Evening Times

Workers Seething at Axed Plants Jobs Row

WORKERS at drinks giant Diageo agreed to shorter weeks and a lower pay deal to help the company through tough times, it has been revealed. Now staff and union leaders are furious that bosses have decided to close the Port Dundas and Kilmarnock sites despite their efforts.

Wheels Fell Off the Bus Firm Warned

A COACH company has been ordered to take some vehicles off the road after two rear wheels fell off a service bus in a busy street. The accident happened last year when a bus run by Avondale Coaches was approaching a bus stop in Clydebank town centre.

Skivers Stay at Home to Cheer On Andy Record Numbers Will Dodge Work to Watch Wimbledon

A RECORD number of people were predicted to skive off work today as Murray Mania gripped the nation. With continued good weather and Andy Murray playing his Wimbledon semi-final, employment lawyers warned tens of thousands of workers would stay home or take 'sickies'.

Swine Flu: 100,000 Cases Daily Warning of Surge in Illness Next Month

SWINE fl u cannot be contained and the number of new cases could reach 100,000 per day by the end of next month . The warning came from Health Secretary Andy Burnham, who said the UK has moved past the stage of containing the outbreak and into the "treatment phase" .

Ramsay Profits Chopped by 87-Per Cent

CELEBRITY chef Gordon Ramsay has seen his profits plunge 87-per cent. His latest business accounts show profits for Gordon Ramsay Holdings fell from GBP3.05million to GBP383,325.

Spl in Talks Over Fi Ve-Year Tv Deal

THE Scottish Premier League is in talks with BSkyB and American broadcaster ESPN over a GBP100million joint five-year television deal. BSkyB and ESPN have teamed up to buy the rights that had reverted to the SPL after the Setanta Sports' UK operation collapsed. It had defaulted on a GBP3m payment from last season .

Victory 'Could Be Worth Gbp100

VICTORY in Sunday's final could lead to Murray netting GBP100milllion. It would open the floodgates for potential earnings which could see him become the highestpaid sportsman in the country.

Missing Inaction Workers Expected to Skive Off to Watch Murray Battle for Wimbledon Final Place and Enjoy the Sunshine

RECORD numbers of workers are predicted to skip work today to watch tennis and enjoy the sunshine. A combination of Murray Mania and continued good weather is likely to see people skive or slope off early.

Workers'bid to Beat Axe Closure Move Came After Staff Accepted Cuts

WORKERS at whisky giant Diageo had agreed a raft of cost cutting measures just months before they were told plants would close. On Wednesday the Evening Times revealed how Diageo was to shut its operations at Port Dundas in Glasgow and Kilmarnock with the loss of 900 jobs.

New Frigate Deal On the Cards for Shipyards

CLYDE shipyard bosses have revealed they are within weeks of signing an agreement that could see a new generation of frigates being built at Govan and Scotstoun. They are expected to win a share of work on up to 18 new ships to replace the Type 22 and Type 23 ships currently in service with the Royal Navy.

Warning On Orange City Parade Police Promise to Get Tough On Anti- Social Louts

POLICE have warned they will crack down on any sectarian behaviour and drunken disorder during tomorrow's annual Orange Order parade in Glasgow. About 8000 people from the city's 182 lodges are expected to walk to commemorate the Battle of the Boyne, with thousands more supporters and followers making for the rally at Kelvingrove Park.

Swire Plea Over Lockerbie Appeal

JIM SWIRE, whose daughter died in the Lockerbie bombing, has written an open letter to Scottish Justice Secretary Kenny MacAskill pleading with him to release the man convicted of the atrocity. His call follows a meeting this week between Mr MacAskill and three relatives of victims to discuss the fate of Abdelbaset Ali Mohmed al Megrahi, who has terminal prostate cancer.

Robber Caught by Voicemail

A ROBBER was caught by police after he recorded his own voice on a victim's mobile phone. Nicholas McGurk changed the voicemail message to "Hiya, it's Nicky here. You know what to do" .

Mod Is Urged to Rethink Job Cuts

THE Scottish Government has pledged its support for a campaign to save 25 jobs on North and South Uist. The roles are under threat from the Ministry of Defence's plan to transfer posts from the Hebrides rocket range to Aberporth in South Wales.

Worker's Fingers Sliced Off

A WORKER at a sausage-making factory had three fingers of his left hand sliced off by a faulty machine. At Ayr Sheriff Court, Belcher Food Products Ltd, of Prestwick, was fined GBP30,000 for breaching health and safety regulations.

Little Leishan Is Gift for Zoo

A NEW arrival is beginning to explore her surroundings at a Scots zoo. Pygmy hippo Leishan, whose name means "gift", entered the world at Edinburgh Zoo in May. She is the offspring of Ellen and Otto and a first baby for the pair.

Concern Over Missing Man

FEARS are growing for the safety of a man who has been missing for almost a week. Peter Anthony Queen, 28, of Myers Crescent, Uddingston, was last seen around 6.30am last Sunday by one of his neighbours.

Isle Sheep Are Shrinking

WILD sheep on a remote island group are getting smaller because of warmer temperatures . Scientist say Soay sheep on St Kilda are on average 5-per cent smaller than 25 years ago because a warmer climate makes conditions less challenging so smaller animals are more likely to survive .

Priority Issues for Police

THE police in Scotland have identifi ed six priority issues which have the biggest impact on communities and laid out plans for tackling them. They are public protection, terrorism, anti-social behaviour, serious organised crime, drugs and violence.

Families to Sue Over Tug Deaths

RELATIVES of three men who died in a tugboat tragedy on the River Clyde are to sue the harbour authority and the boat's operator . The Flying Phantom capsized in thick fog while towing a cargo vessel with the loss of skipper Stephen Humphreys, 33, engineer Robert Cameron, 65, and deckhand Eric Blackley, 57.