Updates on Wednesday 16 March 2016
More news, sport, travel and weather from 08:00 on Thursday
That's it for live updates today.
The BBC Local Live team will be back from 08:00 on Thursday with more news, sport, travel and weather updates for Birmingham and the Black Country.
BBC Radio 5 Live
A ferris wheel in Dudley has been described as "Britain’s worst tourist attraction" because of its panoramic views of the town.
Dudley South MP Mike Wood has welcomed news announced by Chancellor George Osborne in today’s Budget that The Waterfront, in Brierley Hill, is to become an Enterprise Zone.
Royal Sutton Coldfield Observer
A woman has been taken to hospital after an escalator fall during the grand opening of Primark in Erdington.Read more, external
Image source, Sutton Coldfield Observer
Rebecca Wood
BBC Midlands Today
Variable cloud, thick enough at times for a little light drizzle.
There will also be some clear spells, which combined with light winds will bring a local frost risk, with lows of 0C (32F).
Lichfield MP Michael Fabricant has defended voting in favour of government cuts for sick and disabled people. Read more, external
Image source, Lichfield Mercury
BBC Midlands Today
"I don't think it's the worst, but it could've been put in a better place."
BBC Midlands Today has been in Dudley today to get your thoughts on the big wheel in the town.
See what all the fuss is about...
Dudley Eye: Is it Britain's worst tourist attraction?
Rebecca Woods
BBC News Online, Journalist
A council leader has defended a 115ft big wheel known as the Dudley Eye after it was branded "the worst tourist attraction in the UK".
The ride in Dudley town centre has attracted criticism because of its views of factories and car parks.
But Dudley Council leader Pete Lowe branded the claims "absolute nonsense".
Image source, Andy MullaneyQuote MessageWe had to start the official opening 90 minutes early on Saturday because there were queues of people. We want to promote the history of Dudley but also show that it has an important present and future
Peter Lowe, Dudley Council leader
Kathryn Stanczyszyn
Political Reporter, BBC WM
The chancellor talked about devolution today but there wasn't any more detail about the powers coming to the West Midlands – the 148-page Budget document talks about the "historic" deal that has led to the agreement of an elected mayor, which we knew already, as well as a mention of the money that will be available for transport and adult education skills.
Delving into more of the Budget document, the government has announced two projects around job creation and regeneration. It’s announced the creation of an Enterprise Zone at Brierley Hill in Dudley, which local Conservative MP Mike Wood claims could create thousands of jobs, as well as a £2m ‘masterplan’ for Birmingham’s Snow Hill district.
George Osborne also spoke in the Commons about money coming to Birmingham Children’s Hospital from banking fines.
Stephanie Barnard
BBC Local Live
The top stories in the BBC WM newsroom this evening:
- The death last year of a girl left brain-damaged when a speeding driver hit her parents' car in 2006 was caused by the crash
- Dudley's council leader has defended the criticised Dudley Eye big wheel
- In the Budget, the chancellor announces some cash raised from bankers fines are going to help sick children in Birmingham
Read more on BBC News about a schoolboy who has been interviewed by police and suspended, after a fellow pupil was injured with a pencil sharpener blade.
A former Express & Star librarian, who was responsible for cataloguing thousands of historic photographs, celebrated her 90th birthday recently., external
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What does the 2016 Budget mean for people and businesses in the West Midlands?
Read MoreOfficers from Staffordshire Police investigating a burglary in Rugeley are appealing for witnesses to come forward.
The break-in was discovered at about 13:00 on Monday when the occupants of the house on Old Eaton Road, Rugeley, returned home having been away since about 12:00 last Thursday.
BBC Midlands Today
Anthony Bartram, Producer
What’s in the chancellor’s little red box? We’re liveat 18:30 from Westminster chewing over the budget with our political editor Patrick Burns.
And what do you think of Dudley’s big wheel? This morning’s papers describe, external the “Dudl-eye” as Britain’s worst tourist attraction. As you’d expect, local people are not taking the news lying down, so join us on BBC One later to hear what they think.
The Chancellor George Osborne has finished delivering his Budget statement.
As part of the announcement, he says fines from a financial scandal will be used to support children's hospital services in a number of cities, including Birmingham.
Quote MessageI'm also using the Libor funds specifically to help with children's' hospital services. Members across the House have asked for resources for children's care in Manchester, Sheffield, Birmingham and Southampton and we provide those funds today
George Osborne, Chancellor
Watch this video, external to find out...
Image source, Express & StarA reality TV contestant from Birmingham reveals her other artistic talents as she appears on the BBC One show The Voice.
Megan Reece talks to Big Centre TV about the competition and her mentor Paloma Faith.
Royal Sutton Coldfield Observer
Hundreds of shoppers queued for hours at an Erdington shopping centre as Primark opened its latest store today
Image source, Royal Sutton Coldfield ObserverA man is being quizzed by police after a heavy goods vehicle, external was reported driving the wrong way down the M6 Toll near Lichfield.
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