A look back at the big news and pictures from 15 years ago

Who do you recognise in these pictures from 15 years ago?

Nearly 2,000 people packed through the doors of the revamped Doon Valley leisure centre within two weeks of its opening. Following its major transformation, the centre was a huge hit with people in and around Dalmellington. Local youngsters are pictured at the opening ceremony.

Cumnock Weight Watchers group celebrated the festive season with a swanky Christmas Party at Cumnock Town Hall. Their award-winning leader Christine Mitchell was presented with gifts from both her classes by Muirkirk member Jim Ramage.

Moorland birds were flocking back to the Muirkirk area for the first time in over 20 years - thanks to a Government-backed project. Farmers in a special protection area encouraged vulnerable birds such as the black grouse and golden plover back to return, while numbers of the threatened Hen Harrier rose. Farmer John Murray, pictured, was one of the farmers handed £200,000 each to continue to develop the project.

Mary and Joseph were left holding the baby during St Patrick’s Primary nativity.

Doon Academy pupils had fun at the school’s Burns Night event. S1 and S2 pupils learned and recited a Burns poem for a competition, which saw Lauren Shaw and Fiona Kennedy scooping the top awards for winner and runner-up respectively.

Cumnock firefighters showed they were a charitable bunch by raising £12,700 for good causes during 2008. The saddle-sore firefighters raised £3,700 by completing a 57-mile charity run around Arran in September, with another £8,000 raised when they had their hair clipped in a sponsored head shave in March. They are pictured handing over the cheques in early 2009.