A former winner of ITV’s New Faces talent show died after he walked out of a mental health ward and fell from the roof of Solihull Hospital. Ex singer Lee Wright, 59, had been voluntarily admitted to the Bruce Burns unit as he battled with depression. Just two days later he vanished from the ward…

A cowboy builder from Solihull who set up multiple fake companies to commit a £96,000 VAT fraud has been jailed for 16 months. Self-employed Carl Williams, from Hurdis Road, Shirley, fraudulently claimed VAT repayments since 2007 and even forced one couple out of their home after walking out on a project he was paid £90,000…

Councillor Mrs Kate Wild was confirmed as the new and 61st Mayor of Solihull at the Annual Council meeting on Tuesday 10th June. Elected to Solihull Council in 1994 Councillor Wild has represented the St Alphege Ward and has been Cabinet Member for Community Services and the Environment. Councillor Wild was also Mayor of Solihull…

Former servicemen have been left fuming after a Solihull school flew the German flag on the anniversary of D-Day. Members of the British Legion condemned the decision by Arden to fly the black, red and gold flag on the 70th anniversary of the Normandy landings as “out of order.” However, Martin Murphy the principal of…

A knife-wielding robber who held the blade to the neck of a terrified shop assistant has been jailed for three years. Carl Deakin was caught after he was followed by the angry mother of an 11-year-old who had witnessed the terrifying incident. Deakin, 36, of Foredrove Lane, Damson Wood, pleaded guilty to robbery and having…

Angry residents in Monkspath are petitioning against plans for an industrial manufacturing unit, located near homes and a popular borough park. An application was submitted to turn one of the units in Monkspath Business Park into a distribution and manufacture plant for V Installations Mechanical Handling Limited. But locals are worried the plans will create…

Troop Aid has received Royal approval in the form of the prestigious Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service 2014. The award is the second Royal seal of approval for the Solihull based charity, which supports injured soldiers around the world, and boasts HRH Prince Charles as its patron. Founded in 2006 by former servicemen Albert Sutton,…

Solihull town centre businesses saw crime fall by 43 per cent in April 2014 compared to this time last year. The driving force behind the impressive stats is a 52 per cent reduction in shoplifting at a time when similar types of crime are rising in other town centres across the borough. West Midlands Police…

A devoted son has pushed his terminally ill father round an 8km fun run to raise awareness of his rare condition. Tony Love, aged 71, was diagnosed in 2007 with degenerative disease PSP (Progressive Sparanuclear Palsy) which gives sufferers an average life expectancy of just seven years after its onset. After the devastating diagnosis, his…

A business owner and brain behind the successful networking initiative Solihull Hour has been named Business Person of the Month. Trish Willetts launched independent store BB Boutique last year, with her two daughters Jessie and Amy, to offer organic, quality baby clothes and locally-made toys and gifts. With a background as an environment champion for…