The Herald

Driver's Licence Taken Away Because She Had Bulimia

A WOMAN with bulimia lost her right to drive for almost six months because of her condition and was forced to battle through the courts to get her licence back. A sheriff ruled that a psychiatrist's decision that Gillian Carruth, 37, was unfit to drive was not reasonable and the revocation of her licence was "an excessive reaction".

[Gbp]400m Black Hole Will Force Big Rise in Tax, Say Councils Crisis Over Extra Services and Equal Pay

COUNCIL tax rises are expected to reach double figures in some areas next year, as local authorities face their worst funding crisis since devolution. Cosla, the council umbrella group, said yesterday its members needed at least [GBP]400m from the Scottish Executive on top of an expected [GBP]8.3bn in grants and business rates if they were to avoid crippling tax rises or service cuts in the spring.

Pensions Deficit Hits [Gbp]75bn

The pensions gap at the UK's 100 biggest public companies has widened by [GBP]10bn to [GBP]75bn over the past year - in spite of climbing stock markets. According to consultants Deloitte & Touche, the surge in the combined deficit for the final salary pension plans of FTSE-100 companies is the result of falling interest rates.

Sir Tom Feeds the Children

Vitamin D Reduces Risk of Common Cancers Study Shows Dramatic Drops

A LARGE daily dose of vitamin D can lower the risk of developing common cancers by as much as 50percent, scientists said yesterday. Researchers found the natural form of the vitamin, known as D3, can reduce the chances of developing breast, ovarian and colon cancer, as well as others. Taking 1000 international units (0.025mg) of the vitamin each day could halve an individual's cancer risk, they said.

'We Have so Many Dogs Desperate for Homes'

A FUND-RAISING appeal to build Scotland's first greyhound sanctuary was launched yesterday. Greyhound Awareness League (Gal) volunteers aim to find homes for 300 dogs in the coming year but are appealing for public help because, they say, the charity is near "breaking point".

Snp Says Expat Scots Should Return

FRESH calls to attract exiled Scots throughout the world back to the country have been made today. The SNP is launching moves to reach out to Scotland's diaspora.

Members Line Up to Join Unions for Help at Tribunals

THE number of workers trying to join a union to help them through an employment tribunal nearly doubled in 2005, according to new figures. More than half of the membership inquiries received by the Scottish Trades Union Congress were from people involved in such a dispute.

Church Warns of 'Hype-Filled Hope' Over Stem Cell Research

THE Catholic Church yesterday warned that calls to allow the use of stem cell therapy on terminally-ill patients was creating "hype- filled hope". Professor Ian Wilmut, the scientist behind Dolly the sheep, the world's first cloned mammal, said experimental treatment could save lives or at least speed up the pace of research, and the benefits may outweigh the risk.

Thief Takes [Gbp]20,000 of Watches During Late-Night Shoplifting

POLICE are hunting a thief who hid in a department store before escaping with designer watches worth [GBP]20,000. The culprit made off with the haul of Hermes watches after entering the shop before closing time.

20,000 More Children Will Be Fed Because of One Man's Generosity Tom Farmer's [Gbp]240,000 to Help Work of Mary's Meals

A SCOTS charity will be able to feed an extra 20,000 children in famine-plagued Malawi after Sir Tom Farmer announced that he will match [GBP]240,000 in funding pledged by the Scottish Executive. The executive stepped in to support Mary's Meals, an Argyll- based project run by Scottish International Relief (SIR), after The Herald revealed the project had initially been refused funding, despite being hailed as a glowing example of Scots aid work during Jack McConnell's tour of Malawi last summer.

Msp's Hospital Mission

AN MSP yesterday told how he is to return to Malawi to help build a new maternity hospital. Mike Pringle, a Liberal Democrat, was so moved by the plight of mothers during an earlier visit to the povertystricken country that he set up his own charity, Malawi Underprivileged Mothers (Mums), to raise desperately-needed cash to help repair the hospital and provide vital equipment.

West Highland Way [Gbp]1-a-Day Plan Could Walk Into Some Trouble

PLANS for a pay-as-you-go donation scheme on the West Highland Way were given a mixed reception yesterday by outdoor enthusiasts and land reform experts. The Herald revealed the radical proposals to introduce a charge in an attempt to make the trail self-financing. Officials responsible for the 95-mile way stressed any measures would be strictly voluntary.

Nick Nairn Is Toast of Locals with a Pub for Hogmanay

NICK Nairn has reopened a pub to give him somewhere to celebrate Hogmanay. With a group of friends, the celebrity chef recently purchased the Lake Hotel near his family's home at Port of Menteith, Stirlingshire.

Joy for a Sufferer Who Was Driven to Despair Bulimia Victim Wins Appeal

WHEN she was diagnosed with bulimia 15 years ago, Gillian Carruth's life changed dramatically. She was unable to work or socialise, and at times became withdrawn.

Five Scots Among Top Entrepreneurs

FIVE Scots have been named as among the UK's top entrepreneurs in a list released today. Duncan Bannatyne, 53, who made his fortune in fitness centres and appears on TV in Dragon's Den, is placed at number 14 in the list of 100 produced by business publication Management Today.

Taking a Gamble On a Life of Poker Executive Drops [Gbp]90,000 Job for a Place at the Table

FOR reluctant risk-takers, it is not the obvious career choice. However, in the once seedy world of professional poker, a new generation has come of age.

Scottish Tories 'Have Recruited Most Students'

THE Scottish Tories yesterday claimed to have cracked the youth vote by recruiting more student members than any other party in Scotland. The Tories said they had recruited 400 students from Scottish universities in the autumn term.

Cia Watchdog 'Probing Up to 10 Ghost Flights' Syrian Claims of Torture Add Fuel to Row

THE CIA's independent watchdog is investigating up to 10 cases where innocent people may have been taken to foreign countries on so- called "ghost flights", according to an intelligence source. America's policy of transporting terror suspects to a third country for interrogation was thrown deeper into controversy last night as it emerged John Helgerson, CIA inspector general, was examining several cases of potentially "erroneous rendition".

Dram Fine Idea to Help Make Poverty History

TWO decanters of rare whisky are to be auctioned to raise money for Make Poverty History. The whisky has been created to mark the 20th anniversary of Live Aid and is at least 20 years old. Malt whisky was collected from a number of distilleries by a team from Norfolk-based Whisky Magazine during a charity walk to raise awareness of the Make Poverty History campaign.