Evening Times

Green Light for Gbp100m Jail

A CONTROVERSIAL new GBP100million prison has been given the green light - despite massive local opposition. Plans for a 700-cell jail at Low Moss were rejected by East Dunbartonshire Council. But after a public inquiry the Executive has said it will go ahead. It could be built by a private company.

Chaos As Winds Blow Roof Off Riverside Flats

HIGH winds ripped off a large section of a roof at a luxury apartment block on Glasgow's riverfront. Police put up a cordon around the nine-storey Metropole building in Clyde Street which lies next to St Andrew's Cathedral.

Fury Over Executive Green Light for New Gbp100m Jail Prison Governors Are Urged to Hold Talks with Community Leaders

CAMPAIGNERS have reacted furiously to the decision to give the go- ahead to a controversial new GBP100million prison on the outskirts of Glasgow. Plans for the 700-cell jail at Low Moss, near Bishopbriggs, were previously rejected by East Dunbartonshire Council amid massive public opposition. But today they were given the go-ahead following a public inquiry last May.

City Gets Budget Ibiza Flights

HOLIDAYMAKERS will be able to jet from Glasgow to the sunshine beaches of Ibiza for less than GBP55 return this summer. Budget airline easyJet is launching a weekly service on June 16. A single ticket - including taxes - will cost from GBP31.99p with a return flight priced from GBP53.98.

Teenager Injured in Airgun Attack

ATEENAGER was shot with an airgun fired from a Glasgow tower block. The 18-year-old needed hospital treatment after being targeted by the gunman in Scotstoun.

Old Pals Need New Year Hope Dog-Lovers Urged to Give a Home to Elderly Pooches Cast Aside Over Christmas to Make Way for Cute New Puppies

EVERYONE is looking forward to the prospect of a happy new year. But spare a thought for the dozens of elderly dogs found unwanted and abandoned over the festive season. It's a harsh fact of life that, despite what is supposed to be the season of goodwill, this sometimes does not appear to include older family pets who find themselves cast on the scrapheap for a new young pup.

Neglected Pets Saved by Charity

MORE than 10,000 stray dogs were found wandering the streets in Scotland last year. Dogs Trust is the UK's largest dog welfare charity and cares for more than 14,000 stray and abandoned dogs each year through its network of 17 rehoming centres across Britain.

Pervert Fear in Bill Delay Teachers Call On Executive to Push Through New Law

CHILDREN could be at risk from paedophiles unless new laws are pushed through before May's Holyrood elections, it was claimed today. The Scottish Secondary Teachers' Association called on ministers to press ahead with proposals which are at the centre of a political row.

Cops Probe Last Hours of Dead Soldier Neighbours' Grief for War Hero Killed in Street Fight

DETECTIVES were today piecing together the final movements of an Iraq war hero murdered after he tried to save his friend's life. Charles McBlain was stabbed to death after stepping in to help his friend, who was set upon in Saltcoats, Ayrshire at around 2.30am on New Year's Day, as reported in later editions of last night's Evening Times.

A Third of Scots Say Cancer Just Luck of the Draw

ONE in three Scots thinks getting cancer is all down to fate, a new survey has revealed. And the poll of more than 4000 people by Cancer Research UK also shows the over-65 age group were the most likely to put the disease down to destiny.

Blaze-Hit Rail Link Is Back to Normal

RAIL services through Kilmarnock were back to normal today following a fire at a signalling centre in the town on Christmas night. It took firefighters three hours to bring the blaze under control after the attack by vandals brought chaos to services.

Police Quiz After Body Found

A POST-MORTEM was taking place following the suspicious death of a man found in a Paisley street. The 54-year-old was discovered at midday on New Year 's Day in Rotherwood Avenue, Foxbar.

Parties Unite in Vote Plea

SCOTLAND'S party leaders have mounted a rare display of unity - in pursuit of votes. They cast aside political differences to make a public appeal in the Scottish Parliament for voters to use their votes in May.

Blaze at Hotel's Kitchen

FIRE crews were today dealing with a kitchen blaze at a Lanarkshire hotel. Fire broke out in the kitchen of the Redstone Hotel in Uddingston's Glasgow Road at around 4.30am.

Call to Stop Dawn Raids

SCOTLAND'S largest teaching union today called for an end to dawn raids on asylum seekers. The Educational Institute of Scotland said the practice was "harrowing" for families and left schoolchildren distressed when pupils disappeared suddenly.

8 Faslane Protesters Held

EIGHT peace campaigners were arrested after taking part in a blockade of the Faslane nuclear submarine base today. They were among a 25-strong group from Friends of the Earth Flanders and Brussels who staged the protest as part of the Faslane365 yearlong blockade of the base.

Let's Get Ready to Rock! New Radio Station Snubs Pop for a 'Harder' Sound

THE airwaves are about to reverberate to the sounds of some of the top rock bands of the last 40 years with the launch of a new radio station. When 96.3 Rock Radio takes to the air on Monday it will play the best of Led Zeppelin, Deep Purple and Black Sabbath.

Bus Horror Boy Faces New Op On Injured Foot Teenager Who Almost Lost Leg 3 Years Ago Still Fighting to Recover

A BRAVE teenager who almost lost a leg after being dragged under a bus three years ago is facing further surgery. Schoolboy Jordan Paterson underwent two major brain operations and narrowly avoided having a leg amputated when the accident happened in February 2004.

Gbp3000 Boost for Cancer Fund

A THEATRE production has raised GBP3000 to help teenage cancer sufferers. Soroptimist International Glasgow Central and Stagecoach Theatre Arts staged a performance of The Snow Queen at the Tramway Theatre which raised money for Teenage Cancer Trust.

City Hosts Irish Dancing Contest

THE World Irish Dancing Championships will take place in Glasgow this spring. The city's Royal Concert Hall will host the event from March 31 to April 8.