Are mince pies too boozy for children?published at 15:21 Greenwich Mean Time 24 November 2017
A woman was asked for ID over a mince pie - so how much alcohol is in the festive treats and are they OK for kids?
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Updates from Friday 24 November
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Are mince pies too boozy for children?published at 15:21 Greenwich Mean Time 24 November 2017
In the papers: Vending machine for the homeless coming to Birminghampublished at 15:19 Greenwich Mean Time 24 November 2017
Child sex offender told girl to say she was 16published at 15:11 Greenwich Mean Time 24 November 2017
A man who had sex with an underage girl told her to say she was 16 if anyone asked, police said.
He's been jailed for five years.
Image source, West Midlands PoliceAt Warwick Crown Court on Thursday, Anthony Scattergood, from Dillotford Avenue, Coventry, was found guilty of four counts of sexual activity with a child.
Police say he met the 15-year-old girl on 16 April and had sex with her multiple times the following day at his flat, despite her telling him her age.
Scattergood has also been placed on the sex offenders register indefinitely and will be monitored for eight years after his release.
Council puts forward offer to end Birmingham bin disputepublished at 14:49 Greenwich Mean Time 24 November 2017
Kathryn Stanczyszyn
Political Reporter, BBC WMIn a bid to resolve Birmingham's bin dispute in which strikes were resumed when grade three workers were hit with redundancy notices, the council is proposing to keep 106 grade three binmen - and on their current salaries.
The local authority says it is a new role.
Image source, PAImage caption, The bin strike in Birmingham began on 30 June
They would still be on the bin lorries, but as "waste reduction and collection officers", focusing more on recycling- which is also how the council plans to pay for this deal.
Image source, PAThe proposal hasn't been approved yet by the union representing the workers, Unite. It has a meeting tomorrow to come to a decision.
If it accepts the council's idea, it means a High Court case next week - to decide whether workers were unlawfully issued with redundancy notices - won't take place. And the dispute will be over.
Daughter appeals over attack on her father, 87published at 14:37 Greenwich Mean Time 24 November 2017
BBC WMThe daughter of an elderly man punched and kicked at his Sutton Coldfield home says the skin on one hand has literally been ripped off.
Image source, Staffordshire PoliceTwo men attacked Arthur "Bob" Gumbley, 87, after breaking into his home in Endwood Drive.
He was found lying on the floor and covered in blood shortly before 22:00 on Tuesday. His house had been ransacked, police said.
Quote MessageThese people must have my dad's blood on their clothes. He was covered in so much blood. If anyone knows these two people or anything about this, please we want them to come forward... The skin on his one hand has been literally ripped off his hand. It's in a right state."
Susan Boys, Daughter
Villa lose Kodjia after ankle surgerypublished at 14:34 Greenwich Mean Time 24 November 2017
Aston Villa boss Steve Bruce is devastated by the loss of striker Jonathan Kodjia, who has had further ankle surgery.
Read MoreKodjia operation decision 'devastating'published at 14:18 Greenwich Mean Time 24 November 2017
BBC WM SportAston Villa, external manager Steve Bruce says the loss of striker Jonathan Kodjia is "devastating".
Image source, Rex FeaturesVilla are expecting to be without him for up to five months after he required surgery on his ankle injury.
The Ivory Coast international [pictured above] went under the knife this morning.
Quote MessageThey've decided to operate, which is devastating news to us all of course. [It's] something to do with the bone density. Look, I'm no doctor, but the bone density... is not that great and it hasn't really healed the way we would like.... and obviously it's the worst possible news for us."
Steve Bruce, Aston Villa manager
Councillors defer decision on 600-homes planspublished at 14:09 Greenwich Mean Time 24 November 2017
Faith Page
Reporter, BBC ShropshireA decision on plans to build 600 homes in east Shrewsbury, external has been put off by councillors.
Image source, GoogleThe plans, which were recommended for approval, were due to go before the council yesterday but a final say so's been deferred.
Residents living near the proposed site in Cherry Orchard had raised concerns about a lack of infrastructure like shops, pubs and a community meeting space.
'People put off pest reports over rat tax'published at 13:47 Greenwich Mean Time 24 November 2017
Lucy King
News Editor, BBC Radio StokeStoke-on-Trent City Council is accused of having a "rat tax" because of a £60 charge for its pest controllers.
Image source, PALabour councillor Candi Chetywnd told BBC Radio Stoke she believed the charge, which was introduced in April, was putting people off reporting problems with vermin.
In Smallthorne, people have told the BBC that fly-tipping in an alleyway has seen rats spread into their yard but it's the residents who have to pay the fee to remove them.
The city council said its pest control team visited the site earlier this month and saw no signs of rat activity or anything that would attract rodents.
It says on its website that people in privately-rented or owned houses usually have to pay, external for their pest treatments and it can cost up to £60., external
'Severe delays' to buses after fatal A500 crashpublished at 13:38 Greenwich Mean Time 24 November 2017
Allen Cook
BBC NewsBus services in Stoke-on-Trent and north Staffordshire are suffering "severe delays" after part of the A500 shut all morning following a fatal crash.
A lorry driver died when two lorries collided on the dual carriageway between the A53 roundabout and Wolstanton Retail Park at about 05:10.
The northbound side's been shut since then and First Potteries says roads around the area are more congested as drivers seek alternative routes, delaying their buses., external
Man charged after taxi driver stabbingpublished at 13:29 Greenwich Mean Time 24 November 2017
A man has been charged in connection with the stabbing of a taxi driver in Manchester.
He was charged with attempted murder and possession of an offensive weapon after the incident in Moss Side on 11 November.
The man has also been charged with a further offence of possession of an imitation firearm with intent to commit an indictable offence in relation to a separate incident that took place in Crewe on 21 November.
He has been remanded to appear at Manchester Crown Square on 21 December.
Megson: No 'negativity' in 'stay away' messagepublished at 13:22 Greenwich Mean Time 24 November 2017
BBC WM SportWest Bromwich Albion interim boss Gary Megson says telling fellow assistant head coach Ben Garner to stay away from the club was not a "negative decision".
Image source, Rex FeaturesQuote MessageIt wasn't a decision negatively with him, it was a positive decision about what I think needs to happen at the football club. I won't do a character assassination of someone. But I know how I want the club to run and it was what I wanted to do. On the back of Tony leaving, I needed to lift the mood."
Gary Megson, Albion interim boss
Man in court over cash machine attackspublished at 13:10 Greenwich Mean Time 24 November 2017
Amy Woodfield
BBC Local LiveTwo men have been charged in connection with cash machine attacks in the East Midlands and neighbouring counties.
Charlie Smith, 31, from Mere Lane in Bitteswell, and Alfie Adams, 36, from Bickershaw Lane in Wigan, have both been charged with four counts of burglary and one count of theft.
The men have both been remanded in custody to appear at Leicester Magistrates’ Court today.
The charges relate to:
- Burglary at the Co-op in Cosby
- Burglary at the Co-op in Bignal Court in Kettering
- Theft of a motor vehicle in Nuneaton
- Burglary at Tesco Express in Hinckley
- Burglary at the Co-op in Burwell
Two women, aged 29 and 38, arrested on suspicion of offences under the Proceeds of Crime Act, have been released while inquiries continue.
Museum suggested to replace Aga foundrypublished at 13:00 Greenwich Mean Time 24 November 2017
BBC ShropshireThe Aga foundry in Coalbrookdale, Shropshire, should be turned into a museum, according to a local council leader.
On Thursday the gates at the site shut with more than 300 years of history.
Media caption, Aga foundry shuts gates
Cast iron production began at the site when industrialist Abraham Darby opened a factory in 1709.
Local people have told BBC Shropshire they don't want just homes built on the site. The leader of Telford and Wrekin Council says he'd like it to become a working museum.
Quote MessageThere's a real opportunity for the museum, I think the idea of a working museum is a great one. I think the ability for this site to maybe look at the different forms of the next industrial revolution would be quite fitting as well."
Councillor Shaun Davies, Leader of Telford and Wrekin Council
Classic albums used to attract footy fanspublished at 12:40 Greenwich Mean Time 24 November 2017
Staffordshire-based Leek Town FC advertises its matches using famous movie posters and album covers.
Read MoreIn the papers: Taxpayers face huge bill to clear pondpublished at 12:39 Greenwich Mean Time 24 November 2017
Here are some of the stories making the headlines on the Worcester News website today:
Travel: Crash blocks M6 northbound in Staffordshirepublished at 12:29 Greenwich Mean Time 24 November 2017
BBC News TravelThe M6 northbound in Staffordshire is blocked between junctions 15 and 16 after a crash.
Highways England says emergency services are on their way and there are already long delays on the route., external
Image source, Highways EnglandWoman released after murder arrestpublished at 12:22 Greenwich Mean Time 24 November 2017
No further action will be taken against the 40-year-old after the body of a man, 62, was found.
Read MoreHundreds of homes and companies lose powerpublished at 12:20 Greenwich Mean Time 24 November 2017
More than 1,100 homes and businesses are without power in the Tamworth area this afternoon, according to Western Power Distribution:
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End of twitter postEuropean Christmas market returns to Telfordpublished at 12:18 Greenwich Mean Time 24 November 2017
Andy Giddings
BBC NewsTelford's European Christmas market has returned for its second year - with more stalls.
Organiser Andy Burnett, from Newport in Shropshire, said that booking traders was easier after a successful debut in the town last winter.
And it has opened earlier than last year, giving visitors to Southwater an extra week of bratwurst, gluhwein and schnitzel.
Media caption, 'Bigger and better' Christmas market for Telford
