Birmingham Post

Donny Osmond Visits Borders Bookshop

They came in the hundreds to see their idol - and some queued for nearly 18 hours to make sure they got to meet him. Donny Osmond visited Borders bookshop in Birmingham's Bullring yesterday to sign copies of his autobiography Life Is What You Make It, and fans of all ages were there to greet him.

Morning Drinking Licence Bid Thrown Out

A pub near the Warwickshire County Cricket Ground at Edgbaston has been refused permission to open at 7am following claims that early-morning drinkers en-route to Test matches would disrupt the lives of nearby residents. Members of a Birmingham City Council licensing sub-committee dismissed an application for extended hours by Sir Harry's pub in Pershore Road on the grounds of noise nuisance and anti-social behaviour.

West Midlands First Choice for Traffic Tax

The West Midlands is first choice to test the Government's new satellite-based congestion charging scheme, according to a leading Government transport adviser. Professor David Begg believes Labour Ministers are keen on a West Midlands pilot for the project because the mixture of Conservative and Labour councils would "diffuse the politics of charging through cross-party support".

Residents Still Angry Over Mental Unit

Residents living in the shadow of a proposed pounds 20 million mental health unit heavily criticised plans for the complex at a public meeting in Birmingham last night. Scores of people expressed concerns over revised plans for the new unit at Moseley Hall Hospital, which would cater for elderly patients displaced from the Queen Elizabeth Psychiatric Hospital.

Tyburn Win for Labour

Labour last night held on to the Tyburn ward in a Birmingham City Council by-election which saw a turnout of just 16.8 per cent. Lynda Clinton, of Holly Lane, Erdington, won the seat with 1,451 votes, a majority of 469 over Conservative Gerald Brien. Liberal Democrat John Line was third with 334 votes.

Death Arrest

A 22-year-old man has been arrested in connection with the death of a farmer who died while trying to prevent his Land Rover being stolen. The suspect is being questioned about the death of Michael Boffey, who was run over at his farm in Featherbrook Lane, Withybrook, near Rugby, Warwickshire, on August 20.

Truck Appeal

Film Choice

Birmingham's first drive in movie theatre is giving the city's film buffs the chance to vote for their favourite film which will then be shown tomorrow night. The theatre, in Curzon Street, has already shown The Dukes of Hazard. The T-Mobile Street Movies poll can be entered by text. Send one of the following codes to 07951 241 311 to vote: For Gladiator text: GLADIATOR

People Award

Highlighting Staff's Role

As the MoD's national adviser on emergency medicine, Professor Tim Hodgetts (above) is keen to highlight the vital role A&E staff play in the military. Many of those shown around the facility seemed intent to find out more.

Not Much of a Change

Captain Jamie Coleman (above) first signed up as a volunteer medic a decade ago. Since becoming a reservist with 202 (Midlands) Field Hospital he has spent time on deployment in Iraq.

We've Come a Long Way Since M*a*S*H ; a Birmingham Cricket Pitch Was Transformed Into a 25-Bed Field Hospital to Highlight the Vital Role of Military Medics. Health Reporter Emma Brady Joined the Regulars, Reservists and a Government Minister to Find Out More

An array of tents, surgical units and military vehicles temporarily replaced Selly Oak Hospital's cricket pitch yesterday. Erected as part of a two-day conference by the Royal Centre for Defence Medicine (RCDM), the field hospital is equipped with the latest technology and staffed by medics.

Protest at Brum Factory Making Cuba Shackles

Protesters staged a noisy demonstration outside a Birmingham firm yesterday after it emerged it was making handcuffs for use in Guantanamo Bay. About a dozen protesters dressed in orange boiler suits, similar to those seen in Camp X-ray, staged a song and dance routine, entitled the Shackle Shuffle, outside Hiatt and Co Ltd, on Baltimore Road, Hamstead.

First E-Fit of Suspect in City Bus Stop Death

Detectives investigating the death of a woman six weeks after an altercation with a gang of youths at a city centre bus stop last night issued an e-fit picture of one of the group. Tracey Cullum was assaulted in front of her 12year-old son in Colmore Row, Birmingham, after remonstrating with the gang when they pushed ahead of her in the queue.

Married Mother Killed for Dumping Her Lover

A married mother-of-two was shot dead by her lover while her children slept upstairs after attempting to end the relationship. The body of Hayley Davenport, aged 23, was found by her daughters - aged just two and three - on the morning after her death, Wolverhampton Crown Court heard.

No Place for City in Top 10 League

Birmingham has again been snubbed by a survey of the UK's top ten cities. Research found London as the nation's top city followed by Glasgow and Edinburgh third.

Gem of a Quarter

Birmingham's Jewellery Quarter will be showing off its attractions tomorrow in a series of special public events. An open day is planned at Key Hill Cemetery where some of the city's most influential figures are buried including Alfred Bird, the inventor of eggless custard.

And Donny's Fans Can Still Call It Puppy Love

Some of his most die-hard fans had queued for nearly a day. The waiting was more than worthwhile as they were rewarded yesterday by coming face-to-face with their baby-faced crooning hero, Donny Osmond.

Food and Drink Event

One of the biggest food and drink festivals in the UK begins today in Shropshire. The Ludlow Marches Food and Drink Festival, which will showcase some of the best producers in the country, will take place until Sunday. The event, the first of its kind in Britain, features top- quality food and drink from more than 120 small producers and suppliers in Ludlow and the Marches.

Post Debate: Is Going Organic Worth the Extra Price ; the Country's Largest Celebration of Organic Farming, Organic Week, has Raised Questions About Whether Non-Conventional Produce Is Worth the Extra Cash. Rhona Ganguly Investigates

This month the Soil Association announced a 90 per cent increase in the number of people eating organic food because of the improved taste and Tesco reported a 30 per cent increase in sales. But because of the growing demands for organic produce, supermarkets have had to import food.