Updates on Wednesday 20 January 2016
News, sport, travel and weather updates to resume at 8:00 on Thursday
Andy Giddings
BBC Local Live
Wem Town Hall is searching for Stormtroopers, Jedis and Ewoks.
It's screening the new Star Wars movie, The Force Awakens, at the end of the month and needs fans with realistic costumes to be there to greet people as they arrive to watch it.
Image source, Getty ImagesThe organisers say the costumes need to be screen-accurate and volunteers need to be there from 17:30 on 29 January.
Faith Page
Reporter, BBC Shropshire
The fire service says an e-cigarette has exploded in a man's mouth in Telford, burning the skin on his face and hands and knocking out a tooth.
He was smoking in his bedroom at a house on Blakemore in the Brookside area of the town just before 13:00.
A spokesman for the fire service says he'd heard of fires being caused by electronic cigarette chargers, but never the cigarette itself.
Andy Giddings
BBC Local Live
Workmen have sawn through a cable, leaving Dawley Medical Practice without power.
It means they can't use their computers or their phones, and only half the lights are working.
They're due to start seeing patients from 14:00 and they're not sure at the moment if the appointments can go ahead.
Image source, Google
Sean Fogarty
Producer, BBC Shropshire
It's been an icy start for most of us, but you can get some beautiful photos when it's frosty.
You can email us your pictures or share them on Facebook, external or Twitter, external.
This lunchtime on Midlands Today we'll be looking at the latest unemployment figures for the West Midlands, which have fallen.
Image source, Getty ImagesAs part of that, we'll also be looking at what's being done in the region to find people with the right skills to fill gaps in the job market.
More on Midlands Today from 13:30 on BBC One.
BBC Midlands Today
Time for another update on the two otter cubs rescued from the Christmas floods in Shrewsbury.
The RSPCA says the brother and sister, Joseph and Mary, are doing well and are continuing to put on weight.
Rob Scrivens from the RSPCA told us it might be nine months before they can be released back into the wild though.
Andy Giddings
BBC Local Live
Here are our headlines this lunchtime:
- Council and MP clash over Telford Town Park visitor centre
- Call for more blood donors in Shropshire
- Care workers sacked over incident at Bridgnorth home for disabled adults
Telford and Wrekin council has responded to concerns raised by Telford's MP about the Town Park visitor centre.
She has urged the authority to reconsider its plans to close the centre over the winter months, to save money.
But the council says it gets fewer visitors at this time of year and that cutbacks have to be made because it needs to save £30m over the next two years.
Image source, GoogleThe council also says it wants to discuss the cutbacks with Ms Allan, but she has been hard to pin down.
Quote MessageWe have asked to meet with Lucy to explain to her the council’s budget situation and our proposals but she has since cancelled this meeting. We have asked her to come back with a time that is convenient for her and are waiting for her to do so.
Telford and Wrekin council
Charlie Slater
BBC Weather presenter
It's going to be cold and frosty all day and by tea time temperatures will drop below freezing.
Andy Giddings
BBC Local Live
The weather might be freezing, but the BBC Weather Watchers are sharing some lovely photos of blue skies over the county.
These ones were taken in Clun (top) and Rushbury.
Image source, John on the borders
Image source, BasilNightlife in Shrewsbury is “booming” – but many residents are being left “fed up”, external with noise and damage.
Image source, Shropshire StarAndy Giddings
BBC Local Live
The plan to close Telford Town Park's visitor centre from November to February has upset local MP, Lucy Allan.
Telford and Wrekin Council is proposing the closure as a cost-cutting measure, as it tries to save £30m over the next two years.
But Ms Allan says the town park is one of the "jewels in Telford's crown" and is urging the council to reconsider.
Quote MessageBy cutting the funding for the visitor centre the council is undermining the success of the very jewel they cherished only a few months ago.
Lucy Allan, MP for Telford
Allen Cook
BBC Local Live
The unemployment rate in the West Midlands fell to 5.7% , externalin the three months to November.
Image source, Getty ImagesThe number of people out of work in the region fell by 8,000 to 157,000 between September and November .
Nationally, the UK unemployment rate fell to 5.1% - the lowest jobless rate since the three-month period to October 2005, according to the Office for National Statistics (ONS).
Mark Brandreth will take up his role as the new chief executive, external of the Robert Jones and Agnes Hunt Orthopaedic Hospital in Oswestry in the spring.
Image source, Shropshire StarFaith Page
Reporter, BBC Shropshire
Two care workers looking after vulnerable adults in Bridgnorth were sacked and one of them cautioned by police it has emerged.
The investigation took place early last year, but has only just come to light and health commissioners say a member of staff dragged an adult with learning disabilities at Lodge Lane care home.
The company which runs the home says the case is now closed and a "high-quality person-centered service is being provided to residents".
Sam Fleet
Journalist, BBC Shropshire
The top stories this morning:
- Shrewsbury scientist Andrew Sandilands has been awarded the Ebola Medal for the five weeks he spent helping to fight the ebola outbreak in West Africa
- Data obtained by BBC Radio Shropshire shows the county has just over 8,000 active blood donors, 0.3% below the national average
- Two care workers have been sacked after an incident at a home for disabled adults, in Bridgnorth
The river level in Shrewsbury is continuing to drop.
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BBC Travel
The A53 is closed and slow traffic southbound between the White Lodge Park junction in Shawbury and Battlefield Roundabout in Astley, because of an accident.
Jim Hawkins Show
On the Jim Hawkins Show this morning they're asking you about laughing and how much of it you do.
Apparently a full on giggle fit can burn as many as 120 calories an hour!
Image source, Getty ImagesTell Jim Hawkins by calling 01743 248321, you can text 81333 start your message with the word SHROP.
You can also email, or comment on Twitter, external or Facebook., external
We mentioned a lecture about Field Marshall Haig earlier in the week, organised by University Centre Shrewsbury.
Well, there's a whole series of these free talks coming up, including one later in the month on the Battle of Shrewsbury which asks where all the bodies were buried.
Image source, Getty ImagesAnd next month there will be lectures on Bomber Command in World War Two and Roundheads in Shropshire during the English Civil War.
