By ALAN MacDERMID POLITICIANS and environmental campaigners yesterday welcomed the announcement that a L6m-a-year plan to let tankers carry out offshore transfers of oil in the Firth of Forth was being shelved.

GREEN MSPs said yesterday they would not back the SNP's first budget unless 'significant' changes are made to the spending plans. The Greens believe the Scottish Executive has failed to provide adequate funding for public transport schemes in the proposals unveiled by Finance Secretary John Swinney.

By Ian Johnston FROM trawlers to fish farms, gravel extraction to renewable- energy schemes, recreational diving to whale-watching trips, yachting to impromptu jetski races, humans are using the sea as never before.

By PATTERSON, Colin THE day after winning a seat on Greater Wellington regional council, Paul Bruce had to return to work. The MetService meteorologist had taken a month's leave to campaign as a Green candidate for the regional council.

YOUR article, Work to begin on Scotland's missing link of motorway, (May 28) refers to the threat of cancellation of the M74 extension as a result of a coalition deal between the SNP and the Greens. Anyone who has followed Scottish politics in recent weeks knows no such coalition exists.