FIRST, the good news: the health of Scotland's children will benefit when leaded petrol - blamed for mental and physical harm - is phased out in just over 18 months.

The bad news for thousands of Scots motorists is that they may be forced to mothball older cars.

Substitute fuels that should be ready on January 1, 2000, may not have received official approval because of a wrangle between those who fix technical standards and petrol moguls.

The RAC's Jeremy Vanke tells CheckOut: ''The changeover could have been painless, will acceptable alternatives to lead. Unless the Government and oil industry can agree, confusion with reign, with the risk of damage to vehicles or immobilisation.''

The motoring organisation is trying to bang heads together to save around 1.5m old bangers from a premature death.

Meantime, as the Government cracks down on vehicle crime, motorists could do more to help themselves, says RAC consultant psychologist Conrad King. The perceived protection of car security devices is leading more of us to take risks with our property.

Explains King: ''A car is often seen as an extension of the home, under the same castle-like umbrella. So we take greater risks and leave valuables on display.''

His advice, as 64,000 car break-ins a year are reported in Scotland: remove temptation by locking up what you don't take with you, and park in a well-lit, accessible area.

NOT since Hovis baked a white loaf has there been - on the face of it - such as U-turn: Philishave, the epitome of dry shaving, has gone wet, wet, wet. Or, more precisely, its newest electric shaver provides a wet sensation, without mutilation. Using a built-in moisturiser, it's called ''The Third Way''.

Sceptics might sense a gimmicky response to the #1bn launch of Gillette's ''Stealth Bomber'' razor; in fact, Cool Skin - the hybrid from Philips and Nivea - has been four years in development.

Bristling with sharp features, the rechargeable top-range model is aimed at thousands of younger Scots who dislike the foily friction and fiddly cleaning associated with electric dry shavers. For them, the revitalising Nivea emulsion, delivered by pressing a button at the side of the three-headed shaver, imparts a refreshing wet-shave experience, while a quick swish under the hot tap makes it ready for use again - it can even be taken into the shower.

A young blade who tested the Cool Skin for CheckOut decided to throw his old razor away, praising the new-found comfort and freedom from nicks and razor-burn. At a whisker under #100, the new Philishave has just gone on sale at Boots and major electrical retailers. The Nivea for Men click-in cartridges cost #4 a pack and with a yearly subscription they can be delivered direct.

FEARS about chemicals contaminating vegetables are prompting green-fingered Scots to go organic. But just as they make the switch, a new worry surfaces with reports of E.Coli in mud where cattle grazed. Could the bug migrate to the home patch via packs of farmyard manure, asks a reader.

CheckOut got some reassurance from Julie-Anne Gale, of BBC Gardeners' World, who said the risk is ''extremely low'', as long as manure is not applied to salad or catch crops. It's best on ''greedy'' vegetables like potatoes and tomatoes - about one wheelbarrow load to 10 square metres. Always wash your hands after handling manure, even if you wear gloves.

Just in time for the summer surge in home salads comes Veggi-Wash, which neutralises harmful chemicals and removes wax and insects on fruit and vegetables, nearly half of which, according to new figures, are blighted.

A #4.95 bottle, enough to make 50 gallons, is available from Lakeland Ltd, George Street, Edinburgh, or phone order 015394 88100.