Shop window displays count down to Christmas
Shops on the high street in Stone, Staffordshire, have been revealing a different window display each day in the count down to Christmas.
Hope for dad stranded in Cuba to be home for Christmas
A father from Nottinghamshire, who's been stranded in Cuba for four weeks after trouble with his passport, has been allowed home tomorrow.
Tips on safely getting away for Christmas
With poor weather predicted for the Midlands and an increase in traffic, here are some tips on getting safely away for Christmas.
Live updates
Thousands queue after midnight for Bullring sales
Thousands of people eager to take full advantage of the Bullring Boxing Day sales queued from 12.20am this morning in Birmingham.
The line of people waiting for the shops to open stretched from St Martin's Walk and into St Martin's Square.
The Bullring Managers expected 200,000 customers to flock to the shopping centre today where some stores opened at 7am:
– Tim Walley, General Manager"Three of the centre’s biggest retailers, Selfridges, Debenhams and Next have all launched their iconic sales today.
“Tomorrow we expect to see in the region of 150,000 shoppers visit the centre as they take advantage of the continued sales.”
Police donate tuck shop money to theft victims
The police officers who were called to the incident decided to donate £200 to the family from the force's Tuck Shop.
Sergeant Richard Markham, from West Midlands Police, which are investigating the burglary, said:
"Stealing children's Christmas presents is such a heartless and callous thing for anyone to do. We wanted to try and put a smile back on their faces for Christmas.
"We're determined to track down whoever did this and would urge anyone with information that could help to come forward.
– Sergeant Richard Markham, West Midlands Police"If you know who is responsible please do the decent thing and call us before those responsible cause heartache like this for another family."
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Coventry family robbed of Christmas presents
A Coventry family had all their children's Christmas presents stolen during a break-in.
The Todd family had been buying presents since September to spread the cost, but thieves took them last Tuesday, along with money put aside for the funeral of the children's grandmother.
Naomi Todd said:
"It was going to be a hard enough Christmas for the kids as it's the first without their nan as she passed away in March."
– Naomi Todd, theft victim"The thieves stole a substantial amount of money but why did they have to take the presents too? They were still in the carrier bags and it was obvious they were children's toys. They should feel disgusted at themselves for stooping so low,"
Police save Christmas for family
A mother-of-four from Coventry was left devastated after Christmas presents for her children, worth hundreds of pounds, were stolen during a break-in.
But Naomi Todd and her husband Liam from Holbrooks were able to replace some of them after officers from the Coventry police station who responded to the burglary donated £200 from their Tuck Shop.
A local toy shop has also donated some gifts.
Tips to cut back on food waste at Christmas
The food can often mount up at Christmas with a lot going to waste before it can be eaten up. Derby City Council have put together some tips to avoid food waste and help save money.
• Plan ahead and make a shopping list.
• Watch the dates and freeze anything not needed, leftover party food like quiches and sausage rolls can be frozen and used in packed lunches when everyone goes back to work.
• Use leftovers to make batches of homemade soup or puddings.
• Use leftover Christmas dinner to make bubble and squeak for Boxing Day lunch.
• Fruit and vegetable peelings can be composted or if you have one, use local food waste collection services.
Sales come early
The traditional Boxing Day Sales came early today as rival brands tried to get a final boost to their annual takings.
Online sales began as early as lunchtime for Marks and Spencer, with John Lewis beginning at 17:00.
340,000 shoppers are predicted to have visited the Bullring shopping centre.
The General Manager, Tim Walley, said the timing of Christmas this year, which effectively added an extra weekend, should guarantee big takings.
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Prime Minister's religious message, despite conflict with Midlands' church leaders
The Prime Minister, David Cameron, had an overtly religious message in his Christmas speech to the nation this year.
He used the Christmas story of Jesus Christ bringing hope to the world to pay tribute to service men and women overseas.
However, it comes amid anger from many senior church figures over plans to allow same-sex marriage, including the Bishop of Leicester.
Tim Stevens has accused the Prime Minister of being out of touch with the "vast majority of practicing religious people" despite assurances that no churches will be forced to carry out such ceremonies.
Top Christmas carols revealed
The nation's favourite carol is 'O Holy Night' according to an annual poll by the radio station Classic FM.
It dates back to 1847 and has regularly come top in the poll since 2003. Silent Night came second.
Here are the top ten:
O Holy Night
Silent Night
In the Bleak Mid-Winter
Hark! The Herald Angels Sing
In the Bleak Mid-Winter
O Come All Ye Faithful
O Little Town of Bethlehem
Away in a Manger
Joy to the World
God Rest Ye Merry, Gentlemen
How to avoid becoming a drink driver
Here are some tips from Directgov and Findlaw.
Do not drink at all and avoid the risk
If there is a chance you will drink, leave your car at home
Know your units and how much you can legally drink
Do not presume you are sober the next morning
Appoint a designated driver from the group
Understand there are no tricks to help you sober up more quickly
Do not offer an alcoholic drink to someone you know is driving
Do not accept a lift from someone you know has been drinking
Follow these links to ITV Central's coverage of drink-driving campaigns
Shop window displays count down to Christmas
Shops on the high street in Stone, Staffordshire, have been revealing a different window display each day in the count down to Christmas.
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