Summary

  • Environment Agency carries out big operation to clear Shropshire pool of unwanted invaders

  • MP warns hospital restructuring money could be at risk

  • German bomber delivered to RAF Museum Cosford

  • Updates on Friday 3 February 2017

Live Reporting

Andy Giddings

  1. Wellington businessman upset by far-right claims

    A director of a computer and mobile-phone repair shop in Wellington says claims, made about it by the right-wing group, Britain First, are "shameful" and "laughable".

    The group's leader Paul Golding said a small Islamic symbol fixed to the shop-front showed that it was run by extremists. 

    The symbol on the sign is the seal of the prophet Muhammed which also appears on the flag of Islamic State, but Wehid Iqbal said he'd been using the emblem long before IS appeared.

    Wehid IqbalWehid Iqbal

    Mr Iqbal, who took part in an aid mission to Turkey last year, said the claims had put his staff in danger, but that he had received many messages of support.  

    "The seal of the prophet is over 1400 years old. I have used it on my numerous businesses for over 13 years and way before the advent of ISIS. For him to come outside the shop to claim my retail outlet is a hotbed of Islamic extremism and a recruitment base for ISIS is totally absurd and laughable. His actions mean that many people who have no interest in actually evaluating what he says and taking it as true has put my staff and business in danger."

    Wehid Iqbal, Businessman

  2. Review 'could create orthopaedic centre'

    A consultant says a shake-up of health services is an "opportunity" to help orthopaedic patients.

    Read More

  3. Shrewsbury Town 2-1 Bury

    Shrewsbury ease their relegation fears with a vital League One victory over fellow strugglers Bury.

    Read More

  4. Our live coverage across the day

    We'll be back with our usual mix of news, sport, travel and weather from 08:00 on Monday.

  5. Weather: Rain tonight, but a drier weekend ahead

    Rebecca Wood
    BBC Weather

    We're forecast a wet end to the day, but it should be a lot drier over the weekend.

    Temperatures will remain low though, reaching a maximum of around 7C (45F).

    BBC Midlands Today's Rebecca Wood with the weather forecast.

  6. Football: Shrewsbury defender looks ahead to big month

    James Bond
    Sports Producer, BBC Shropshire

    Shrewsbury Town have had some encouraging results recently and buoyed by eight new signings, they are starting to climb out of the League One relegation zone.

    Defender Matt Sadler sees February as a crucial month in their battle to beat the drop, starting with Bury tomorrow.

    Matt Sadler says it could be a big month for Shrewsbury Town six games in February

  7. Plans for burial mound go on display this weekend

    Plans to create a modern version of a long barrow burial mound are going on display to the public on Sunday.

    A company which has built similar mounds, to store ashes, is applying to built it in the grounds of Soulton Hall, near Wem.

    Farmer Tim Ashton explained last month why he was planning to build a barrow

    The open day, which will run between 14:00 and 17:00 will be attended by two of the companies directors and a professor from Cambridge University.

  9. Increase in child on child sex offences

    The number of reported child on child sexual offences doubled in 12 police force areas.

    Read More

  10. Rise in child-on-child sex offences: Young people 'more confident to go to police'

    A doubling in the number of recorded sex offences involving children on other children is a "cause for concern" say West Mercia Police, but also shows "young people and the wider communities are more confident about reporting to police".

    Figures obtained by the children's charity Barnardo's show the number of such offences rose by 128% in three years.

    Teenager with hands on headBBC/Science Photo Library

    West Mercia Police say the increase in the use of social media, both by victims and those carrying out sex crimes, has also contributed to the rise.

    We will work hard to prosecute those responsible whilst also taking into account the wishes of the victim. Any sexual offences reported to the police receive a high priority, especially those involving children."

    Det Supt Alison Davies, West Mercia Police

  11. Headlines: Shopkeeper upset by claims; operation to clear pool of invaders; bomber arrives at Cosford

    Andy Giddings
    BBC Shropshire

    Our headlines this evening:

    - Wellington businessman upset by far-right claims about his shop

    - Big operation to clear unwanted topmouth gudgeon from Shropshire pool

    - German bomber arrives at Cosford RAF museum

  12. Museum's latest acquisition excites head of collections

    The latest arrival at the RAF Cosford Museum has been described by the head of collections there as "one of the most versatile military aircraft of all time".

    The Junkers Ju88 was captured in 1943 by two Spitfires and has been at the RAF London museum since 1978.

    Junkers bomberRAF Museum Cosford

    Five other aircraft have also been delivered by road to the RAF Cosford Museum in recent months - a Messerschmitt BF109G-2 a de Havilliand Tiger Moth II a Wolverhampton-built Boulton Paul Defiant M1 a Gloster Gladiator 1 and a Westland Lysander III.

    This particular example, the last surviving night fighter variant, has a truly fascinating story to tell. It will be displayed alongside other significant German aircraft of the period and will enhance the museum’s ability to tell the wider story of RAF operations during the Second World War.”

    Ian Thirsk, Head of Collections at the RAF Museum

  13. Ice hockey: Tigers want to keep the games coming

    BBC Sport

    The games have been coming thick and fast for the Telford Tigers recently, who are in the middle of a spell of seven games in two weeks.

    Head coach Tom Watkins thinks it suits his side to be playing games, rather than training and they have been able to build up an 11-point cushion at the top of the English Premier League.

    Matty DaviesSteve Brodie

    This weekend they face two other teams in good form, Basingstoke and Peterborough.

  14. Refugees in Shropshire face many challenges - imam

    Kate Tebby
    Journalist, BBC Shropshire

    The imam in Craven Arms says Syrian refugees who have moved to Shropshire face a range of challenges. 

    There are now Syrian refugees in Oswestry, Wem, Shrewsbury and Much Wenlock.

    Imam Sohayb Peerbhai

    Imam Sohayb Peerbhai, says families are contending with culture shock, the language barrier, and emotional turmoil.

    It's the trauma of leaving family behind and knowing they are actually suffering because of what is going on there and they are safe here. It's this kind of mental pressures that they have."

    Imam Sohayb Peerbhai

  15. Topmouth gudgeon operation took months to plan

    The Environment Agency says it took months to plan an operation to clear a Shropshire pool of topmouth gudgeon - an invasive species from Asia.

    It said it then took several weeks to remove the native fish and check them four times, before treating the pool with a poison called rotenone which killed tens of thousands of topmouth gudgeon.

    The operation is now complete.

    Environment Agency at workChris Bainger
    Environment Agency at workChris Bainger

  16. Football: The New Saints host Cardiff MU

    Following their long winning run The New Saints sit 21 points clear at the top of the Welsh Premier League, but face a tricky Cardiff Metropolitan University side at Park Hall tomorrow.

    The two sides have met twice already this season and on both occasions TNS had to come from behind to win.

    League table

    Meanwhile, the other teams in the top six all play each other, so TNS could extend their lead.

  17. German bomber arrives at Cosford RAF museum

    Another aircraft has been delivered to the RAF museum at Cosford.

    The Gernan Junkers Ju88 arrived on the back of a lorry from its sister museum in London and will be going on display soon.

    Bomber arrivingRAF Museum Cosford

    It's the sixth and final aeroplane to make the switch, as part of a reorganisation of the two museums.

    Bomber arrivingRAF Museum Cosford

  18. Body found in river is man missing from Shropshire

    The body found yesterday in the River Severn near Worcester is that of a missing man from Shropshire, police say.

    West Mercia Police say David Smith was reported missing from Bridgnorth on Sunday, 27 November - his next of kin have been informed.  

    Holt Fleet weirGoogle

    His body found in the River Severn at Holt Heath near Worcester yesterday.

    The emergency service began searching after a member of the public reported seeing a body going over the weir at Holt Fleet (pictured). 

    Police are not treating the death as suspicious.  

  19. Headlines: Shropshire pool cleared of invaders; MP's hospital cash warning; reported sex offences by children double

    Andy Giddings
    BBC Shropshire

    Our headlines this afternoon include:

    - Environment Agency carries out big operation to clear Shropshire pool of unwanted invaders

    - MP warns hospital restructuring money could be lost unless agreement is reached

    - Recorded sex offences by children double in West Mercia area

  20. Football: Yates excited at Shrewsbury Town opportunity

    James Bond
    Sports Producer, BBC Shropshire

    Shrewsbury Town's last signing before the January transfer window was 19-year-old Ryan Yates from Nottingham Forest.

    He described the atmosphere within the new-look squad as "electric" and is excited to get the opportunity to play.

    New signing Ryan Yates says he is excited at the opportunity given to him by Shrewsbury