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HUNT FOR DRIVER WHO FLED CRASH The driver and passenger of a stolen car involved in a head-on collision in Staffordshire are being sought by police after fleeing the scene. Two women were injured when their Vauxhall Corsa was in collision with a vehicle of the same make on the B5032 Cheadle to Alton road. The driver and passenger of the second car - a black P-reg - fled the scene. ARMED ROBBERS STEAL CASH Two robbers armed with a shotgun and a baseball bat escaped with a quantity of cash after storming into a shop in Repton, Derbyshire, police said. The men demanded money from the shop assistant at the Spar store in High Street and made off with an undisclosed amount, said a police spokesman. Any witnesses are urged to contact Swadlincote CID on 01332 290100. MAN JUMPS TO ESCAPE FLATS FIRE A man leapt from a first-floor window of a 19-storey block of flats in Birmingham to escape a severe fire. The man is believed to have injured his legs in the drama at Trident House in Fiveways. He was also treated for smoke inhalation. A West Midlands Fire Service spokesman said five engines went to the scene to tackle the flat fire. STAFF RETURN AMID POST DEAL Postal workers in Coventry are ending their unofficial strike after a deal was clinched following a marathon session of talks. Details of the deal between unions and the Royal Mail are now being sent to postmen and women across the country. News of the agreement immediately saw picket lines abandoned and staff return to clear the huge backlog of letters. WARNING OVER MISSING DRUGS Epilepsy drugs left outside a Leamington Spa address could prove fatal if consumed, police have said. Some 300 Tegretol Retard tablets stored in a black Elise holdall went missing from Baker Avenue. A Warwickshire Police spokesman said the 200mg tablets could cause serious problems if consumed and be fatal if taken in large quantities. JAPANESE AMBASSADOR VISITS Business leaders eager to boost trade between the Far East and the UK are welcoming the Japanese Ambassador on his visit to Birmingham. Masaki Orita is set to attend a seminar highlighting Japan's foremost industrial region of Nagoya. Representatives from HSBC, car company Toyota and the Birmingham Chamber of Commerce will also attend the event. PREMIUM BOND MILLIONAIRE SOUGHT The owner of a lucky premium bond bought in Worcestershire is being sought - so they can claim a £1m jackpot cash prize. The winning bond, chosen by Ernie, was bought in July 1998, and has the number 80QP 558390. Its owner will become the 116th premium bond millionaire. It is known that the winner holds a total of £20,000 in bonds. 'POLICE IN BNP' - COUNCILLOR Up to 12 serving police officers in the West Midlands constabulary are paid-up members of the British National Party, a councillor has claimed. Simon Darby, a BNP representative on Dudley Metropolitan Borough Council, said there were between six and 12 party members serving with the force. West Midlands Police said racism has no part in the police service. POLICE IN CAR CRIME CAMPAIGN Rush-hour drivers on Birmingham's roads are being warned to keep their vehicles and valuables secure in a police campaign to reduce theft. West Midlands Police officers are being posted on busy roads to warn drivers about car jamming, where thieves lean through car windows to steal items. A force spokesman said this crime usually increased in the winter months. DIVER IN CHARITY SHARK STUNT A Coventry diver has taken a 50-minute dip in a tank full of sharks in a bid to raise money for Children in Need. David Nicholson described the ordeal at the Birmingham Sea Life Centre as "great fun" and said he hoped to raise over £1,000 from the stunt. David passed his time cleaning the tank, as the five black-tipped reef sharks kept their distance from him. MURDER DETECTIVES COMMENDED Six detectives have been commended for their work on the separate murder cases of two Staffordshire men. Det Insp Robert Titley, Det Sgt Stephen Bailey and Det Sgt David Chidgey were commended for tracing the men who shot dead Uttoxeter man Raymond Marshall. Det Cons Ian Kinnersley, Kevin Mann and Martin Sleigh were honoured for their work on the Robert Thacker murder case. TWO HURT IN SCAFFOLDING FALL Two women are being treated for head injuries after scaffolding collapsed in a Birmingham city centre street. The Health and Safety Executive launched an investigation after a frame fell down in Ethel Street, trapping an 18-year-old and another woman. The teenager suffered serious head injuries, while the other victim is thought to have less severe wounds. PRISONER DIES IN CELL A man has died after being found hanging in his cell at Shrewbury prison in Shropshire, the Home Office said. Andrew Minor, 36, from Stoke-on-Trent, was on remand for theft and had only been in prison for a matter of days. He was treated at the scene and pronounced dead an hour after being found. It is the only reported death at the prison in the last 12 months. RESIDENTS FACE FINES OVER FORMS Thousands of Worcester householders who have not yet returned their electoral registration forms have been warned they face a £1,000 fine. City council officials said there are 4,987 forms outstanding three weeks after the deadline and residents are legally required to submit the form. Those failing to comply risk exclusion from the next register of electors. WOMAN DIES IN HEAD-ON COLLISION A woman died and her teenage son was seriously injured in a head-on collision in Shropshire, police said. The 47-year-old, from Surrey, suffered fatal injuries in the two-car crash on the A41 at Tong Havannah, near Shifnal. Her son, who was a front seat passenger, had to be cut free from the wreckage. The driver and passenger of the other car involved are critical. LABOURER REMANDED OVER MURDER A labourer has appeared in court accused of murdering a Shrewsbury peace campaigner nearly 20 years ago. Andrew Harold George, 36, is alleged to have killed 79-year-old Hilda Murrell, whose body was found in a copse six miles from her home in March 1984. George, of Shrewsbury, was remanded in custody and ordered to reappear for a further directions hearing. MAN REMANDED OVER PUB MURDER A 44-year-old man has been remanded in custody charged with murder following an altercation at a pub in Biddulph, Staffordshire. Paul Hopewell, from Biddulph, allegedly killed Paul Barbour, 29, who suffered fatal stomach injuries after he was attacked at the Barley Mow pub. The defendant appeared at Stafford Crown Court for a preliminary hearing. BREWER TO AXE ALCOPOP DRINK Burton-on-Trent based Coors Brewers is axing the popular alcopop Hooch after eight years of production. The firm is to drop the fruit-flavoured alcoholic drink to concentrate on its successful Reef brand. A spokesman said: "Hooch has been a phenomenal success since June 1995. We will focus on Reef which has enjoyed fantastic performance in 2003." MP CALLS FOR JUNK FOOD AD BAN A West Midlands MP is spearheading a campaign to ban the marketing of junk food to pre-school children in TV ads. Parliament will hear a plea from Debra Shipley, Labour MP for Stourbridge, for a Bill to ban advertising of food and drink high in salt, sugar and fat. The move comes at a time of heightened concern about the possible impact advertising has on children's diets. JAPANESE AMBASSADOR VISITS Business leaders eager to boost trade between the Far East and the UK have welcomed the Japanese Ambassador on a visit to Birmingham. Masaki Orita attended a seminar highlighting Japan's foremost industrial region of Nagoya. Representatives from HSBC, car company Toyota and the Birmingham Chamber of Commerce were also at the event. MEP WELCOMES EUROPEAN LAW A West Midlands MEP has welcomed a change in European law to give compensation to holidaymakers who become the victims of crime abroad. Under the new rules, people who are the victims of violent crime in another EU country will have the right to apply for up to 60,000 euros (£41,000). Labour MEP Michael Cashman said the rules help the battle against crime. OLYMPIC BOXER GETS DRIVING BAN Boxer Audley Harrison has been banned from driving for three months after being caught speeding in Staffordshire. The 32-year-old Olympic champion was clocked doing 57mph in a 40mph zone of the A51 by a camera at Weston-on-Trent. He was fined £600 and ordered to pay £35 costs by Stafford magistrates for the offence, which took him up to the 12 penalty points required for a ban. RAP STAR DISAPPOINTS FANS Rap artist Nelly has disappointed thousands of fans by cancelling his concert at the National Exhibition Centre later this month. The star, who begins a UK tour later this week, has scrapped the Birmingham appearance - scheduled for November 18 - due to recording commitments. Tickets already purchased should be returned for a full refund. COUNCIL FIREWORKS INVITATION The leader of Dudley Council is encouraging people to attend an organised bonfire and fireworks display rather than holding their own parties. David Caunt said: "This year there have been countless reports of fireworks causing mayhem in many of the borough's neighbourhoods." Mr Caunt recommended that people attend Dudley Council's display. MP CONDEMNS FIREWORKS 'FAFFING' A Staffordshire MP has expressed regret that legislation restricting the sale of fireworks has not been enforced ahead of this year's Bonfire Night. Michael Fabricant, Tory MP for Lichfield, said Government "faffing" meant the Fireworks Act - made law on September 18 - had failed. The law would have put statutory controls on the sale of fireworks. SECOND DEATH IN HEAD-ON SMASH A second woman has died following a two-car crash in Shropshire. The 24-year-old, from Shrewsbury, died after being airlifted to Selly Oak Hospital after the head-on accident on Sunday on the A41 near Shifnal. The deceased was a passenger in a Vauxhall Astra which collided with a Nissan Primera. The woman Nissan driver, aged 47, died at the scene. POLICE RACISM CLAIMS ADDRESSED The Home Secretary has responded to claims that 12 members of West Midlands police belong to the racist BNP party. In an interview with Radio 4, David Blunkett said he will use his influence to ensure such allegations are thoroughly investigated. "I do not believe that it is tenable for a member of the BNP to be a police officer in this country," he added. £200,000 GRANT FOR HOSPITAL Staffordshire health bosses have welcomed news of a £200,000 Government grant designed to improve out-of-hours medical services in Cannock. The money will be used to integrate and improve the minor injuries unit at Cannock Chase Hospital. The funding is part of a £110m national package to be issued by the Department of Health over the next two years. GOVERNMENT TO LOOK AT GP CRISIS Health Secretary John Reid has agreed to look into the "emergency crisis" facing GP provision in Stoke on Trent. His pledge in the Commons came after an appeal by Joan Walley, Labour MP for Stoke on Trent North. Ms Walley said: "While I applaud the extra 814 GPs that there are in training, there is a serious short-term problem with too many GPs retiring." TRANSPORT HUB TO GET FACELIFT A Black Country public transport hub is to benefit from a £130,000 facelift under new plans proposed by Centro. The plan will see Dudley Port fitted with new bus shelters, pedestrian crossings, easy access kerbs and a "ring and ride" area. The station currently serves the Birmingham to Wolverhampton railway line, as well as three bus routes. WITNESS HUNT IN SHOOTING PROBE Police have been carrying out house-to-house inquiries in the street where a motorist was gunned down from a passing car in Birmingham. West Midlands Police said the 25-year-old man remains in a critical condition on a life support machine. Officers have returned to the scene of Tuesday evening's shooting in Nechells to find more witnesses. IMMIGRANT LOSES BENEFITS CLAIM An elderly Pakistani who was allowed into the country because she was supported by her son-in-law from Coventry has lost a court battle. A judge at the High Court said the Social Security Commissioner was entitled to reject 71-year-old Zar Begum's claim to income support. The judge said Mrs Begum has not been offered support from the State. GIANT WHEEL STARTS TURNING Birmingham's answer to the London Eye, which is the centrepiece for the city's festive celebrations, is due to begin carrying passengers. The 196ft high wheel arrived in the city from its former home in Paris a fortnight ago on board 24 lorries. Passengers will be able to view Birmingham's skyline beyond the Rotunda and the new Selfridges building. BIRDS DIE IN 'FIREWORK' BLAZE A firework is believed to have caused about 40 pigeons to burn to death in a blaze at their coop in Walsall, fire officials said. West Midlands Fire Service was called to a home in Bloxwich, Walsall, and discovered the dead birds. A spokesman said there was a chance that a firework was deliberately or accidentally launched into the shed. CASH BOOST FOR TEENAGE PARENTS Teenage parents across Northamptonshire are being urged to get back into education, training or employment under a new Government scheme. The scheme promises young parents, aged between 16 and 19, up to £5,000 a year to pay for childcare costs. It is being run by the Department for Education and Skills in a bid to improve prospects for teenage parents. MP CONDEMNS PARKING FEE PLANS Plans to raise car parking charges in Worcester by up to 40% have been criticised by the city's Labour MP, Michael Foster. The proposals, which would raise an extra £180,000 from motorists, are to be discussed at the next meeting of the full council. Mr Foster said: "The city council is milking the motorist." CAR PROVIDES ROBBERY CLUE Police believe the key to a robbery at a Leicestershire hotel may lie in the West Midlands. A car used by thieves who grabbed a cash box from a security guard had been stolen in Solihull. Police said the cash box contained an anti-theft device which detonated and covered the car, and presumably the cash and suspects, with red dye. TENANT THREATENED WITH JAIL A Birmingham tenant who annoyed his neighbours has been told he will be jailed if his behaviour carries on. Thomas White received a three-month sentence, suspended for two years by Birmingham Crown Court, after breaching an undertaking to curb his behaviour. The city council said 57-year-old White, of Heddon Place, Nechells, held parties which were loud and violent. POLICE APPEAL TO MISSING WOMAN Police are appealing for a missing woman who was last seen in Daventry to contact them. Carol Marston, 45, from Watts Way in Long Buckby, was last seen in Daventry town centre at about 9.30am on Monday. She has not been seen since. She is described as white, about 5ft tall and of a slim build, with short dark straight hair. HATE CRIME SCHEME WINS GRANT An initiative run by four police forces across the Midlands has been awarded a £90,000 Government grant to tackle racist and homophobic hate crime. The True Vision scheme is organised by the West Midlands, West Mercia, Warwickshire and Staffordshire forces. The Home Office funding is being used to develop a self-reporting pack to encourage victims to come forward.
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