Birmingham Post

Test Phobia of Pupils Aged Seven ; Why Adults Should Watch with Children

SATs tests have been blamed for increasing numbers of pupils suffering from school phobia in the West Midlands. Education experts say more youngsters are showing signs associated with the condition, such as panic attacks, vomiting, fainting, fatigue and accelerated heart beat, since national testing of pupils as young as seven was introduced a decade ago.

Hospital Sorry Over Dead Baby Blunder

Health officials issued an unreserved apology last night to a couple whose stillborn daughter was given to the wrong parents for burial. Carly Smith and Craig Windiate said they were 'appalled, shocked and outraged' at the mix-up by mortuary staff at the Worcestershire Royal Hospital. The couple, from Warndon, Worcester, are now considering legal action after discovering that their stillborn child had already been buried by another couple, who had to endure a second funeral once the blunder w...

Us Will Fingerprint All Britons

All Britons arriving in the United States will be fingerprinted and have their photographs taken, it was announced yesterday, as Washington warned of a new terror threat. Currently only Britons with visas have to go through the procedure on arrival in the US.

Ldv's Jobs Lifeline to Alstom

Birmingham van maker LDV could offer job hope to 200 workers made redundant from Alstom's Washwood Heath train making plant. The company will have a stand at an exhibition at the Alstom plant next week designed to help workers who have lost their jobs find new careers.

Director Takes to Stage As Curse of Macbeth Strikes Down Duncan

Shakespeare's Macbeth is famous for its curses, but there were even more than the Bard intended during one Midland production. John Corvin, who was playing the role of Duncan in a production at the Loft theatre in Leamington Spa, Warwickshire, got stuck in traffic -and by the time he was ready to go on stage, at the start of Act Two, his character had already been murdered.

Grandmother Saves Pond Fall Baby

Edward Burnes was happy in the arms of his grandmother yesterday after she saved his life after he fell into a pond. The 15-month-old was found lying head down in the water and had stopped breathing.

Teresa Relives Pond Horror

Every parent remembers the heartstopping moments when they have turned round and found their toddler was not where they were a second ago, then heaved a sigh of relief when they saw the child was safe and well. But for one Staffordshire grandmother, it was her worst nightmare brought to life when she found her grandson unconscious in the garden pond.

Free Meals at School a Thing of Past, Says Survey

Free dinners have vanished from hundreds of Midland schools, it has been claimed. Youngsters from even the most deprived families are forced to pay, or make do with a substandard lunch.

Brum Students' F1-Style Car Roars Off Contest Starting Grid

A Formula 1-style racing car designed and made by students at Birmingham University was launched yesterday. The car was unveiled by Guy Smith, winner of the 2003 Le Mans endurance race, who said: 'It looks fantastic. There are some stars of the future here today.'

Offenders Discover It's Payback Time

Five hundred people in the West Midlands who had defaulted on court fines have paid up as a result of a police initiative. Operation Payback recovered unpaid fines totalling pounds 30,000 as part of a week-long blitz against non-payers.

Date Set for Aston Girls' Murder Trial

Five men appeared at Birmingham Crown Court yesterday accused of the murders of the New Year shooting victims Charlene Ellis and Letisha Shakespeare. Marcus Ellis, the half-brother of Charlene; Michael Gregory, Nathan Martin, Rodrigo Simms and Tafarwa Beckford, brother of Birmingham pop star Jamelia, all appeared in Court 12 before Mr Justice Goldring.

Hospital Order for Platform Attack Mental Patient

A man who tried to kill two women by pushing them off a railway platform after being bailed by Midland magistrates has been committed to hospital without limit of time. Christopher Studders (40), kept smiling as he made the two attacks on the passengers within minutes of each other.

Hundreds at Funeral of Murdered Bystander

More than 100 mourners gathered yesterday to pay their last respects to Joseph Nwabuko, a 28-year-old bystander shot dead by robbers in February. Israel and Margaret Nwabuko led mourners at a service for their son at St Patrick's Catholic Church in Blue Lane East, Walsall.

Baby Boy Dies in Bouncer at Nursery

The parents of an eightmonth-old boy who died from asphyxiation while at nursery have spoken of their devastation. Cameron Lindsay died after he was believed to have been entangled in a baby bouncer at the Sticky Fingers Day Nursery in Bromsgrove, Worcestershire.

Airport Plan Puts Councils at Odds

Coventry City Council is to give its backing to the controversial expansion of the city's airport. The decision, if backed by the council Cabinet on April 14, puts them at loggerheads with neighbouring Warwick District Council.

West Midland Safari and Leisure Park Introduce White Lions

Visitors to a Midland safari park may find themselves thinking they are seeing a ghost rather than the King of the Jungle. West Midland Safari and Leisure Park has introduced four white lions, which represents the biggest single animal investment the park has ever made.

Town Centre Closed After Pounds 1m Inferno

Part of Walsall town centre is expected to remain closed to traffic over the weekend following a blaze yesterday which caused an estimated pounds 1 million of damage. The Hole in The Wall fabrics, carpets and bedding shop on Peel Street was reported on fire just after 3am yesterday .

Jail for Licensee Who Bit Off Drinker's Nose

A former Staffordshire pub licensee who bit off the end of a drinker's nose because he did not like his Celtic FC shirt has been jailed for nine months. Philip Childs (38), who used to run the Station Inn at Horsefair, Rugeley, was convicted at Stafford Crown Court in February of inflicting grievous bodily harm on Carl Wilson who was out for a Sunday afternoon drink with his wife and two children when he was attacked.

Pounds 9m Boost Means More Heart Care Nurses

Heart failure patients across the West Midlands will benefit from the launch of a new support system of specialist nurses yesterday as part of a pounds 9 million scheme. The system, along with a webbased service for patients and carers, has been set up by the British Heart Foundation with lottery funds.

Lighthouse Factory: Miniatures Line Canal for Art Festival