LOCAL NEWS 01/10/00

SIX-TERM PLAN FOR SCHOOLS

Schools in the West Midlands could be getting a six-term year under proposals to shake up the teaching system. A local government report has suggested moving the summer holidays to early July and changing exam dates to May. Birmingham City Council supports the scheme and a spokesman said: "We have no plans to change but we support a six-term year in principle."

SALES SUCCESS FOR NEW MARKET

Birmingham shoppers have given the thumbs-up to the new Indoor Market after its first day of trading. Eager shoppers began queuing an hour before the state-of-the-art market on Edgbaston Street opened for business, Traders' chairman, Robert Tobin said: "People come from all over the world to visit our market and judging by this new building they will keep on coming."

A GREEN GIFT FOR GARDENERS

Birmingham gardeners who recycle their green waste are to be rewarded by the city council for their environmentally-friendly action - with council compost. Up to 15,000 tonnes of grass cuttings, leaves and other garden waste is turned into compost each year. Spokesman John Chapman, said: "This is just one way we are working towards a more environmentally-friendly city."

LAMPPOST SHOCK KILLED TEENAGER

A teenager died after receiving an electric shock from a lamppost. The young man, believed to be 18, was taken to the Alexandra Hospital in Redditch but died from his injuries. He has yet to be named by police. A spokesman for West Mercia Police said three boys had been "interfering" with the lamppost at the Winyates Shopping Centre when the accident happened.

FIRST WOMAN COMMERCE CHIEF

An influential business movement in the West Midlands has made history by appointing its first woman chairman. Isabella Moore has been appointed chairman of the West Midlands Regional Group of Chambers (WMRG). Mrs Moore, married with a 21-year-old daughter, said: "I am extremely honoured to be taking over, there are some massive issues for us to tackle."

DEVELOPMENT PLANS FOR PARK

Birmingham City Council is to apply for a £125,000 grant from the Heritage Lottery Fund to develop the historic Aston Hall and park. It follows a survey of local residents and visitors who revealed strong support for enhancing the Grade 1 listed building and 50-acre park. Councillor Brenda Clarke said: "It is vital we preserve historic buildings."

MEDICINE NO LONGER ON THE MENU

Plans to turn a former Stafford hospital into a food heritage centre have taken a major step forward. Stafford Borough Council has given its backing for the "Great British Kitchen" project on the site of the former St George's Hospital. The £40m project - backed by television chefs Delia Smith and Pru Leith - could help create up to 1,000 new jobs.

REWARD OFFERED FOR PUB ROBBERY

A leisure group has put up a £1,000 reward after one of its employees was attacked and robbed of pub takings. The 35-year-old woman was carrying "substantial takings" from a pub in Warwick Road, Tyseley, when she was attacked by a man who took the cash. Bass Leisure has put up the cash for information leading to the conviction of the offender.

LOCAL NEWS 02/10/00

MANUFACTURERS UNSURE OF FUTURE

A survey by Birmingham Chamber of Commerce and Industry reveals a drop in confidence among manufacturers. Only 46% of manufacturers questioned were confident that turnover would improve in the next 12 months - a drop of 25% on the same time last year. Lowry Maclean, president of the BCI, said: "Manufacturers are still finding the going extremely tough."

TOURISM INDUSTRY STAFF DRIVE

Tourism chiefs are launching a recruitment campaign in Birmingham in a bid to attract people to the industry. About 22 million tourists flood to Birmingham every year. To meet the demand the city council is hosting the Springboard UK Careers Festival 2000. Employers at the event will include Alton Towers, the Birmingham College of Food, Cafe Uno and Hyatt Regency Hotel.

MINIMUM WAGE RISE 'MISERABLE'

The national minimum wage increase from £3.60 to £3.70 an hour is as miserable as the extra 75p awarded to pensioners, said the West Midlands Low Pay Unit. Robert Bullard, director of the unit, said: "The lowest paid have been waiting 18 months for a pay increase." The West Midlands Low Pay Unit calculates that this rise represents an annual increase of just 1.85%.

MINISTER OPENS MEDICAL CENTRE

Health Minister Gisela Stuart has opened a new state-of-the-art medical centre to serve south Birmingham. The Jiggins Lane Medical Centre, which currently has six GPs, will also be used as a teaching centre for up to 16 undergraduate medical students. The Birmingham MP said: "The new facilities will provide high quality services to patients in the Midlands."

CHARITY CELEBRATES ANNIVERSARY

A pioneering project helping Birmingham families deal with domestic violence is celebrating its 10th anniversary. The Children's Society's Wyrley Birch centre helps on the South Kingstanding estate to protect children and prevent violence in the home. Andrew Gilyead, of the Children's Society, said: "The centre has played a huge role."

FUNERAL MARCH FOR HEATHER

The final arrangements for the funeral of Tamworth dance student Heather Tell have been announced. Staffordshire Police said the funeral of the popular 17-year-old will be in St Editha's Church and the coffin will be carried in a glass carriage. Heather's body was discovered in undergrowth in Tamworth's Kettlebrook Linear Park. She had been strangled.

LOCAL NEWS 03/10/00

STAFF TO PICKET NHS HOSPITALS

Striking workers at the Dudley Group of Hospitals have started their fifth round of industrial action in protest at privatisation plans. About 600 clerical and ancillary staff will picket the hospitals for 10 days in a bid to keep their NHS jobs. The workers want bosses to shelve the planned transfer of their positions to Summit Healthcare in an £80m shake-up.

ALERT AFTER 'VIOLENT' RAPE

Police are warning women to be on their guard after a "violent and nasty" rape in the Handsworth area of Birmingham. The attack, in Hockley Circus, is being linked to an attempted rape in the same area last month. Officers say the man is described as aged 20 to 30, black, slim, about 5ft 4in to 5ft 6in, with short, curly hair and bad breath.

£6m FACELIFT FOR PROBLEM ESTATE

A troubled Coventry council estate could be in line for a £6m facelift to tackle crime and make it safer. The scheme to breathe new life into the Pridmore estate in Foleshill could see more than 130 houses demolished in a radical regeneration plan. Whitefriars Housing Group, which is behind the project, are to consult residents in the area.

NEW SHAKESPEAREAN COMPANY HEAD

The Royal Shakespeare Company has appointed a new managing director for the Stratford-upon-Avon-based organisation's business operations. Chris Foy, 34, who has nearly 13 years of managerial experience, was chosen from more than 200 applicants. Artistic director Adrian Noble said: "Although it was a close-run thing, Chris was our clear choice."

CAN'T BUY GOOD HEALTH, SAYS ANN

A TV quiz contestant who needed money for a private hip operation has now decided to put her faith in the NHS. Ann Stanley, of Armitage, Staffs, won £32,000 on ITV's Who Wants To Be a Millionaire? and knew her windfall would help ease six years of hip pain. But she changed her mind about the treatment and has now opted to have surgery at her local NHS hospital.

REPORT SHOWS FOOTBALL 'DANGERS'

Footballers often end their careers suffering an agonising joint disease leaving them disabled and depressed, according to a new survey. Researchers from Coventry University found almost half of 284 former professional players questioned had been diagnosed with osteoarthritis. A third of the former stars had needed surgery on limbs since retiring.

'HUGE CHEAT' FOR TIMESHARERS

Holidaymakers were cheated out of vast sums in a timeshare fraud run by a Solihull man, a court has been told. Customers fell for lies and false promises, said David Farrer QC, prosecuting told London's Old Bailey. Andrew Palmer, 32, of Solihull, West Midlands, John Palmer, 50, of Bath and Christina Ketley, 40, of Brentwood, Essex, deny conspiracy to defraud.

ORGAN DONOR CAMPAIGN LAUNCHED

The nursery nurse awarded the George Medal for protecting pupils from a machete-wielding attacker is to launch a campaign to promote organ donations. Lisa Potts, 25, from Wolverhampton, is teaming up with transplant patients from the town to unveil the initiative. A health open day at Dunstall Park Centre will also highlight more than 100 health services on offer.

LOCAL NEWS 04/10/00

MINI PRODUCTION AT AN END

One of Britain's best-loved cars is to be consigned to history as the 5,387,862nd Mini rolls off Longbridge production line in Birmingham. But a new version is to be made by German car giant BMW at the Cowley works in Oxford. Singer Michael Ball is to attend a farewell ceremony with father Tony, an executive who launched the car in 1959.

TOP COPPER GOES BACK ON BEAT

West Midlands Chief Constable Edward Crew is to step out on the beat as part of Operation Safer City. Mr Crew will join dozens of other officers, the dog section and crime prevention officers on high-profile patrols across Birmingham. Operation Safer City tackles car crime and robbery in the city, Digbeth, Highgate and the Jewellery Quarter.

'BABY DEATH CAUSED BY ATTACK'

A pregnant 20-year-old lost her baby after her boyfriend attacked her, Birmingham Crown Court heard. Mustafa Rashid, 22, is accused of attacking Melanie Teal in 1999, causing the death of their child. Ms Teal also lost a baby after an assault in 1997. Rashid, of Alum Rock, denies two counts of actual bodily harm, attempted child destruction and manslaughter.

MOTHER SUFFERS SECOND TRAGEDY

A Kidderminster mother left devastated when her son died in a 1997 rock fall has been hit by the death of another son who slipped while climbing. Margaret Weaver heard her son, scout leader John Weaver, 20, died after falling in Conway Valley, Snowdonia. Brother David was one of two scout leaders killed by falling rocks in Cleobury Mortimer, Shropshire, in 1997.

SEXUAL MOTIVE TO MURDER PROBED

Police probing the murder of Staffordshire girl Heather Tell say she had been strangled and was naked when found, pointing to a sexual motive. Until now they have only said the 17-year-old from Stoneydelph, Tamworth, died from asphyxiation. A funeral for dance student Heather is scheduled to take place on Friday at St Editha's Church in Tamworth.

GIRL 'HAS WEEKS TO LIVE'

An 11-month-old girl needing a double transplant has been moved to a Birmingham Children's Hospital. Bethany Salmon, of Buckland, Surrey, has weeks to live if she does not have a liver and bowel transplant. She was born with one kidney and has little bowel function. The donor has to be a child, male or female, who is under the age of six.

BOTCHED DIY 'CAUSED DEATH'

A Pershore hotelier caused the death of a guest from carbon monoxide poisoning after carrying out DIY repairs on a shower heater, a court has heard. Proprietor Bryan Male, 61, denies manslaughter at Stafford Crown Court. Robert Drabble, 20, from Chapel-en-le-Frith died after taking a shower at the White Horse Hotel in Pershore, Worcs, in January 1998.

MORE TESTS FOR CHILD KILLER

A mentally ill mother who killed her two young children was told by Nottingham Crown Court she must take part in further mental assessments. Julie Ann Ferris, 29, of Aston in Birmingham, suffocated her son and daughter, both under the age of one. In August, Birmingham Crown Court found that she did the act of manslaughter, but she has yet to be sentenced.

11-YEAR-OLD SUFFERS SEX ATTACK

An 11-year-old Staffordshire girl has been sexually assaulted while walking home from school. The youngster was pounced on from behind near a railway bridge in Branston, near Burton-on-Trent. The attacker was around 35, thin with short brown hair. He had a grey moustache. Det Insp Phil Nichols said: "This is a very serious assault."

LOCAL NEWS 05/10/00

CLASSIC MIN REACHES END OF ROAD

Sixties icon Lulu has driven the last classic Mini off the production line at the MG Rover Group plant at Longbridge, Birmingham. Lulu drove a red Mini Cooper, registration 1959-2000, to music from the Italian Job, the film which made the car an icon. The car will be housed at the Heritage Motor Museum in Gaydon, Warwickshire,

HELP THE AGED PRAISES COUNCIL

Help The Aged has praised Birmingham City Council's decision to help the over-70s lead an active lifestyle. The authority is to make its Passport to Leisure cards, which offer cut-price use of sports centres, free to those aged over 70. Help the Aged spokeswoman Sandra Chalmers said: "Research suggests daily exercise promotes general health."

10-YEAR-OLD CROWNED TOP POET

A 10-year-old Lichfield boy has been crowned the region's top child poet. Chris Javens, of Willows Primary School, was chosen from thousands of entries in the Write Here, Write Now national writing competition. Education minister Estelle Morris, announcing the award, said: "All the winners and their teachers should be extremely proud of their efforts."

COOK COMPENSATION DEAL DUE

A former Birmingham school cook forced to retire after developing asthma caused by flour is set to receive at least £150,000 compensation. Mary Watkins, 46, was forced to give up her job at William Cowper, Aston, five years ago because of ill health. The City Council has already payed out £150,000. The final settlement, due to be announced next week, may be higher.

SECOND-HAND CAR FOR LOTTERY MAN

A Chelmsley Wood man who scooped more than £100,000 on the National Lottery has put a second-hand car at the top of his shopping list. Sports centre manager Ray Lill, 49, said he will use his money to buy a second-hand motor as well as splashing out on his family. Mr Lil added that he went straight to the pub to celebrate his win.

BUS CRIME INITIATIVE GETS AWARD

A West Midlands Police initiative to reduce crime on bus routes has received a prestigious community safety award. Operation Hackney was one of only five entries from 270 to be highly commended during the British Community Safety Awards 2000 in London. The initiative resulted in the arrest of 250 people for a variety of offences including indecent assault and robbery.

VETERAN COUNCILLOR FOR MAYOR

Veteran Conservative councillor John Lines has been nominated as Birmingham's next Lord Mayor. The father of three, who is currently the Conservative Group Chief Whip and spokesman on housing, has served the people of Bartley Green for 20 years. Group Leader David Roy said: "He and his wife Kathleen will be excellent ambassadors for the city."

RELATIVES FLY OUT TO ROMANIA

The relatives of three police officers hurt in a crash in Romania have flown out to be be with them in hospital. Two mini buses were taking 20 officers from the West Midlands force to an airport when one crashed in Movilita, 19 miles from Bucharest. A total of 12 officers were hurt but only three are still in hospital. Their injuries are not life-threatening.

LOCAL NEWS 06/10/00

MAN QUESTIONED OVER MURDER

A 44-year-old man is being questioned by detectives hunting the killer of a teenage dance student whose naked body was found in a park in Tamworth. The man was arrested on suspicion of murdering 17-year-old Heather Tell, who was found strangled in Kettlebrook Linear Park in August. Heather, of Stoneydelph, Tamworth, was a student at Sutton Coldfield College.

NEW BULL RING GETS GO-AHEAD

Retailer Selfridges has been given the go-ahead to build a futuristic new store in Birmingham as part of the redevelopment of the city centre. Birmingham City Council has granted final planning permission for the new £40m Bull Ring development. It marks the final stage of a £400m project to overhaul the city's 1960s complex. It is due to open in 2003.

NEW POWERS USED ON SEX ATTACKER

Police have been given extra powers to prevent a serial sex attacker and convicted rapist from West Bromwich harassing women. A Liverpool magistrates' court district judge granted an order against Steven Beech, 37, after hearing of his "bizarre, intimidating" behaviour. Beech, 37, faces a maximum five-year jail term if he breaks the restriction.

EXECUTIVE CHARGED WITH MURDER

A textile company executive appeared in court charged with murdering a man whose body was found dumped in the Birmingham Main Line Canal, Smethwick. Nirmal Singh Gill, 36, spoke only to confirm his name at Warley Magistrates' Court, where he was accused of killing Sarjit Singh Chauhan, 55, of Leicester. An application for bail was refused and reporting restrictions were not lifted.

THIEVES GET VEHICLE SURPRISE

Unwitting thieves got more than they bargained for after breaking into an unmarked police van in which officers were monitoring auto-crime. Three men used a screwdriver to jemmy their way into the vehicle in Wednesbury, West Midlands. Three men, aged 35, 18 and 18, were arrested in connection with the incident.

CASH TACKLES RACIAL INEQUALITY

As much as £1.3m has been awarded to 10 bidders in the West Midlands as part of a project to tackle racial inequality. The Home Office has awarded a total of £11.6m to a scheme called Connecting Communities aimed at helping minority ethnic communities throughout Britain. Money went to a wide range of schemes from arts workshops to training and "bridge building" projects.

JOB FEARS AS MARCONI OUTSOURCES

Unions have raised "grave concerns" over jobs as communications equipment giant Marconi said it was outsourcing work from two of its UK factories. The company said there would be no compulsory redundancies at its plants in Coventry and Liverpool. They said the move offers "considerable potential" for any of the 1,200 workers transferring to a new employer.

ARRESTS MADE IN DRUGS RAIDS

Five people from Birmingham and Coventry have been arrested and drugs with an estimated street value of £850,000 seized in police raids. The 18-month long Operation Gateley has targeted dealers involved in supplying heroin, crack cocaine, ecstasy and cannabis in inner cities. Ten arrests were also made in operational raids in Manchester.

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