Birmingham Post

Better Late Than Never As Church Bells Arrive

A historic Birmingham church yesterday took delivery of its new peal of bells - more than 200 years late. Ever since its inception in 1776, it was intended that St Paul's in Ludgate Hill would have its own bells.

Organists' Move to Brum Put On Hold

The relocation of the Royal College of Organists to Birmingham has been thrown into doubt after the prestigious organisation axed plans to move to a former railway station in Curzon Street. The move was described as a "blow" by council leaders, who vowed to go ahead with the refurbishment of the grade one listed building which is now in need of a new tenant.

Four in Court Over Farm Hate Campaign

Four people appeared in court yesterday accused of being involved in a six-year hate campaign against the owners of a Midland farm breeding guinea pigs for medical research. Kerry Whitburn, John Smith, John Ablewhite and Josephine Mayo spoke only to confirm their names to Burton-upon-Trent magistrates.

Prostitutes' Pressure Group Slams Police

A prostitutes' campaign group yesterday accused West Midlands Police of being more interested in fulfilling Home Office immigration quotas than alleviating the suffering of "sex slaves". The criticism was levied after the force yesterday claimed it had "rescued" 19 Eastern European women who were said to have been tricked into becoming prostitutes at a massage parlour on the Hagley Road, in Bearwood, Birmingham.

Pot Luck

A cannabis factory was discovered by fire crews called to an arson yesterday. Part of a flat above shops in Wood End Road, Wednesfield, Wolverhampton, had been partitioned off and turned into a large- scale cannabis production plant, they said.

Giles Honoured

Cricket hero Ashley Giles is to be honoured by his home town in recognition of his contribution to England's Ashes victory. The Mayor of Droitwich Spa in Worcestershire, Richard Morris, has decided to make the Warwickshire spinner the town's first ever honorary citizen.

Brummie Cheats

One in seven people in Birmingham would sleep with another person - if their partner gave them permission. Seven per cent of those questioned for a survey, commissioned by HBO Video, claimed they have had sex with another person having been given the consent of their partner, and 21 per cent of Brummie men - four times as many as women - said they would sleep with someone else should the opportunity present itself.

Gunman Appeal

Police in Coventry are appealing to the public to help them trace an offender who shot at a car with what is thought to be an air rifle. The motorist was driving along the A444 at about 2.35pm on Thursday when he heard a loud bang and something hit his windscreen.

Region's Casino Fate Lies with New Government Panel

An independent panel which will advise the Government on the location of new casinos has been appointed. The five-strong Casino Advisory Panel will start its considerations on Monday and is due to report by the end of 2006.

Drunken Cyclist Is Fined Over Car Crash

A drunken cyclist who crashed into a brand new car in Birmingham city centre has been ordered to pay pounds 1,000 compensation to the driver. Victor Moane, who broke one of the vehicle's wing mirrors and creased its side as a result of the collision in Broad Street, was also ordered to pay pounds 100 costs and pounds 100 fine.

Massage Parlour Sex-Slave Inquiry

A group of suspected Eastern European prostitutes were being questioned by police last night after a raid at a massage parlour. Nineteen women, who are thought to have been tricked into becoming sex slaves, were detained by officers after the swoop at the Cuddles massage parlour, on the Hagley Road in Bearwood, on the Birmingham/Sandwell border.

Ivf Treatment Should Be Means Tested, Says Winston

Britain's leading fertility expert has called for IVF treatment to be means tested. Professor Lord Robert Winston, speaking before lecturing at a Birmingham museum, said fertility treatment should be provided within the NHS but claimed the Government was "foolish" for thinking health services should remain free to all.

Warwick Rated Top Midland University

The University of Warwick is the top university in the Midlands, according to an influential guide. The university was ranked sixth overall in the country - one place up from last year - in The Sunday Times University Guide 2005.

Ten Years for Robber

A man who carried out 14 robberies across the city by holding terrified cashiers at knifepoint was jailed for ten years yesterday. Ain Williams, of no fixed address, threatened staff at supermarkets, newsagents and petrol garages between February and April, Birmingham Crown Court heard.

Bug Did Not Kill Patient

A woman contracted MRSA after undergoing a routine hip replacement, an inquest heard. However, Birmingham's assistant deputy coroner Stephen Campbell, recording a narrative verdict, said Josephine June Lee, aged 66, died after developing a massive blood clot to her lung.

Gary Wilmot and Brian Conley

Two Jailed for Bank Cash-Card Swindle

Two Romanians involved in a scam to clone credit cards by fitting a false front to a bank cash machine in south Warwickshire have been jailed for three years. Dorel Oprisoni and Edward Dobos, both 25, of Kenwood Road, Bordesley Green, Birmingham, pleaded guilty at Warwick Crown Court to conspiring to steal from bank cash machines.

Having Baby Is Like Giving an Organ

A grandmother who gave birth to her own grandchild has said it was no different than donating an vital organ. Annie Casserley, of Streetly, Walsall, agreed to be a surrogate parent for her daughter Emma Hattersley, who suffers from a rare lung condition which meant pregnancy could have been fatal for her.

Inquiry Call As Refugees' Sanctuary Goes Under

An investigation has been ordered into the financial affairs of the Midland Refugee Council, which went into liquidation yesterday despite receiving more than pounds 1.5 million a year from Birmingham City Council. All 54 employees at the Digbeth-based MRC, most of whom are former refugees, will be made redundant.

Rita's Fighting to Not Become Just Another Statistic

More than ten women across the Midlands are diagnosed with breast cancer every day, it was revealed as Breast Cancer Awareness Month begins today. Across the region nearly 3,700 women are diagnosed with breast cancer a year, and nearly one in ten will die from the disease.