Other NI News In Brief

Body In River Probed

There's an investigation underway this afternoon after a man's body was found in the Sixmilewater River in Antrim. The shock discovery came when a member of the public found the body shortly before 1pm on Tuesday. A police spokesperson said that a post mortem examination of his remains would now be carried out but added that a crime was not suspected. The age of the dead man is not yet known.

Drink-Driving Move Welcomed

East Antrim DUP MLA Alastair Ross has welcomed the announcement from the SDLP Environment Minister that he claimed supports the DUP policy of reducing the drink drive limit for motorists in Northern Ireland. "During the last mandate I won support from all sides of the House for my motions on introducing Graduated Driver Licensing for novice drivers, and to reduce the drink drive limit from 80mg to 50mg, and as low as 20mg for novice and professional drivers. It is therefore encouraging that the new SDLP Minister is embracing DUP ideas," he said. Meanwhile, Dr Paul Darragh, Chairman of the BMA's Council in Northern Ireland said: "Reducing the blood alcohol limit to 50mg/ml, and even less for young drivers, is a very positive step forward to help reduce the carnage on our roads."

Help With Tax

Help is at hand for businesses during October when HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) continue to bring its programme of free workshops to Banbridge, Belfast, Craigavon and Londonderry. The workshops are aimed at employers, sole traders and those in partnerships and they will range from how to complete the Self Assessment return to how to pay Statutory Sick Pay. Janet Timmins, Business Advice Team Manager for HMRC said: "These are challenging times but our attitude has always been to assist businesses during good times and bad. These events allow us to bring our advice directly to the local business community and offer practical assistance where it is needed." Visit the website at HMRC

£100 For Naming Roadway

Supermarket Tesco will give a £100 prize to the person who can think-up a road name. According to the Newtownabbey Times, Tesco is offering the chance to name the street that will form the entrance to the redeveloped Northcott shopping complex in Glengormley, which is due to open its doors in November. The new multi-million pound store, Sandyknowes Shopping Centre, will be over 60,000 sq/ft in size and incorporate lots of food and non-food departments, including electricals, toys, clothing, computers and home entertainment. The site will also have a petrol filling station and more than 500 parking spaces. Work is currently well advanced on the new Centre in Glengormley.

Preserving Progress

Anahorish Preserves, based near Magherafelt, is developing a portfolio of innovative artisan foods, with assistance from Invest Northern Ireland. The small company, formed in November 2009 by Malachy Gribbin, has used an Invest NI Innovation Voucher to create 16 new, handmade chutney and relish recipes. Several of the products, developed with technical advice and assistance from staff at Loughry Campus, Cookstown, of the College of Agriculture, Food and Rural Enterprise, are already on the shelves of leading retailers including JC Stewart in Magherafelt. In addition to an initial range of relishes and chutneys, the company plans to add jams and basting sauce to its portfolio of artisan foods. The company already has an opportunity to supply a substantial quantity of homemade jams to a leading local supermarket and is currently exploring export potential.

Labour Relations Boost

The Minister for Employment and Learning, Dr Stephen Farry, has announced the appointment of Alison Millar as the new employee member to the Board of the Labour Relations Agency. The Labour Relations Agency is a Non-Departmental Public Body with responsibility for promoting the improvement of employment relations in Northern Ireland. It provides an impartial and confidential employment relations service to those engaged in industry, commerce, and the public services. The Agency's services include the provision of advice on good employment practices and assistance with the development and implementation of employment policies and procedures. This appointment takes effect from 1 September for a period of three years. Since March 2010 until the present, Mrs Millar has been the Deputy General Secretary of the Northern Ireland Public Service Alliance (NIPSA), leading on all major strategic issues within Housing, Education, Health and Local Government.

(BMcC/CD)