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New £5m church to inspire Lozells community in Birmingham

Tom Fleming looks at a project that is helping to transform one of the city’s toughest neighbourhoods. Read

Key housing deal agreed

Regeneration and housing specialist Midland Heart has appointed the contractors for a multi-million pound extra care housing scheme in Dudley. Read

Electric cars trial for property company

Birmingham’s Calthorpe Estates is adding further weight to its green credentials by signing up to a Government-backed trial of electric cars. Read

Stop and search powers 'illegal'

Police stop and search powers under UK terrorism laws have been declared illegal by human rights judges. Read

Birmingham City Council gets its sums wrong over teenage drinking

Bungling city council officials have apologised after incorrectly claiming that three-quarters of children in Birmingham have been drunk before their 16th birthday. Read

Cipriani not expecting England recall

Danny Cipriani hopes his Wasps future will be resolved by next month but accepts it is too soon to expect an England squad recall. Read

Pompey remaining positive

Portsmouth remain confident they will soon be back on an even financial keel, despite the Premier League being ready to withhold their latest chunk of television money to cover unpaid transfer fees. Read

Foxes chief Mandaric charged with fraud

Leicester chairman Milan Mandaric was charged on Tuesday with two counts of cheating the public revenue, the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) said. Read

Three Britons kidnapped in Nigeria

Militants in oil-rich southern Nigeria have kidnapped four foreign oil-services workers, it has been reported. Read

House prices back above £200,000

The average house price has broken back through the £200,000 barrier after rising by 1.7% during November, Government figures have showed. Read

Cameron slams Klass knife warning

David Cameron has demanded a return to "common sense" policing after criticising the "ridiculous" treatment of TV presenter Myleene Klass. Read

Colly nuts over KP

England's "genius" Kevin Pietersen is capable of turning on the magic at any point - and Paul Collingwood will not be surprised if it happens at The Wanderers this week. Read

Jordaan sympathises with Togo

Danny Jordaan, the chief executive of South Africa's World Cup organising committee, will make his observations known to the Confederation of African Football about the circumstances surrounding Togo's disqualification from the African Nations Cup. Read

Hoax murder confessor remanded in custody

A 51-year-old man has been remanded in custody accused of making a false murder confession during a 999 call. Read

Tipton men imprisoned at Guantanamo reunited with guard

Two men from Tipton who were imprisoned at Guantanamo Bay for two-and-a-half years have had an emotional reunion with a former prison guard. Read

RBS bonuses 'will be minimum level'

Bonuses for investment bankers at part-nationalised Royal Bank of Scotland will be "the minimum we can get away with", the group's boss has said. Read

Recovery from recession is being hampered by service sector weakness

The UK economy is struggling to mount a recovery amid a “disturbing weakness” in the services sector at the end of last year, according to a business survey. Read

'Blair wanted peaceful Iraq result'

Tony Blair hoped right until the eve of the invasion of Iraq that the crisis over Saddam Hussein's weapons of mass destruction could be resolved peacefully, Alastair Campbell has said. Read

Two deny 'body parts' murder

A man has admitted dismembering kitchen salesman Jeffrey Howe and disposing of his body parts across two counties. Read

Christmas sales were 'better than retailers had hoped for'

Retailers have said that Christmas sales were better they had “dared hope for” as they enjoyed their best December growth for eight years. Read

Everton hold stadium talks

Everton have held "positive" talks with Liverpool City Council over plans for a new stadium. Read

Web savvy: Best websites for making your money go further – By Halifax

When it comes to shopping for financial products and services, from credit cards to savings accounts, there's never been so much choice. Yet, in these cost-conscious times, it's important to make sure you're not paying over the odds, whether it's for basic household necessities, luxury items or financial products. Read

'Brown in Blair Iraq inner circle'

Gordon Brown was a key member of Tony Blair's "inner circle" involved in decision-making on Iraq, Alastair Campbell has told the official inquiry into the conflict. Read

New Gloucester deal for Wood

Gloucester prop Nick Wood has signed a new three-year contract with the Guinness Premiership club. Read

O'Neill offers encouragement to Shorey

Aston Villa boss Martin O'Neill insists he is not "actively looking" to sell full-back Nicky Shorey and believes the player can challenge Stephen Warnock for a first-team spot. Read

Sullivan hits out at borrowing

David Sullivan believes clubs have put their futures in jeopardy by borrowing against future income. Read

Ospreys plan February talks with Henson

Ospreys management will meet with Wales and Lions centre Gavin Henson next month to discuss the player's future after it was revealed he has lost three stones in weight since taking a sabbatical from the game. Read

Grant aware of Coventry threat

Portsmouth manager Avram Grant has warned his Barclays Premier League relegation battlers they cannot afford to lose focus for one moment in Tuesday night's FA Cup third-round replay at Coventry. Read

Islamist 'march' group to be banned

The Islamist group which provoked outrage with its plan to march through Wootton Bassett will be banned, Home Secretary Alan Johnson has announced. Read

Horne hails new Hull skipper Long

Hull's longest-serving player Richard Horne has welcomed the appointment of his new half-back partner Sean Long as the club's new skipper. Read

We'll all move on - Gartside

Bolton chairman Phil Gartside believes there will be no lasting fall-out with Burnley over his pursuit of Owen Coyle. Read

Rivals can't afford Jones - Bruce

Sunderland manager Steve Bruce has claimed Barclays Premier League rivals Birmingham and Stoke could not afford to buy striker Kenwyne Jones who on his day is worth £40million. Read

Prince signs for Lancashire

South Africa batsman Ashwell Prince has signed for Lancashire as the county's interim 2010 overseas player. Read

I wanted Tevez at Inter - Mancini

Manchester City manager Roberto Mancini watched hat-trick hero Carlos Tevez destroy Blackburn 4-1 at Eastlands - then admitted he tried to buy him two years ago. Read

Cadbury's board urges shareholders to reject Kraft Foods offer

Birmingham chocolate company Cadbury has set out its case for independence as it urged shareholders not to let US giant Kraft “steal your company”. Read

Salt supplies low - and more snow on the way

Agencies responsible for the supply and distribution of grit were due to hold another salt summit today as forecasters warned of more snow on the way. Read

Encouraging Christmas trading from Tesco

Supermarket giant Tesco had its best Christmas for three years as it reported a 4.9 per cent rise in UK like-for-like sales excluding petrol and adjusted for VAT. Read

Harborne restaurant honoured in Harden guide

Turners restaurant in Birmingham has been named as runner up in the best up-and-coming restaurant in the country in a new guide published today. Read

Bid to break Robinson row deadlock

Northern Ireland Secretary Shaun Woodward and the Irish Foreign Minister Micheal Martin are due to meet as the British and Irish governments prepare to step up the pressure to end the political crisis in Belfast in the aftermath of the Iris Robinson scandal. Read

Christmas treats a winner for Tesco

Tesco has hailed its strongest Christmas performance in three years as recession-weary customers bought festive treats and its bumper voucher handout paid off. Read

Warwick and Birmingham universities warning over Government cuts

Education chiefs at Britain’s top universities have warned 800-year-old higher education traditions could be “brought to their knees” by Government spending cuts of up to £2.5bn. Read

Legal fight goes on as Edgbaston cricket ground construction begins

Campaigners battling plans for the expansion of Edgbaston Cricket Ground have launched a legal appeal even as construction gets underway. Read

RICS reports fall in West Midlands house prices despite UK rise

The West Midlands lagged behind the rest of the UK last month as chartered surveyors reported a fall in house prices in the region despite a UK-wide increase. Read

Four due to face trial without jury

Four alleged armed robbers are due to appear in court for the start of the first serious criminal trial to be held without a jury in England and Wales. Read

Forecasters warn of yet more snow

Agencies responsible for the supply and distribution of grit are due to hold another salt summit as forecasters warned of more snow on the way. Read

5,000 troops 'unfit for frontline'

Some 5,000 soldiers and officers are unfit to fight on the frontline, figures obtained by the Conservatives revealed. Read

Gardeners' World to go back to basics after revamp lost viewers

Long-running series Gardeners’ World is to go back to basics after a root and branch revamp proved a turn-off for viewers. Read

99% of packed lunches sub-standard

Just one per cent of children's packed lunches meet nutritional standards set for school meals, it has been revealed. Read

Britain braced for more snow

Agencies responsible for the supply and distribution of grit are due to hold another salt summit as forecasters warned of more snow on the way. Read

Campbell faces Iraq Inquiry quiz

Alastair Campbell is due to appear before the Iraq Inquiry to face questions about his role in the build up to the invasion of 2003. Read

Brown plans election strategy

Gordon Brown is meeting senior ministers to discuss political strategy in the run-up to the forthcoming general election. Read

Afghanistan bomb victim to be named

A British bomb disposal expert killed on the deadliest day for Nato forces in more than two months is due to be named. Read

Salmond grilled on Megrahi release

Scottish First Minister Alex Salmond will be quizzed by MPs over the way his Government handled the release of the Lockerbie bomber. Read

Bid to break N Ireland deadlock

Northern Ireland Secretary Shaun Woodward and the Irish Foreign Minister Micheal Martin are due to meet as the British and Irish governments prepare to step up the pressure to end the political crisis in Belfast in the aftermath of the Iris Robinson scandal. Read

Bank bosses questioned over bonuses

Bosses of Britain's nationalised and part-nationalised banks are due to be grilled by MPs amid growing concerns over remuneration ahead of the annual bonus season. Read

Tesco to report Christmas figures

Tesco is expected to post solid Christmas trading figures but the supermarket giant could still lag behind its rivals despite a bumper vouchers handout. Read

Ex-detective in McCann libel trial

A Portuguese court is due to begin the libel trial of a former senior detective who published a book alleging that Madeleine McCann died inside her parents' apartment. Read

Anne Frank heroine dies aged 100

Miep Gies, who helped the family of teenage diarist Anne Frank hide from the Nazis, has died at the age of 100. Read

Christmas sale boost for retailers

Christmas sales were better than retailers had "dared hope for" as they enjoyed their best December growth for eight years, according to the British Retail Consortium (BRC). Read

DNA samples left in police fridge

DNA samples were left in a police fridge for more than a year instead of being processed, an official report has revealed. Read

Cowell will take X Factor to the US

Simon Cowell has said he will leave American Idol to launch The X Factor in the United States. Read

Tevez sends City soaring

Carlos Tevez scored his first Manchester City hat-trick to send Roberto Mancini's men soaring into the top four following their 4-1 victory over Blackburn. Read

Togo 'disqualified' after missing game

Togo's involvement in the African Nations Cup is over following their failure to appear for their opening match against Ghana on Monday night. Read

Birmingham clinch Michel deal

Birmingham have completed the £3million signing of midfielder Michel from Sporting Gijon. Read

Bomb disposal soldier dies in blast

A British bomb disposal expert has died following an explosion in Afghanistan. Read

Blair Cabinet two face Iraq Inquiry

Jack Straw and Geoff Hoon are to be the first members of Tony Blair's Cabinet to give evidence to the Iraq Inquiry. Read

'One of a team' PM rallies party

Gordon Brown has rallied Labour MPs, declaring that the "hard-won economic recovery" would provide them with a platform for victory at the general election. Read

Murphy fends off Hendry challenge

Shaun Murphy saw off six-time champion Stephen Hendry in a high-class second-round clash in the Masters at Wembley. Read

Man guilty of meat cleaver murder

A "vicious and cold-blooded" killer who strangled a young mother then chopped up her body with a meat cleaver has been jailed for at least 24 years. Read

Gritting cutbacks spark road fears

Drivers are enduring more hazardous conditions on the roads as authorities cut back on gritting and forecasters warned more snow is on the way. Read

Extra grit arrives to help keep Birmingham's roads safe

The battle to keep Birmingham on the move has been boosted with a fresh delivery of salt – allaying fears that the city’s gritting regime could be cut back. Read

Extra grit arrives to help keep Birmingham's roads safe

The battle to keep Birmingham on the move has been boosted with a fresh delivery of salt – allaying fears that the city’s gritting regime could be cut back. Read

Surveyors report fall in West Midlands house prices despite UK rise

The West Midlands lagged behind the rest of the UK last month as chartered surveyors reported a fall in house prices in the region despite a UK-wide increase. Read

Best ever Christmas trading for House of Fraser

Department store chain House of Fraser has revealed record seasonal trading as it offered more signs that retailers enjoyed a robust Christmas. Read

Troop parade protesters convicted

Five Muslim men accused of branding British soldiers rapists, murderers and baby killers during a homecoming parade have been found guilty of a public order offence. Read

Edgbaston legal battle as construction on cricket ground gets underway

Campaigners battling plans for the expansion of Edgbaston Cricket Ground have launched a legal appeal even as construction gets underway. Read

Home study - gain new skills conveniently

Home study provides a way to learn new skills and gain new qualifications in your own time, at home. Many courses can be taken at a pace to suit you. It provides a way to stand out in the highly competitive jobs market. Read

Hamilton ready for battle

Lewis Hamilton believes he is in his best shape for years as he prepares for what he feels may be "the most exciting Formula One season yet". Read

Teenagers sit exams as schools open

Teenagers across England have been sitting crucial A-level and GCSE exams as schools reopened despite icy conditions. Read

Hull hand captaincy to Long

Former St Helens and Great Britain scrum-half Sean Long was confirmed on Monday as the surprise choice to captain Hull in 2010. Read

No way back for Togo - CAF

The Confederation of African Football have all but disqualified Togo from the African Nations Cup by confirming the team will not be allowed to re-enter the competition if they do not take part in Monday night's scheduled game against Ghana. Read

Coyle admits money talked in switch

New Bolton manager Owen Coyle confirmed financial factors influenced his move to the Reebok Stadium but stressed his own earning potential was not the reason he left Burnley. Read

Former Liverpool director offers apology

Former Liverpool director Tom Hicks Jr, who on Monday resigned from the board of both the football club and parent company Kop Holdings, has apologised for his "mistake" in sending an obscene email to a supporter. Read

Head for online bingo, for cash prizes

Mobile phone recycling has become standard practice in recent years. Most UK phone companies now offer cash for old mobiles, so it’s worth shopping around for the best deal on your old mobile before buying a new one. Read

Gurkhas lose pensions challenge

Gurkha veterans have lost a High Court test case battle with the Ministry of Defence over pensions. Read

Body of journalist flown home

The body of Sunday Mirror defence correspondent Rupert Hamer, the first British journalist to be killed in Afghanistan, has been brought back to the UK. Read

Robinson steps aside to clear name

DUP leader Peter Robinson has said he is temporarily stepping down as Northern Ireland First Minister in an attempt to clear his name following the scandal surrounding his wife Iris. Read

Tories anger over Stratford MP's decision to quit

Senior Conservative John Maples has angered party activists with his last-minute decision to quit the House of Commons, which will rob local party members of the chance to choose his replacement. Read

Three quarters of Birmingham children 'drunk' at some stage

Three-quarters of Birmingham school children admit to having been drunk at some stage in their life, a shocking new report has revealed. Read

David Harewood and the challenge of playing Mandela

  • 15:01, Jan 11 2010
  • Film

David Harewood tells Jon Perks about the challenges he faced portraying Nelson Mandela in a forthcoming film. Read

Gardeners' World to go back to basics after revamp lost viewers

Long-running series Gardeners’ World is to go back to basics after a root and branch revamp proved a turn-off for viewers. Read

Do you remember the first time at The Inn At Stonehall?

In an attempt to deny his ‘senior’ moments, our man re-visits Stonehall Common – the problem is remembering if and when he last went… Read

PM rallies party after failed coup

Gordon Brown has met key Cabinet colleagues as he prepared for his first appearance before the Parliamentary Labour Party since last week's failed coup attempt. Read

MLA takes over as First Minister

DUP leader Peter Robinson has asked a party colleague to step in as First Minister, the Northern Ireland Assembly has been told. Read

Malaysia: Halfway to paradise

Jon Perks spends a few days in Malaysia. Read

Diamond geezer Ray Winstone

  • 15:01, Jan 11 2010
  • Film

Ray Winstone is a man in demand at the moment – with 13 films in the pipeline, Alison Jones caught up with him to talk about his new release, 44 Inch Chest. Read

FIA to launch Briatore appeal

The FIA are to appeal against last week's decision of the Tribunal de Grande Instance, who ordered the overturning of a lifetime ban from motorsport imposed on Flavio Briatore. Read

Prime minister adds to Togo confusion

Togo's Prime Minister Gilbert Huongbo has denied the country want to re-enter the African Nations Cup. Read

A taste for perfect service at Opus

Restaurants are notorious for claiming their front of house manager is one of the best in the business. Read

A steak you can believe in Anderson’s Bar & Grill

Food Critic Richard McComb gets his teeth into a reborn dining institution. Read