A FORFAR man was crushed to death yesterday afternoon after a shovel loader rolled over him in a horrific accident at an Angus recycling centre.

UNDER-FIRE defence chief Sir Alistair Irwin is expected to yield to pressure and take a hands-off approach to regimental reform.

MINISTERS YESTERDAY pledged that no “inappropriate” material would be allowed in Scotland’s primary schools in an attempt to ease fears about new sex education proposals.

A DUNDEE young people’s health promotion worker said yesterday the debate over sex education in schools was being distorted by the views of the Roman Catholic Church and the Muslim Association of Great Britain, and not enough consideration was being given to the views of young people.

MSPS STARTED moving in to the new Parliament at Holyrood yesterday and gave their first impressions of the £431 million building—a mixture of admiration and a few grumbles, writes Steve Bargeton, political editor.

THE LOCAL campaign to send critically-ill Dunfermline tot Sara Thackray to the US for life-saving treatment got a £14,000 boost from Asda yesterday.

FIRST MINISTER Jack McConnell yesterday dismissed the SNP as a political threat and said the choice for voters was between Labour and the Tories.

A SERVING Scottish Division soldier claimed yesterday that top brass are in for a shock when the consultation period for regimental reform ends early next month.

THE COURIER’S worldwide internet readership has overwhelmingly backed saving The Black Watch.

LONG-SUFFERING drivers using the A92 between Arbroath and Dundee have enjoyed an early taste of what is to come with the opening, albeit temporarily, of the first completed stretch of the new road.

THE NUMBER of people who have had warrants issued against them for dodging court has more than doubled in Dundee, Dunfermline, Kirkcaldy and Forfar in the last five years, according to figures published by the Scottish Parliament.

AN INTREPID charity worker is breaking new ground by using a home-made solar-powered bike to travel from Land’s End to John O’Groats—and back.

THIS LITTLE mouse’s molars failed to make a dent in what it hoped would be food heaven in Forfar.

BRAVING THE elements will be the order of the day this autumn as the ever-popular Enchanted Forest event returns.

DID YOU know Montrose once had a seaside race course, the Romans had a naval base there and a witch pulled the plug on plans to drain the tidal Basin?

ANOTHER WEEKEND where another percentage point or two of the 2004 harvest has been secured between the showers has also put pressure on harvest machinery.