Birmingham Post

Super Casino Is Crucial to Future of the Nec, Warns Councillor

The National Exhibition Centre could face an uncertain future if a massive super casino is not built at the complex, council leaders in Solihull were told last night. The warning was issued by Coun Robert Sleigh before Cabinet members backed proposals for an 800,000 sq ft complex which would include a casino operating under relaxed gaming laws which are being rolled out by the Government later this year.

Council Coup Fails to Get Rid of Bore

Birmingham City Council Labour group leader Sir Albert Bore faced an attempted coup when party colleagues stormed into his office and demanded his resignation, it emerged last night. The dramatic incident occurred over the Christmas break following months of discontent among rebel Labour councillors who are concerned at the lack of progress since the party lost control of the council last summer.

Health Fears Rejected Over Student Village

A last-minute legal challenge has failed to stop councillors granting planning permission for a student village to be built yards from a Birmingham factory containing lethal chemicals. Solicitors acting for the MacDermid metal finishing plant in Digbeth urged the city council to accept the advice of the Health and Safety Executive and reject the Curzon Gateway scheme for 260 flats, shops, bars and restaurants at Eastside.

Fa Cup Under the Hammer

The second, and oldest existing, FA Cup - which replaced one stolen from a Birmingham shop window - is to be sold at auction. The trophy will be the highlight of Christie's sale of football memorabilia on May 19 and is expected to fetch between pounds 200,000 and pounds 300,000.

Top Tory Ignored Jail Plea

Michael Howard when Home Secretary repeatedly ignored reports about the 'shameful' conditions at a jail where an Asian teenager was murdered by his racist cellmate, an inquiry was told yesterday. Both Mr Howard and successor Jack Straw failed to act after serious concerns were raised about overcrowding, prisoner population and a poor regime at Feltham Young Offenders' Institution in west London, the inquiry into the death of Zahid Mubarek was told.

Howard: You Are the Forgotten Majority ; It May Be Five Months Before a General Election Takes Place, but the Conservative Campaign Nerve Centre Is Up and Running in Warwickshire While Tory Leader Michael Howard has Already Published the First Part of His Election Manifesto. He Told Political Editor Jonathan Walker Why He Can't Wait to Get His Message Out to the Midlands

The Conservatives have set up a high-technology campaign headquarters in Coleshill, near Coventry, to cover the whole country. Equipped with the same computer system used by George Bush's team in last year's presidential elections, it will allow party workers to target voters in the most important marginal seats.

Funding Secured for Tolkien's Inspiration

Campaigners are celebrating after securing funding to renovate an iconic Birmingham building which was the inspiration for JRR Tolkien's Lord of the Rings trilogy. More than pounds 70,000 will be spent on emergency repairs at Perrott's Folly on Waterworks Road following fears that the structure could topple over.

Midland Man's Pounds 3m Casino Win Led to Firm's Share Price Crash

A Midland businessman is thought to be the punter who won pounds 3 million at Birmingham's Star City casino - and helped cause the share price of the company which owns the venue to plummet. Paul Newey's giant win saw casino's owner Stanley Leisure's share price fall by 12 per cent and contributed to the company issuing a profits warning to investors.

My New Friend Is 'Super' Mario

Meeting Birmingham City star Mario Melchiot was a dream come true for nineyear-old Jason Bailey. Like most boys Jason, from Great Barr, in Birmingham, loves the 'beautiful game' and he admits to being a staunch Blues fan.

Eldest Son of Pete Waterman Dies at 33

The eldest son of Coventryborn record producer and Pop Idol judge Pete Waterman has died. Paul Waterman, aged 33, died in hospital three days ago, according to his father's official website.

Harry Potter Used in Pounds 1m Fraud

Names of famous figures such as Harry Potter, Sean Connery and Bill Clinton were used in a pounds 1 million fraud, Birmingham Crown Court heard yesterday. Paul Cadman, (38), of Cotterills Lane, Ward End, Birmingham; Michael Cadman, (36), of Spadesbourne Road, Bromsgrove, Worcestershire; Brendan Pearson, (42), of Willis Grove, Bedworth, Warwickshire; Albert Chapman, (57), of Blackwell Road, Barnt Green, Worcestershire; and Timothy Woodfield, (43), of Howard Road, Olton, Solihull, have all deni...

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Pioneer Surgeon Is Dead at 87

A leading surgeon who saved the lives of thousands of ill babies and their mothers has died, aged 87. Harold Watson, from Kings Norton, was a consultant gynaecologist at Solihull Hospital for 50 years during which time he pioneered research into monitoring babies' health during labour.

Why Young Robbers Have Designed Anti-Crime Posters

Teenage robbers have been employed by the police to design posters to help other young people avoid becoming the victims of crime. The posters were designed by eight young offenders aged between 12 and 16 as part of an intensive two-week Safer Streets school anti- robbery campaign. Operation Trojan involves working with over 40 schools in Handsworth, Wolverhampton, Dudley, Smethwick and Solihull.

Three Pubs Targeted by Thieves in an Hour

Three neighbouring pubs have been raided within one hour by armed intruders. The Fox and Anchor, the Old Mitre and the Minerva Inn in Staffordshire were all raided between 7pm and 8pm on Tuesday evening by robbers carrying guns and knives.

Police Say Well Done for Quiet

West Mercia police has praised the public for its behaviour over the festive period which was the most trouble-free the area has seen in the last three years. Operation Christmas Presence focused on alcohol-related violence, drink driving and drink spiking in Shropshire, Worcestershire and Herefordshire. Crime rates were lower than the average for the past three years with 170 people being arrested for alcohol related offences.

Schools Praised in New 'Honours List'

Midland schools have been praised in a New Year 'honours list' published by official inspectors. Ofsted, the school inspection service, named 28 Midland schools which have achieved consistent high standards in what it called a hall of fame.

Kenyan Athlete Re-Arrested

'Childish Details' of City Inspires Novel

Susan Fletcher A Birmingham woman who stacked shelves in a video store has scooped a prestigious national literary prize.

More Time to Quiz Amy Man

Detectives investigating the murder of pregnant teenager Amy Williams have been granted further time to question a second man arrested in the case. The 28-year-old, from Telford, Shropshire, was arrested on Wednesday morning and taken into custody in connection with the death of Amy, 14.