Birmingham Post

Rugby Player's Mystery Death

A talented teenage rugby player died four days after being found unconscious in bed at his Birmingham home. Aaron Boyce, who was rising through the ranks at Moseley Rugby Club, had been taking medication for epilepsy and was coming to terms with the condition in order to pursue his ambitions.

East 17 Star Harvey Critical After Falling Under Wheels of His Mercedes

Former East 17 star Brian Harvey was undergoing emergency surgery in hospital last night after falling under the wheels of his own car. The troubled singer is in a critical condition after being crushed beneath his Mercedes convertible in what his manager described as a 'bizarre' accident as he drove to a recording session.

Mp Wants Independent Investigators for Rover

A Birmingham MP has criticised the Government after it appointed inspectors to investigate the affairs of collapsed car manufacturer MG Rover and its owners Phoenix Venture Holdings. John Hemming, Liberal Democrat MP for Yardley, said the barrister and senior accountant appointed by the Department of Trade and Industry would have a 'conflict of interest' in their inquiries.

Legal Matters : The Vip That's Here to Help ; Labour has Promised to Give Crime Victims 'a Voice' in Its Third Term. But That Is What They Have Been Doing in Warwickshire - and Only Warwickshire - for Years, As Jessica Shepherd Reports

Some victims would like an anonymous helpline, others would prefer a friendly home visit, and several simply need a lift to the courts. But nearly all want an apology.

Legal Matters : Retired Are More Likely to Divorce

Increasing numbers of retired couples are filing for divorce in the Midlands. Birmingham-based law firm Irwin Mitchell said more than one in five of the divorce cases it deals with are from couples who have been married for longer than 15 years. Kevin Harris-James, a partner at Irwin Mitchell, believes new rules on pension sharing is one reason.

Legal Matters : Hefty Fines Now Provide Deterrent to High Hedges

Householders who fail to cut back high hedges could face charges of up to pounds 200 a day, a Minister has said. They may have to pay the money in addition to a maximum pounds 1,000 fine for non-compliance with an order to trim the bushes.

Legal Matters : Instant Justice for Louts

Almost 4,000 drunken louts have been handed on-the-spot fines by West Midlands Police. The 3,805 fixed penalty notices issued for drunk and disorderly behaviour represent a third of all the notices issued by the police force.

Thieves Steal Titanium

Streets to Play V Festival

Birmingham rapper Mike Skinner, known as The Streets, is the latest act to be confirmed for this year's V Festival. The 26-year-old - who grew up in West Heath - will join Oasis, Scissor Sisters and The Prodigy at the two-day event held at Weston Park, in Staffordshire, and Hylands Park, in Chelmsford, Essex.

High Tech Hope for Heart Attack Victims

More people in the Midlands could survive heart attacks after an ambulance service became the first in the world to equip all its vehicles with life-saving technology. Staffordshire Ambulance Service NHS Trust has invested about pounds 600,000 in the Lucas devices, which provide chest compressions, for all its vehicles.

High Street Clones Are Dominating Store Wars ; New 'Mini Supermarkets' Are Destroying the High Street, According to a Retailers' Group Jasbir Authi Reports

They were once the bastion of the local community, where customers enjoyed a friendly chat with the shopkeeper while picking up their groceries or household goods. However, from cities like Birmingham to rural villages, the small family-run, independent or corner shops are giving way to a new breed.

Big Apple Fruit Company

Shop manager Mark Nicklin (above) pulls out all the stops for everyone who visits the Big Apple Fruit Company greengrocers' in Harborne High Street. But beneath the smile and friendly service, he wonders what would happen if a supermarket opened on his doorstep. 'Chains are bad for towns. They can come in at any time and take the money and business away from us,' he said.

Village Atmosphere Disappeared When the Big Shops Arrived ; Residents of Harborne Give Their Views On the Changing Face of Their Local High Street

Musician Clive Morrell, aged 57 'I come to the Imagine Cafe about two or three times a week because the staff are more friendly and the prices are good. I try not to go into the chains because they are ruining the High Street. Harborne used to have a little village atmosphere but it has become a lot more commercialised Tracey Allen, aged 41, an NHS patient manager who has lived in Harborne for 35 years.

Lyon Invites City's Leader

A major French city is appealing to Birmingham to help unlock the secret of success. Lyon has asked Birmingham City Council leader Mike Whitby for his views on how to compete in a global economy.

Civic Society Demands Return of Landmarks

A conservation group has intensified its attack against what it says is Birmingham City Council's disregard of commercial and industrial heritage. Birmingham Civic Society accused the council of failing to act to save architectural landmarks.

Arson Guts Warehouse

A clothing factory housing items for the tsunami appeal has been completely destroyed in an arson attack. Detectives are investigating the blaze at Flicks Fashions in the Hockley area of Birmingham, which broke out at 12.30am yesterday.

Councillor Questions Inquiry Findings

Ballot riggers may have deliberately hidden votes from the 2004 Birmingham City Council elections as part of a sophisticated campaign of fraud, a former councillor has claimed. A council investigation sparked by the discovery of a box of uncounted votes in the elections office ten months after polling day is expected to blame incompetence rather than intent.

A Green Machine That Trumps the Rover 75

While the Rover 75 is marketed as 'the ultimate statement of power, luxury and choice', Toyota's sales pitch for its Prius focuses on the car's 'performance, fuel economy and environmental leadership'. The 75 is the collapsed Longbridge car giant's flagship model, in which wood interiors come as standard and leather seats feature in more expensive models.

Ministers Love High-Tech Prius

Government Ministers have snubbed the Rover 75 for a high-tech environmentally-friendly car from the Toyota stable. Eight top politicians have taken delivery of the Toyota Prius, marketed as 'the world's cleanest family car'.

Kanchenjunga Steam Train