Birmingham Post

The Hole in the Ground That Could Be Worth Pounds 50m

The Black Country is to compete in a televised 'beauty contest' in a bid to secure a pounds 50 million lottery grant. Dudley's ancient system of underground caves and the region's canal network will battle it out against high-profile rivals, including Cornwall's award-winning Eden project.

Union Eases Fears Over Factory Closure

Renewed fears for the future of Cadbury's historic Bournville factory in Birmingham were allayed by a trade union representative yesterday. Speculation grew that the factory could be targeted for job cuts or closure as part of a pounds 200 million- pounds 300 million cost- cutting programme likely to be announced by parent group Cadbury Schweppes on June 19.

Dentist Struck Off After 'Play Dirty' Threats

The boss of a Warwickshire dental surgery who threatened to "play dirty" after a colleague decided to join another local practice was struck off the dental register for 12 months yesterday. Ikhlaq Hussain was found guilty of serious professional misconduct after he paid Lutz Reinhardt a late-night visit where he hurled abuse at him. He launched the tirade after Mr Reinhardt refused to sign partnership forms to work with him and handed in his notice instead.

Salute to Sir Frank

This statue of Sir Frank Whittle, inventor of the jet engine, was unveiled yesterday by his son. Ian Whittle revealed the bronze sculpture of his father at a special ceremony to make the 100th anniversary of the engineer's birth.

Pounds 350m Package Set to Transform Eastside

The former Parcelforce depot at Eastside, one of the largest redevelopment sites in Birmingham city centre, is to be transformed into a pounds 350 million mixed-use scheme creating 7,000 new jobs. Developer Curzon Park is proposing to build high-quality offices, shops and houses on the 10.5 acres bordering the main railway line and the new city park.

Exasperated Judge Powerless to Deport Illegal Immigrant Who Beat the System

A judge has conceded defeat in his bid to have an illegal immigrant deported after being told he had successfully exploited a loophole in the British immigration system. Recorder Sam Mainds, sitting at Birmingham Crown Court, had previously been told that no one had been able to establish which country Antonio Daniels had come from, which meant the immigration service was unable to deport him.

Midland Film-Makers Seek Reel Recognition ; the Cream of the Midlands Film-Making Industry Was Yesterday Honoured at a Prestigious Awards Ceremony. Chief Reporter Neil Connor Took a Stroll Up the Red Carpet to Watch Proceedings

There may have been no sign of Helen Mirren - only Adrian Goldberg in a dinner jacket - but the media talent on show at the Hotel Du Vin yesterday was within touching distance of anything Hollywood has to offer. British actors and actresses have walked off with an array of awards at The Oscars in recent years. And before anyone involved in film-making can reach that standard, they must first wow the judges closer to home.

Putting a Lid On Sewage Stench ; Environment

Major work to solve a smell in Hereford is due to be completed next week. A massive hood will be lowered on to the Rotherwas sewage works on Wednesday to tackle the stench which has blighted the area.

City Tests Drivers with 20mph Limit ; Roads

Drivers yesterday faced a 20mph speed limit which could soon be enforced countrywide. Portsmouth City Council is the first in the country to enforce the lower limit on all its residential streets.

Don't Be the Butt of an Pounds 80 Fine ; Smoking

Smokers face on-the-spot fines for littering if they drop butts in the street. Alan Woods, chief executive of Keep Britain Tidy, said: "Smokers will think they are avoiding a fine by lighting up outside.

Call for Private Control of Nhs ; Health

A top NHS strategist has called for Government control of the NHS to be curtailed and for the health service to be run by an independent body. Brian Edwards, Emeritus Professor of Healthcare Development at the University of Sheffield and former chief executive of a major NHS authority, believes the current NHS structure is unsustainable and that change is essential.

Full of Beans ; Showbiz

Actor Hugh Grant will not be charged over an allegation that he lashed out at a paparazzi photographer with a tub of baked beans, the Crown Prosecution Service said. Photographer Ian Whittaker said he was near the actor's London home trying to get pictures of Grant's former partner Liz Hurley, who lives nearby, when the incident happened.

Fodder Ban Call ; Europe

The European Commission is being urged to end a ban on using animal remains in farm feed - a public health safeguard introduced at the height of the crisis over mad cow disease. The ban, brought in across Europe in 2000, followed fears the practice was behind the spread of BSE.

Statue Gridlock ; Art

The heart of the capital is running out of room for statues. More than 300 statues and memorials have been put up over the past 400 years in honour of people from King Charles I and George Washington to Captain James Cook and Oscar Wilde.

Anger Over Police Chief's 'Leniency' for Sex Offenders

A police child protection chief was criticised yesterday for arguing paedophiles convicted of looking at child pornography should not necessarily go to prison. Jim Gamble of the Child Exploitation and Online Protection Centre (CEOP) said some sex offenders should be encouraged to seek treatment rather than be threatened with jail terms.

Rough Diamond Hirst Polishes Up Pounds 50m Skull

Damien Hirst has unveiled his latest bizarre creation - a pounds 50 million diamond-encrusted skull. The "bling" work, entitled For the Love of God, is the most expensive piece of contemporary art.

Big Names Up for Glastonbury

The Who, The Killers and Arctic Monkeys will headline this summer's Glastonbury Festival. Lily Allen, Paul Weller, Amy Winehouse and Shirley Bassey also feature in the line-up of more than 200 musicians performing at the event later this month.

Now Crooks Learn That Crime Really Does Not Pay

Police are hitting criminals in the pocket after stripping crooks of ill-gotten gains worth more than pounds 8 million in the West Midlands last year. The region's forces are using tough new powers to make sure crime does not pay.

Mod Names British Soldier Downed in Us Helicopter Tragedy

A British soldier who was among seven people killed in a helicopter crash in Afghanistan has been named as Corporal Mike Gilyeat. The 28-year-old, known as Gilly, from the Royal Military Police, was a photographer attached to the media operations team based at Regional Command (South) in Kandahar.

Mendonca Mbe