Hundreds of shoppers have been praising a supermarket porter they say should be recognised for his services to the community.

The outpouring of support for Dave Jones, who has worked at Asda in Tipton since it opened 21 years ago, came after a photo was posted on the supermarket giant's Facebook page, external.

It attracted 17,000 likes with shoppers praising him for his sunny attitude.

Image source, ASDA

Sharon Bartlett commented: "He goes out of his way for everyone, such a lovely fella, always so happy."

Douglas Sykes added: "Here is a man who deserves recognition for his service to the community as they shop. He should be included in the next honours list."

And regular customer Janine Green said: ""He is quite simply one of the kindest, politest, happiest, most positive people I've ever met.

"If everyone was a little more like Dave, the world would be a much better place."

Local Democracy Reporting Service

Historic England has set out more of its plans for Shrewsbury's Flaxmill building.

They include the removal of the maltings plant, new walls, ramps and a new bin store, along with repairs to windows and the roof.

Image source, Historic England

Historic England said the building will be ready for use by 2021, with offices, a cafe and community space.

But, to create access to the reception area, part of the Grade II-listed malt kiln would have to be demolished and the grain chute, which is all that remains of the machinery that used to be inside it, will be taken out.

Local Democracy Reporting Service

Sandbach fire station is going to be one of three refurbished in the near year by Cheshire Fire Authority.

It's spending £8.5m on the repair programme, which will be extended to 21 stations over the next five years and work on Sandbach is expected to start in February and be complete by September 2020.

Image source, Google

The Middlewich and Runcorn fire stations are the other two to be tackled in this first wave and the station in Nantwich will be renovated in 2024.

Hereford Times

Here are three of the stories from the Hereford Times today:

• Cannabis farm near Hereford raided by police, external
• Police appeal to find missing teenager, external
• Plans to build homes on flood plain, external

A man is in a critical condition after being found with serious head injuries in an Aldi car park in Coventry.

He was discovered outside the Radford Road store just before 05:00 - but West Midlands Police say they do not know what happened to him.

Image source, Google

They are appealing for anyone with information to get in touch.

A rapper from Telford is hoping he can get through to young people and spread important messages about the dangers of knives.

Trademark Blud is getting involved in a 10-week knife awareness campaign in the town in the new year, holding weekly song-writing workshops and said "its one of the musics that young people are engaging with and listening to."

Image source, West Mercia Police

The project coincides with the town hosting the Knife Angel sculpture, which was created at the British Ironworks centre near Oswestry.

In September 234 knives were handed over to West Mercia Police when it placed surrender bins at stations around the force area and it said it worked with more than 100 young people in Telford identified as being on "the periphery of knife crime."

Matt Shilvock has run 5km every day in 2019 to raise £3,600 for charity.

People could be fined if they employ an unlicensed company to take away their rubbish.

Sandwell Council has handed out £400 fines to 165 people caught fly-tipping since they were introduced in May 2017, but said it wants a change in the rules, to make them responsible for the people they hire too.

Council leader Yvonne Davies said the authority wanted to "make householders think twice about who they get to dispose of items."

And she added: "If people refuse to pay door-to-door callers to dispose of their waste, this will help us tackle the situation.”

BBC Radio Shropshire Sport

Shrewsbury Town manager Sam Ricketts says he's not expecting to make many changes when the January transfer window opens.

"The last two windows have been very busy so I think this one will be more tweaking as opposed to wholesale changes," he said.

Image source, Getty Images

Ricketts said one or two loanees who aren't getting enough playing time could be sent back and explained: "We have an obligation to the player and the parent club."

Worcester News

Here are three of the stories featured on the Worcester News website today:

• Shake up of hospital parking charges, external
• Fundraisers give over £35,000 to charities, external
• HMV Worcester closing, external

The British Medical Journal says the man "slipped through the net".

Matt Shilvock has run 5km every day in 2019 in memory of West Bromwich Albion mascot Richard Eades.

Tamworth girl Amelia Eldred lost a limb to bone cancer and had a leg reattached backwards.

More than 7,000 animals in need of help were reported to the RSPCA over Christmas.

BBC Weather Watchers

The crisp, dry end to 2019 has prompted all sorts of photos from the BBC Weather Watchers today, including this pheasant that popped up in Southam, Warwickshire.

Image source, LittleAcorns

Image source, Videoman

Image source, Peter Steggles

Four West Midlands high streets are among the first 14 to receive money from a £1bn government fund.

West Bromwich, Coventry, Stirchley in Birmingham and Cheadle in the Staffordshire Moorlands will each get up to £25m worth of support from a High Streets Task Force.

Image source, Google

The government said in August: "The funding could be used by these areas to improve transport and access into town centres, convert empty retail units into new homes and workplaces, and invest in vital infrastructure."

Shropshire Star

Here are three of the stories on the Shropshire Star's website today:

• Hospital cash crisis means scheme could be carried out in phases, external
• Council rejects plans for blanket 20mph speed limit, external
• Smoking toaster sets off fire alarm at hospital, external

Ten charity shops have been broken into across Shropshire in a month, police said today.

The Cuan Wildlife store in Much Wenlock was targeted overnight, along with the MIND and Cancer Research shops in Bridgnorth.

The Oxfam, Blue Cross and Cancer Research UK charity shops in Ludlow were raided on 27 December.

Image source, Cuan Wildlife Rescue

Thieves have also broken into two charity shops in Shifnal, one in Lawley and another in Wellington during December and West Mercia Police said it thought the crimes could be linked.

BBC Sport

Warwickshire's Dominic Sibley is feeling better after recovering from a sickness bug and will train tomorrow, ahead of England's second test against South Africa in Cape Town.

He scored four and 29 in the first test and is expected to return as opener if he's fit.

Image source, Getty Images

Ollie Pope, Chris Woakes and Jack Leach were ruled out of the 107-run, first Test defeat in Centurion, while captain Joe Root, Jos Buttler and Ben Stokes spent time off the field.

But the England team is reporting no further outbreaks.

West Midlands Ambulance Service is drafting in extra staff to deal with an expected increase in call-outs tonight.

The main spike is usually seen withing 15 minutes of the New Year - and most incidents are alcohol related.

Last year, WMAS received 2,140 calls between 19:00 on New Year’s Eve and 06:00 on New Year’s Day.