Birmingham Post

City Cracks Down On Drink

Street wardens and a drinking ban are being introduced in Birmingham's entertainment district in a move to promote European- style 'cafe culture' in the city. Licensing officials yesterday approved turning the city centre into an Alcohol Restricted Zone to stop drink-fuelled violence.

Vicar in Hot Water Over Alterations to Church

The full scale of the unauthorised alterations made by a vicar to his Grade II listed church, which have landed him in hot water with his bosses, was revealed yesterday. Rev Nigel di Castiglione stands accused of going ahead with changes such as carpeting over historic tiles at St Mary's and All Saints' church in Trentham, Staffs, and moving the font into an alcove.

Bev's Back: Bevan's Boys Will Debut at the Jam House

Surf 'N' Sniff Putting Net Ahead by a Nose

Take a deep breath -new technology being tested by Telewest is set to offer internet surfers an online experience not to be sniffed at. Computer users can already chat, email, download music and watch videos over the net -soon they will be able to smell fresh seaside air or savour the smell of their favourite curry while ordering a takeaway.

Cadbury's Success Is Unwrapped

The new face of one of the UK's most well-known chocolate bars has been a sweet success. Sales of Cadbury's Wispa and other famous chocolate bars have soared since Birmingham-based manufacturer Cadbury Schweppes brought them together under its flagship Dairy Milk brand last year. Wispa, which has been on shop shelves since 1983, was renamed Dairy Milk Bubbly as part of the shake-up.

Modern Living Can Be a Health Hazard

Accidents involving micro-scooters soared by about 900 per cent in four years during the craze for the machines. About 19,700 riders reported injuries in 2002, compared with just 2,200 in 1998, figures highlighted by the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents showed.

Gallery Staff at No 9

999 Drivers in the Spotlight ; the Injuries to 11-Year-Old Birmingham Schoolgirl Sadie Stevens, Who Lost Her Leg After She Was Hit by a Police Car Answering an Emergency Call, Have Put 'Blue Light Driving' Under the Microscope. Home Affairs Correspondent Richard Warburton Examines the Extent of Accidents Involving Police Vehicles and What Is Being Done to Reduce Them

Despite a raft of proposals in recent years designed to make police pursuits safer, the number of deaths involving force cars on Midland roads remains constant. Latest figures from the Police Complaints Authority (PCA) show that police cars were involved in three deaths across the Midlands' four police areas during 2002/03, just one fewer than the year before and one more than in 2000/01.

Standard of City Taxi-Driving Could Kill Us, Claim Undercover Reporters

The standard of taxi driving in three of Britain's big cities is so poor that passengers and other road users are at risk of being killed or injured, claims a survey. Undercover reporters and driving test examiners posed as paying customers to investigate the standard of cab driving in Birmingham, London and Manchester.

Pop Test: Wolverhampton Art Gallery Is Looking for Ideas for a New Wing

Bev Back with the Boys in the Band ; They Found Fame and Fortune in the Rock World, Although Their Names May Not Be Instantly Recognisable. Now This Quartet Are Hoping to Make an Impact by Playing 'Real Music'. Their Leader Bev Bevan Talks to Emma Brady

Tucked away in a small rehearsal room in a central Birmingham district, four middle-aged men clad head-to-toe in black are strumming the familiar chords of Blackberry Way. But these are not amateur 'wannabes'. Bev Bevan, former drummer with Black Sabbath, The Move and ELO, is preparing to rock Birmingham's clubs again with 'real music'. Taking a break from rehearsals at the Madhouse, in Hampton Street, Hockley, he explained why he's put the Bev Bevan Band together.

Family Row Death: Man Charged

A 23-year-old man will appear in court today charged with the murder of a mother-of-two in Wednesbury. He will appear before West Bromwich magistrates this morning.

Resign, Tory Tells Housing Chief Over Delayed Repairs

A senior Birmingham city councillor faces a race against the clock to keep a promise that a huge backlog of council house repairs will be dealt with by the end of March. With just over five weeks until the deadline set by Phil Murphy expires, contractors still have to complete 28,064 jobs.

Police Bail Dj Murder Suspect

A teenager was released on bail yesterday after detectives questioned him about the murder of Heart FM DJ Tushar Makwana who died following a confrontation with burglars at his Birmingham home. West Midlands Police said the 17-year-old boy was arrested and then released pending further inquiries.

Make Plans Now for Eu Migrants

Birmingham City Council should make 'contingency plans' to prepare for the arrival of migrant workers from Eastern Europe, a Midland MP has claimed. Michael Fabricant (Con Lichfield) said he was alarmed by the Government's decision to allow migrant workers from eastern Europe into the UK without restrictions.

Interpol On the Trail of Car Death Fugitive

A runaway refugee accused of causing the deaths of a pregnant Midland teacher and her unborn child will be put before a court as soon as he is captured by police. Ratnam Yogan (29) fled Britain as he awaited trial on two charges of causing death by dangerous driving and is being tracked by British detectives and Interpol.

'Steadfast' Lawyer Decorated for Wartime Gallantry Dies Aged 90

A Birmingham trade union lawyer who was decorated with the Military Cross for 'steadfastness to duty' during Second World War has died aged 90. Leslie Oswald Gooden was born in Eastleigh, Hampshire on April 19, 1913 and after leaving school trained as a lawyer at Winchester's local government offices.

I Didn't Bite Nose Off Celtic Shirt Drinker

The former licensee of a Staffordshire pub accused of biting off the end of a customer's nose told jurors yesterday he had no idea how the injury had happened. Philip Childs said he had not known Carl Wilson's nose had been bitten until police told him. The prosecution allege the end of Mr Wilson's nose was bitten off in a fight at the Station Pub, Rugeley, while he was out for a drink, wearing a Celtic shirt, with his wife and children last June.

Baton Round to Stop Knifeman

Police fired a baton round at a man who was threatening neighbours with a large knife. Warwickshire Police said the man, aged 46, was hit with a single round in the stomach after he refused to surrender the knife he was using to threaten residents in Queensway, Leamington Spa, on Tuesday night.

Police to Get Tough On 999 Pranksters

Staffordshire Police have promised to get tough with half-term hoax callers who they say are putting lives at risk. The force usually receives more than 3,000 emergency calls a week but the figure can rise by up to 15 per cent during school holidays.