Updated 3:45pm 24 May 2013

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Paul Bradley

Paul Bradley

Hundreds of part-time Midland soldiers face axe

Hundreds of part-time soldiers in the region are facing the axe after the Government announced plans to restructure its reserve forces.Read

Emotional ceremony as British troops leave Iraq

Bugler Gareth Roberts from Shrewsbury had the honour of playing Last Post as British troops in Basra saluted their fallen comrades on the day Britain officially ended combat operations in Iraq.Read

Three arrested after burglaries in Redditch

Police were today carrying out a series of house searches after a 12-hour manhunt for burglars ended with three men being arrested.Read

Villa fans threw stones at car before it hit supporter, court told

A group of Aston Villa fans threw stones, bricks and glass bottles at a car moments before it ran down and killed a man, a court heard.Read

Man tells court he was missed by car which killed Villa fan

An Aston Villa fan told a jury how a car narrowly missed him before it ran over and killed one of his son’s friends.Read

Droitwich family join mourners to mark North Sea helicopter tragedy

The family of a Midland pilot who died in a North Sea helicopter crash earlier this month joined thousands of mourners in a memorial service to pay their final respects.Read

We need to build homes now to ease housing crisis sasy expert

Nearly 500,000 homes should be built in the West Midlands over the next two decades despite local councils’ fears over the sacrifice of greenbelt land, a leading Midland housing expert said last night.Read

JCB to get royal visit to mark 750,000th machine

Prince William will visit the headquarters of JCB to mark the production of their 750,000th machine next week.Read

Midland medics prepare to treat victims of Afghanistan fighting

Reporter Paul Bradley visits medics from the Kings Heath 202 Field Hospital during their final training ahead of their deployment to Afghanistan next week. Read

Gardeners' World comes from secret Birmingham location

The BBC’s Gardeners’ World will hit television screens in a radical new format tonight when it airs its first show from a top-secret plot of land in the heart of Birmingham.Read

Consultation key in fight on violence to females - Home Secretary

Home Secretary Jacqui Smith urged the people of Birmingham to take part in the largest public consultation on tackling violence against women and girls.Read

Redditch girl picks up Downing Street award after foiling paedophile

A quick-thinking 11-year-old Midland school pupil will today pick up a special achievement award from 10 Downing Street after she spotted a paedophile trying to groom her on the internet.Read

Midland soldiers insist Iraqis can go it alone

In his final report from Iraq, reporter Paul Bradley discovers how Midland soldiers have prepared Iraqi marines and sailors to guard their two greatest financial assetsRead

Privilege and honour to serve in final tour of Iraq say Midlanders

Midland soldiers yesterday told how they felt “honoured and privileged” to be among the final British troops to serve in Iraq.Read

Warwick and Birmingham parades for Iraqi returnees

Birmingham troops serving in Iraq are set to have a series homecoming parades in the Midlands despite security fears, it emerged yesterday.Read

Iraqi army ready to take control of Basra

In the second of his reports from Basra, reporter Paul Bradley joins the British and Iraqi Armies on patrol in the heart of the war-torn city. Read

Fears crime will rise as Midland troops pull out of Iraq

Reporter Paul Bradley joined the Queen’s Royal Hussars at the Contingency Operating Base, in Basra, and discovered there was still plenty of work to be done.Read

My fears as alarm signals Basra rocket attack

The sound of the wailing alarm booming across the British army base in Iraq was a noise I hoped I would never hear. But after just 36 hours in Basra I had my first serious taste of life under fire.Read

Post opens up jewellery box for Birmingham job-hunters

The Queen’s Birmingham-based medal-makers has reported an unprecedented number of applications for its apprenticeships – just a few weeks after their search hit crisis point.Read

Birmingham heroes recognised with Badge of Honour

Military heroes from across the West Midlands are set to be officially recognised for their acts of outstanding bravery and dedication in a new campaign.Read

Author Profile

Paul is the communities editor for www.birminghammail.net. He is also the video editor and works in a team editing the Birmingham Mail, Birmingham POst and Sunday Mercury websites. In 2007 Paul began as a trainee journalist at the Birmingam Mail, covering the Worcestershire patch and later covering defence.