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Neil Elkes

Neil Elkes

Post office closures criticised

POST office chiefs let down customers over the closure of branches in Birmingham, according to a damning new report . Read

Homes evacuated after bomb discovery

DOZENS of families were this afternoon awaiting the all clear to return to their homes following the discovery of an unexploded World War Two bomb. Read

Brum enjoys a great World Cup party

THE World Cup party passed off peacefully in Birmingham as fans enjoyed the football and summer sun in good spirits. Read

Brum sister act as Sidoney triumphs

A 20-YEAR-old beauty took the first Miss African-Caribbean, Birmingham title - after being entered in the event by her big sister. Read

Father and son have the travel Bug

IT'S the classic car that time forgot... but one Birmingham man has restored a three-wheel Bond Bug and is driving it 4,500 miles across Europe. Read

Raiders handcuff nightclub staff

TWO nightclub staff were handcuffed together and their building doused in petrol in a gangland-style armed robbery today. Read

Muslims welcome prophet cartoon

A NEW film depicting the life of the prophet Muhammad has been hailed as pioneering by Muslim community leaders following its UK premiere in Birmingham. Read

Euro move to keep HP in Brum

HP is a brand name so closely linked to Birmingham it should be protected as much as champagne and parmesan cheese, it was claimed today. Read

Muslim leaders at prophet film debut

MUSLIM leaders from all over the UK are in Birmingham today to give their views on a new cartoon film on the life of the prophet Muhammed. Read

Student leader in Thatcher party row

A BIRMINGHAM student leader today sparked outrage by calling for a celebration party to mark the eventual death of former Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher. Read

Team on the trail of loan sharks

A CRACK team of investigators driving loan sharks off the streets of Birmingham feature in a BBC documentary on debt next week. Read

Pipers and flowers for Tommy's farewell

A CITY florist who married his sweetheart despite being terminally ill has died nine months after their wedding. Read

New beginning for historic hall

THE crumbling blocks of a century-old lunatic asylum are being swept aside as one of Birmingham's largest housing and regeneration schemes takes shape. Read

Labour support Elan water project

LABOUR Party bosses today backed the launch of a heritage centre to celebrate the source of Birmingham's drinking water with a symbolic £101 donation. Read

Streets safer since pub hours shake-up

LATER pub and bar opening hours have made Birmingham nightspots safer, according to city licensing bosses. Read

Midlands has been abandoned - Whitby

BIRMINGHAM council leader Mike Whitby today came out fighting to slam the Casino Advisory Panel over its snub. Read

Mayor puts off transplant to take role

NOTHING was ever going to stop Mike Sharpe from taking up the top job in Birmingham today, not even chronic illness. Read

Schoolgirl banned from the ball

TEENAGER Kayleigh Davis is all dressed up with nowhere to go after school bosses banned her from the annual Prom Night celebrations. Read

New victory in rat droppings fight

A MOTHER of two who was told to let her baby eat rat droppings has won a second legal battle with the council over the vermin invading her home. Read

Blair grilled over Mail's HP campaign

THE Birmingham Mail's Save Our Sauce campaign this afternoon won the backing of Prime Minister Tony Blair as the fight to save the factory went to the very top. Read

Author Profile

A local news reporter in the Birmingham, Sutton Coldfield and south Staffordshire area since 1995, Neil Elkes is the local government correspondent covering the activities of Birmingham CIty Council - Europe's largest local authority. An avid reader and collector of comics Neil is writing a column on this for the Birmingham Mail website.

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