The carving was used by children to balance on in a country park before it was stolen in July.

Shropshire Star

Here's a look at this morning's top stories from the Shropshire Star:

• Shropshire farmer facing end of his tenancy has to find homes for his 37 cats, external
• Fears over traffic chaos in Chirk during bypass works, external
• Shrewsbury Town Council clerk lifts lid on 'pulling a Jackie Weaver', external

A paraplegic patient at University Hospitals of North Midlands has thanked the nurse who has cared for him since his diagnosis by nominating him for an award.

Brian Sirrell, of Welshpool, Powys, has neurological disorder CIPD, external, which targets the body's nerves and has been cared for by Scott Dobing, for 20 years.

Mr Sirrell said he spent five hours handwriting the letter to nominate Mr Dobing for the trust's Hero award.

Image source, UHNM

"Without Scott I wouldn’t be here today. I have known him for so long, he almost feels like a son," Mr Sirrell said.

Mr Dobing said he felt "proud and honoured" to have been given the award.

After carrying out up to 7,000 coronavirus tests in Walsall, after a South African variant was found in the town's WS2 area, another case has not yet been found.

Walsall was one of eight areas across England where the South African variant was detected in early February, leading to the roll-out of enhanced - or surge - testing via mobile sites to trace any further transmission.

Image source, PA Media

Stephen Craddock, the council's portfolio holder for health and wellbeing, said they were feeling "optimistic" as the authority had expected further cases to be picked up in the area.

On Friday, the council said a further case of the South African variant, external - not linked to the WS2 case - had been found in the Pleck area and targeted testing will be carried out later this week.

Cllr Craddock said volunteers will be doing "door-to-door" testing from Wednesday, adding the council was confident in the "fool-proof" plan following the success of its surge testing earlier this month.

Aerial footage shows the London to Birmingham leg of the HS2 high-speed rail network – and the current state of its construction.

A man has been found dead in Staffordshire.

The 47-year-old was found on Laches Lane in Coven on Sunday morning but was pronounced dead at the scene by paramedics.

Staffordshire Police is treating his death as unexplained and is appealing to anyone who might have been in the area during Saturday evening and Sunday morning to get in touch.

"It is understood that the man was last seen alive in the area of New Cross Hospital in Wolverhampton and officers are trying to establish his movements between this time," the force said.

The latest news and updates from across the West Midlands and south Cheshire.

Take a flight along phase one of the high-speed rail network – from London to Birmingham.

From Bieber hits to Brummie accents - seven things learnt from Malala Yousafzai's Desert Island Discs.

The council is proposing introducing charges at Westport Lake and Central Forest Park.

Ralph Hasenhuttl says video refereeing is "destroying the game" after a controversial penalty decision in Southampton's defeat by Wolves.

More than 100 people who have died from Covid-19 have so far been included in the new art work.

Aston Villa's home Women's Super League game with Arsenal is postponed because of a frozen pitch.

Immy Leith, 10, is walking the distance to raise money for a hospice that cared for her mother.

Brighton are left frustrated as they have to settle for a goalless home draw against Aston Villa in the Premier League.

Aitor Karanka says it will be "impossible" to stay up if Birmingham play as badly as they did in the 1-0 home loss to Luton.

Lillian Greenway received cards and presents after an appeal to help her mark her 100th birthday.

Cardiff continued their recent revival under new boss Mick McCarthy as Wales striker Kieffer Moore inspired his side to a 3-1 win over Coventry.

Surge testing will be held in the area along with similar schemes in Middlesbrough and Walsall.

Saturday's League One game between Shrewsbury Town and Ipswich Town is postponed due to a frozen pitch.