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
Avoid a fire during the Christmas festivities
Fire and Rescue Service across the Midlands are warning people that simple steps can avoid tragedy at Christmas.
Here are some tips from Derbyshire Fire and Rescue Service:
Check your Christmas lights correspond to British standards
Never put candles near to the tree
Make a fire escape plan should the worst happen
Don't attach decorations to lights or heaters
Don't overload sockets and switch off lights before bed
Don't leave cooking unattended, even in the middle of Christmas Day
Keep candles out of reach of children
- Check elderly friends and neighbours are safe and well
Hereford and Worcester Fire and Rescue Service want people to adopt a habit of testing their smoke alarms once a week, as a New Year Resolution.
Bishop of Shrewsbury's Christmas Speech
In an outspoken speech to his congregation tonight, the Roman Catholic Bishop of Shrewsbury, the Rt Rev Mark Davies, will condemn the coalition's plans to legalise same-sex marriage.
"This Christmas we are also conscious of new shadows cast by a Government pledged at its election to support the institution of marriage."
– The Rt Rev Mark Davies, Bishop of Shrewsbury"At such a moment the Prime Minister has decided without mandate, without any serious consultation to redefine the identity of marriage itself, the foundation of the family for all generations to come."This is again done in the name of progress... The British people have reason to ask on this night, 'where is such progress leading?"'
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Carol themed shop window displays count down to Christmas
Shop owners in Stone, Staffordshire, are counting down to Christmas with their very own Advent calendar. Every day throughout December a different window display has been revealed, depicting a carol from around the world.
Today at 11:00 the final display will be revealed.
Critical Christmas speech from Bishop of Shrewsbury
The Bishop of Shrewsbury, the Rt Rev Mark Davies, will address his congregation tonight at the city's cathedral and condemn aspects of contemporary society.
"The widespread neglect and ill-treatment of the frailest, elderly people in our society: concerns highlighted in the Care Quality Commission's recent report."
"The growing concerns about end of life care and what is happening to the most vulnerable in our hospitals."
– The Rt Rev Mark Davies, Bishop of Shrewsbury"This dark side to our society is surely connected to the discarding of human life from the beginning in legalised abortion on an industrial scale, in reproductive technologies, in embryo experimentation which our laws have sanctioned."
Top tips for last minute Christmas shopping
If you're rushing round the shops today getting your last minute Christmas presents, don't forget a few simple things to make life easier, if the gifts don't turn out as planned.
Here are some tips from Trading Standards
Keep your receipt
Check the shop's policy on 'unwanted gifts' before paying
Return faulty goods as soon as possible
Contact the retailer rather than the manufacturer as your first step, as it is the seller who is ultimately responsible for faulty goods
Bishop of Shrewsbury to condemn gay marriage
In his Christmas message tonight at Shrewsbury Cathedral, the Bishop of Shrewsbury will tell his congregation that proposals to legalise same-sex marriage will redefine marriage and family life for generations to come.
The Roman Catholic Bishop, the Rt Rev Mark Davies, will accuse David Cameron of pushing the bill through without a mandate.
He will also condemn destructive experiments on human embryos, the scale of abortion and neglect of the elderly.
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Advent shop windows count down to Christmas
One Staffordshire town is counting down to Christmas with a shop window advent calendar.
Every day in December at 11:00, a different window display on Stone High Street is revealed.
This year the theme is carols from around the world.
Today at 11.00 the final window will be revealed at Christchurch.
Summary of main rail delays and alterations
There are still a number of routes affected by flooding this morning - according to National Rail:
- CrossCountry, East Midlands Trains, First Great Western and First TransPennine Express are all experiencing major delays
- No trains running between Bristol Parkway and Swindon because of flooding, services between Paddington and Swansea will be diverted, with journey times extended up to 45 minutes
- Trains will not run between Exeter St Davids and Tiverton Parkway until Friday at the earliest, with replacement buses and diverted routes offering passengers some alternatives
- London Midland is also facing disruption on most of its routes today - this time because of a shortage of train crew
- Flooding near Long Eaton means services between Derby and Nottingham are suspended
- A landslip is affecting journeys between Liverpool and Manchester
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...just in time for Christmas.
Cuban authorities refused to allow Yogi Depass to leave the country after he travelled there to help his mother repair the damage Hurricane Sandy did to her home. Jane Hesketh reports.
Mum describes the family ordeal after partner stranded in Cuba
Leah Hall hopes that her partner, the father of her child is allowed home from Cuba to make it back in time for Christmas.
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