SCOTLAND IS facing a £1 billion cut in public services as a direct result of the measures announced by the Labour UK Government this week.

LONG-ESTABLISHED stores Woolworths and MFI were last night unable to give any long-term assurances to customers and staff in Fife and Tayside amid both companies’ financial troubles.

Halifax Bank of Scotland last night denied it is “behaving like Scrooge and cancelling Christmas” after allegations that a senior management member has banned staff from holding Christmas parties due to recent adverse press reports.

RED-FACED Chancellor Alistair Darling was yesterday forced to reverse a damaging tax hike on Scotch whisky.

A DUNDEE University breast cancer specialist says Tayside has the top tissue bank in Britain, which helps cancer scientists to test their discoveries and get new treatments from the laboratory to the clinic as quickly as possible.

A young Dundee woman beat hundreds of employees from across the country to be named Scotland’s top apprentice last night.

A BUSY Kirkcaldy road was closed yesterday evening after a road traffic incident in which one man died.

A MAN was left in a serious condition late last night after he was involved in a collision with a vehicle on the A92 Dundee to Arbroath road.

WITH THE credit crunch biting, a Perthshire hotel has gone into liquidation, it was revealed yesterday.

THE MAN accused of abducting and murdering Vicky Hamilton denied any knowledge of the Falkirk schoolgirl when he was interviewed by police last year.

A TOTAL of 1864 children were being looked after by local authorities in Tayside and Fife at the end of March, according to Scotland’s chief statistician.

THE EAST of Scotland branch of the Royal Marines Association yesterday marked the loss of one of their own when branch secretary Dave McCaig laid a wreath at the gates of RM Condor in memory of 24-year-old Marine Alexander Lucas, who was killed by a roadside bomb while serving with 45 Commando Group in Afghanistan on Monday.

THE VOLUNTARY sector in Perth and Kinross could lose out on up to £4 million of funding as cash earmarked for good causes props up London’s Olympic dream, an MP has warned.

CHILDREN’S MINISTER Adam Ingram MSP visited The Secret Garden Outdoor Nursery near Letham in Fife yesterday to give his support to the UK’s only dedicated outdoor nursery.

Scottish Water workers are expected to begin a 24-hour strike over pay at noon today.

A PAIR of royal letters with local connections are expected to attract fierce bidding at an auction in Perth.

A DUNDEE shoplifter was given a special award by Sheriff Richard Davidson yesterday in recognition of his 50th conviction for dishonesty—three months’ jail instead of four.

MUSIC FANS looking for the best Christmas present possible for their loved ones have a last chance tomorrow to buy T in the Park tickets at this year’s prices.