UK News In Brief

Missing 15-Year-Old Boy

Police in Malvern, Worcestershire have appealed for information on the whereabouts of missing 15-year-old boy. Wayne Scarrott was last seen at his Martin Close home at 2.40pm on 6 December. He was reported missing two days later, and is described as white, 5ft 2ins tall, of slim build, with short, light brown hair and blue/green eyes. He has a scar on his right cheek and was wearing a black T-shirt, dark trousers and black Nike trainers when last seen. "We would like to hear from anyone who believes that they can help us to locate Wayne, either from personal knowledge of him or through any information on 'Facebook' or any other similar internet public forum," said a police spokesman. Police can be contacted on 0300 333 3000, quoting 704S/081209. Information can also be given - anonymously - to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

Employment Commissioners Reappointed

Two commissioners have been reappointed to the UK Commission for Employment and Skills. Ministers reinstated Larry Hirst and Dave Prentis. Commission Chair Sir Mike Rake said both men have played a "full and active role" in supporting business.

"I have very much enjoyed working with them over the past eighteen months, and am extremely pleased that we'll be able to continue to develop this relationship, to the benefit of both the UK Commission and the UK's employment and skills systems as a whole," said Sir Mike.

Work Starts On Brighton School

Kier Longley has celebrated the start of work on site at Brighton's new £28 million Falmer Academy with a turf cutting ceremony. Pupils, staff and representatives from the council joined the Kier Longley site team and academy sponsor Rod Aldridge to cut the first piece of turf. The new facility, which is being developed by Brighton & Hove City Council under the Partnerships for Schools Academies Framework, will replace the existing buildings on the Falmer High School site with a modern facility that has been designed to enhance the pupils' educational experience as well as benefit the community as a whole.

Scottish Mansion Restoration After Blaze

Work is about to begin on the first stage of rebuilding the fire damaged Raasay House. The Grade A Listed mansion house on the Isle of Raasay, Skye, was left a smoking ruin following a major fire which gutted the building in January of this year. Now contractors are poised to begin stabilising the historic house in preparation for rebuilding it next year. Raasay House, which was taken over by the local community in 2007, had been in the final stages of a £4.5m upgrade at the time of the blaze. It was due to re-open in the spring providing upgraded facilities for its tenant Rassay Outdoor Centre and as a key community asset. The project's funders were Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE), The Big Lottery Fund and Historic Scotland. HIE has been working intensively with Raasay House Community Company (RHCC) since the fire to get the building back on track.

(PR/BMcC)