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LAND ROVER TO THE RESCUE With the Country affected by floods, the Warwickshire Service and neighbouring Hereford and Worcester ambulance services were struggling to reach patients needing essential hospital treatment. Some of the outlying villages have been cut off, so they called upon the local manufacturer of the 'best 4x4 by far' to assist. Speaking on behalf of the Warwickshire Ambulance Service, Brian Kelly, said: "During the adverse weather conditions some of our ambulance vehicles have not been able to get to the homes of many patients because of the floods. Our colleagues at the Hereford & Worcester Ambulance depot rang us for help and we in turn rang Land Rover. Many of these patients need to get to the Renal Units at The Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Birmingham, Hereford and Worcester hospitals for essential treatment such as kidney dialysis. In many cases the only way of reaching these patients is by Land Rover." It is the unique qualities of the Range Rover, which includes, permanent four-wheel drive and electronic air-suspension that allow the vehicle to travel where a normal car or ambulance cannot. Brian Kelly and his team of ambulance drivers collected two Range Rovers and two Discoverys from Jill Howes, press officer, Land Rover international headquarters at Gaydon today. NEW X-TYPE JAGUAR SET TO BOOST SALES
Jaguar's all-new, compact sports saloon, which goes on sale next summer, will be called the Jaguar X-TYPE, the company announced. Previously known only by its engineering codename, X400, the four door X-TYPE is Jaguar's first entrant in the highly competitive, fast growing compact saloon segment, where it will compete with the Mercedes Benz C class, Audi A4 and BMW 3 series. BLAIR HECKLED OVER HOSPITAL Prime Minister Tony Blair was heckled when he toured Bewdley, Worcestershire, to see the flood damage for himself. Mr Blair was confronted by activists campaigning for Kidderminster General Hospital as he viewed the scene from a bridge on the River Severn. Protesters complained the hospital had lost its accident and emergency department and been reduced in status.
PM Tony Blair as he toured the flood hit areas of Shrewsbury and Bewdley 150 PROPERTIES HIT BY FLOODS The Environment Agency said about 150 properties in Worcester have been flooded, along with the cricket ground and racecourse. Sixty-seven patients were evacuated from Worcester Royal Infirmary's Castle Street site as flooding in the basement meant power could not be guaranteed. The river level is still rising slowly and is expected to peak today. HOUSE PRICES JUMP BY 21% The average house in the UK has risen in value by 10% each year since the last election, reveals a new survey. Yet the average price of a house in the West Midlands region has jumped just 21% since May 1997, according to figures published by the Halifax. An average property in the region is now valued at £88,600, compared with £67,200 at the last General Election. NUMBERS UP FOR VILLA FANS Aston Villa fans can take their hero worship of the Premiership side to new heights, at a number plate auction. Two personalised registrations, A5TON and V1LLA, go under the hammer at a DVLA sale at Alcester, Warwickshire. Also included in the sale are B3CKS and K3ANE after the Manchester United stars David Beckham and Roy Keane, which are expected to fetch five figures. TRANSPLANT ISSUES DISCUSSED Speakers from all over the country are due to converge on Birmingham for a conference on organ donation. More than 100 delegates will be at the National Motorcycle Museum in Solihull to discuss the current shortage in organs available for transplant. Speakers include John Shaw, chairman of UK Transplant, and Prof Paul McMaster, a liver surgeon in Birmingham. ROVER WORKERS ACCEPT 4% Workers at carmaker MG Rover have narrowly accepted a pay offer worth almost 4%, it has been announced. Employees at the firm's factory in Longbridge, Birmingham, voted by 1,718 to 1,640 for the deal. Under the agreement, the average weekly pay of a dayshift worker at the plant will rise by more than £12 to £333 and by a further £8 from January. URGENT TALKS IN JAGUAR PAY ROW Urgent talks are to be held between unions and car-maker Jaguar after workers rejected a two-year pay offer. The deal, involving a rise of 4.25% in the first year, was turned down by 2,094 votes to 1,462 at Birmingham, Coventry and Castle Bromwich. The Transport and General Workers Union said the rejection by the firm's hourly-paid staff was not unexpected. PRISON FOR UNBORN BABY KILLER A former University of Central England student who killed his unborn baby to preserve his womanising lifestyle has been jailed for 10 years. Mustafa Rashid, 22, from Alum Rock, Birmingham kicked pregnant Malanie Teal on Christmas Eve, killing the baby. Rashid was sentencd at Birmingham Crown Court for manslaughter, assault and attempted child destruction. WOMAN PULLED FROM BUS AND RAPED A gang of men dragged a 22-year-old woman off a bus in Birmingham, raped her twice and subjected her to a brutal sexual assault, police have said. She was pulled from a number 11 bus travelling from Bromford Lane, Erdington, to Acocks Green. Two men raped her and one committed a serious sexual assault near St Mary's Church on Warwick Road, Acocks Green. STUNT BIKE RAFFLE FOR DISABLED A Birmingham stunt rider has praised the RAC after it decided to raffle his old bike to aid disabled drivers. Craig Jones, who wowed audiences on the modified 1200cc Suzuki Bandit at the 1999 British Grand Prix, said he was delighted at the scheme. The RAC intends to raise cash for Motability, a charity which adapts cars for the disabled, by selling tickets. LOCAL NEWS 06/11/00 CBI CONFERENCE OPENS IN BIRMINGHAM The Confederation of British Industry's National Conference is due to start in Birmingham. Executives, company directors and politicians will converge on the city's International Convention Centre to discuss economic issues. Chancellor Gordon Brown and the Director-General of the BBC Greg Dyke are among the delegates. REGION PREPARES FOR MORE FLOODS Predicted rainfall could return the River Severn to critical levels over the next few days, an Environment Agency spokesman has said. There is a severe flood warning on the Severn from Worcester through to Gloucester. An Agency spokesman said some areas were set to receive up to 50mm of rain in the next 24 hours. SEVERN VALLEY TO GET FLOOD CASH A large slice of the £51m pledged by the Government for flood defences will be used to help the Severn Valley. Home Office minister Mike O'Brien said the River Severn was high on the Government's list of priorities. "The Severn Valley and other Midland towns greatly affected by the floods will receive a substantial amount of that money," he said. FOR THE LATEST FLOOD INFO GO TO http://www.environment-agency.gov.uk/flood/ PLANS FOR £100m SPORT STADIUM Proposals have been put forward for a £100m Millennium stadium for Birmingham complete with sliding roof and room for 50,000 spectators. Plans have been drawn up for the sports superstadium on a site at the National Exhibition Centre. If NEC bosses give the go-ahead the arena could be open within four years and could create thousands of jobs. MEN DRAG WOMAN FROM LAND ROVER West Midlands Police are hunting two men who dragged a woman out of her Land Rover and stole the vehicle in Stratford Road, Hall Green. Officers found a badly damaged Vauxhall car abandoned in the street and noticed damage to a nearby restaurant. A spokesman for the force said they were investigating possible links between the three incidents. SCHOOL HIT BY ARSONISTS Staff and pupils at a Birmingham school are trying to come to terms with a fire which ripped through their facilities causing thousands of pounds of damage. The blaze started at Warren Farm Junior School in Kingstanding after flammable liquid was poured through a window. A fire service spokesman said: "The classroom was damaged and the school was covered in thick, black smoke." BOY IN FIREWORK SCARE IN CAR A Coventry boy was injured when a firework shot through the open window of a car he was travelling in. The youngster received burns to his hand and was taken to Coventry and Warwick Hospital for treatment. In a second incident a woman from South Yardley, Birmingham, received burns to her upper body and right arm when petrol was used to ignite a bonfire. SCIENTISTS CHECKS BARD'S PIPES Scientists believe they may have found the source of William Shakespeare's genius - evidence of cannabis in pipes found at his Stratford-upon-Avon home. Researchers in South Africa are probing whether dope was the Bard's secret, The Independent on Sunday said. "This project has Stratford agog," said Dr Frances Thackeray of the Transvaal Museum in Pretoria. HONOUR FOR GOLDEN GIRL DENISE Olympic gold medallist Denise Lewis is to be honoured with a civic reception in her home town of Wolverhampton. The golden girl of British athletics has been invited to a luncheon at the council's Civic Centre on November 13. Mayor Tersaim Singh said: "The council and people of Wolverhampton are proud that we are able to count a world-class Olympian among our townspeople." FLOOD-HIT ANGLER'S FISHY TALE While Bewdley waits for the River Severn to recede one resident has put the flood waters to good use. International angler Dave Harrell decided he couldn't look a gift horse in the mouth and decided to do a spot of fishing from his own home. The 42-year-old said: "I fetched my rod and cast a line into the water from the comfort of my own balcony." LOCAL NEWS 07/11/00 FOR THE LATEST FLOOD INFO GO TO http://www.environment-agency.gov.uk/flood/ TRANSPORT PROJECTS DISCUSSED AT CBI CONFERENCE Business leaders are meeting in Birmingham to discuss the priority for spending on transport projects. The CBI has identified several priority schemes, including building the Birmingham Northern relief road and widening the M6 through the Midlands. A debate on transport will also take place, including a speech by Railtrack chief executive Gerald Corbett. PET OWNERS WARNED OVER FLOODS RSPCA chiefs have warned farmers and pet owners to take urgent measures to protect their animals as further floods threaten the West Midlands. Last week's rains killed 11 cows in one herd near Oswestry and a horse and 20 sheep in Shrewsbury had to be rescued. Ten sheep were led to safety in Alcester and a rabbit and guinea pig were saved from a garden in Worcester. 100-YEAR-OLD GAMBLER WINS BET A keen gambler who backed himself to reach his 100th birthday after becoming frustrated by his lack of success on the horses has won £10,000. Wilfred Millington, of Cradley Heath, Halesowen, staked £150 at odds of 66/1 six years ago after deciding it was the only way to beat the bookmakers. William Hill said he was the firm's first customer to win such a bet. FEES FATHER BLAMES DIVORCE DEBT A man whose daughter has taken him to court to force him to meet her school fees at a school in Worcester has told a judge of his regret at the action. Callum Lavelle, 46, also claimed he was unable to fund his daughter's private schooling because of debts caused by his divorce to the girl's mother. Nicole Lavelle, 16, wants to attend Kings College to be near her mother. MEMORIAL TO MURDERED STUDENT The parents of murdered student Nicola Dixon wll unveil a sunflower sculpture memorial near the scene of her death. The 17-year-old was murdered on New Year's Eve 1996 in the grounds of Sutton Coldfield's Holy Trinity Parish Church. Her killer is still at large. Parents Rita and Andy will erect the memorial in Trinity Hill as one of the art student's works was a sunflower. OAP FIGHTS OFF MASKED ROBBERS An elderly shopkeeper fought off three masked raiders with a school crossing patrol "lollipop stick" when they attempted to steal his day's takings. Police said the 65-year-old struck when the robbers in balaclavas broke into his Stars News shop in Dudley. He refused to open a safe and was hit with an iron bar in the struggle. They took £15, cigarettes and phone cards. CASH INCENTIVE FOR CHILD CARERS A £100 reward is being offered by Birmingham's Social Services to foster carers who recruit people to look after children in care. The move is an attempt to ease the shortage of carers in the city. There are not enough to meet demands. It is hoped an additional 20 carers a year could be found through the payment of £100 recruitment awards. LOCAL NEWS 08/11/00 FOR THE LATEST FLOOD INFO GO TO http://www.environment-agency.gov.uk/flood/ TOWN ESCAPES SERIOUS FLOODING Burton upon Trent, where residents had been advised to evacuate their homes, escaped serious flooding as levels on the River Trent fell. An Environment Agency spokesman said: "The River Trent topped its 100-year defences by a few inches and the major incident plan was instigated." Staffordshire Police said river levels were falling by one inch per hour.
RESIDENTS ADVISED TO STAY AWAY Police are advising people to stay away from Stafford town centre after the River Sow broke its banks, causing major flooding. Levels are still rising on the River Severn in Bewdley and Upton-on-Severn and are high at Worcester. A total of 13 severe flood warnings are in place from the River Severn in the west to the Trent in the east. CORROSIVE DRUGS STOLEN FROM CAR West Midlands Police are warning people to beware after a doctor's car containing dangerous drugs was stolen from the Erdington area. The grey Saab 9000, registration number G693 EOV, contained phenyl acid and potassium hydrate, both of which are corrosive and could kill if swallowed. Anaesthetics and a quantity of hypodermic needles were also stolen. TRANSPORT MINISTER TURNS UP LATE Transport Minister Lord Macdonald has become the latest victim of the autumn chaos gripping Britain as he was late for a key speech in Birmingham. The man responsible for keeping the country moving was half-an-hour late after being caught in a major traffic jam on the outskirts of the city. He had to apologise to the gathered delegates at the CBI annual conference. MINI "ITALIAN JOB" AIDS CHARITY Over 100 classic Minis visited Longbridge on Saturday concluding their week long tour to Italy, raising money through The Italian Job for one of the UK’s leading children’s charities, NCH (National Children’s Home). The classic 1969 Michael Caine film, The Italian Job, had been recreated for the 11th time by a group of dedicated driving enthusiasts called "jobbers". Raising £1 million over its 11-year history, The Italian Job was an event borne from a desire to help children who, through no fault of their own, require assistance. Bev Wildeboer, 4-year jobber at The Italian Job said: "For me it’s the travelling, the friendship among the drivers, the countries, the atmosphere and the chance to help the less fortunate. Every year it’s different but the anticipation and excitement are the same." Rosie Chessell, a first-year jobber at The Italian Job said: " Being a fan of Mini and participating in The Italian Job was a dream come true! I can understand why jobbers return year after year."
In addition to the jobbers’ efforts, Michael Caine, star of The Italian Job film, personally signed a red Mini Cooper that was auctioned at the ITV Celebrity Auction that commenced last Wednesday. It raised £28,919.13, the total of which will be donated to the NSPCC, The Samaritans and Centre Point charities. CAR WORKERS TO VOTE ON ACTION Workers at the Coventry plant of luxury carmaker Jaguar are set to vote on industrial action after they turned down a two-year pay offer. Ballot papers will be sent out in the next few days and the result is expected at the end of the month. The move follows rejection by union members of a deal worth 4.25% in year one and at least 3.5% in year two. BUSINESS BOSSES SHOW WISH-LIST Business leaders in Birmingham have outlined a ten-point "wish-list" ahead of Chancellor of the Exchequer Gordon Brown's pre-budget statement. The Birmingham Chamber of Commerce and Industry urged Mr Brown to cut fuel tax, and scrap the "Climate Levy". BCI policy director Louise Beard said: "This is the chancellor's chance to aid small and medium sized businesses." COUNCIL - FESTIVAL EARNED £2m This year's ArtsFest festival made £2m for businesses and attracted 120,000 visitors, according to figures released by Birmingham City Council. The festival has been running for the past three years and council chiefs claim that it has helped pump around £4m into the local economy. Councillor Brenda Clarke said: "I'm pleased with the success of ArtsFest" FUEL PROTESTERS SET TO MEET Fuel protesters are expected to converge on Walsall to discuss their response to the pre-budget statement by Chancellor Gordon Brown. Campaigners calling for massive cuts in fuel duty will assemble at a hotel in the town, the People's Fuel Lobby said. Mr Brown has pledged not to bow to pressure, but has hinted that hauliers may be given some cost cuts. LOCAL NEWS 09/11/00 FOR THE LATEST FLOOD INFO GO TO http://www.environment-agency.gov.uk/flood/ AA REACTION TO CHANCELLOR'S SPEECH The Chancellor's package announced yesterday contains key measures giving early relief to Britain's hard- pressed motorists, says the AA, particularly lower-income motoring families. John Dawson, AA Policy Director, says: "The Chancellor is returning much of the £3 billion in windfall tax receipts that he has available from higher than expected oil prices. "The promise to freeze fuel tax increases and to offer worthwhile tax breaks on ultra-low sulphur fuel is welcome. The reduction of £55 backdated for cars up to 1500cc gives the lower-income used-car owner a deal in line with that available to those lucky enough to be able to afford a new car from next March. "The AA called for all three of these measures and it is good news that the Chancellor has listened. The key question is whether the oil industry will deliver on the timetable and to the price that the Chancellor has promised." HOSPITAL SUED AS ORGANS REMOVED Families of dead children whose organs were removed or retained in Birmingham without permission are starting legal action against a hospital. Four families are to sue the Diana, Princess of Wales Children's Hospital following an independent report. The report found the matter was far worse than the hospital conceded when the situation was discovered last year. BODY FOUND IN PARKLAND Police have sealed off parkland in Sparkbrook, Birmingham, after a the discovery of a body. West Midlands Police said the death was being treated as suspicious after the body was found near Golden Hillock Road. "As is the case with all unexpected deaths the area has been sealed off and is being preserved," a spokesman said. CITY IS DEPRIVATION HOT-SPOT Birmingham has been named in a report by youth charity the Prince's Trust as a hot-spot of youth deprivation. The city is identified as one of 12 districts where young people are least likely to succeed. The report is based on factors which limit the success of young people in later life such as benefit dependency, truancy and involvement in crime. TWO ARRESTED OVER CANNABIS HAUL A man and a woman from the West Midlands have been charged with drug smuggling after £120,000 of cannabis was discovered at Liverpool Airport. Customs officers found 41kgs of cannabis resin hidden in wine boxes. A 21-year-old woman from Warley and 25-year-old man from Quinton, Birmingham, were arrested after arriving in Britain from Malaga, Spain. TRAINS WORSE BEFORE NEW TROUBLE Rail services in the region were worsening before speed restrictions and flooding hit lines, a report has said. Virgin CrossCountry had 9% more late services and Virgin West Coast had 8% more late services from July to October compared to the same period last year. Central Trains had 3% fewer trains on time. A service is "late" if it is five minutes behind its scheduled time. JOBS TO GO AT ROLLS-ROYCE Derby-based aerospace giant Rolls-Royce has announced a business reorganisation which could lead to 1,300 job losses. Union officials said up to 3,000 jobs could be axed over three years, affecting factories across the UK. The company, which also has a factory in Coventry, said the potential number of jobs affected was 1,300, but added up to 300 jobs were being created. JOBS NOT INCREASING IN REGION The number of working-age people with jobs has risen across the whole of the UK except in the West Midlands and Northern Ireland, a study has revealed. The report also found that men from ethnic minority groups were less likely to be managers or administrators. 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