Other NI News In Brief

Postman Pat 'Delivers'

The iconic children's' cartoon character, Postman Pat can now be seen in all 12,000 Post Office branches across the UK, including almost 500 in Northern Ireland, through the sale of badges featuring the cartoon character out on his deliveries along side his cat companion Jess. The sale of the five specially designed badges is part of Post Office's support for the Barnardo's Believe in Children Appeal - a month long event taking place during September which aims to help raise funds for Barnardo's work with some of the most vulnerable and disadvantaged children in the UK. The badges are available from all Post Office branches for a suggested donation of £1.

Belfast Murder Probed

A woman found dead in a house in south Belfast was murdered, police said last night. The body of Patricia Bardon, 51, was discovered in the property in Elm Court, off Donegall Pass on Monday. Police open the murder investigation after the results of a post mortem. A man, aged 53, was arrested on Monday in connection with the death and is being questioned.

Sunbed Alarm Sounded

The Ulster Cancer Foundation (UCF) has welcomed the Public Health Agency's campaign to raise awareness of the alarming health effects of sunbed use, especially among young people. Based on clear evidence of the link between UV radiation and skin cancer development, UCF have actively campaigned on this issue for over 20 years. Gerry McElwee, Head of Cancer Prevention, UCF said: "The reality is that sunbeds do not provide safe tanning. The ultraviolet rays emitted from sunbeds can be many times stronger than the midday sun and increase the risk of developing skin cancer, speed up the skin's aging process and cause eye damage including cataracts in later life."

Dog 'Detained'

A dog owner has been fined at Belfast Magistrates Court after a man feared he would be attacked by his American bull terrier. Kevin McIlhone, from Springhill Grove in west Belfast, was fined £200 and ordered to pay costs of £69 for allowing his dog to behave in such a manner that another man thought he would be attacked. The incident happened on March 26, 2010. A confinement order was also issued for the dog meaning it must be kept secured when on the property and kept on a lead and muzzled at all times whilst out in public. The prosecution was brought by Belfast City Council.

China Comes To NI

A delegation from XEMC Group, one of the largest generator manufacturing organisations in China, is visiting Northern Ireland today to explore potential investment opportunities within the renewable energy sector. It is XEMC's first ever visit to the UK. Xiangtan Electrical Manufacturing Corporation Ltd manufactures a wide range of products including electrical machines, ship propulsion systems, light rail vehicles for urban transportation, and wind turbines. The XEMC wind group is one of the company's fastest growing divisions and XEMC is the leading supplier of multi megawatt direct drive turbine technology in the Chinese market. The company is keen to investigate the opportunities for locating its European wind turbine assembly plant and blade factory in Northern Ireland. An investment of over £95 million and potential creation of over 600 highly skilled jobs is envisaged if Northern Ireland is chosen as the location for the two plants.

Housing Scheme For Newry

Helm Housing is behind a £2.5m housing project currently underway in Newry, Co Down. The main contractor has now been appointed for the works involved with the construction 22 new dwellings on lands to the east of Park View, Newtowncloghogue, Newry. This site, circa 1.54 hectares, is undeveloped and vacant land and main construction work is currently progressing on site with the contract period estimated at 18 months. The cost of the scheme is £2.5 million and sub-contractors are due to be appointed shortly. The project team is led by architect, Robert Bleakney and the main contractor is Kelly Brothers.

Western Opens New HQ

Western Building Systems' new HQ has been officially unveiled. The new premises is the centrepiece of a £2m expansion programme which has seen the Co Tyrone manufacturing and administrative facilities consolidated into one site at Coalisland's Mountjoy Road. The group has a number of divisions and has a multi-million pound turnover and operates from a purpose-built manufacturing base. It is best known for work within the education and health sectors, but the firm's skillbase and experience also covers commercial, leisure and residential builds. Now, the 8,000 square metres, purpose-built panelised development is to develop the firm further in a location that incorporates new offices, staff areas, a showroom and production facilities, and almost doubles the existing capacity at Mountjoy.

Stranmillis College Labs Updated

A substantial £450,000 Belfast college refurbishment contract is now underway. The job involves stripping out an existing teaching and laboratory space and the provision of new teaching and laboratory accommodation and science laboratories at the Central Building, Stranmillis University College, Belfast. The mechanical and electrical sub-contractors have now been appointed for the works involved in the refurbishment and fit out of teaching spaces and the main construction work is progressing on site with the contract period being approximately 16 weeks.

(BMcC/KMcA)