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Neil Elkes

Neil Elkes

Call for overhaul of night transport

NIGHT bus and train services in Birmingham and the West Midlands are in line for an overhaul to bring them up to speed with the 24-hour society. Read

Job centre under fire over phones

JOBCENTRE phone lines were today branded a "farce" by a Birmingham man who has been left hanging on for weeks over a claim. Read

Circus does a vanishing act

DAVE Elliston treated his family to a trip to the circus - but instead found only an empty field with an old caravan. Read

Mum forced to live in car for 8 months

A HOMELESS mother-of-two has been sleeping in her car for eight months after fleeing domestic violence and racial abuse. Read

Boozy celebrity duo to open city bar

ONE time boozy hellraisers Gazza and Chris Evans are teaming up to bring a glamorous new bar to Birmingham. Read

Bouncers out to shrug off stereotype

PUB and club doormen in Birmingham's Golden Mile are getting away from their old image as gruff, rough, thugs in suits under a new initiative launched today in the run-up to Christmas. Read

Prescott has say on Cube

DEPUTY Prime Minister John Prescott will have the final say on Birmingham city centre's latest £100 million landmark building project. Read

Tributes to former school teacher

A MUCH-LOVED and respected former city school teacher has died aged 83. Read

Police in raid on drug factory

POLICE raided a major drugs factory after passers-by noticed an overpowering smell of cannabis in the street. Read

Pub name saved after campaign

A LANDMARK city pub will keep its name following a campaign by regulars and locals. Read

Residents ready for mast war

FURIOUS Pype Hayes residents are planning a campaign of civil disobedience if a proposed mobile phone mast goes up in Eachelhurst Road. Read

Homes blacked out in big freeze

MORE than 2,000 homes were left without electricity for almost eight hours as the big freeze struck Birmingham last night. Read

Asbo for OAP in 'assault'

A CITY pensioner has been given an interim Asbo banning him from his local housing office following an alleged assault on a member of staff. Read

Sky-high tiles fall on city's rush hour

GRIDLOCK caused by huge cladding tiles falling 40 floors from Birmingham's tallest tower has led to a major safety inquiry. Read

Action call on menace dogs

THE former deputy leader of Birmingham City Council today demanded a crackdown on dangerous dogs after three pitbulls mauled a six-year-old girl playing in her garden. Read

Six-year-old girl mauled by three dogs

A SIX-year-old Birmingham girl was today fighting for life after being savaged by three dogs who burst through a fence to attack her in the garden of her home. Read

Two held after stabbing at city nightspot

TWO men have been arrested on suspicion of attempted murder following the fight a fight in Broad Street earlier today. Read

Cabbies take on pothole problems

THE region's cab drivers have joined forces with the council to help quickly identify necessary road repairs in central Birmingham. Read

Appeal to protect city wildlife haven

AN ARMY of volunteers are being recruited to look after one of Birmingham's hidden wildlife wonders. Read

Protection advice over phone mast

FAMILIES battling plans for a mobile phone mast next to a city park are to be told how to shield themselves from its emissions. 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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