HomeAuthorsTony Collins

Tony Collins

Tony Collins

Robodoc helps cure ear patients

A SURGICAL drilling robot has been used for the first time in a surgical operation in Birmingham. Read

Casino bid hit by Lords vote

SOLIHULL'S casino bid was in turmoil today after Government plans to build new gambling dens across Britain were kicked out by the House of Lords. Read

School lessons by PlayStation

CHILDREN at a Birmingham school will be using PlayStations as part of their lessons in a revolutionary new education scheme. Read

City university looks east to the future

ASTON University is looking to recruit students from India in a bid to safeguard its long-term future. Read

Jethro Tull @ Alexandra Theatre

IT takes a pretty brave man to suddenly change direction after nearly 40 years. Read

Environment matters for Ian

JETHRO Tull's larger-than-life lead singer has more than just his fans' reaction to think about as the band sets out on its first ever acoustic tour. Read

Schools set to be a healthier place

TEACHERS from across the West Midlands were today being given special lessons on how to make their schools more healthy. Read

Police: Woolmer death suspicious

THE death of Pakistan and former Warwickshire cricket coach Bob Woolmer is being treated as suspicious, police in Jamaica revealed today. Read

Legends Tull pull the plug after 39 years

THE Battle of the Bands has taken on new meaning - or should that be a dispute between the lovers of electric or acoustic? Read

Decision day on city pupils

BIRMINGHAM'S school admission arrangements for next year are due to be approved next week. Read

Thousands welcome the Chinese New Year

THE weather smiled on Birmingham's Chinese community as it celebrated New Year in style. Read

College staff get their kicks on Route 66

THREE senior college staff from Birmingham will be swapping academic life for the open road when they set out across America sitting astride Harley Davidson motorbikes. Read

Hospital debts spark jobs fear

A FURTHER 2,000 West Midland nurses could face unemployment when they qualify in April because of hospital debts, a leading nursing body has warned. Read

Let's hear it for the foot-tapping show

IT has been described as one of the greatest dance movies of all time and next week Footloose returns to the Birmingham stage. Read

Top chef's restaurant in animal rights row

ONE of Birmingham's top restaurants is being targeted by animal rights campaigners, it was revealed today. Read

Parents angered as weather closes schools

EDUCATION chiefs in Birmingham were under fire today after closing all the city's schools for the second day. Read

Good, but we can do better

COUNCIL chiefs in Birmingham are determined to achieve a perfect score in the way it runs services for children and young people. Read

School roll call for the great and good

THE family of Lord Of The Rings author JRR Tolkien is being invited to help celebrate the 150th anniversary of a Birmingham school building believed to have inspired him. Read

Schools relief for parents

PARENTS of special needs children in Birmingham have welcomed the city council's commitment to consult them. Read

Archbishop speaks out on gay adoption

THE Archbishop of Birmingham today called for Catholic adoption agencies to be given the same exemption over gay couples as faith doctors face with carrying out abortions. Read

Author Profile

Tony Collins joined the Birmingham Mail in 1980.After working in a couple of the Mail's district offices, he became Education Correspondent in 1994. Being regarded as something of a Groucho Marx lookalike, it is no surprise that he is also the Mail's 'Mr Comedy', responsible for interviews with many of our top comics.

Get involved

We want your local stories, videos & pics.