine factory on the outskirts of Glasgow. The move, which could put 1100 jobs in East Kilbride at risk, came as protesters slammed the firm for wanting to open a new test bed facility next to the factory.

R-R Job Fears in Row Over New Test Bed Plant Union Warns 1100 Jobs Are at Risk

ROLLS-ROYCE sparked jobs fears today amid concerns it could scrap plans for a new GBP45million aero engine factory on the outskirts of Glasgow. The move, which could put 1100 existing jobs in East Kilbride at risk, came as protesters slammed the firm for wanting to open a new test bed facility next to the factory.

Street Pest Jailed for Seven Months

A NUISANCE neighbour, who breached an anti-social behaviour order on the day he was released from prison, has been jailed for seven months. Police found John Johnston, 60, drinking lager while lying on a mattress in a Port Glasgow close in January. He shouted and swore when he was arrested, Greenock Sheriff Court heard.

Families' Anger As Respite Care Centre for Disabled Adults Axed Service to Move Because Cost of Refit Under New Rules Would Total Gbp200,000

DOZENS of families of special needs adults are furious a respite care centre in Glasgow is being closed. Kelso House in Yoker will shut in September, sparking anger among the 80 families who rely on the service for a break several times a year.

Cyclists Can Raise Cash in 50-Mile Trip

CYCLISTS are being urged to ride 50 miles from Glasgow to Edinburgh to raise cash. Charity Chest, Heart & Stroke Scotland wants people to sign up for the sponsored cycle along the banks of the Forth and Clyde Canal.

College Razed for New Flats

A COLLEGE building is to be demolished to make way for a new development of 70 flats. South Lanarkshire College's building in Hamilton Road, Cambuslang, is to be replaced by 66 flats as the college moves to a campus in East Kilbride.

40 Families Evacuated As Blaze Destroys Bus Plant Chaos As Exclusion Zone Set Up Amid Fears of Gas Cylinder Blast

FAMILIES had to flee in their nightclothes early today after an early-morning fire sparked fears of an explosion. The blaze at the PJ Coachworks virtually destroyed the factory and 11 buses, with the damage to the vehicles totalling around GBP500,000. Firefighters were faced with fierce flames and they initially tried to tackle the 3am blaze from inside the building in Auld Street, Dalmuir, Clydebank.

56 Face Jobs Axe in Warehouse Closure Plan Furniture Giant Warns of Uk-Wide Purge After Losses

FURNITURE firm MFI is set to axe at least 56 workers at a Glasgow warehouse after the company today announced losses of GBP600,000. It is believed up to 1500 workers involved in manufacturing, home deliveries and sales across the UK could be made redundant after the firm admitted it was drawing up a closure hit list.

Clyde Rebirth Is a National Priority Says Mcconnell First Minister Unveils Strategy to Help Create Jobs, Houses and Attract New Businesses

GLASGOW'S regeneration is a "national priority", First Minister Jack McConnell said today. He promised to step up the Scottish Executive's efforts alongside the city council and its partners to deliver the regeneration of the Clyde Gateway and Waterfront.