Birmingham Post

Top Gun Backs Stadium

The project manager for Arsenal Football Club's ambitious pounds 350 million stadium project threw his weight behind Birmingham's bid for a new sporting arena last night. Birmingham City season ticket holder Paul Phillips, construction boss for the Premier League champion's Ashburton Grove scheme, said a new stadium for the city would be a focal point for regeneration.

Glamour the Star Attraction

An army of glamorous girls pole-danced and pouted their way into Birmingham yesterday for the opening day of Max Power Live at the National Exhibition Centre. It was clear to see who the star attraction of the modified car event was - positioned on a pair of perspex stilettoes, rather than four wheels. The show has more than doubled in size since last year's event, which attracted 56,000 car enthusiasts.

Parents Tell of Grief After School Prom Tragedy

The parents of a Worcestershire schoolboy who was killed after celebrating the end of his exams spoke of their grief last night. Jamie Holden, aged 16, was knocked down by a car as he made his way home from a school prom in Bewdley on Thursday night.

Lord Snape Attacks 'Childish' Bia Following Awards Snub

One of the region's most senior political figures launched a stinging attack on Birmingham International Airport last night after he was snubbed by a high-profile awards ceremony. Lord Snape, better known as Peter Snape who was Labour West Bromwich East MP for nearly thirty years, was left fuming after the Airport vetoed his invitation to present a business award it sponsored because he was connected with rival Coventry Airport (CA).

Old Man of Pebble Mill Happy to Move ; Tomorrow Ed Doolan Will Launch a New Era for Broadcasting in Birmingham with the First Show to Come From the Bbc's New Home at the Mailbox. Campbell Docherty Went to Meet Him and Found an End-of- Term Atmosphere at Pebble Mill

A t first glance, Ed Doolan in the Mailbox is going to be reminiscent of Dr Frasier Crane's dad's old armchair. The seminal US comedy show made much mileage of the pompous radio psychologist's apoplectic shock as this old, timeworn but clearly comfy piece of TV-watching furniture being moved, along with his dad, into Frasier's everso-stylish Seattle apartment.

Tax Cheat Jailed for Eight Months

A woman who cheated the tax payer out of pounds 16,800 was jailed for eight months yesterday. Patricia Partridge (52), of Lilac Close, Stafford, pleaded guilty at Stafford Crown Court to unlawfully claiming council tax, housing benefit and income support.

Murder Charge

A second man was charged yesterday with the murder of a talented riding instructor who was shot dead in her car. Colin Colley (40), of Stokeon-Trent, Staffordshire, appeared alongside digger driver Mark Dyche (35), in the dock at Nottingham Crown Court, accused of killing Tania Moore.

New Appeal On Raid

One year after a violent armed raid on a Staffordshire shop, detectives are reappealing for the public's help to catch the gang responsible. Four men were injured in the late night attack on Brooms Stores in Cannock on Friday July 11. One, who's now 59, needed neuro- surgery and has yet to make a full recovery.

Canisters Stolen

Police are keen to trace two Entonox canisters including regulators that were stolen from the back of an ambulance parked at the rear of Warwick Hospital on Tuesday June 29. Entonox is a type of sedative used to treat pregnant ladies and give them pain relief. It's a mixture of gas and air which if administered in large quantities can render an individual unconscious, especially children.

Max Power Live: Boy Racers and Strippers ; a Bevy of Beauties Brought a Touch of Glamour to Birmingham's National Exhibition Centre Yesterday As Max Power Live Roared Into Town. Neil Connor Was On Hand to Welcome Them - Oh, and See a Few Souped-Up Cars

You might have noticed some strange goings on recently, particularly if you are a motorist or a regular visitor to lap dancing clubs. If you fall into both these categories then it may seem like your world has turned upside down.

Husband Jailed for Trying to Kill Wife

A pensioner tried to kill his wife after she rekindled a romance with a childhood sweetheart she met on the Friends Reunited website. George Manship was jailed for eight years at Coventry Crown Court yesterday for stabbing his wife Jeanette on their wedding anniversary.

Give Me One Year to Make a Difference Pleads Eyre ; Looking Up: Tory Leader Michael Howard Visits Hodge Hill

The Conservative candidate for this month's Birmingham by- election yesterday made crime and anti-social behaviour the centre of his campaign as he urged voters to give him a year to make a difference. Stephen Eyre launched his bid for the vacant Hodge Hill seat flanked by Tory leader Michael Howard by claiming he would do all he could to deter, catch and punish criminals.

Mp Highlights Elderly Abuse

Elderly care home residents should be protected from abuse by making greater use of inspectors from outside the medical profession, according to a Midland MP. Care homes are regularly visited by doctors and nurses to ensure they are reaching minimum standards.

Jail for Rugby Club Bar Steward

A woman who worked as bar steward for a leading rugby club helped herself to pounds 76,000 from the till and covered up her thefts by creating fake bank paying-in slips, a court heard yesterday. Olivia White (42), of Lyndsey Place, Brierley Hill, Dudley, was jailed for two years at Stafford Crown Court after pleading guilty to theft at Dudley Kingswinford Rugby Club.

Cement Firm Flouts Tyre-Burn Regulations

Environmental campaigners called for a full public inquiry yesterday into a controversial tyre-burning experiment which was suspended after it flouted emission regulations. On Thursday Warwickshirebased Rugby Cement was ordered to halt the incineration of tyre chips in its giant kiln which it has been testing as a replacement for fossil fuels.

Missing Veterans to Get D-Day Chest Badge

D-Day veterans who missed the 60th anniversary celebration in Normandy are to receive medals from the French authorities, thanks to a Midland MP. The invasion, which led to the liberation of France and much of Continental Europe, was remembered by heads of state in France last month.

A-Maize-Ing: African Theme for Worcestershire Maze

Stab Man's Fight for Life

A man was fighting for his life in hospital last night after he was found with stab wounds in the car park of Birmingham's City Hospital. The man, who has not been named, was found by ambulance crews at 8.30pm on Thursday.

Gm Protest Arrests

Twelve protesters were arrested at a Sainsbury's depot in Warwickshire following national demonstrations over the alleged use of GM animal feed in its dairy products. A total of 20 people were arrested following the protests at distribution depots belonging to the group.

New Machine Aids Fight Against Meat Smuggling

A pioneering X-ray machine which could prevent another outbreak of foot and mouth disease has been invented by a Worcestershire businessman. The unique scanning machine has been hailed as a significant breakthrough in the war against smugglers who bring illegal meat and other items into the UK and EU, claims inventor Mike Lamb.