THE palpable sense of sheer panic which has engulfed Downing Street over Scottish independence has startled to trickle down to more local politicians.

Councillor John Campion, one of the leading figures in Worcestershire County Council's Tory cabinet, has taken to Twitter to urge town halls everywhere to fly the Union Jack in one final, desperate act of solidarity.

You can see why they're concerned - defeat in the polls and it certainly shouldn't be a surprise if David Cameron quickly became an ex-Prime Minister.

For that matter Ed Miliband should certainly become a former Labour leader too, which ironically might make his lot more likely to win next year's General Election.

Is there still time to start stocking deep fried Mars Bars at County Hall before it's too late?

* FORMER county council chief executive Trish Haines may be gone from this parish, but she isn't forgotten by a long shot.

The lively lass, who wasn't half well-remunerated during her time at County Hall, has just been appointed to an advisory role with the NHS South Worcestershire Clinical Commissioning Group, which means she gets to interfere gently into health matters.

It's not a paid position, although given that she was on £178,000 until the summer and walked away with a golden goodbye, you won't see her applying for a job at Worcester's incoming Waitrose any time soon.

That said, we've been told she is getting an 'allowance' of £15,800, although one has been steered away from calling it a salary, for four days work a month.

Must be bored already eh.

* DRIVERS across Worcester have had it rough this week, with some of the worst snarl-ups seen in months spreading agressively across the city for days on end.

With the schools back, most workers finishing their hols and utility firms making a hobby out of digging up key routes north and south of the city, it's been rather memorable.

The good news is that Worcester City Council has just launched a fresh investigation into congestion, although a look in our archives reveals it's the 824th time since 1996 that promises of a similar nature have been made.

The Source wonders if the only solution left is to elect a 'congestion commissioner', a bit like a Mayor but with principles, to work on fresh budget and plan for easing snarl-ups.

Don't say it's barmy. After all this is the Government that gave us police and crime commissioners, which is arguably less sensible.

* COUNCILLOR Allah 'the developer' Ditta, famous for his Timberdine Avenue property, still has a sense of humour and has jokingly told The Soure he'd help dig the city's new swimming pool to make it cheaper.

Sounds like a great deal, no?