THE front page of this week's Barrhead News tells of a rise in the number of reports of domestic abuse in the town.

Police have encouraged victims to step forward if they are suffering at the hands of others.

Inside the paper, page 3 features an article on 3rd Barrhead and District Pipe Band which has launched a recruitment drive in a bid to bolster numbers ahead of a busy summer schedule.

There is also a court story about a man who attacked his half-sister and niece at a Barrhead flat after a row over broken furniture.

Concerns have been raised about a proposed 149-home development on the outskirts of Neilston, while West of Scotland MP Maurice Golden has urged Barrhead residents to go to Holyrood with any worries they have about the possible closure of Barrhead Police Station.

We also sent our photographer along to a Mini Messies gathering at Barrhead Scout Hall, a Bookbug session in Neilston and a craft fayre at Barrhead's Old Museum.

In Barrhead Sport we speak to Arthurlie boss Chris Mackie who told us his preparations for next season are almost complete.

There is also a match report on Barrhead YFC Reds' 9-1 demolition of Linwood Rangers in the quarter-final of the West Region Cup.