Evening Times

Widows Demand Action Over Tugboat Deaths Crewmen's Families Say Never Again!

THE widows of two tugboat crewmen today called for a full public inquiry into the Flying Phantom tragedy. Speaking after a damning report slammed fatal safety flaws, Helen Humphreys and Linda Cameron said no other families should have to suffer the same anguish.

Ftse Bucks Trend As Shares Rally

SHARES in London today escaped the bloodbath which hit markets around the world overnight. Prices plunged in America and Asia after Congress rejected President Bush's dollars-700bn bail-out plan.

98-Per Cent of East End Kids Live in Poverty Poverty the Reality for '98-Per Cent' of East End Kids

SHOCKING new figures today reveal 98-per cent of kids in areas of Glasgow's East End are living in, or on the edge of, poverty. In all, there are more than 107,000 children in the city below the poverty line.

Councillors 'Deserve 2.5-Per Cent Pay Rise'

COUNCILLORS should get a 2.5-per cent wage rise, a pay body today recommended. Ian Livingstone, chairman of the Scottish Local Authorities Remuneration Committee, said it is in line with public sector pay limits.

War Hero Saves Man Stabbed in Works Van

A WAR veteran came to the rescue of a workman bleeding heavily from a brutal blade attack. The man - who had been stabbed three times in the face, body and stomach - drove his van two miles along a country road in a desperate bid to escape his attacker.

Glory for Eastenders

EASTENDERS swiped back the best soap crown from Coronation Street last night as it swept the board at the Inside Soap Awards with nine gongs. Lacey Turner, who plays EastEnders' Stacey Branning, took three gongs at the ceremony at London's Camden Lock.

Brothers Aim for Store Gigs Record

SCOTS X Factor favourites The MacDonald Brothers are hoping to sing their way into the Guinness Book Of Records. Brian and Craig, from Ayrshire, will attempt to set a world record for instore gigs - 48 in a week.

Doomed by Fatal Failings Winch and Fog Blamed for Tug Tragedy Deaths

THREE lives were lost in a tug tragedy after its winch failed to release quickly enough, an inquiry revealed today. The Flying Phantom was towing the 39,738tonne bulk carrier Red Jasmine along the River Clyde when it capsized in thick fog on December 19 last year.

Woman,73, in Hill Ordeal 'Lucky to Live'

Rescuers said today an elderly woman, lost overnight on a Scots mountain after scattering the ashes of her late husband, was lucky to be alive. The 73 -year-old from Ayrshire, who spent the night on Schiehallion, west of Pitlochry, sparked a major rescue operation.

Football Women Net Pounds-300k

CRIMINALS' cash is to be used to boost women's football in Scotland. Justice Secretary Kenny MacAskill announced today that the government was giving the SFA almost pounds-300,000 to encourage more girls to play and coach the sport.

Appeal to Bridge Fall Witness Man Is Urged to Come Forward to Help Inquiry

DETECTIVES probing the death of a young mum who plunged from a bridge are urging a witness to come forward. Donna Lennox, 20, died when she fell from a footbridge in Cumbernauld.

Scotlandtoday

Blaze brothers in serious condition TWO brothers rescued from a fire which claimed the life of their mum Angela Brown remained in a serious condition in hospital today.

Warning Over Level of Prisons Funding

PRISONS will need extra funding if inmate numbers remain at their current level, MSPs will be warned today. Ministers have earmarked pounds-454.7million for prisons in 2009- 10, up from pounds-441.3m in 2008-09.

Star's Little Helpers

ACTRESS Caroline Quentin got a helping hand in a Glasgow school from some elves for a new television show. The star is in the city to film scenes for a new BBC sitcom, Life Of Riley and was joined by pupils from St Gregory's Primary in Maryhill, who have all landed parts as extras.

Strike Action Set to Hit Rail Services Signalling Staff Vote to Hold Two 24hr Stoppages

RAIL services across Scotland are expected to be badly disrupted next week when signalling workers stage two 24-hour stoppages. Strike leaders accuse Network Rail - the track maintenance firm - of repeatedly breaking agreements on staff transfers and rotas for the past two years.

Speed Cams 'Unlawful'

SPEED cameras are unlawful because they have not been properly approved by Parliament, a legal campaigner said today. Isle of Skye community lawyer Robbie the Pict, who is to challenge their use in the High Court, also said cameras that trap motorists if they run a red light have been used unlawfully.

High Hopes Gymnast Sarah Ready to Fly the Flag for Scotland

TEENAGER Sarah Cameron is flying the flag for Scotland against some of the world's greatest gymnasts. The 16-year-old will be among 500 athletes from 31 countries who will compete in the 21st Acrobatic Gymnastics World Championships, which start at the Kelvin Hall this weekend.

Firm Revamps Flats for Gha

GLASGOW building and maintenance firm Rok has begun work to modernise and refurbish five blocks of flats in the city. It will overhaul the exterior of the flats in Fearnmore Road, Maryhill, on behalf of Glasgow Housing Association.

Specs Appeal for Pounds-250,000

THREE Glasgow opticians are calling for help to raise pounds- 250,000 to build Zambia's fi rst eye clinic with Vision Aid Overseas. Specsavers at Trongate, Byres Road and The Forge will on Sunday try to raise pounds-7100 towards the company's pledge.

Child Protection Service Hailed

LANARKSHIRE has received one of the best reports in Scotland for child protection services. The region was awarded nine 'very good' and seven 'good' in the HMIe report.