A coroner has recorded a verdict of suicide on the death of a Solihull woman who was hit by a lorry on the M6 after leaving her family a note which claimed the bedroom tax had caused her “considerable anxiety and stress”. Stephanie Bottrill, 52, of Meriden Drive, Kingshurst, walked across the motorway and climbed…

A trio of robbers who targeted householders with expensive cars & cash and carry staff across the Midlands have been jailed for almost 29 years. Gavin Hunt of Kelynmead Road, Tile Cross, and brothers Christopher Dixon of Greenfinch Road, Castle Bromwich, and Jamie Dixon of Auckland Drive, Smith’s Wood, were sentenced at Birmingham Crown Court….

Joseph Goodrem is one of the few people who can still remember the shadow of German zeppelins over the home front in the First World War. The Balsall Common resident, who turns 103 today, went on to fight the Nazis in the Second World War. But of all the things Joe has seen, it is…

West Mercia Police officers searching for the missing woman, Eve Cullen, have found a body by a footpath near Chantry Close, Hollywood. The body was reported by a member of the public. Eve’s family has been informed of the discovery of a body. The death is currently being treated as unexplained. Eve, aged 52, was…

Visitors to Earlswood Lakes have been warned about a toxic health threat. The danger comes from blue-green algae which has formed on the surface of the lakes. The seaweed-like plant – biological name cyanophyta – grows by photosynthesis and spreads extensively on water during hot temperatures.The health threat, to humans and animals, comes from dipping…

A piano used to compose one of the most famous songs of the First World War has been saved from bushes outside a pub. Marching anthem ‘It’s a Long Way to Tipperary’ helped bolster morale among troops and many believe it was first penned in the Plough Inn – since renamed the Tipperary – between…

Angry parents say they have been left out of pocket after two day-nurseries closed after going into liquidation. Branches of WittsEnd Day Nursery in Warwick Road, Solihull, and The Courtyard, Barston, were shut down after being wound up at the High Court last Wednesday. And parents were left without child care for a second time…

Chancellor George Osborne has announced that Solihull’s WMG Academy for Young Engineers is one of the latest University Technical Colleges to be approved under the government’s academies programme. Sponsored by the University of Warwick and leading employers, and backed by Solihull Council and a range of local partners, the new school will provide up to…

A grieving widower has spoken of his anger after a heartless thief stole the 51 roses he had left for his beloved late wife – just a day after her funeral. Maurice Powell, 75, had bought a rose for every year of marriage to sweetheart Sandra who passed away from cancer, aged 70, on 30th…

Solihull shoppers were stunned as the town’s MP Lorely Burt clashed with her election rival in a branch of Morrisons. Liberal Democrat Ms Burt crossed swords with Conservative Julian Knight after he dubbed himself a “shadow MP” during an advice surgery at the store in her Solihull constituency. Mr Knight demanded an apology after accusing…