Evening Times

Scared of Rats, Flying or Even Baked Beans? I Can Help and I Won't Think That You're Bananas!

MR FIXIT The man who claims he can help you conquer your fears MOST people have one - an irrational fear of anything from spiders or flying to needles or even bananas! But Ali Campbell claims he can cure them. KATHLEEN MANSON meet Glasgow's Mr Fixit THEY are Glasgow's latest rock sensation but The Fratellis feared they might have to call off their world tour because lead singer Jon Fratelli was terrified of flying.

Railway Workers Vote for Two-Day Walkout Strike Will Start On Wednesday

SCOTS rail workers are to stage a 48-hour strike, bringing more chaos to commuters. Leaders of the Rail Maritime and Transport union today announced that staff would walk out at noon on Wednesday in a long-running dispute over hours.

Mackintosh Church Open After Facelift

THE only standing church designed by Charles Rennie Mackintosh is set to reopen after a GBP1million revamp. And Trish Ingram, information officer of the Mackintosh Society, was one of the first to inspect the refurbishment of the church at Queen's Cross.

Windfall for Customers and Staff in Gbp5.7 Bn Profit

HALIFAX and the Bank of Scotland today revealed profits of GBP5.7billion - and announced that most Scottish account holders are to receive a GBP240 windfall. And 17,300 staff in Scotland were told they would also be in the money.

Splashing Out Gbp18 Mon Leisure Upgrades

MORE than GBP18million is to be spent transforming leisure facilities in a Scots district. South Lanarkshire Council today confirmed plans for the massive spending spree.

Scots Begin Clean-Up Op After Floods

A CLEAR-UP operation was under way today after torrential rain brought flooding chaos to parts of Ayrshire. The sudden downpour flooded roads and put homes at risk yesterday afternoon.

Pupils Don't Have English As First Language

ALMOST 10,000 pupils in Scottish schools do not speak English as a first language. The Scottish Executive report for the 2006 school year show there were 9486 pupils speaking 137 different first languages in Scotland, including Punjabi, Urdu, Cantonese, Polish and Arabic.

Amy's On Song for Fans

FRESH from her Best British Female Brit award, Amy Winehouse showed her Glasgow fans why she is the voice of 2007. Her effortless tones are proof you don't need to perform Mariah Careystyle vocal acrobatics to impress.

Nuclear Emergency Staff in Mod Strike

WORKERS trained to deal with a major incident at the nuclear submarine base on the Clyde went on strike today. The engineers were among more than 200 staff who are threatening more 24-hour stoppages in a bitter pay row.

Facing Up to Dirty Secret Anti-Litter Teams Face Tough Task in East End

IT'S 9am on a bright, sunny morning and antilitter 'hit squads' are already working hard on the streets of Parkhead in Glasgow's East End. It's the first day of the Neighbourhood Charter, and city council clean-up chief Phil Walker is meeting the teams to see his months of preparation being put into practice at last.

Crane Strikes City Bridge and Causes Traffic Chaos

DRIVERS faced major traffic delays after a crane hit a bridge in Maryhill Road, Glasgow. The crane was on the back of a lorry and the accident happened at the Lochburn Road junction around 3.15pm yesterday, just before rush hour.

Snp Executive 'Will Shut Schools, Health Centres'

THREE Labour Ministers today claimed today an SNPled Scottish Executive would scrap 82 schools and 15 health centres. Justice Minister Cathy Jamieson, who is chairing Labour's Holyrood election campaign, challenged SNP leader Alex Salmond to "come clean" about his party's plans.

Gbp500,000 for Musicians

A GBP500,000 fund is being set up to help Scotland's up and coming musicians. The Scottish Executive is making the cash available for the Scottish Music Futures Fund, which helps the stars of tomorrow.

Man, 19, Charged Over Rape

A TEENAGER has been charged in connection with the rape of a 15- year-old girl. A 19-year-old man has been arrested following the incident in the Ferguslie Park area of Paisley more than a week ago and is expected to appear at Paisley Sheriff Court later today.

High Street Plan Go-Ahead

A GBP100MILLION plan to build 600 homes on a former goods yard, in Glasgow's historic High Street, has been given the go-ahead. The city council's planning committee gave outline consent to the scheme by citybased Merchant City Properties, reported in last night's Evening Times.

Call for New Drug Laws

SCOTLAND'S drug enforcement agency boss is to call for a new system of drug laws. Graeme Pearson is expected to tell the Association of Chief Police Officers in Scotland's annual drug conference in Turnberry, Ayrshire, that the system of classifying drugs should end.

Tributes for Dead Miners

TRIBUTES have been paid in the Commons after two workers were killed at an open cast mine. Colin Ferguson, 37, and Brian French, 48, were crushed at the Pennyvenie site in East Ayrshire.

Baby Fights for Life After 200-Mile Trip

A SIX-WEEK-OLD girl is fighting for life in Yorkhill Hospital for Sick Children, Glasgow, after a dramatic hospital flight - hours after her twin brother died. Laura MacNeil was flown around 200 miles from her home in Barra, in the Outer Hebrides, to the hospital.

Shock As Superfit City Ad Boss, 44, Dies After Run Fitness Fanatic Collapsed On Run

A GLASGOW advertising boss has died of a heart attack just months after climbing Kilimanjaro. Tributes were paid today to Alan Frame, a businessman and talented sportsman who once led Scotland's squash squad.

Parents' Heartbreak at Asthma Death of Boy, 10

THE parents of a 10-year old boy who died after suffering an asthma attack have spoken of their heartbreak. Lyle Hunter took ill at his home in Greenock earlier this month and died despite desperate efforts to save him.