Video footage of today’s rising waters (coutesy of David Slater):

Police are warning of the operation of bogus workmen in the region today, Wednesday 23 November after an elderly man was approached in Lockerbie by men offering to repair solar panels on his roof for the sum of £3000. The workmen were dismissed by the man when they couldn’t provide any identification. In another incident presently being investigated, this time in Dumfries, staff at a local bank alerted police after and elderly man attempted to withdraw a large sum of money from his account, to pay workmen who were repairing his solar panels. Police were called and the matter is currently being investigated.

Police warn of the dangers of dealing with cold calling workmen whom they don’t know and ask that should anyone call seeking to do repair work to solar panels then the local police are contacted through 0845 600 5701.

Dumfries will celebrate the big switch on of its 2011 Christmas Lights display on Sunday 27th November following a full afternoon of musical entertainment from the Plainstanes performance space.

The programme

1.00 pm: Christmas carols

2.00 pm: Maurice Sutherst and Elaine Erskine, locally based singer songwriters presenting a selection of their contemporary ballads.

3.00 pm: Lorraine McCauley and the Borderlands, fresh from an extended tour in Ireland and recording for the BBC Lorraine will present her lyrical and haunting songs to a modern folk accompaniment.

3.45 pm: Panto stars; Katrina Bryan, best known as Nina from the hit CBEEBIES show Nina and the Neurons and Leah Macrae, Julie from BBC’s Gary, Tank Commander will appear on stage to promote the DG One pantomime, Beauty and the Beast.

4.00pm: Man at the Window, Scotland’s hottest reggae outfit will have the crowd bouncing with their infectious brand of musical sunshine.

5.00pm: Provost Jack Groom will switch on the lights with a phalanx of royal assistants; Queen of the South and the Princesses Beauty and Kind Heart not forgetting an early appearance of Santa Claus.

The annual exhibition of the Royal Photographic Society (Scottish Region) is now on show at Stranraer Museum. This is a chance to see some of the best in Scottish contemporary photography.

The Royal Photographic Society was founded in 1853 ‘to promote the Art and Science of Photography’, a mission it continues to this day. The Society’s Scottish Region organises events across the country and each year an exhibition of members’ prints travels to venues throughout Scotland.

The 2011 exhibition comprises 40 black and white, sepia and colour prints. Subjects include landscapes, portraits and natural history.

Also on display at the museum is a selection of prints produced by members of the Stranraer Camera Club. A number of these prints are for sale.

The exhibition runs until 30 December and admission is free.

One of the lorries from the Coke ad was in town today – or at least at the Cuckoo Bridge retail park. The tour manager explained to Alive Radio that they have a fleet of three trucks, which appeared on the ad and are touring the UK until 23rd December. One however spends most of its time outside the O2 Arena in London, but the others have a busy schedule around towns and cities. “Coca Cola has strong links with Christmas”, he said, explaining the reason for the profile raising tour.

Coca-Cola staff took photographs of people by the lorry and then issued pin codes so they could download the images from the website.

Police in Dumfries have released more details about the serious assault which took place in Buccleuch Street, Dumfries around 1850 hours on Saturday 19 November 2011.

A 51 year old man from Dumfries was seriously injured in the assault and as a result is currently being treated in the Intensive care Unit at Dumfries and Galloway Royal Infirmary for head injuries. As a result a 23 year old man from Dumfries has been arrested and will appear at Dumfries Sheriff Court on Monday 21 November 2011 in relation to this incident.

Buccleuch Street was sealed off after the incident while a full Scene of Crime examination was carried out.

Police tonight cordoned off a section of Buccleuch Street in Dumfries following what’s described as a ‘serious assault’. Local sources indicate that a stabbing took place mid evening (Saturday 19th Nov), but these reports are unconfirmed. What is known is that Police are investigating the incident, but are not releasing any more information at this time.

Police are asking householders to be on the alert in relation to the giving out of any personal details or dealing with people who they don’t know over the telephone. Today a number of calls have been received by members of the public in Dumfries from a man pretending to be a Police Officer. This man has stated he is making enquiries into bank frauds and is asking for bank details. Under no circumstances should the public provide theses details over the telephone.

Police are also keen to hear from anyone who may have been approached in a similar manner and ask them to get in touch if they can help.

Police report that the Whitesands in Dumfries is starting to flood and drivers are asked to avoid the area. Anyone with a vehicle parked in that area are asked to return and remove it as soon as possible.

The River Nith flooded the Whitesands again today. It closed important car parks for shoppers that bring much needed revenue to the town.