Birmingham Post

Twins On Way for Fertility Couple

A Worcestershire couple are expecting twins after a successful cycle of IVF treatment awarded as part of The Birmingham Post's Funded Fertility Treatment For All campaign. Lydia and William Stark, who live in Worcester, have endured months of hormone injections, scans and anxiety in the hope of realising their dream of becoming parents.

Inquiry As Lib-Dems Suspend Ward Party

Birmingham Liberal Democrats were in turmoil last night after regional officials suspended the Perry Barr and Ladywood constituency party amid claims of infiltration by militant Asians. At least 60 new members face an investigation to discover whether they are true Liberal Democrat supporters with a belief in the party's constitution and aims, a source revealed.

City Girl Drowns in Turkey

A Birmingham teenager has drowned while trying to cross a swollen stream at a popular holiday resort in Turkey. Kayleigh Kim Lavill, aged 17, slipped and was swept away following heavy rain and flash floods in the Aegean town of Bodrum.

Post Schools Campaign Applauded

Business leaders have joined forces with The Birmingham Post to demand Ministers make money management a compulsory part of the National Curriculum. The call comes as the Government launches a drive to convince youngsters to go to university, despite tripling tuition fees next year. The Post today launches its own Moneywise Campaign - backed by a pounds 10,000 competition for schools sponsored by Barclays Bank - demanding children are taught the skills they need to handle the increased cost o...

Virgin Trains Hails Brum and 'Golden Thread' of Business Centres

Virgin Trains is crediting a "golden thread" of thriving business centres - including Birmingham - for helping its Cross Country network approach a record 20 million passengers a year. Over the last ten years - largely operated by Sir Richard Branson's company - the network has almost doubled the number of passenger journeys.

M6 Toll has Generated Even More Car Trips

The M6 Toll motorway has been criticised after failing to considerably reduce traffic in the West Midlands. A Highways Agency study has shown the motorway, which was opened in 2003 and cost pounds 500 million to build and run, has been unable to cut congestion and has even generated extra car trips.

Kelly Barnsley and James Sweeny

Kelly Barnsley and James Sweeny, both five and from Walsall, with bride Olivia modelling as page boy and bridesmaid at the Wedding Fair at Birmingham's Council House yesterday. Couples hoping to tie the knot in acity-centre wedding can now get married in the Council House's Banqueting Suite.

Overtaking Ban Hits M42 Lorries

A controversial overtaking ban for lorries on a three-mile stretch of the northbound M42 in Warwickshire is to go ahead, the Government will announce today. The daytime ban on the steep uphill stretch of motorway - notorious for traffic congestion - will be trialled for 18 months from 7am from next Monday.

Appeal Over Man 'Executed' On His Own Doorstep

Police in Birmingham are still appealing for information over the death of a man who was shot in the head on his doorstep last week. They are still carrying out forensic tests and house to house enquiries into the death of 50-year-old unemployed Muhammed Yasin, who lived on his own in Whitehall Lane, Bordesley Green but have still to find a motive for the shooting on Wednesday, September 28, at 7.50pm.

Pete: Drugs Bust Police Are a Pain

Babyshambles frontman Pete Doherty protested his innocence last night after being quizzed by police following an anti-drugs operation. The on/off boyfriend of model Kate Moss emerged from Telford police station in good spirits, pausing to cadge a cigarette from a reporter and proceeding to nurse a pint of Guinness at a nearby pub.

Curry and Chocs

A curry chef has invented a korma with a difference by blending Bournville chocolate with traditional Asian spices. Iqbal Moin Hussain, who owns the Sweet Chillies restaurant in Yardley Wood, Birmingham, admits that the pounds 6.95p dish, available with chicken, lamb or vegetables, is not ideal for those watching their waistlines.

Save Our Historic Hall, Heritage Group Asked

Campaigners fighting to save a 350-year-old Solihull building from being demolished are urging English Heritage to formally list it - despite developers claiming it has no "historical integrity or architectural merit". Fowgay Hall has recently been put on the local list of historic buildings by Solihull Metropolitan Borough Council.

Taser Guns for Police Force

Staffordshire Police's firearms unit has been issued with Taser guns. Capable of delivering a 50,000-volt shock, the single shot pistol- like weapons are designed to more safely subdue dangerous suspects who are believed to be armed, allowing officers to restrain them.

Moneylenders Under City Spotlight

An investigation into the scale of personal debt in Birmingham and the impact of unauthorised money lenders is being mounted by the city council. A scrutiny committee, which will attempt to assess for the first time the scale of the problem, is appealing to people who have suffered financial problems to give evidence about their experiences.

Police Sexual Equality Talks

A conference about equal opportunities for homosexuals working for the police is to be held tomorrow. The force's Rainbow Network National Conference, called Right From the Inside, is being held at the Tally Ho! Centre. The network works towards equal opportunities for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgendered employees of West Midlands Police.

Education Matters: Penny-Wise Teaching

One in four children will enter adulthood with no financial education at all. Personal debt in the UK is pounds 1 trillion - pounds 56 billion on credit cards.

Education Matters: Just Eat Healthy, Says Oliver

Children shouldn't be given a choice when it comes to healthy school dinners, according to TV chef Jamie Oliver. When asked: "Do you think kids actually want to eat healthy food?" He says: "I don't think it's about kids' choice actually."

Education Matters: So Do School Pupils Know About Money

A snapshot survey of youngsters from an inner city Birmingham school revealed all believe the level of financial education in schools is not good enough. Most of the Year Nine youngsters say they received little or no guidance in money matters from their parents.

Legs 11 Pole Dancing Club

Baby Charity in Urgent Appeal for Pounds 500,000

A Warwickshire charity set up to support pregnant mothers and newborn babies needs at least pounds 500,000 to secure its future. Baby Lifeline, established in 1981 after chief executive Judy Ledger lost three premature babies, has raised more than pounds 5 million for vital equipment and training for maternity services in the NHS.