Updates on Thursday 3 December 2015
News, sport, travel and weather updates to resume at 08:00 on Friday
Ian Perry
BBC Radio Shropshire
Nurses have started touring Shropshire's schools, to immunise children against flu.
It follows a successful pilot scheme last year and 11,000 children will be given a nasal spray this winter.
The NHS says that immunising the children also reduces the risk of flu being passed on to adults.
The flu spray being used at the Martin Wilson school in Shrewsbury
Andy Giddings
BBC Local Live
The MP for Ludlow, Philip Dunne, who also serves as a defence minister, says the RAF has the weapons to take on the IS group in Syria, while minimising civilian casualties.
He voted for airstrikes on the so-called Islamic State.
Quote MessageIn over 360 strikes that the RAF has undertaken in Iraq against ISIL we don't believe there has been a single civilian casualty and when you talk about bombing Syria, what you are talking about using are precision munitions.
Philip Dunne, MP for Ludlow
Ludlow & Tenbury Wells Advertiser
Mike Dowsing from Tenbury is behind a scheme, external to help tackle the serious problem of depression and loneliness that affects many men as they get older.
Image source, Ludlow Advertiser
Charlie Slater
BBC Weather presenter
Expect more rain and some blustery winds in Shropshire this afternoon.
Tracey Higgins
BBC Local Live
Christmas has arrived early for 21 Shetland ponies that were rescued by the RSPCA and are currently being looked after at the Gonsal Farm Equine Centre in Shrewsbury.
Eight specially made rugs have been given to the team at Gonsal Farm, at a reduced price, by a horse rug company.
Image source, RSPCAQuote MessageShetlands wouldn't normally need a rug in most circumstances due to their thick coat, but these were in such a bad state of neglect they needed the extra layer to keep them warm, now the weather has turned colder.
Kate Clement, Equine Yard Manager at RSPCA Gonsal Farm
Ian Perry
BBC Radio Shropshire
Children at Oakmeadow Primary School in Bayston Hill got a surprise this morning when Santa flew in to pay a visit.
He hitched a lift on a helicopter from RAF Shawbury.
Warning: There is no commentary on this video
Tracey Higgins
BBC Local Live
Imagine if your doctor lived with you and could see what you eat and how much exercise you do.
Well that's exactly what one family from Shrewsbury did for a TV programme that continues tonight on BBC One.
Blood tests reveal that Dottie D'Arcy from Shrewsbury could have type two diabetes
Doctor in the House is on BBC One tonight at 21:00
Andy Giddings
BBC Local Live
Here's a recap of our top stories this lunchtime:
- Flood waters peaking in Ironbridge this afternoon
- Mobile operating theatres to ease winter pressures
- Ludlow MP backs RAF to avoid civilian casualties in Syria
Andy Giddings
BBC Local Live
Train firm London Midland, which runs services to Birmingham, has had its franchise extended until 2017.
The company says it means new jobs will be created as it looks to take on extra drivers, conductors and apprentices.
It also says there'll be 6,600 extra seats between London and Crewe and more services to Birmingham on Sundays - as well as improved ticketing systems and free wi-fi.
Andy Giddings
BBC Local Live
In case you missed the vote last night, all five of our Shropshire MPsvoted in favourof air strikes on so-called Islamic State in Syria.
Image source, Getty ImagesAnd this morning the MP for Ludlow (and defence minister) Philip Dunne told us he wasn't concerned about civilian casualties because British armed forces have precision weapons not available to other countries.
Andy Giddings
BBC Local Live
Flood waters are expected to peak in Ironbridge this afternoon at around 5.4m (18ft) and in Bridgnorth tonight at 4.3m (14ft).
Further north, river levels have already peaked and are falling, but the Environment Agency is still urging you to be very careful, especially around small rivers and watercourses.
It says they can be very unpredictable.
Image source, Environment AgencyQuote MessageSome of the smaller rivers and streams around the county are going to react to (flooding) quite quickly and that makes going near them, to the edge of them, quite dangerous. They will be fast and you won't see the edge very clearly.
Chris Bainger, Environment Agency
A woman was taken to hospital, external after the car she was driving left the carriageway and ended up in a ditch in Shropshire.
Image source, Shropshire Star
BBC Travel
Waterloo Street in Ironbridge has been reopened ahead of schedule after nine days of resurfacing work.
Image source, GoogleQuote MessageI know that residents and businesses in Ironbridge have felt the pressure because of The Wharfage closing as well because of rising water levels in the River Severn but at least now Waterloo Street is back open.
Angela McClements, Telford and Wrekin councillor
Andy Giddings
BBC Local Live
We told you yesterday that the trees had arrived at St Andrew's church in Shifnal (70 of them!) for the Christmas tree festival.
Well, they've been hard at work getting those trees decorated, ready for the start of the festival tomorrow.
Here are some that stood out.
The trust running hospitals in Shropshire has drafted in a mobile operating theatre, to help ease pressures during the winter season.
It's based at the Princess Royal Hospital and will be used to tackle the backlog of patients needing day surgery until April.
Medical Director Mark Cheetham says the unit, which was delivered on two low loaders, is "a state of the art modern surgical facility".
"It's as good as the facilities in our main hospitals," he said.
Andy Giddings
BBC Local Live
You've probably noticed people using all sorts of names for the jihadist group in Iraq and Syria.
Confused?
Maybe this BBC guide will help clarify things.
Tracey Higgins
BBC Local Live
Have you ever been within touching distance of success, only to have your dreams dashed at the last moment?
Nigel Dolman has been talking to one man in Newport who knows that feeling only too well.
Telford Town Park, external has been named the UK's Best Park in this year's Fields in Trust Awards.
Image source, Shropshire StarAndy Giddings
BBC Local Live
Here are our top stories this morning:
- Flood warnings remain in place but waters reaching peak
- Calls for more funding to treat teenage mental health issues
- Telford town park is voted the best in the UK
Jim Hawkins Show
MPs voted last night to extend bombing raids from Iraq to Syria and take out targets associated with the so-called Islamic State.
Jim Hawkins is asking you this morning whether you feel safer now that decision has been taken?
UK pilots in Syria IS airstrikes
You can get in touch with Jim by calling 01743 248321, texting 81333 and starting your text with the word SHROP. You can also email, tweet, external or contact him via Facebook, external
