BBC Local Live: Birmingham and the Black Country on Friday 21 April 2017

Summary

Former Aston Villa player Ugo Ehiogu dies
JLR 'to stay in UK'
Harry Redknapp: Geranium killer
Birmingham's interest in 2022 Games bid
Updates from Friday 21 April 2017

Live Reporting

Alex Homer

Leisure centre to close to make way for discount supermarketpublished at 14:25 British Summer Time 24 April 2017
A leisure centre in Birmingham at the centre of a controversial planning application by supermarket chain Lidl is being forced to close.
Fitness First in Stirchley is shutting down after the site landlord agreed to a takeover by Lidl.
Last month, Lidl's planning application was revoked after mistakes were made in the decision-making process.
Image source, Google
Quote Message
It's with great sadness we confirm that we'll be closing the Fitness First club in Stirchley on Wednesday 31 May. Lidl confirmed they'd like to take over the site and so the landlord of the building made the decision to sell the site."
Martin Seibold, UK Managing Director at Fitness First
Local residents have mounted a legal challenge based around the loss of sporting and leisure facilities.
Woman arrested over 'terrorism' offencespublished at 13:59 British Summer Time 24 April 2017
The arrest is part of an on-going investigation, police say.
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Wyre Forest Lib Dems name their parliamentary candidatepublished at 13:45 British Summer Time 24 April 2017
The Liberal Democrats have announced that Councillor Shazu Miah will be their candidate for the Wyre Forest constituency in the general election.
Mr Miah says he will be campaigning against a hard Brexit and for keeping Britain in the single market.
Image source, Wyre Forest Liberal Democrats
Quote Message
Thirty six percent of Wyre Forest residents voted to remain in the EU and many more oppose the reckless decision of this hard-right Conservative government to pursue a 'hard Brexit'. Only the Lib Dems here in Wyre Forest are truly fighting her plans and fought to Remain."
Shazu Miah, Lib Dem parliamentary candidate
The deadline for nominating candidates is 11 May, but most parties will want their representatives in place well before that.
We'll bring you the latest on the election campaign as we get it.
Bell and Ambrose steer Bears into calmer waterspublished at 13:19 British Summer Time 24 April 2017
Warwickshire 332 & 280-5 (87 overs) v Surrey 437
Mark Church
BBC Radio London commentator
A good morning for the hosts under leaden skies in Birmingham. Ian Bell played a captain's innings in every sense of the word and deserved a hundred.
He was done by a lovely piece of bowling from his opposing leader, Gareth Batty, who found Bell's outside edge on 99 and Ben Foakes did the rest behind the stumps.
Batty caused problems from the City End, finding bounce and turn which would have made Jeetan Patel sit up in the dressing room. Tim Ambrose has played very nicely, passing 50 for the first time this season but the weather could have the final say in this game which would be a real shame.
Warwickshire lead by 175 runs, but Surrey would still fancy a chase with the ball turning. Sadly it is very, very dark above Edgbaston and rain brought an early lunch.
Woman questioned on terror related offencespublished at 13:16 British Summer Time 24 April 2017
A 21-year-old woman is being questioned by police, external after being arrested in Birmingham this morning on suspicion of terrorism offences.
Police say the arrest relates to the on-going investigation in which a brother and sister were arrested and charged with terror offences earlier this month.
Ummariyat Mirza, 21, of St Agathas Road, is accused of plotting a terror knife attack.
His sister, Zainub Mirza, 23, from Eastfield Road, Bordesley Green, is charged with sending Islamic State propaganda videos to others.
Police officers say today's arrest was pre-planned and there is "no risk to the public’s safety".
Woman arrested on suspicion of preparing for acts of terrorismpublished at 12:53 British Summer Time 24 April 2017
Breaking
A 21-year-old woman has been arrested on suspicion of preparing for acts of terrorism, says West Midlands Police., external
The arrest is part of an on-going investigation in Birmingham by officers.
Bananarama head to Birmingham as they announce they are back togetherpublished at 12:47 British Summer Time 24 April 2017
BBC Entertainment and Arts
The original line-up of Bananarama have reunited and are going on tour.
Sara Dallin, Siobhan Fahey and Keren Woodward were the biggest girl band of the 80s, scoring hits including Venus, Shy Boy and Love In The First Degree.
Media caption,
Sara, Siobhan and Keren give Chris the lowdown on their big comeback.
Although they scored 10 top 10 hits, the trio never toured before Fahey quit to form Shakespears Sister in 1988.
The split was acrimonious, but the members recently reconciled and have announced a 15-date UK tour for winter, including a stop in Birmingham.
Tickets for the 23 November Barclaycard Arena gig go on sale on Wednesday morning.
Jaguar Land Rover joins trend to jettison final salary pensionspublished at 12:26 British Summer Time 24 April 2017
Financial Times
Jaguar Land Rover will cut the pensions of thousands of its workers by ending a link to final salaries, becoming the latest UK-based company to reduce retirement benefits. , external
Moment drunk motorist stopped by policepublished at 11:57 British Summer Time 24 April 2017
Birmingham Mail
The moment when a drunk driver carried on up the M6 through Birmingham - despite having just three tyres and a smashed windscreen. , external
First match of the season for Birmingham City Ladiespublished at 11:30
Blues Ladies drew 0-0 with Sunderland, external in their opening game of the new Women's Super League season.
Villa Ladies beat London Bees 3-2 on Saturday in WSL2.
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Warwickshire v Surrey: Play about to start on final daypublished at 10:54 British Summer Time 24 April 2017
Warwickshire skipper Ian Bell believes Surrey are in a "really good place" despite leading his side to a 57-run lead with an unbeaten 68 on the third evening at Edgbaston.
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The Bears were heavily beaten in their first two games of the summer - including by Surrey at The Oval - and need Bell to make a big score if they are to avoid defeat in this one.
"You always look back at games and the little one-per-centers. We should have got 400 in our first innings and maybe could have bowled a touch better," he said.
You can follow live updates on today's play here.
Bears' captain Ian Bell leads fightback at Edgbastonpublished at 10:14 British Summer Time 24 April 2017
BBC Sport
Warwickshire captain Ian Bell led a spirited fightback with his best first-class score in more than a year to help take the beleaguered Bears' game with Surrey into a fourth day at Edgbaston.
Image source, Getty Images
The prospect of a third straight defeat for the bottom side remains very real as they lead by only 57 runs on 162-4.
But with Bell, still an England hopeful at 34, well set at the crease on 68, they can yet save this game.
Villa 1-0 Blues: It took Gabby a year but it was worth waiting forpublished at 09:40 British Summer Time 24 April 2017
BBC Sport
He hadn't scored for over a year for Villa but he popped up with the winner on derby day.
Gabby Agbonlahor gives the bragging rights to every Villa fan heading into work this morning with his fifth derby goal against Blues.
Image source, Getty Images
Despite Steve Bruce describing it as the "worst game of the season" the fans are happy.
The result leaves Blues two points above the relegation zone with two to play.
Image source, Getty Images
Quote Message
They (Birmingham under Gianfranco Zola) had won two out of 24. When you look at that record, it scares you to death. Confidence has been low but the lads showed good attitude and responded well. We could not have worked any harder. We just didn't get the break. It won't be easy against Huddersfield, but we've got every chance if we keep playing like that."
Harry Redknapp, Birmingham City manager
Steve Bruce challenging Gabriel Agbonlahorpublished at 09:10 British Summer Time 24 April 2017
Express and Star
Steve Bruce has challenged Gabriel Agbonlahor to earn a new contract, external at Villa after the striker’s derby heroics sank Blues.
Villa v Blues: Men arrested following football derby disorderpublished at 08:38 British Summer Time 24 April 2017
Six men have been arrested following disorder during the Aston Villa v Birmingham City match yesterday.
Five were arrested following a pitch invasion and a 21-year-old from Dudley was taken into custody after a steward was racially abused, say West Midlands Police.
Officers also arrested three fans from Birmingham in connection with disorder at the Bullring Tavern during the Blues-Leeds fixture last month.
Watch: What's the weather doing today?published at 08:24 British Summer Time 24 April 2017
Charlie Slater
BBC Weather presenter
After a cloudy start with some light showers, it should be a dry and bright day with highs of 12C (54F).
You can find a detailed forecast for your area on the BBC Weather site.
Media caption,
Latest weather for the West Midlands
Trains delayed between Birmingham and Wolverhamptonpublished at 08:22 British Summer Time 24 April 2017
Stephanie Barnard
BBC Local Live
Trains between Birmingham and Wolverhampton are delayed following a cable theft overnight.
The train operator London Midland is warning commuters to expect delays through the morning.
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It's more than a swimming poolpublished at 06:12 British Summer Time 24 April 2017
The Moseley Shoals have been swimming at Moseley Road baths for 17 years. The pool is due to shut later this year.
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Bell leads Bears revival against Surreypublished at 19:03 British Summer Time 23 April 2017
Warwickshire captain Ian Bell hits an unbeaten 67, his best first-class score in a year, against Surrey at Edgbaston.
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Lawro's predictions v Jermaine Jenas and Trevor Nelsonpublished at 18:30 British Summer Time 23 April 2017
BBC football expert Mark Lawrenson takes on Jermaine Jenas and Trevor Nelson in this week's Premier League predictions.
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