A DRUGS crackdown which saw early-morning raids on Banffshire homes last week is just the beginning, police have warned.

A BANFF pub's controversial plan to create a beer garden has been given the go-ahead by councillors.

THE Talking Banffie, which provides local news to the visually-impaired, is celebrating its 20th birthday this week.

THE importance of safe driving was reinforced to young drivers at an event in Macduff.

Grampian Police Road Safety Team, Grampian Fire and Rescue Service and the Scottish Ambulance Service conducted a young driver roadshow at the harbour.

A TURRIFF man who bit and injured a young child has been ordered to wear an electronic tagging device as part of a restriction of liberty order.

THE future of the derelict Bayview Hotel in Macduff looks brighter after an offer was made on the premises, but it was a setback for a community group who planned to redevelop the former hotel.

A MACDUFF man was so drunk after an all-night party that he demanded to get in the wrong house, Banff Sheriff Court heard last week.

A SNAPPY new arrival is set to create a splash at Macduff Marine Aquarium, and staff are asking for help to name the new star in the making.

A MACDUFF man caught up in a terrorist attack on an Indian hotel which killed 40 people reveals his dramatic story in a book launched this weekend.

Roger Hunt (44), of Corskie Drive, tells how he:

A ROAD safety issue between Whitehills and Ladysbridge is closer to being resolved.

A QUESTION mark hangs over the future of one of Turriff's two MoT testing stations.

A DERELICT shop in the centre of Banff's Castle Street is to receive a new lease of life thanks to an ambitious community project.

POLICE are appealing for witnesses after a motorcyclist was seriously injured in a collision with a car on the unclassified Turriff to Cuminestown road near its junction with Woodside of Delgaty, Turriff, last Thursday around 3.30pm.

A TOTAL of £148,000 worth of work has got underway to protect the future of four North-east harbours.

Structural and safety improvements are essential at Banff, Macduff, Portsoy and Rosehearty.

Underwater work began at Rosehearty last week.

A HOUSING DEVELOPER faces reinstating a popular right of way through the grounds of the former Ladysbridge Hospital on the outskirts of Banff.

MACDUFF RNLI Lifeboat went to the rescue of a creel boat in need of help on Saturday..

FORMER light middleweight world boxing champion Alan Minter proved a knockout success when he was the guest speaker at Duff House Royal Golf Club last week.

A COVETED trophy for the best boat at last week's Portsoy Traditional Boat Festival in terms of appearance, crew and handling has gone to the Bien Trouvé, owned by The Moray Gig based at Findhorn.

FOR THE first time ever, police patrolled the Scottish Traditional Boat Festival at Portsoy on bicycles.

THE man who "blew the whistle" on two major suppliers of heroin into Banff has told of the night of terror when he was severely beaten up by the pair.

During an ordeal lasting many hours, Bryn Evans (43) was held captive in his own home, stripped naked and plunged into a bath of freezing water.

THE Scottish Traditional Boat Festival was the pride of Portsoy again at the weekend.

PUNTERS in Macduff have been left stunned and furious that the town's only betting shop is to close.

A MACDUFF man who carried out a vicious attack on his former partner shortly after the end of their 10-year relationship has been ordered to carry out 120 hours community service.

THE highly-popular Fife Lodge Hotel, in Sandyhill Road, Banff, has been put up for sale - with a price tag of £1,250,000.