Laser pen shone at RAF Shawbury helicopter
Telford man appears in court charged with ten sex offences against girls
Wrekin MP to meet health secretary over hospital proposals
Updates on Friday 9 December
Whtchurch dancer AJ Pritchard is close to making the final of Strictly Come Dancing - and in an exclusive interview he is calling on Herald readers for help., external
Image source, Whitchurch Herald
Andy Giddings
BBC Shropshire
Here's a recap of our top stories this afternoon:
- NHS England wants Shropshire health plan re-written by Christmas
- Funding found for police body cameras
- Christmas lights stolen from Shropshire village
Nick Southall
Journalist, BBC Shropshire
The lengthy waiting times for a driving test in some parts of Shropshire have angered Whitchurch driving instructor Ron Ingall.
He sees it as proof the system is in crisis.
Learner drivers in parts of Shropshire are waiting three-and-a-half months for a test
Patrick Burns
Political editor, Midlands
Devolution revolution seems to be the topic that's all the rage in the Commons these days.
But the big challenge for that "devo" agenda in the Midlands seems to be getting it through to the House of Lords.
Image source, Getty ImagesOf 825 members of the Upper House, only 36 either live in, or have substantial connections with, our part of the country - under 5%.
So what price devolution if we don't punch our weight? I've been examining the issue in my latest blog on the BBC News website here.
Tracey Higgins
BBC Local Live
Bernie Clifton takes to the stage at The Place in Oakengates today, in the first performance of Cinderella, the town's panto for this year.
He's been to Telford before, appearing in Jack and the Beanstalk a few years ago.
Image source, Mel DayHis regular partner Oswald the Ostrich will also be making an appearance.
Andy Giddings
BBC Shropshire
Thieves have stolen some of the Christmas lights from the village of Sherifhhales, near Shifnal.
Pippa Hodgetts, who lives opposite, said three men were seen taking them down, before driving away in a van on Monday night.
Image source, Pippa HodgettsMs Hodgetts explained the lights had been gradually built-up by the community over the past six years and that all the rope lights had gone, along with a waving Santa.
James Bond
Sports Producer, BBC Shropshire
Warnings over avian flu might not have a major effect on the availability of geese and turkeys this Christmas, according to a Shropshire goose farmer.
Poultry owners in England and Wales will have to keep their birds indoors for the next 30 days as a precaution, to protect poultry from a virulent strain that's been found in dead wild-birds in Europe.
But William Brisbourne from Broomhill Farm, in Nesscliffe told us it won't affect farms like his.
A Shropshire goose farmer says warnings of avian flu won't affect his Christmas birds
Elizabeth Glinka
BBC Midlands Today
An investigation by Midlands Today has revealed that at least three-quarters of the MPs in our region have been abused or threatened while doing their job.
Image source, JUSTIN TALLIS/AFP/Getty ImagesThe research was carried out following the murder of the Yorkshire MP Jo Cox six months ago.
We'll have more on this story from 13:30 on BBC One in Midlands Today.
Telford has become the latest town to throw its hat in the ring in a bid to become the home of Jaguar Land Rover’s electric car project., external
Image source, Shropshire StarAndy Giddings
BBC Shropshire
These are our top stories this lunchtime:
- NHS England calls for re-write of Shropshire health plan
- Funding found for police body cameras
- Lorry spotted driving the wrong way down the M54
When Shropshire's health organisations published their Sustainability and Transformation Plan for the county last Monday, the chief executive of the Shrewsbury and Telford Hospital Trust said it had the support of NHS England.
But we now know that three days later it wrote to him saying the plan didn't detail how the growing deficit in local health bodies, particularly Shropshire's clinical commissioning group, would be dealt with.
Image source, SaTHThe letter, leaked to BBC Radio Shropshire, talks of "little confidence" in the plan and demands it be updated before Christmas.
It might be December, but this afternoon the weather will be sunny, with temperatures reaching 14C (57F).
Charlie Slater with this morning's weather for the West Midlands.
A lorry was spotted heading the wrong way down the M54 last night.
Police said they received two calls at about 22:30 reporting the vehicle going the wrong way around the roundabout at Shifnal services and then driving down the slip road on to the M54 eastbound to join it going in the wrong direction.
They carried out a search, but were unable to find the lorry.
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Tracey Higgins
BBC Local Live
Telford and Wrekin Council meets later, to prepare a possible legal challenge over the future of the town's hospital.
The authority's concerned about a recommendation that the most serious emergency cases should be treated at Shrewsbury.
Image source, GoogleHealth bosses say the new system, which would still see round-the-clock cover for less serious injuries in Telford, is safer, given the pressures on A&E and the difficulty in recruiting experienced staff.
Tracey Higgins
BBC Local Live
West Mercia's Police and Crime Commissioner says the £1m being spent on body-worn cameras will help prevent crimes and gather clear evidence.
John Campion says other forces have found that they also reduce the number of complaints against officers.
Image source, West Mercia Police and Crime CommissionerThey'll be introduced next year.
Tracey Higgins
BBC Local Live
Learner drivers in the county are having to wait up to three and a half months to sit their test.
The Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency says it's recruiting more examiners to ease the backlog.
The longest waits are in Oswestry and in Whitchurch.
Carly Brookfield from the Driving Instructors Association says the delays are partly because more people are wanting to learn.
Quote MessageThe forecast for tests until the end of this year is about 1.8 million, which is a good 200,000 up on the last three years. You've had a spate of examiners retiring all at once. This is more down to resource management. You always see a peak in demand in people learning to drive after recession."
Carly Brookfield, Driving Instructors Association
Tracey Higgins
BBC Local Live
Regional health bosses have dismissed a plan for the future of Shropshire's health service saying they have "little confidence" in it and demanding it be rewritten.
The STP - Sustainability and Transformation Plan - was published last week, foreseeing a huge shift of services out of hospitals to local community hubs.
But a leaked letter from NHS England says the plan doesn't address big deficits at Shropshire's commissioning body, nor say how the estimated £270m price tag for the changes will be paid for.
It tells leaders here to re-write the plan before Christmas.
James Bond
Sports Producer, BBC Shropshire
Shrewsbury Town's under-18s are through to the last 32 of the FA Youth Cup.
They came from behind to beat Accrington Stanley 2-1.
Image source, Getty ImagesRyan Sears levelled for the Town, with Matt Jones hitting the second-half winner.
Tracey Higgins
BBC Local Live
The top stories in Shropshire this morning:
- Regional health bosses say they have "little confidence" in a plan for the future of county's health service
- Learner drivers in parts of Shropshire are facing a three-and-a-half-month wait to sit their driving test
- Appeal for information after community Christmas lights are stolen in Sherffihales
James Bond
Sports Producer, BBC Shropshire
Telford Tigers take on Sheffield Steeldogs tonight in a mid-week clash.
They'll be without Dan Scott, the latest to depart as the club restructures its finances, and the team is battling a sickness bug.
Image source, James ShawJonathan Weaver is likely to miss tonight's game, after getting injured against Manchester Phoenix last month.
But he's confirmed he'll be staying for the rest of this season and the next.
