Here are the top five most read stories on www.theolivepress.es in the past two weeks are

FALSE employment con- tracts were allegedly sold by a gang of Alicante fraud- sters so others could claim Spanish residencia and benefits, it has been re- vealed. Police have arrested 21 peo- ple involved in the sale of fake contracts, which cost more than €1700 each in most cases. Three of the detainees, from Spain and Pakistan aged between 41 and 51, have been charged. Scroungers

Power cut A MAN who was caught riding a banned electric scooter in Murcia is facing prison. The Guardia Civil caught the man riding on a highway in San Javier, near Cartagena, riding with a friend without a number plate, insurance or a driving licence. All three became mandatory since December 3 to regulate the boom in electric scooters. The scooter caught on the N-332 highway had a 1,400W capacity, with a maximum speed of 25 km/h and with a seat 700m high. The driver has now been charged with a crime against road safety and could face between three to six months in prison and a heavy fine.

Paddy power

Break out the Guinness, as tens of thousands of people to descend for St Patrick’s Day party after its named in world top 10

ORIHUELA Costa town hall has released details of its 2020 St Patrick’s Day Party after being labelled among the Top 10 celebrations in the world by National Geographic. Sunday March 15 is the date for your diary for the huge parade through the streets of the Cabo Roig resort. Local Councillor for Tourism Mariola Rocamora said she ‘wants to do it big’ this year after bringing it forward by two days so it could be held on the weekend and draw bigger crowds. Organised in conjunction with Oc Avanza and Cabo Roig Strip, more than 20,000 revellers are set to descend on what will be the party’s 10th anniversary. Some 3,000 green scarves are set to be handed out to guests throughout the day. The celebrations will begin at 1pm and will feature kids’ activities and face painting. The traditional parade will kick off at 3pm from the Urbanisation Aquamarina featuring representatives from the Moors and Christians Fiestas as special guests.

Mayor, Emilio Bascunana has invited people of every creed to join in the fun, promising: “We will be very well-received by our Irish hosts, who ensure their traditions are not lost.” National Geographic has included the day-long party among its Top 10 St Patrick’s Day parties in the WORLD.

●New York, USA ●Boston, USA ●Chicago, USA ●Georgia, USA ●Montserrat, West Indies ●Montreal, Canada ●Birmingham, UK ●Cabo Roig, Spain ●Auckland, New Zealand The Cabo Roig fiesta ranked ninth in the list which saw New York, Boston and Chi- cago, all in the US, filling out the top three. The Spanish party was only two spots below Dublin.

Clean up your act!

COSTA BLANCA SOUTH O P LI VE RE SS The

RE SIDENTS at the southern end of the protected Mar Menor lagoon have announced a peaceful protest for March 15 over the conditions of the beaches at Los Urrutias. The focal point will be Cartagena Town Hall, despite council staff clearing 175 tonnes of seaweed and waste from the shoreline in recent weeks. According to locals the budget isn’t available for all five bathing stations that have been promised for Los Urrutias beaches, adding to the anger felt by residents. Marches were also staged in July 2019, when hundreds protested at the muddy beaches and lack of infrastructure.

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