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Full report: one in four carers struggling to pay living costs
A father from Dudley who cares full-time for his disabled adult son, says paying for living essentials is sometimes so tough he has to skip meals to save money.
It comes as new figures show that one in four carers in the West Midlands is similarly stretched and having to go without.
Demolition work on going at explosion scene
Police and senior fire officers say demolition work is still going on to allow the recovery of the body of a woman killed in the Newark explosion. They have praised locals who risked their lives to help those trapped in the rubble.
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Newark blast: possible DIY failure
– Superintendent Mike Manley, Nottinghamshire PoliceOne line of inquiry suggests that somebody from the family was doing some D.I.Y in the basement – but we're keeping an open mind.
Newark gas blast victims named as Leslie and Jeanette Rourke
A man and a woman who died in a suspected gas blast have been named locally as Jeanette and Leslie Rourke.
The pair are thought to have died following the explosion at the terraced house on Sunday, which has left a second man, believed to be Nicholas Rourke, in hospital.
However a four-month old girl had a miraculous escape, after she was rescued from a neighbouring property, with a woman and a seven-year-old boy, Nottinghamshire Police said.
They were taken to the city's Queen's Medical Centre for treatment and have since been discharged.
What happened today at Queen's Hospital in Burton?
by Pete Bearne
The A & E department at Queen's Hospital in Burton-on-Trent has re-opened following a 'serious incident'.
Read the full storyWere Olympic Torch costs too high?
What are your thoughts regarding the cost of the Olympic Torch relay passing through the Midlands? Was it too expensive in your area? Was the cost justified by your council?
We'd like to hear your views – follow the link to have your say
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Newark MP visits house where explosion killed two people
Newark MP, Patrick Mercer, visited the road today where a house explosion resulted in the deaths of two people yesterday afternoon.
Patrick Mercer said he's proud of the community for pulling together to help the bereaved.
Burton hospital: powder poses no threat to health
– Queen's Hospital, BurtonFollowing the closure of the Accident and Emergency department at Queen’s Hospital, Burton, today we can confirm that the powder has now been identified as an inert substance which poses no threat to health.
Accident and Emergency at Queen’s Hospital will be re-opened to patients over the course of the next hour.
We apologise for any inconvenience caused to our patients and thank them for bearing with us.
Staffordshire Police: Burton chemical incident is not suspicious
Staffordshire Police has announced that the unidentified powder which has closed the A & E department in Burton, is not being seen as suspicious.
Solihull received donations 'in kind' for Olympic Torch costs
Solihull Council kept the costs of hosting the Olympic Torch low by receiving donations "in kind."
A Freedom of Information Request has revealed the council received £2,500 worth of street cleaning from a local contractor.
