BOSTON and GLASGOW, Scotland, Jan.

By ANDREW DENHOLM EDUCATION CORRESPONDENT A SECONDARY which is to be closed under controversial council plans to merge 10 schools has received a glowing report from inspectors.

By ALAN MacDERMID ISLANDERS on Bute are facing the loss of their main ferry link to the mainland until Friday because of industrial action by pier hands.

WORK is due to start on a major transport improvement project. Transport Scotland said plans for Gourock Interchange - an integrated hub for road, rail, bus, cycle, pedestrian and ferry - were being finalised. Work should be under way by next year, with completion due in 2009/2010.

By DAVID ROSS THE Scottish Government is unlawfully using taxpayers money to keep fares down on Caledonian MacBrayne's Gourock-to-Dunoon car ferry service, according to its private-sector rival Western Ferries.