BACK in 2008, the owner of the Largs Local bus service vowed to keep the company going - despite Transport Scotland pulling the plug on funding support for concessionary fares.

The News reported how Orion bus service owner Dario Sassarini had been forced to withdraw the Fairlie-Largs-Skelmorlie service due to financial pressures and warned that the “Largs Local” could be next to g

Mr Sassarini said the Largs Local was an extremely important service covering from Walkerston Avenue to Brisbane Glen.

Local entrepreneur Stacey Amatt was recognised amongst the nation’s leading women business owners after making the finals for the NatWest Everywoman awards. Stacey's business, Chu Chus, based in West Kilbride, had been shortlisted for the Athena Award for the most inspiring entrepreneur aged between 36 and 49.

In other news, Nardini’s at Regattas was placed into administration at the instigation of owners Ricky and Fiona Nardini in a move aimed at safeguarding the future of the 140-seat marina eaterie and bar.

Mr Nardini, who with his wife had been running the restaurant since 1995, told the News at the time: “We are currently running the restaurant and hoping to stay on in some capacity when alternative financial arrangements have been made to safeguard its future.”

Back in 2008 very few people were saddened by Barack Obama's victory in the American presidential race - but a Largs lady was one of them.

Karyn McDermott had gone out to the USA and joined the campaign trail on behalf of defeated Republican John McCain. Karyn revealed to the News how McCain’s roots went back to the Lamont family, who emigrated to the States 200 years ago from the Isle of Cumbrae.

Karyn, who was a member of the local Conservative party, also had the pleasure of meeting with Mrs Roberta McCain, John's 96-year-old mum. Roberta passed away last month, aged 108.

Elsewhere Largs Academy put their own spin on popular ITV talent show Britain's Got Talent with pupils getting an opportunity to show off their performing skills in front of a live audience.

And in sport it was a 'double mac' for Largs Thistle to keep them flying high in the West of Scotland First Division. Thistle scored twice in three minutes to defeat Renfrew at Barrfields Park and keep themselves in second spot in the league - with McCabe and McClure on the scoresheet.