Drugs threat to our society

But the corrupt dream of three men came to an end at Sheffield Crown Court as they were jailed for a total of 13 years for their part in a plot to produce cannabis valued at 500,000 from properties throughout the city.

Judge Roger Keen QC rightly pointed out that the people of Britain welcome people who come into this country with drive and entrepreneurial spirit - that’s the sort of attitude that has made us what we are.

Two of the men know they will finish their prison sentences with deportation, a clear message that their activities are not welcome.

Cannabis is not harmless, it is just one more strand in the drug culture that threatens our society - and as such, we can only welcome tough sentences in the bid to stamp it out.

Challenge for Brown

SOME things never change...things like the north-south divide, for example.

The hard truth, according to new statistic, is that in Sheffield the average wage is just 12,089 - higher than Barnsley Rotherham or Doncaster, where you’re likely to earn only 11,428 - compared to 22,441 in West London.

Five years ago Gordon Brown pledged to reduce the gap in average growth rates and bring living standards in the North more in line with those of the booming South.

Now that he’s Prime Minister, he might like to think about honouring the pledge - or run the risk of losing some loyal and long-standing support.

Marriage secrets

HUSBANDS who worry about a 58 hole in their current accounts should ask the wife.

That’s the amount secretive ladies are spending on items of clothing their partners know nothing about - which adds up to a staggering 1.4 billion nationally.

Instead of getting defensive though girls, just ask the man in your life one simple question...what’s he got stashed in the garden shed?