Birmingham Post

Class Act May Face Axe at Hospital

An award-winning project which brings classical singers into a Birmingham children's ward faces the chop unless further funding is found. Singing Medicine, the pioneering Ex Cathedra Education singing project at Birmingham Children's Hospital, has been commended at the prestigious NHS annual Health and Social Care awards in the Children's Care category.

'This Monster Must Never Be Free' ; Campaigners' Fury As Child-Killer Mcgreavy Is Prepared for Release

Campaigners have called for a triple child murderer dubbed the Monster of Worcester to remain behind bars after it emerged he is being allowed unescorted trips out of jail in preparation for his release. A Home Office decision to let David McGreavy to take unsupervised breaks at a hostel in Liverpool 33 years after the horrific crime prompted fresh outrage in Worcester, where in 1973 he butchered three children while babysitting and impaled their bodies on garden railings.

Coastguard Saves Mud-Trap Man

An Evesham man was rescued at Burnham-on-Sea near Bristol yesterday after being trapped waist-deep in treacherous mud. Ian Makepeace had to be dug out of the mud after trying to retrieve one of his pet dogs when it ran off during an afternoon walk.

Sentamu Pulls in the Churchgoers

Churches in York have enjoyed a record number of worshippers over the festive season - and all because of "the Sentamu factor". Worshippers flocked to York Minster over the Christmas period, with 1,400 packed into the church for its Crib service on Christmas Eve - twice as many as last year.

Bends Diver Now 'Walking and Getting Stronger'

A scuba diver who suffered decompression sickness while on holiday abroad last August is on the road to recovery. Anthony Allen, aged 68, from Shirley, Solihull, suffered the condition - known as the bends -while diving in Marsa Alam in Egypt.

Why We Fined 'Damsel in Distress'

Traffic police have defended a decision to issue a pounds 30 fine to a motorist who stopped on the hard shoulder of one of Europe's busiest motorways to ask for directions. The Central Motorway Police Group (CMPG) said it was unable to comment on the case of Rachael Farthing, who claims police acted unreasonably when she pulled over on the M6 near Birmingham.

Black Country Murder Hunt

Police launched a murder hunt yesterday after a man was found battered to death in a Black Country alleyway. The victim, in his late 20s or early 30s, died shortly after being found by police in Freer Street, Walsall, at 1.30am.

First the Tornado Then Chemist Sees Shop Burn

A Birmingham chemist's shop was almost destroyed by fire yesterday - just months after it underwent a pounds 25,000 refurbishment to repair damage caused in last summer's tornado. Rakesh Sirpal, the owner of Sirpal Chemist at 274 Lady-pool Road, in Sparkbrook, was coming to terms yesterday with having to rebuild the premises for the second time in six months after the fire swept through the building at about 6am. Mr Sirpal, aged 47, was not in Birmingham when the tornado brought devastation t...

Blaze Mum and Son 'Critical'

A Birmingham mother and son were still fighting for their lives last night after a New Year's Day fire which killed another family member. The fire at the semidetached house in Lea Hall had already claimed the life of a 35-year-old disabled man, named by neighbours as Karl Salloway.

New Home for Plumb Locos

Work will begin in March on the construction of a purpose-built visitor centre for the Severn Valley Railway displaying up to ten steam locomotives in pristine condition. The go-ahead for the Shropshire-based project follows confirmation of a pounds 3.3 million grant from the Heritage Lottery Fund.

Coulthard & Co Come Racing in to Nec

Car enthusiasts are in for a treat when Autosport International races into the National Exhibition Centre. The NEC will become the capital of the motor racing world for two days when the show comes to town on January 14.

He Who Dares Helps

Daredevils are sought to abseil 200ft down a Birmingham building in aid of a local charity for the blind. Birmingham Focus on Blindness is urging the city's thrill- seekers to sign up for the stunt on March 11 and 12.

Farris's Big Iraqi Adventure Is Over

A 16-year-old boy who travelled alone to Iraq to experience the lives of its people has arrived back in Florida. Farris Hassan was surrounded by family members as he walked to a car outside Miami International Airport. He waved and smiled at reporters.

Bird Flu Did Not Kill Boy

A 14-year-old Turkish boy who died at a hospital tested negative for bird flu, along with three other patients from his family, the Health Ministry announced yesterday. Ministry official Turan Buzgan said the death was not caused by bird flu, which in two years has claimed the lives of more than 70 people in Asia, or any other flu virus, according to test results.

Ukraine Gas Crisis Could Hit Britain

A senior British Minister admitted yesterday that the gas dispute between Russia and Ukraine could impact on the UK supply. Energy Minister Malcolm Wicks said there were fears of the knock- on effects in the European and global markets.

If Blair Can Have Op Why Can't I?

Hospital chiefs were accused of sacrificing heart patients' welfare to meet targets yesterday after scrapping their operations. Oxford Radcliffe NHS Trust has wiped dozens of people from waiting lists for cardiac catheter ablation, the operation which cured Tony Blair of an irregular heartbeat.

Thailand Holiday Girl Found Dead

A British student has been found dead in the sea off Thailand during a two-week New Year break with a girlfriend. The body of psychology student Katherine Horton, aged 21, of Mayfair Drive, Thorn-hill, Cardiff, was discovered in the sea off the island of Koh Samui by a jet skier yesterday.

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