10 years ago Luv a duck, it"s the Princess!

PRINCESS Margaret went racing in Inverclyde yesterday.

But it was more like Aylesbury than Epsom, for the "runners" in the 3.30 at Ardgowan Estates, Inverkip were . . . DUCKS.

The Princess made a surprise appearance at a charity event run by Gourock Rotary Club.

The "course" was a 200-yard sprint over a stretch of the River Kip which runs through the estate.

The Princess has been spending the weekend with estate owner, Sir Houston Shaw Stewart and Lady Lucinda, with whom she has long been friendly, after her visit to Bagatelle and the Ardgowan Hospice on Friday. (24 May) Green light for waterside centre A £12.5 million leisure complex is set to open at Greenock waterfront within three years.

District councillors last night gave the green light for a long-awaited swim and ice centre - and are likely to sell Greenock town centre to pay for it.

The ambitious plan was warmly welcomed. Building the leisure centre on waterfront land behind the bullring car park will encourage the private sector to look seriously at providing an adjacent cinema and bowling alley. (25 May) Pool opens INVERCLYDE Royal Hospital has opened a special pool for physiotherapy patients - 14 years late! It was built into the hospital when it opened in 1979, but was never opened because of staff and money shortages. Now both have been found to get the pool in business so patients will no longer have to travel to Paisley or Glasgow. (26 May) Containers GOUROCK Horticultural Society are planning to show the public how to prepare floral containers for the Telegraph"s Floralfest container competition at an open night demonstration. Some of the society"s top amateurs will be giving the public helpful tips on the selection of plants and how to arrange them for what could be a prize-winning display. (28 May) Crackdown THE police and Inverclyde District Council are teaming up to crack down on drug dealers.

Dealers could be evicted from their council houses if they use them to conduct their illegal business.

A confidential report on the subject is to be debated on Tuesday night by the housing committee behind closed doors. (29 May) 25 years ago Job crisis PRIMARY teachers leaving college this summer stand little chance of getting posts in Inverclyde.

For, as school rolls continue to fall, new teachers are not required. Even some existing teachers face being moved elsewhere.

Inverclyde"s falling birth-rate is just part of the general trend in Strathclyde, and each year fewer and fewer infants enrol. But next season will see an all-time low in some schools.

Although final numbers will not be known until the first day of next session, most head teachers already have a good idea of the 1978-79 infant class sizes. (26 May) New award MORTON fans will be delighted to hear of the latest presentation to team chairman Hal Stewart. It was no cup he was receiving, but a gallon bottle of whisky awarded to him as a runner-up in a Football Personality of the Month contest held by a distillery. Hal was chosen by a panel of Scottish football journalists as a deserved winner for steering Morton into the Premier League. The winner was Rangers captain John Greig who also received a gallon of whisky plus £100. (25 May) New buses TWENTY-FIVE new double-deck buses are to be introduced to Western SMT"s Inchgreen depot over the next six months at a cost of £800,000.

They will help to modernise the Greenock fleet and should also increase the number of one-man buses.

The new buses are designed for comfort with soft seats and wide aisles bringing a touch of comfort to passengers. The tidy cab design is also intended to make life easier for drivers. (24 May)