A DRIVER who killed a Tillicoultry woman in a head on car smash after taking drugs has been told he is facing a lengthy jail sentence. Redfern's car suddenly veered across the road after overtaking and collided with an oncoming Citreon Saxo being driven by Rachael Ward (20) who suffered fatal injuries.

ALMOST a quarter of Central Scotland Police officer posts could go as the force struggles to accommodate crippling budget cuts. Chief Constable Kevin Smith expects the squeeze on public sector finances to lead to a reduction of between 12 and 24 per cent in its finances over a four year period.

FOUL play has not been ruled out as Fife Police and Fire Service continue to investigate the cause of a fire at Tulliallan Primary on Monday morning. The blaze in a wall cavity at the Kincardine school was spotted at around 2.20am by a member of the public.

FURIOUS Labour MP Gordon Banks has slammed UK Government Minister Ed Davey who has claimed he is too busy to discuss a possible ban on looped blind cords.

TIRELESS fundraiser Seamus Corry will be travelling the highways and byways of Central Scotland this weekend to raise funds for Yorkhill Children's Foundation.

Linda McRoberts and Robert Wright feared their dream wedding was ruined when they discovered the day before that the venue they set their heart on was double booked. But, at the last minute, the wedding and reception was saved by the hard-working staff at Tillicoultry's Harviestoun Country Hotel.

SHORT-TERM inmates at Glenochil are not receiving the same opportunities to learn new skills as long-term prisoners, according to a new inspection. Chief Inspector of Prisons, Brigadier Hugh Monro found the take-up of vocational programmes was "overly skewed" towards long termers (those serving four or more years) with little regime for many short-term prisoners.

A DIABETIC Tullibody mum has been saved by her three-year-old daughter who phoned for help when she passed out with dangerously low blood sugar levels.

A WEE County girl is proving to be a big hit on the X-Factor and is already tipped to win the show despite it being only the first week.

A MAN has been jailed for nine months following a six-hour armed siege at his Tullibody home.

Clackmannanshire Council’s Director of Services to People, Grahame Blair, has resigned from his post.

FEARS that 8000 homes could have their television signal affected by a wind farm development at Forthbank in Alloa have been eased by PfR.

DOLLAR Academy pipe band overcame an international field to be crowned champions at the World Pipe Band Championships, in front of 55,000 spectators at Glasgow Green.

A MALE school support worker who persuaded more than 90 boys to send him naked pictures of themselves by posing as teenage girls on the internet was today jailed for four years and eight months.