Other News In Brief

Two People Convicted Of Benefit Fraud

Two people have been convicted for claiming benefits they were not entitled to at Ballymena Magistrates' court.

Tracey Anne Simms claimed Jobseekers Allowance and Housing Benefit totalling £6,260 while failing to declare she was living with her partner. She was given a conditional discharge for 18 months and ordered to pay court costs of £37.

Stephen Martin claimed Housing Benefit and Jobseekers Allowance totalling £348 while failing to declare employment. He was given a conditional discharge for 12 months and ordered to pay court costs of £38.

Both are also required to repay any outstanding money wrongfully obtained to the Social Security Agency.

Work Continues On Two New Bicycle Routes In Belfast

Work on two new bicycle routes in Belfast is continuing.

However, the first of the three £700,000 routes, linking Alfred Street from Ormeau Road to Chichester Street, is set to open in time for Easter.

Transport Minister McIlveen said: "This continuous route is of a high quality and provides greater protection for everyone using the bicycle to make journeys across the city."

The other two schemes will link the shared foot and cycle way from Broadway to Castle Street.

Designs for another two schemes, which will link the east of the city to the city centre, are still being considered taking account of comments from information days held as part of the consultation process.

When complete the five schemes proposed will form a continuous 2.5 kilometres route between the Westlink shared footway and cycleway and Titanic Quarter Station which leads to the Ballymacarrett Walkway and the Comber Greenway.

Glenarm Achieves WorldHost Village Status

Glenarm in Ballymena has achieved WorldHost Village status.

The award is made to towns or villages where at least 25% of businesses have achieved WorldHost Recognition by delivering excellent customer service and which have trained 50% or more of their front-line staff using any of the WorldHost training programmes.

Nine local businesses, or 37.5% of a total of 24 potential businesses, have received their WorldHost Business Recognition awards in Glenarm.

Enterprise Minister Jonathan Bell said: "As one of just three WorldHost Villages in Northern Ireland, this is a prestigious accolade for Glenarm and one which is richly deserved. Local businesses have recognised that very often they are the first point of contact with visitors. The impression they leave goes a long way in shaping their experiences and, importantly, ensuring customers return with their trade."

(CD)