Marwick's cracking time after election joy

ONE SNP MSP is starting the new parliamentary session with cracked ribs, after over-enthusiastic celebrations by her supporters, writes Hamish Macdonell.

Tricia Marwick helped propel the SNP to victory by winning Central Fife from the Labour Party, overturning a Labour majority of 2,762.

But, as the result came through, Ms Marwick was lifted by the ground in a series of enormous bear hugs by party workers, embraces which gave her cracked ribs.

An SNP spokesman confirmed that Ms Marwick, 53, had been injured at the count: "She was given a series of bear hugs which lifted her off her feet."

He added: "She has a fairly young and robust campaign team."

Ms Marwick, a grandmother, was in severe pain after the count and visited her GP, who discovered she had cracked and bruised ribs.

Ms Marwick said: "I'm in agony, but I'm not complaining. I'm very proud to have been elected. It goes to prove the saying, 'no pain no gain'."