Local News

WEST Midlands Ambulance Service is urging people to heed the dangers after the Met Office’s red warning for extreme heat across the region, writes Elena Pereslucha. The alert will come into force at 1am tomorrow morning (Wednesday, June 24) and be in place until 11pm on Thursday night, June 25. Hot weather is likely to have significant impacts across health and social care services, with risks extending beyond those most vulnerable to heat. West Midlands Ambulance Service said enjoying…

WEST Midlands Ambulance Service (WMAS) is supporting Resus Council’s ‘Check Your Defib Week’. This week, it’s their mission to make sure all defib Guardians have checked their defibrillator is ready to save a life. Automated External Defibrillators (AEDs) can make the difference between life or death in the event of a cardiac arrest. Every minute after a cardiac arrest, the chances of a survival decrease by 10 per cent. Early intervention such as CPR and defibrillation plays a vital…

TESCO colleagues across the West Midlands are aiming to help raise over £300,000 for Cancer Research UK as they take on a 13-mile sponsored walk, building on the success of last year’s event. A total of 800 colleagues from stores across Central England and South Wales will take part in 10 different routes as part of a wider company-wide initiative in support of the cancer charity. The sponsored walk will take place on July 1 and is expected to…

NUMEROUS trains between Birmingham New Street and Redditch have been cancelled between now and the end of tomorrow due to extreme heat. The Met Office has currently put an amber weather warning in place for heat between now and the end of today. That weather warning is going to be upgraded to red tomorrow and Thursday. Because of this, there will be severe disruption and some cancellations for trains on the Cross City line between Birmingham New Street and…

SCHOOLS around Worcestershire will be closing or adjusting their opening times over the next few days as the heatwave intensifies. According to the Met Office temperatures could soar to 37°C on Wednesday and 39°C on Thursday. A red weather warning is in place for 36 hours – from 9am on Wednesday to 9pm on Thursday. Schools will be making adjustments from today (June 23), with the majority putting partial closures in place from tomorrow (Wednesday, June 24). The Met…

POLICE in Bromsgrove have issued a warning to motorbike owners after successfully recovering a bike stolen in the town. The Triumph motorcycle (pictured) has now undergone forensic examinations and officers are trying to track down the thieves responsible. After that, the motorbike will be returned to the rightful owner. Officers said: “A sincere thank you to the members of the public who reported the bike’s location and assisted police in securing it. “Your vigilance has directly supported the ongoing…

The former husband of ex-Scottish First Minister Nicola Sturgeon has been sentenced to more than five years in prison after admitting embezzling hundreds of thousands of pounds from the Scottish National Party (SNP). Peter Murrell, who served as the SNP’s chief executive for more than two decades, was jailed for five years and three months at the High Court in Edinburgh on Tuesday after pleading guilty to embezzling party funds. The court heard Murrell abused his position of trust…

Britons are being urged to spare a thought for the country’s wildlife as temperatures climb towards 40C in parts of the UK, creating potentially dangerous conditions for birds, hedgehogs, foxes, badgers and other wild animals. While people can seek shelter indoors, switch on fans and reach for cold drinks, many wild creatures are left exposed to the relentless heat, struggling to find water and food as natural sources dry up. Wildlife rescue centres across the country are warning that…

REDDITCH Entaco CC battled to a draw against leaders Brockhampton as the away side’s tail order dug in with the bat with a single wicket in hand. Brockhampton blasted 290-6 from their 50 overs at The Parks as home opener Ian Bullock registered a century. And Redditch recovered from 21-3 and 88-5 to reach 159-9 at the end of their 50 overs as Muhammad Safyan showed brave resistance with the bat. The result means Redditch remain bottom of the…

MIKE Reuben took seven wickets as Alvechurch and Hopwood CC skittled Harborne 3rds for just 91 runs in a seven-wicket victory. Reuben ripped through Harborne’s top and middle order as the visitors lost all 10 wickets for the addition of just 50 runs at Alvechurch Cricket Ground. And Alvechurch needed just 8.1 overs to reach the required total as opener Ben Evans fell seven runs short of a half-century. The result means Alvechurch remain top of the Worcestershire County…