BACK in 2010, there was a 'wheely' amazing story about a Largs cyclist who completed a massive trek around the globe.

Iain McCartney clocked up an incredible 150,000 miles on his ‘old steel bike’ after going around the globe in an amazing adventure including surviving a bush fire in Australia - but insisted there was still no place like home.

The former geography teacher at Auchenharvie Academy decided to visit some of the countries he spoke about in class and headed to South America for seven years to teach in Uruguay. He also visited Tanzania, Switzerland, Kenya and the United States to teach, but his passion for cycling was a constant interest, after a cycling expedition to Scandinavia, he decided to keep going and traversed the globe.

In other news, Scottish Natural Heritage demanded answers from Ayrshire Power about their controversial coal power station proposal at Hunterston and have voiced fears over its environmental impact,

The Scottish Government funded group said the proposed multi-fuelled plant would cause ‘significant damage’ to a nearby nationally important nature site.

Police were called after a resident claimed fireworks were being thrown at their home. The incident was part of a crime spree as around 20 youths caused a string of vandalisms, breaking windows and car wing mirrors. Police said ‘numerous’ calls were made in relation to the incidents.

Largs was set to get new CCTV system in the town centre. Following years of calls from police and community councillors for improved surveillance, North Ayrshire Council confirmed that additional funding from the Town Centre Regeneration fund would finally allow the installation of three new devices.

Elsewhere, Cathy Holgate, of the Largs RNLI fundraising branch, received a silver medal from Anne Gordon, senior community manager for RNLI at the annual fundraising lunch at the Willowbank Hotel, which raised nearly £1,000 for the local lifeboat.

Largs Bosum Buddies launched Cancer Research UK’s breast cancer awareness and fundraising campaign. The local ladies were part of a support group for anyone going through or has gone through treatment for cancer.

The Mad Hatter and the Cat In The Hat were all on hand for Brisbane Primary’s day of novel fun as pupils dressed up as their favourite literary characters, while demand saw extra tickets released for the highly anticipated Gallagher and Lyle gigs in Largs. It seemed everyone wanted to be there to hear Benny and Graham’s classic hits as the pair reunited to raise funds for Haylie House residential home.

In sport, Scottish Cup finalists Largs Thistle avoided a banana skin after they sneaked into the second round of the West of Scotland Cup with a narrow 3-2 penalty victory at Benburb, managed by former Largs boss Frank Lovering.

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