Lea Forest Primary Academy in Birmingham's Kitts Green has transformed from an Ofsted 'requires improvement' rating to being ranked among Britain's top 10 primary schools. Discover the school's 'secret to success'.
UK households could receive huge payouts for reporting high-value tax fraud to HMRC. Learn how the Strengthened Reward Scheme works and if you qualify.
West Midlands Police discover a £40,000 stash of stolen power tools in Wednesbury. A man is charged. Were you a victim of tool theft in Sandwell or Walsall? Contact police.
Birmingham City Council releases revised 2025 festive waste collection schedule. Check your dates online as recycling remains suspended due to industrial action.
The UK faces a 90-hour snow event starting January 4, with Scotland worst-hit. Up to an inch per hour could fall. Get the latest forecast details and regional impacts here.
Forgot a crucial item on Christmas Day? Don't panic. Our guide reveals which shops can legally open, from small convenience stores to petrol stations, to save your festive day.
Discover which major UK retailers are closing on Boxing Day 2025 to give staff a festive break. Plan your post-Christmas shopping with our complete guide.
The Met Office has issued a 20-hour yellow weather warning for Christmas Day, warning of strong winds and potential power disruptions across 26 areas in South West England and Wales. Find the full list here.
Aldi announces a temporary change to its Specialbuys release days over Christmas and New Year, and confirms the permanent closure of its Click and Collect service across all UK stores.
Hazel Holmes appeals for information after her husband John, 80, died from asbestos-related cancer. The former engineer worked at UK power stations in the 1970s. Can you help?
Plan your festive shopping with our complete guide to UK supermarket opening hours over Christmas and New Year 2025. Avoid the last-minute rush and check before you travel.
Major supermarkets and petrol stations, including Tesco, Asda, and Shell, announce revised Christmas opening times. Drivers urged to check local hours to avoid festive disruption.
Halfords announces a 72-hour Christmas closure across Birmingham, including Boxing Day and New Year's Day. Drivers urged to plan ahead. Read the full festive schedule.
Cycling 4 All raised £2,840 at a Christmas bazaar to fund its inclusive Pedal Power service. The charity provides cycling for all abilities at Alyn Waters Country Park.
Motorists are urged to avoid late-night driving as new analysis reveals the most dangerous hours on UK roads. Expert advice on staying safe this festive season.
Don't get caught out this festive season. Our complete guide details the Christmas Eve, Christmas Day and Boxing Day opening times for all major UK supermarkets in 2025.
The Range and Wilko will close all 280 UK stores on Christmas Day and Boxing Day, giving staff an extended festive break. Find your local opening times here.
A man was taken to hospital after a stabbing on Dudley High Street in the early hours of Sunday, December 21. Police are investigating and appealing for witnesses.
A Midlands secondary school has been ranked among the nation's elite in The Sunday Times Parent Power Guide 2026. Discover which schools made the prestigious list and why.
Plan your Boxing Day 2025 shopping in the West Midlands. See opening hours for Bullring, Merry Hill, The Fort, Resorts World and more. Check which major stores are closed.
JD Wetherspoon confirms 683 pubs open on Christmas Day 2025, including many across Birmingham and the West Midlands. See the full local list and festive menu details here.
UK households with smart meters have until Dec 21 to claim £10 of free electricity for Christmas Day via Uswitch's Power Hours scheme. Sign up now!
EDF is giving customers with smart meters eight hours of free electricity on Christmas Day. Sign up for the Sunday Saver challenge by 24 December to claim this festive offer and save on bills.
Gail's Bakery confirms 10 London branches will stay open on Christmas Day, offering free mince pies. Check the full list of festive opening hours here.
Lidl confirms all 1,000 UK supermarkets will close for three days over the festive period. Find out the key dates and last-minute shopping hours here.
Plan your Boxing Day shopping with our guide to UK supermarket opening hours. Find out which major retailers are open and which are giving staff a break.
Home Bargains announces a three-day Christmas closure for all UK stores and early Christmas Eve hours, giving staff extended festive break. Find out the key dates.
Hydrogen power firm GeoPura reports widening losses but is upbeat on future growth, citing major customer wins and expansion as the UK's largest green hydrogen producer. Read more.
Next confirms a huge change, closing all its UK shops on Boxing Day. Discover which major retailers are closing and which will open for festive sales.
Birmingham City Council announces longer hours at all five household recycling centres from December 21 to January 31. Plan your visit and book online.