Summary

  • 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

Live Reporting

Andy Giddings

  1. Junior doctor leaves NHS over row on new government contracts

    Tracey Higgins
    BBC Local Live

    A Junior doctor says she's leaving the NHS, because of the protracted row with the government over new contracts.  

    Caroline Jones, who's a single mum from Shrewsbury, had most recently been working at a hospital in Stoke-on-Trent.  

    NurseGetty Images

    She says long days, including out of hours commitments, were getting too much. 

    I wasn't seeing my children and that's what it had come down to. And with the new contracts from next August, for me, we know that the hours were going to increase, especially the out of hours commitments. I was being made to choose between being a parent or being a doctor. I really wanted to juggle both, but I failed."

    Caroline Jones, Junior doctor

  2. Police make three arrests for drug offences

    Tracey Higgins
    BBC Local Live

    Three drivers were arrested by West Mercia Police last night for driving while under the influence of drugs. 

    One of the cars also had no tax and was seized on behalf of the DVLA.   

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  3. Funding of £1m agreed for body cams for police

    Police officers in West Mercia will begin wearing body cameras next year after the police and crime commissioner agreed to spend £1m on the scheme.

    The £1m is a joint investment with the Warwickshire PCC for the West Mercia and Warwickshire forces, with West Mercia putting up 69% of the cost.

    Body cam

    West Mercia Police says firearms officers and those carrying Tasers will be first to receive the new cameras, before they are rolled out across the rest of the force.

    I have seen first-hand the benefits these cameras have and have led the push for their introduction. I am pleased to have reached this milestone and will continue to hold the chief constable to account to ensure the cameras are introduced on time, on budget and then used appropriately across the force

    John Campion, West Mercia Police and Crime Commissioner

  4. Waiting times for learners to take a driving test branded a 'disgrace'

    Tracey Higgins
    BBC Local Live

    A Shropshire driving instructor says the waiting time for learners to take their practical test in the county is a disgrace. 

    It's three and a half months to get a driving test in Oswestry, two and a half months in Whitchurch and two months for Shrewsbury and Telford. 

    Learner driver badgePA

    National guidelines say you shouldn't have to wait more than seven weeks.

    Ron Ingall, who works in Whitchurch, thinks the system's in crisis.

    We're a rural county and we have to travel. I feel so sorry for the people who want to get tests, you've got midwives who have to pass the test to get about the county. They can't get tests. If they fail the test they're at the back of the queue again."

    Ron Ingall, Driving test instructor

  5. Latest: Waiting times for driving test branded a 'disgrace'; council meet to discuss legal challenge over hospital future in Telford

    Tracey Higgins
    BBC Local Live

    The top stories in Shropshire this morning: 

    - Driving test system in the County in "meltdown" critics say, with people waiting three and a half months 

    - Telford and Wrekin Council meet to discuss legal challenge over town hospital future

    - Junior doctor leaves the NHS "because of new government contracts" 

  6. Watch: Latest Weather for the West Midlands

    Charlie Slater
    BBC Weather presenter

    A drizzly and perhaps murky start for some today, though the cloud will soon thin to allow spells of sunshine for a time. However, the skies will tend to slowly cloud over during the afternoon. Feeling mild.

    Top temperatures of 13C (55F).

  7. MPs abused or threatened while carrying out job

    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. 

    Out of the 63 members of parliament, 49 were abused on social media, 41 were threatened in person and five have been physically attacked. 

    Houses of Parliament, London

    The research was done following the murder of the Yorkshire MP, Jo Cox, six months ago.  

  8. Travel: Traffic is slow on the A53 in Shawbury

    BBC Travel

    No major accidents to report on the roads this morning. 

    Traffic is moving slowly on the A53 in Shawbury at the B5063 Wytheford Road junction in the roadworks.

    For more information visit the BBC Travel page.

  9. Good Morning from the BBC Shropshire newsroom

    Tracey Higgins
    BBC Local Live

    I'm here with all of your news,sport, travel and weather updates. 

    Do get in touch if you have a story or pictures you'd like to share with the rest of the County. 

    You can email,tweet or get in touch via our Facebook page.    

  10. Midlands under-represented in the Lords

    What price devolution if Midlanders don't punch our weight in Parliament's Upper House?

    Read More

  11. Our live coverage across the day

    We'll be back with our usual mix of news, sport, travel and weather from 08:00 tomorrow, but keep an eye out here for more updates this evening and into the morning.

  12. Your pictures: Tractor fire in Loggerheads

    Tim Wedgwood
    BBC Local Live

    We've had these pictures sent in from Eddy Draper. 

    He was close by a fire in Loggerheads where a tractor was well alight. It caused travel disruption on the A53 Newcastle Road this afternoon.  

    Tractor on fireEddy Draper
    Fire engine attending fireEddy Draper

    Staffordshire Police says the road is still closed for repairs.

  13. Weather: Fog tonight, but sunny and mild tomorrow

    Charlie Slater
    BBC Weather presenter

    There will be more fog around tonight, but that should lift overnight.

    And tomorrow the weather should be sunny and mild.

    The weather forecast for the West Midlands

  14. Watch: A look back at Peter Vaughan's 62-year screen career

    BBC Entertainment and Arts

    Peter Vaughan began acting in the 1950s and became a recognisable face by playing numerous mainly supporting roles on stage, television and film.

    Peter Vaughan: Compelling actor who excelled in unsympathetic roles

    He specialised in characters with a tough edge such as police officers, secret agents and authoritarian elders.  

  15. Watch: Preparations for Shrewsbury cycling event

    James Bond
    Sports Producer, BBC Shropshire

    Preparations are in hand for the national cyclo-cross event by the Shrewsbury Sports Village on Sunday.

    The course is being prepared for a national cyclo-cross event in Shrewsbury

    It attracts competitors from all over Europe and here you can see Dave Mellor and George Watkins clearing what will be the pit area.  

  16. Severn swimmer prepares for next challenge

    A man who swam the length of the River Severn last year is preparing for a new challenge in Sri Lanka.

    Kev Brady is looking forward to his latest charity challenge

    Kev Brady will attempt to paddle board the length of the country's longest river. 

    The 33-year-old, from Gloucester, has already canoed along the Mississippi.

  17. Watch: Shrewsbury MP reacts to being accused of being Russian apologist

    The Daily Politics

    The MP for Shrewsbury, Daniel Kawczynski, has been defending his view that the best way to deal with Putin's Russia is diplomacy.

    The MP for Shrewsbury has reacted to an accusation that he is an "apologist" for Putin

    Appearing on the BBC's Daily Politics show earlier, he was accused by the Conservative blogger and columnist Tim Montgomerie of being a "spokesman and an apologist" for Russia and for giving a green light to "Putin's aggression".

    But, Mr Kawczynski warned the West could be heading for "some sort of confrontation" with Russia if troop and missile deployments escalate in eastern Europe.

  18. Headlines: MP wants more diplomacy with Russia; county claims two of quietest stations; actor Peter Vaughan dies

    Andy Giddings
    BBC Shropshire

    Our headlines this evening:

    - Shrewsbury MP calls for greater diplomacy with Russia

    - Two Shropshire train stations among least-used in West Midlands

    - Shropshire-born screen actor Peter Vaughan dies

  19. Work continues on railway's new refreshment room

    The Severn Valley Railway has tweeted a photo of progress on its new refreshment block at Bridgnorth station, showing the foundation piles going into place.

    The whole project is expected to cost £5m, with half of that being raised through a share issue.

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  20. Cleaner sold '£34,000 of stolen jewellery' for £130

    Oswestry and Borders Chronicle

    A cleaner from Oswestry stole jewellery with an estimated value of more than £34,000 from the home of her disabled employer – and sold it for £130, a court heard.

    Telford Magistrates' CourtShropshire Star