9am Briefing: Passengers face new ash delays

This morning, the airport was reporting the cancellation of 27 arrivals and 24 departures.

Flights to Northern Ireland and the Irish Republic were hit, along with many other flights operated by Ryan Air and British Airways, including those to London and Europe.

Although the airport itself remained in operation while those in Glasgow and Inverness were closed, authorities were warning travellers to check with their airlines before travelling.

Ulster MPs set for Tory deal

UNIONISTS in Northern Ireland could install David Cameron as Prime Minister even if the Tories fall short of an overall majority.

With polls showing the Conservatives likely to emerge as the biggest party in a hung parliament, all the parties were today engaged in a frantic last effort to win votes ahead of polling day tomorrow.

But reports claimed Ulster MPs are ready to do a deal with the Conservatives, promising their support in return for Northern Ireland being spared spending cuts this year, expected to amount to around 200m.

Sister of 'Scotland's youngest mum' pregnant

THE younger sister of a girl said to be Scotland's youngest mum is reported to have also fallen pregnant, at the age of just 12.

The West Lothian youngster, now 13, who cannot be named, used a social networking site to tell friends she had become pregnant but suffered a miscarriage, it was reported today.

Her older sister, now 16, reportedly became the youngest mum in Scotland, after falling pregnant at the age of just 11.

Charity denies 'land grab'

A LONDON-BASED children's charity has denied its plans to expand into Scotland amount to a "land grab".

For the last 125 years, the National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children has had a "gentleman's agreement" with its Scottish equivalent, Children 1st, previously known as the Royal Scottish Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children.

But now the NSPCC is to appoint a 60,000 a year director of services for Scotland and plans to employ 25 people on two new projects north of the border.

Children 1st said the move could cause confusion among the public.