A PERTHSHIRE primary school teacher became the first in Scotland to be struck-off for incompetence, after a hearing in front of the General Teaching Council for Scotland yesterday.

A NEWBURGH woman spoke of her relief and delight at yesterday’s news that her bigamist husband had handed himself into police.

THE DECISION by the British National Party to field a candidate against Gordon Brown in the next general election has been condemned by both Labour and the SNP.

TELEVISION PERSONALITY Nick Hancock was fined and banned from driving at Perth District Court yesterday after he accepted that losing his licence would not cause him exceptional hardship.

MSPs SET aside political differences yesterday to unite behind a possible bid by Scotland and Wales to host the Euro 2016 football championships.

AMBITIOUS PROPOSALS for a massive development on the site of a former opencast mine on the outskirts of Kirkcaldy have been unveiled.

A FIFE woman, injured after falling from a moving minibus at the weekend, remains in a serious condition in hospital.

THE LEADER of Perth and Kinross Council said yesterday he fully expects to get back at least a substantial part of the £1 million currently lost in the collapsed Icelandic banking system.

NO AREAS of concern in the finances of NHS Tayside and NHS Fife were highlighted by the nation’s public services watchdog in a report published today.

THOUSANDS OF poor students in Tayside and Fife were given tips on how to make ends meet yesterday after a study showed half of those in higher education have to work to support themselves.

A DUNDEE medical knight who won the Nobel prize 20 years ago has received a lifetime achievement award at a prestigious ceremony.

DUNDEE PARENTS are confused, frustrated and dissatisfied with the school exam system, writes Grant Smith, education reporter.

THE 700 Arbroath-based troops from 45 Commando fighting in Afghanistan can look forward to a little festive cheer as boxes of Christmas gifts began winging their way to Helmand yesterday.

A TEAM from St Andrews University’s Organic Semiconductor Centre (OSC), whose research includes a new treatment for skin cancer pioneered at Ninewells Hospital in Dundee, has been honoured in the US.

SUPPORTERS OF a public slipway for Arbroath yesterday met at a potential site for a facility they maintain would provide a natural extension to those at the marina.

THE BRITISH Heart Foundation (BHF) Scotland shop in Perth’s High Street is asking shoppers to make this Christmas count by getting involved with the nation’s heart charity.

THE COURIER is going on the road with a superb offer for thirsty readers.

TWO WEST FIFE businesses have been crowned winners at a national environmental awards ceremony.

CLAIMS HAVE been made that a housing association wants to create a “ghetto” of affordable homes in Tayport, at time when millions of pounds are being spent tearing down high-density housing elsewhere in the country.

LOCHGELLY HIGH pupils have won the community impact award at The Prince’s Trust Scotland’s Celebrate Success awards.

A TEAM of cyclists who covered more than 200 miles en route between Edinburgh and Paris have seen all their efforts repaid in style.

REBECCA REILLY, a P7 pupil from St Vincent’s Primary in Dundee, was at D C Thomson & Co Ltd’s Meadowside offices yesterday to see her very own Christmas card design being printed.

DUNDEE’S OLYMPIA Leisure is to close for a fortnight from Monday to allow essential maintenance work to be carried out.