THERE were terrifying scenes on Largs Main Street in the summer of 2009 as a car burst into a fireball forcing two children and their granny to make a dramatic escape.

The moving car suddenly caught fire in congested traffic outside WH Smith, prompting police fears that it could explode at any moment.

Glynis Pendrey, from the Cumbria area, and her grandchildren were driving through the town centre when smoke began to pour out of their silver Ford Focus.

As shocked residents looked on, the quick-thinking 58-year-old pulled her grandsons from the rear seats as flames engulfed the car.

Mrs Pendrey whose son was a firefighter, praised the actions of the Largs emergency services and the generosity of local folk at the scene who helped buy food and essentials for the stricken family.

In other news Wee Cumbrae island was sold to Glasgow couple Sam and Sunita Poddar for £2m.

A Largs man was to fly a Typhoon jet during the Viking Festival opening display. Flight Lieutenant Scott Loughran said it was an 'honour' to pilot the aircraft above his home town.

Flt Lt Loughran was born in Paisley but he grew up in Skelmorlie before moving to the Largs and attending the Academy.

It was fun and hijinks by the high seas with the Largs RNLI Raft Race.

A range of rafts great and small entered the big race including Gordons Dairies/Cutz for Mutz, Largs Round Table, Largs RNLI, MacTaggart solicitors, Potters Pirates and the ‘Big Tubes’. However, it was the RNLI who finished victorious.

In other news a garden dedicated to Robert Burns in Douglas Park came under fire after Canadian visitors were left dismayed at its poor state.

The garden is of course now part of a volunteer effort to resurrect Douglas Park with a major clean up and restoration by the local 'grab a hoe and let's go' group.