THE widow of one of the six crewmen who died when a Kinloss-based RAF Nimrod plunged into Lake Ontario during a Canadian air display has had a baby.

Mrs Heather Barnett, 32, of Elgin, Morayshire, gave birth in hospital at Inverness to Liam Craig, who is named after his father, Air Electronics Operations Sergeant Craig Barnett, 32.

Pope on the net

THE Pope is going on the Internet for Christmas, using a World Wide Web site established for Vatican Radio by World Radio Network, a London-based company. The papal Christmas messages can be found at URL http://www.wrn.org/vatican

McCartney op

LINDA McCartney underwent surgery at the Princess Grace Hospital in London last week after a breast cancer scare. Her husband, former Beatle Paul, said: ``She has had an operation to remove the lump, which was performed successfully. Luckily, it was caught in time.''

Water forum

A MAJOR European environmental event, entitled Freshwater Europe 96, is to be held at the Battleby conference centre outside Perth in April. Two major conferences - an integrated approach to management of Europe's freshwater resources, and hydrological extremes in Europe's rivers and lakes - will be held over four days and attract more than 40 speakers from across Europe.

Snow forecast

A WHITE Christmas is on the cards, according to bookmakers William Hill, who have shortened the odds of snow next Monday to four to one. The London Weather Centre said yesterday there would be some sleet and snow next week but added: ``We don't know if it will come on Christmas Day.''

Aid chief's post

SIR Martin Ewans, a former British High Commissioner in Nigeria and Zimbabwe, has been appointed head of the international aid agency Feed The Children (Europe).

Wind farm appeal

PLANNING objections by Argyll and Bute District Council to the setting up of a wind farm on Tiree have been overruled by the Scottish Office. Tirshell Ltd plans to erect a 60-metre-high single-blade electricity generating station.

Iona Abbey boost

IONA Abbey is to get an additional visitors' centre and a new workshop for the restoration and repair of the abbey, the nunnery, and artefacts. It is expected the existing workforce will double to eight.

Big feature

A FILM show at the weekend at Kinlochbervie, the first big screen entertainment in nearly 30 years in the north-west Sutherland fishing village, attracted 60 people.

Attack widow dies

POLICEMAN'S widow Mrs Lorna Rose, 73, died in hospital yesterday, three months after being attacked at her home in the village of Thistle Green, Swavesey, near Cambridge.

Saint's walk

A NEW 65-mile walk, the St Cuthbert's Way, linking Melrose with Holy Island south of Berwick, will open early next year.

Rents warning

COUNCIL house rents in Dumbarton, already an average #3.75 a week higher than in nearby Clydebank, will rise by another #1.05 unless a funding crisis is resolved, Councillor Andrew White, housing convener and Labour group secretary on the new West Dunbartonshire Council, said yesterday.

Dogs' dinner

WHAT is thought to be the first Christmas dinner for dogs is being sold this year by the Asda superstore. Tins of Supreme Chunks Christmas Dinner contain turkey, stuffing, chipolatas, carrots, peas, potatoes, and gravy.