POLITICIANS are often accused of spinning a yarn but Scottish Government Climate Change Minister Stewart Stevenson got the real experience during a visit to a £3.5 million living history project in Moray.

WHEN she started dancing in Moray at the age of five, Laura Dunnachie never dreamed that one day she would be gracing our television screens.

THE 'Hold Hands for Heroes' tribute in Moray to armed forces personnel has "deeply touched" many in the community who are signing up to take part.

THE anguish of a Moray family still searching for answers following the disappearance of a beloved wife, mother and grandmother almost eight years ago, was featured in a renewed appeal for information on a national TV programme.

A TRIBUTE to members of the Armed Forces who have made the ultimate sacrifice, or been injured fighting for their country, is the motivation behind Moray being asked to "Hold Hands for Heroes".

A symbolic chain of up to 6,000 people linking hands from Elgin Town Hall to RAF Lossiemouth is planned to show support for service personnel operating in Afghanistan and other danger zones around the world.

THE battle to preserve Moray's air bases has been launched by a reconvened Moray task force, which is seeking an urgent meeting with the new Defence Minister, Dr Liam Fox, over their future.

A ROAD safety plea has gone out from residents who have backed a councillor's campaign to tackle a dangerous mini-roundabout.

DATES have been set for public consultation on plans for a £20 million supermarket for Elgin, it was revealed this week.

AN SNP politician who represented Moray at Scottish, UK and European parliaments has been honoured with the unveiling of a bronze statue.

POLICE are advising Moray bank customers to stay on their toes to safeguard themselves against bank machines scammers.

CUTS in bus services have brought fears for the safety of school children and young people in an Elgin neighbourhood shaken by a recent murder probe.

One mum living in the South Lesmurdie estate claims youngsters are being forced to walk the streets in a dangerous area because there are no buses to take them home.

RAF KINLOSS has honoured some of Britain’s aviation legends by naming each of its accommodation blocks after Victoria Cross winning war heroes.

FOUR men now face murder charges over the death of a 37-year-old man following an alleged mass brawl in Elgin.

A FRESH study into the economic impact of Moray’s twin RAF bases has been commissioned ahead of a defence review which could place their futures in doubt.

A SCHOOLBOY hopes he has saved a Hopeman play park, after already following through on a pledge to tidy the overgrown site and make it a community attraction for his young friends and neighbours.

A HIGHLY visible and round-the-clock police presence will remain in force in an Elgin community while Moray's police commander bids to reassure the public that a violent street brawl which led to the death of a man was an isolated and unusual incident.

FIVE men have appeared in court in connection with the street fight which ended in the death of Stephen Johnston in the early hours of Thursday last week in Elgin.

UP to 500 new jobs would be created with a £20 million retail development in Moray, superstore chain Sainsbury's has confirmed.

A TOUCHING tribute to a tiny Moray alopecia sufferer who lost all of her hair before her third birthday, has been penned by her caring big sister to help ward away cruel bullies.

THE efforts of a community-minded schoolboy to save a village play park have sparked an angry war of words among neighbours.

A MURDER inquiry has been launched after a man died following a street fight involving baseball bats and metal bars in Elgin early yesterday.

He was named locally as Stephen Johnston, from Lossiemouth.

Detective Superintendent Campbell Thomson, who is leading the investigation, would not comment on the identity of the man, or whether he had connections with a drugs ring run from the former Chanonry travellers site in Elgin.

A QUICK-thinking mother and son averted a possible tragedy after an Elgin house was fire-bombed.

A CAMPAIGN to put a healthier smile on the faces of Moray residents by increasing access to NHS dentistry is starting to bear fruit.

A START has been made on the replacement of one of Moray's largest secondary schools.

WORKING up a thirst during a kick-about in the back garden, may have saved the lives of three youngsters.

BANK customers in Moray should remain vigilant when using cash machines, so they do not fall victim to scheming skimmers who use high-tech devices to drain accounts.