birminghammail--2020-01-08--Keir Starmer leads Labour leadership contest with 23 nominations

Sir Keir Starmer has secured the backing of enough Labour MPs to enter the second stage of the Labour leadership contest .
The shadow Brexit secretary has 23 nominations from the parliamentary party - placing him well ahead of his main rival , Rebecca Long-Bailey , who is on seven so far .
According to figures published by the Labour Party , backbencher Jess Phillips has six backers , while Wigan MP Lisa Nandy has two .
Shadow foreign secretary Emily Thornberry has just one nomination so far , and Clive Lewis has none .
Candidates need nominations from 10 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ which totals 212 , making the required threshold 22 .
Nominations from MPs and MEPs close on Monday January 13 .
The figures were revealed as candidates vying to be party 's deputy leader set out their stalls to MPs .
Among those in the race for the deputy post , triggered by Tom Watson 's decision to quit , are shadow sports minister Rosena Allin-Khan and Labour 's only MP in Scotland , Ian Murray .
Shadow cabinet ministers Angela Rayner , Dawn Butler and Richard Burgon , along with shadow Europe @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the race for the job .

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Sir Keir Starmer has secured the backing of enough Labour MPs to enter the second stage of the Labour leadership contest.
The shadow Brexit secretary has 23 nominations from the parliamentary party - placing him well ahead of his main rival, Rebecca Long-Bailey, who is on seven so far.
According to figures published by the Labour Party, backbencher Jess Phillips has six backers, while Wigan MP Lisa Nandy has two.
Shadow foreign secretary Emily Thornberry has just one nomination so far, and Clive Lewis has none.
Candidates need nominations from 10% of Labour MPs and MEPs - which totals 212, making the required threshold 22.
Nominations from MPs and MEPs close on Monday January 13.
The figures were revealed as candidates vying to be party's deputy leader set out their stalls to MPs.
Among those in the race for the deputy post, triggered by Tom Watson's decision to quit, are shadow sports minister Rosena Allin-Khan and Labour's only MP in Scotland, Ian Murray.
Shadow cabinet ministers Angela Rayner, Dawn Butler and Richard Burgon, along with shadow Europe minister Khalid Mahmood, are also in the race for the job.


birminghammail--2020-01-09--Mineshaft disturbance fears over plan near housing estate in Wolverhampton

Plans to build eight apartments and four houses on a stretch of undeveloped land close to a busy housing estate in Wolverhampton have sparked a raft of complaints and fears from neighbouring residents .
The area of ground earmarked for development is at the rear of Rookery Road , Lanesfield , with access gained from Bayliss Avenue , a narrow cul-de-sac off the road .
The application , made by Martin Howell of Ultra Developments , is for two-storey homes with rooms in the roof space , and apartments spread over two storeys , along with landscaping and access work @ @ @ @ @ @ @ city council 's planning department has received a number of letters of objection to the proposals from nearby residents , after contacting local people to tell them about the plans .
In one , Rookery Road resident Jonathan Smith said : `` The buildings , due to the nature of the land , are going to be much higher than my property , giving an overbearing feel with converted loft spaces only compounding the problem further .
`` Disposal of surface water into soak aways fears me and has the potential to cause @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with gallons of water having to go somewhere underground if not pooling to the lower ground in my garden once more . ''
Mr Smith also cited disregard for wildlife and its habitat with even more green space being lost as another reason for objecting .
Tony Baker , of Bayliss Avenue , added : `` Our natural open green space views and our wildlife habitats would be lost forever .
The exisiting roads around the area are already highly congested and Bayliss Avenue does not have the capacity for any more vehicles @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of privacy for the residents and destroy the character of the quiet cul-de-sac .
Bayliss Avenue is a steep and narrow cul-de-sac that is already at full capacity with the residents ' own vehicles . ''
Derek Poole , also of Bayliss Avenue , said : `` If this development is allowed , would the contractors guarantee vehicle access to residents of Bayliss Avenue at all times ?
It would be much safer and less disruptive if approached from Woodcross Lane .
`` Has any thought been given to the habitat of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ This will be another nail in the coffin for wild animals and birds . ''
Dawn Ball , who lives in Rookery Road , said : `` The extension of the road will be directly opposite our property .
It is already on a terrible blind spot and having more traffic exiting and approaching will be dangerous for us to use our driveway safely .
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`` Also , it 's on the same road as an @ @ @ @ @ @ @ been cars crashing into properties as it has such a bad bend with high speed vehicles approaching from the main Birmingham New Road . ''
Alan Dunnett , of Bayliss Avenue , added : `` The choice of Bayliss Avenue to access the development is poorly thought out by individuals unaware of reality .
`` Has a full environmental survey been carried out to determine the loss of habitat and hunting grounds for the local wildlife such as the owls , foxes and bats ? ''
Wolverhampton Council 's Planning Committee will discuss @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .

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Plans to build eight apartments and four houses on a stretch of undeveloped land close to a busy housing estate in Wolverhampton have sparked a raft of complaints and fears from neighbouring residents.
The area of ground earmarked for development is at the rear of Rookery Road, Lanesfield, with access gained from Bayliss Avenue, a narrow cul-de-sac off the road.
The application, made by Martin Howell of Ultra Developments, is for two-storey homes with rooms in the roof space, and apartments spread over two storeys, along with landscaping and access work to the site.
However, the city council's planning department has received a number of letters of objection to the proposals from nearby residents, after contacting local people to tell them about the plans.
In one, Rookery Road resident Jonathan Smith said: "The buildings, due to the nature of the land, are going to be much higher than my property, giving an overbearing feel with converted loft spaces only compounding the problem further.
"Disposal of surface water into soak aways fears me and has the potential to cause old mineshaft disturbance in my garden, with gallons of water having to go somewhere underground if not pooling to the lower ground in my garden once more."
Mr Smith also cited disregard for wildlife and its habitat with even more green space being lost as another reason for objecting.
Tony Baker, of Bayliss Avenue, added: "Our natural open green space views and our wildlife habitats would be lost forever. The exisiting roads around the area are already highly congested and Bayliss Avenue does not have the capacity for any more vehicles.
"The development would cause loss of privacy for the residents and destroy the character of the quiet cul-de-sac. Bayliss Avenue is a steep and narrow cul-de-sac that is already at full capacity with the residents' own vehicles."
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Derek Poole, also of Bayliss Avenue, said: "If this development is allowed, would the contractors guarantee vehicle access to residents of Bayliss Avenue at all times? It would be much safer and less disruptive if approached from Woodcross Lane.
"Has any thought been given to the habitat of the wildlife if the site is developed? This will be another nail in the coffin for wild animals and birds."
Dawn Ball, who lives in Rookery Road, said: "The extension of the road will be directly opposite our property. It is already on a terrible blind spot and having more traffic exiting and approaching will be dangerous for us to use our driveway safely.
"Also, it's on the same road as an infant and junior school. There have been cars crashing into properties as it has such a bad bend with high speed vehicles approaching from the main Birmingham New Road."
Alan Dunnett, of Bayliss Avenue, added: "The choice of Bayliss Avenue to access the development is poorly thought out by individuals unaware of reality.
"Has a full environmental survey been carried out to determine the loss of habitat and hunting grounds for the local wildlife such as the owls, foxes and bats?"
Wolverhampton Council's Planning Committee will discuss the application next Tuesday, January 14.


birminghammail--2020-01-09--Two of West Brom's future stars have been added to FIFA 20 - here's how they rate

West Bromwich Albion 's famed youth academy has churned out some exciting players over the last few years , with some now a vital part of the first team squad , and others moving on to pastures new .
Rekeem Harper , Kyle Edwards , Dara O'Shea and Nathan Ferguson have all been in and around the first team squad this season , helping Slaven Bilic 's side to the upper echelons of the Championship table as we head into the second-half of the 2019/20 season .
Some of Albion 's biggest exports from their academy over the last few @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Louie Barry and Jerome Sinclair , who joined Manchester City , Barcelona and Liverpool respectively .
Now , two of Albion 's best youngsters have seen their reputation rise enough that they now feature on EA SPORTS FIFA 20 .
Here 's how they rate on the game .
This is your round up of all things West Brom ; the one-stop shop that will keep you updated on the latest goings on at the club and beyond .
Transfers , injuries , match-days and managers , we ’ ve got you covered @ @ @ @ @ @ @ very latest on the Baggies throughout the week and around the clock .
Make sure you keep yourself updated with our handy daily catch up ... • The latest on the lesser spotted Cheikh Diaby - READ • West Ham 's stance on Albion , the FA Cup and Grady Diangana - READ For all your latest WBA news , opinion , analysis and transfer gossip , click here You can follow our West Brom reporter Joseph Chapman on Twitter , and his email address is Joseph.Chapman @ reachplc.com Soule is a talented @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Brom Under-23 side in PL2 , and was also included in the first team squad in Albion 's recent FA Cup clash against Charlton .
The striker has some interesting attributes on FIFA 20 , plus decent potential too .
His potential ability on FIFA 20 suggests that he can become better than star midfielder Matheus Pereira ( 76 ) if he fulfils his potential .
Young central defender Shotton joined the club from beleaguered former Football League side Bury in September after making six appearances during his time at Gigg Lane .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ become better than Kyle Bartley ( 73 ) in the future , according to FIFA 20 .
What do you make of these youngsters on FIFA 20 ?

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West Bromwich Albion 's famed youth academy has churned out some exciting players over the last few years, with some now a vital part of the first team squad, and others moving on to pastures new.
Rekeem Harper, Kyle Edwards, Dara O'Shea and Nathan Ferguson have all been in and around the first team squad this season, helping Slaven Bilic's side to the upper echelons of the Championship table as we head into the second-half of the 2019/20 season.
Some of Albion's biggest exports from their academy over the last few years include players like Morgan Rogers, Louie Barry and Jerome Sinclair, who joined Manchester City, Barcelona and Liverpool respectively.
Now, two of Albion's best youngsters have seen their reputation rise enough that they now feature on EA SPORTS FIFA 20.
Here's how they rate on the game.
Jamie Soule
Overall ability: 59/100
Potential ability: 77/100
Position: ST
Age: 18
Best attributes: Balance (88), sprint speed (77), agility (76), finishing (66)
Soule is a talented forward who features regularly for the West Brom Under-23 side in PL2, and was also included in the first team squad in Albion's recent FA Cup clash against Charlton.
The striker has some interesting attributes on FIFA 20, plus decent potential too. His potential ability on FIFA 20 suggests that he can become better than star midfielder Matheus Pereira (76) if he fulfils his potential.
Saul Shotton
Overall ability: 54/100
Potential ability: 74/100
Position: CB
Age: 18
Best attributes: Jumping (75), strength (67), stamina (62), standing tackle (55)
Follow Esports and gaming writer Nathan Bliss on social media To follow Nathan on Twitter, click here. To follow Reach Gaming on Twitter, click here. To follow Nathan on Facebook, click here.
Young central defender Shotton joined the club from beleaguered former Football League side Bury in September after making six appearances during his time at Gigg Lane.
The young defender has the potential to become better than Kyle Bartley (73) in the future, according to FIFA 20.
What do you make of these youngsters on FIFA 20?


birminghammail--2020-01-09--'Five or six' - former Aston Villa man gives cup verdict that fans will question

Former Aston Villa midfielder Steve Sidwell believes Leicester City could have won by “ five or six ” in their Carabao Cup semi-final first leg .
Villa were defensively resolute at the King Power Stadium and head into the second leg at Villa Park with a 1-1 draw from their trip across the Midlands .
Dean Smith ’ s men took the lead in the first half when Frederic Guilbert fired home at the back post .
But the home side came out in the second half and finally broke Villa ’ s resolute back line as they pounced on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Iheanacho clinically firing home .
Orjan Nyland produced a number of good saves throughout the game to keep Leicester at bay , and Sidwell believes had the hosts been more ruthless – the tie could be over .
“ We said about ( Villa ’ s ) false number 9 , the not recognised striker , that was probably a case of crowding out a midfield area where we know Leicester are so strong , ” Sidwell told Sky Sports .
“ But when Choudhury came on he definitely made an impact .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ goal , he pressed on the front foot and released the ball at the right time .
That goal was always coming , wasn ’ t it ?
“ The possession they had , the chances they had , on another day , if they had been more clinical it could have been five or six to Leicester .
“ But , it is a draw , it is 1-1 and it sets the next leg up superbly .
”

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Former Aston Villa midfielder Steve Sidwell believes Leicester City could have won by “five or six” in their Carabao Cup semi-final first leg.
Villa were defensively resolute at the King Power Stadium and head into the second leg at Villa Park with a 1-1 draw from their trip across the Midlands.
Dean Smith’s men took the lead in the first half when Frederic Guilbert fired home at the back post.
But the home side came out in the second half and finally broke Villa’s resolute back line as they pounced on sloppy play in midfield, with Kelechi Iheanacho clinically firing home.
Orjan Nyland produced a number of good saves throughout the game to keep Leicester at bay, and Sidwell believes had the hosts been more ruthless – the tie could be over.
“We said about (Villa’s) false number 9, the not recognised striker, that was probably a case of crowding out a midfield area where we know Leicester are so strong,” Sidwell told Sky Sports.
“But when Choudhury came on he definitely made an impact.
“We can see that in the goal, he pressed on the front foot and released the ball at the right time. That goal was always coming, wasn’t it?
“The possession they had, the chances they had, on another day, if they had been more clinical it could have been five or six to Leicester.
“But, it is a draw, it is 1-1 and it sets the next leg up superbly.”


birminghammail--2020-01-09--Caroline Flack's six word text message to Laura Whitmore after being replaced as Love Island present

Caroline Flack's six word text message to Laura Whitmore after being replaced as Love Island presenter

Caroline Flack 's text message to Laura Whitmore after being replaced on Love Island has been revealed .
The ITV2 reality show presenter was sent a message from the TV personality she replaced .
Laura took over from Caroline , 40 , on the show following an assault charge .
The 34-year-old TV personality will now be at the helm of the Winter edition of the series , which starts on Sunday evening .
On This Morning today , Laura admitted Caroline had reached out to her in the aftermath of her stepping down .
Laura told Holly Willoughby and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a little bit of a whirlwind '' Caroline sent me a text saying ' I really hope you get this ' - there were rumours in the press .
`` But then I got a phone call from my agent saying 'the producers would like to meet you in an hour ' but I was at the airport to go to Ireland for my mum 's birthday , so I thought I could n't make that .
`` I rang her and asked if I could see her the next day instead and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to my home in London and then straight to the meeting . ''
Laura added : `` I am a massive fan of the show .
I need to remember to host and not just be a fan . ''

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Caroline Flack's text message to Laura Whitmore after being replaced on Love Island has been revealed.
The ITV2 reality show presenter was sent a message from the TV personality she replaced.
Laura took over from Caroline, 40, on the show following an assault charge.
The 34-year-old TV personality will now be at the helm of the Winter edition of the series, which starts on Sunday evening.
On This Morning today, Laura admitted Caroline had reached out to her in the aftermath of her stepping down.
(Image: ITV)
Laura told Holly Willoughby and Phillip Schofield: "It was all a little bit of a whirlwind
"Caroline sent me a text saying 'I really hope you get this' - there were rumours in the press.
"But then I got a phone call from my agent saying 'the producers would like to meet you in an hour' but I was at the airport to go to Ireland for my mum's birthday, so I thought I couldn't make that.
"I rang her and asked if I could see her the next day instead and she said OK, so I went to my home in London and then straight to the meeting."
Laura added: "I am a massive fan of the show. I need to remember to host and not just be a fan."
*Love Island returns to ITV2 on January 12


birminghammail--2020-01-09--Crystal Palace 'target Tottenham defender as Nathan Ferguson alternative'

Crystal Palace are looking into a loan deal for Tottenham right-back Kyle Walker-Peters this month - leaving their immediate pursuit of West Brom full-back Nathan Ferguson up in the air .
Spurs are expected to let Walker-Peters leave on a loan basis from now until the end of the season , and Palace - as well as rivals Brighton and Hove Albion - are believed to be interested in his services .
Both can offer top flight football , too .
Walker-Peters has a contract with Spurs until the summer of 2023 and Jose Mourinho is open to the idea @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to gain valuable experience .
Right back has been a position that Palace have been intent on strengthening since the summer ; they sold Aaron Wan-Bissaka for around £50m to Manchester United and didn ’ t sufficiently replace him , though they clearly have the cash in which to do so .
This is your round up of all things West Brom ; the one-stop shop that will keep you updated on the latest goings on at the club and beyond .
Transfers , injuries , match-days and managers , we ’ ve @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be bringing the very latest on the Baggies throughout the week and around the clock .
Make sure you keep yourself updated with our handy daily catch up ... • The latest on the lesser spotted Cheikh Diaby - READ • West Ham 's stance on Albion , the FA Cup and Grady Diangana - READ For all your latest WBA news , opinion , analysis and transfer gossip , click here You can follow our West Brom reporter Joseph Chapman on Twitter , and his email address is Joseph.Chapman @ reachplc.com Both @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Ferguson , whose future at The Hawthorns is particularly uncertain ; having yet to agree a new long-term deal at The Hawthorns , there is the possibility that he could leave this month while the window remains open .
Indeed Palace sporting director Dougie Freedman has watched him play on a number of occasions .
Having broken through into the first-team under Slaven Bilic this season , Ferguson has scored once in 20 appearances .
He ’ s proven to be versatile , too , playing at both right-back and left-back .
Still @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in negotiations with Ferguson ’ s representatives in recent weeks over a new deal that is on the table .
The young defender can speak to clubs abroad from this month .
Luke Dowling , Albion ’ s technical director , said over Christmas that he remained optimistic that an agreement could be reached with Ferguson and his advisors regarding fresh terms and emphasised that Albion is still the best place for Ferguson to continue his development .
“ We will be looking for clarity from Nathan Ferguson and his advisor about whether @ @ @ @ @ @ @ us , ” Dowling he said .
“ All I can say at this stage is that I am confident we can find the terms that would make sense to Nathan at this stage of his career - and that we all believe that his pathway at Albion remains the most advantageous to him .
”

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Crystal Palace are looking into a loan deal for Tottenham right-back Kyle Walker-Peters this month - leaving their immediate pursuit of West Brom full-back Nathan Ferguson up in the air.
Spurs are expected to let Walker-Peters leave on a loan basis from now until the end of the season, and Palace - as well as rivals Brighton and Hove Albion - are believed to be interested in his services. Both can offer top flight football, too.
Walker-Peters has a contract with Spurs until the summer of 2023 and Jose Mourinho is open to the idea of letting him leave in the short-term to gain valuable experience.
Right back has been a position that Palace have been intent on strengthening since the summer; they sold Aaron Wan-Bissaka for around £50m to Manchester United and didn’t sufficiently replace him, though they clearly have the cash in which to do so.
Both they and Spurs have an interest in Ferguson, whose future at The Hawthorns is particularly uncertain; having yet to agree a new long-term deal at The Hawthorns, there is the possibility that he could leave this month while the window remains open.
Indeed Palace sporting director Dougie Freedman has watched him play on a number of occasions.
Having broken through into the first-team under Slaven Bilic this season, Ferguson has scored once in 20 appearances. He’s proven to be versatile, too, playing at both right-back and left-back.
(Image: PA)
Still, there has been no significant headway in negotiations with Ferguson’s representatives in recent weeks over a new deal that is on the table. The young defender can speak to clubs abroad from this month.
Luke Dowling, Albion’s technical director, said over Christmas that he remained optimistic that an agreement could be reached with Ferguson and his advisors regarding fresh terms and emphasised that Albion is still the best place for Ferguson to continue his development.
“We will be looking for clarity from Nathan Ferguson and his advisor about whether or not he wants to stay with us,” Dowling he said.
“All I can say at this stage is that I am confident we can find the terms that would make sense to Nathan at this stage of his career - and that we all believe that his pathway at Albion remains the most advantageous to him.”


birminghammail--2020-01-09--Birmingham City linked with sought-after non-league star - report

Blues are one of three clubs keeping tabs on non-league winger Myles Hippolyte , according to reports .
The Sun claims Blues , Middlesbrough and Gary Rowett ’ s Millwall have watched the 25-year-old recently - with the Lions said to be most interested .
London-born Hippolyte came through at Brentford but dropped out of the Football League without ever playing for the Bees .
He moved to Southall in 2013 and also played for Tamworth , Hayes & Yeading and Burnham before moving to Scotland in 2014 .
He made 50 Scottish Championship appearances in a season-and-a-half at Livingston @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Challenge Cup - and joined Falkirk in January 2016 .
He came close to guiding them to the Scottish Premiership with 15 goals in 66 appearances but in January 2018 moved to St Mirren and then to Dunfermline Athletic .
His contract was terminated by mutual consent last May and he has spent this term with Yeovil in the National League .
He has scored five times in 28 games as Yeovil have risen to second in the table .
The Sun say Rowett has received favourable reports but that Yeovil are desperate @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the battle for promotion back to the EFL .
Hippolyte is out of contract in the summer , as is current Blues winger Jacques Maghoma , while Jefferson Montero ’ s loan will end when the season finishes .

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Blues are one of three clubs keeping tabs on non-league winger Myles Hippolyte, according to reports.
The Sun claims Blues , Middlesbrough and Gary Rowett’s Millwall have watched the 25-year-old recently - with the Lions said to be most interested.
London-born Hippolyte came through at Brentford but dropped out of the Football League without ever playing for the Bees.
He moved to Southall in 2013 and also played for Tamworth, Hayes & Yeading and Burnham before moving to Scotland in 2014.
He made 50 Scottish Championship appearances in a season-and-a-half at Livingston - and also won the 2015 Scottish Challenge Cup - and joined Falkirk in January 2016.
He came close to guiding them to the Scottish Premiership with 15 goals in 66 appearances but in January 2018 moved to St Mirren and then to Dunfermline Athletic.
(Image: western daily press)
His contract was terminated by mutual consent last May and he has spent this term with Yeovil in the National League.
He has scored five times in 28 games as Yeovil have risen to second in the table.
The Sun say Rowett has received favourable reports but that Yeovil are desperate not to sell their best player as the battle for promotion back to the EFL.
Hippolyte is out of contract in the summer, as is current Blues winger Jacques Maghoma, while Jefferson Montero’s loan will end when the season finishes.


birminghammail--2020-01-09--It was Theresa May that gave the Conservatives their general election triumph

Conservatives made significant gains in the West Midlands in December ’ s General Election - when it came to winning seats .
But there was only a modest increase in the number of people voting for them .
Tories received 1,449,000 votes across the West Midlands region .
That was up by around 93,000 votes compared to the 2017 general election .
In fact , the real breakthrough was made in 2017 .
In the 2017 poll , Conservatives in the West Midlands region received 1,356,000 votes - up from 1,099,000 in 2015 .
In other words , the Conservative @ @ @ @ @ @ @ number .
Of course , 2017 is remembered as a disaster for the Tories .
Theresa May , as Conservative leader , managed to lose the huge majority she inherited , after fighting a dire election campaign .
But Boris Johnson owes his current majority in the House of Commons to Theresa May .
He didn ’ t create new Conservative voters , or at least not half as many as Mrs May .
Rather , his contribution was to convince Mrs May ’ s converts to stick to their new home .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ supporters to look at some of these statistics and feel heartened .
After all , you might have thought that a combination of Brexit and Boris Johnson ’ s bumbling charisma had persuaded working class “ traditional Labour voters ” to abandon the party they once loyally supported .
The statistics , however , suggest that the Tory vote rose only by a modest amount under Mr Johnson 's leadership .
However , it would be a mistake for any Labour activist to feel cheerful .
Because the Conservatives have , in fact @ @ @ @ @ @ @ achieved – convincing traditional Labour voters to desert their party and lend their support to the Tories instead .
It ’ s just that it took them two elections to do it .
We look back at the 2017 election as a disaster for the Conservatives and something of a triumph for Labour ( on the grounds that Jeremy Corbyn 's party lost , but did better than many journalists expected ) .
But the Tories actually made their breakthrough in 2017 .
They just weren ’ t able to translate this immediately @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at our Facebook group !
Birmingham and the West Midlands is home to informed , passionate people devoted to their political causes who are not afraid to tell you what they think !
This Facebook group is an extension of the unrivalled political coverage you get from Birmingham Live and the Birmingham Mail & Post .
Here you will find our stories from Parliament and the Council chambers , alongside stories from your communities which show how political decisions are having an impact .
It 's also the place for you if you @ @ @ @ @ @ @ engage in debate and tell us about the issues we are missing .
The Tory vote rose nationally by 2.3 million in the 2017 general election to 13.6 million , and their share of the vote rose by 5.5 per cent , to 42.3 per cent .
In 2019 it went up again - but only by around 360,000 ( to 13.9m ) .
Many of these new Tory voters appear to have come via UKIP , which saw its vote collapse in 2017 .
But however exactly they got there , they @ @ @ @ @ @ @ considers how to beat the Conservatives at the next election , it should avoid the temptation to see the 2019 election as a reversal of gains made in 2017 .
It was actually back in 2017 that the Tories parked their tanks on Labour ’ s lawn .

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Conservatives made significant gains in the West Midlands in December’s General Election - when it came to winning seats.
But there was only a modest increase in the number of people voting for them.
Tories received 1,449,000 votes across the West Midlands region. That was up by around 93,000 votes compared to the 2017 general election.
In fact, the real breakthrough was made in 2017.
In the 2017 poll, Conservatives in the West Midlands region received 1,356,000 votes - up from 1,099,000 in 2015. In other words, the Conservative vote rose by 257,000, a significant number.
Of course, 2017 is remembered as a disaster for the Tories. Theresa May, as Conservative leader, managed to lose the huge majority she inherited, after fighting a dire election campaign.
But Boris Johnson owes his current majority in the House of Commons to Theresa May.
He didn’t create new Conservative voters, or at least not half as many as Mrs May. Rather, his contribution was to convince Mrs May’s converts to stick to their new home.
It might be tempting for some Labour supporters to look at some of these statistics and feel heartened.
After all, you might have thought that a combination of Brexit and Boris Johnson’s bumbling charisma had persuaded working class “traditional Labour voters” to abandon the party they once loyally supported. The statistics, however, suggest that the Tory vote rose only by a modest amount under Mr Johnson's leadership.
However, it would be a mistake for any Labour activist to feel cheerful. Because the Conservatives have, in fact, achieved what they claim to have achieved – convincing traditional Labour voters to desert their party and lend their support to the Tories instead. It’s just that it took them two elections to do it.
We look back at the 2017 election as a disaster for the Conservatives and something of a triumph for Labour (on the grounds that Jeremy Corbyn's party lost, but did better than many journalists expected).
But the Tories actually made their breakthrough in 2017. They just weren’t able to translate this immediately into seats.
The Tory vote rose nationally by 2.3 million in the 2017 general election to 13.6 million, and their share of the vote rose by 5.5 per cent, to 42.3 per cent. In 2019 it went up again - but only by around 360,000 (to 13.9m).
Many of these new Tory voters appear to have come via UKIP, which saw its vote collapse in 2017. But however exactly they got there, they're now voting Conservative.
When Labour considers how to beat the Conservatives at the next election, it should avoid the temptation to see the 2019 election as a reversal of gains made in 2017.
It was actually back in 2017 that the Tories parked their tanks on Labour’s lawn.


birminghammail--2020-01-09--Town of the Year contest launched in Wolverhampton - after government fail to realise it's a city

The Government has come under fire over a new ‘ Town of the Year ’ contest - after it launched it from a place that was made a city 19 years ago .
Communities secretary Robert Jenrick described the new competition in a government press release .
But civic leaders in the Black Country have expressed incredulity - after Mr Jenrick said the contest would be “ kicking off in the town of Wolverhampton ” .
Wolverhampton South East MP Pat McFadden said it was “ not a great start if ministers don ’ t even know that Wolverhampton is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ spokesperson for the Ministry of Housing , Communities & Local Government reported Mr Jenrick as having toured Wolverhampton ’ s “ town centre ” .
Even more inexplicably , Jenrick was born and educated in Wolverhampton .
He insisted he did know Wolverhampton was a city , but denied they had ‘ launched ’ the contest from there , in an interview with Sky News .
`` We did n't launch it in Wolverhampton , '' he insisted , despite issuing a press release announcing it last night from Wolverhampton .
He insisted @ @ @ @ @ @ @ town and is now a city .
He said : `` I was living in the town when it became a city .
I turned 18 the year it became a city , so I was living there at the time .
We did n't as it happens launch it in Wolverhampton , we went to Wolverhampton because it is one of the recipients of our towns fund . ''
Asked why a city was to benefit from the 'towns fund ' , he said : `` The criteria for our towns fund @ @ @ @ @ @ @ one is a city or a town .
`` Of course , as we know , there are some quite small cities .
Worcester , for example , is a city and they very much welcome the fact that they 're going to get £25 million of investment . ''
He added : `` Wolverhampton , as a beneficiary of both our high streets and our towns fund , will be getting up to £50 million .
`` For our towns fund we 've set criteria based on population size .
That does @ @ @ @ @ @ @ benefit .
But the town of the year competition will be limited to towns and we will be launching that later in the year . ''
When this was read out to him live on air , he said : `` Well , most people in Wolverhampton do call the city centre the town centre . ''
The contest was intended to promote the Government ’ s £3.6 billion ‘ towns fund ’ .
Mr Jenrick announced last night that he was kicking off his ‘ countrywide town tour ’ in Wolverhampton , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s “ town centre.
” Wolverhampton was granted city status in 2000 , after applying to be one of the ‘ Millennium Cities .
’

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The Government has come under fire over a new ‘Town of the Year’ contest - after it launched it from a place that was made a city 19 years ago.
Communities secretary Robert Jenrick described the new competition in a government press release.
But civic leaders in the Black Country have expressed incredulity - after Mr Jenrick said the contest would be “kicking off in the town of Wolverhampton”.
Wolverhampton South East MP Pat McFadden said it was “not a great start if ministers don’t even know that Wolverhampton is a city not a town.”
A spokesperson for the Ministry of Housing, Communities & Local Government reported Mr Jenrick as having toured Wolverhampton’s “town centre”.
Even more inexplicably, Jenrick was born and educated in Wolverhampton.
He insisted he did know Wolverhampton was a city, but denied they had ‘launched’ the contest from there, in an interview with Sky News.
"We didn't launch it in Wolverhampton," he insisted, despite issuing a press release announcing it last night from Wolverhampton.
He insisted he did know Wolverhampton was previously a town and is now a city.
He said: "I was living in the town when it became a city. I turned 18 the year it became a city, so I was living there at the time. We didn't as it happens launch it in Wolverhampton, we went to Wolverhampton because it is one of the recipients of our towns fund."
Asked why a city was to benefit from the 'towns fund', he said: "The criteria for our towns fund is not as crude as just whether one is a city or a town.
"Of course, as we know, there are some quite small cities. Worcester, for example, is a city and they very much welcome the fact that they're going to get £25 million of investment."
He added: "Wolverhampton, as a beneficiary of both our high streets and our towns fund, will be getting up to £50 million.
"For our towns fund we've set criteria based on population size. That does enable a smaller city like Wolverhampton to benefit. But the town of the year competition will be limited to towns and we will be launching that later in the year."
When this was read out to him live on air, he said: "Well, most people in Wolverhampton do call the city centre the town centre."
The contest was intended to promote the Government’s £3.6 billion ‘towns fund’.
Mr Jenrick announced last night that he was kicking off his ‘countrywide town tour’ in Wolverhampton, starting with a tour of the city’s “town centre.”
Wolverhampton was granted city status in 2000, after applying to be one of the ‘Millennium Cities.’


birminghammail--2020-01-09--Teacher gorging on five takeaways a week crowned Miss Slinky after radical weight loss transformatio

Teacher gorging on five takeaways a week crowned Miss Slinky after radical weight loss transformation

A teacher who gorged on five takeaways a week and was too embarrassed to pose for holiday snaps has lost five stone to be crowned Miss Slinky .
Amy Hodgson was so embarrassed about her size on a holiday of a lifetime to Iceland that she refused to pose for photos with her boyfriend .
The 24-year-old joined Slimming World with her sister after she returned , ditching her diet of takeaways , crisps and sweets for vegetables , potatoes and rice .
She dropped 10 dress sizes as her weight plummeted from around 15 stone to just under nine @ @ @ @ @ @ @ busy teacher was once told by a pupil that she looked like “ a big mummy , ” but the Liverpudlian now has her confidence back again being officially named “ Miss Slinky.
” She added : “ These days I ’ m brimming with confidence and I ’ ve stopped letting worries about my weight hold me back .
I ’ m now striving to improve myself and putting myself forward for things I would never have dreamed of doing before.
” Amy decided to take action after being handed an XXL @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Lagoon spa during her holiday in Iceland with her boyfriend Jonathan .
She said : “ Visiting Iceland was supposed to be the trip of a lifetime , but I felt like it ’ d been ruined because of how I felt about my weight .
Amy added : “ I felt embarrassed to be in a swimsuit and that ’ s just not me at all – before I gained weight I was so confident and comfortable with myself .
`` When we went to collect our robes I was handed an @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” Shortly after returning from Iceland Amy ’ s sister rang to ask if she wanted to join Slimming World with her .
She said : “ I decided to stop putting it off and just went for it .
I ’ d tried so many diets in the past but they were all quick fixes – I knew if I wanted to get rid of the extra weight for good I had to make changes for life.
” Amy soon felt at home in the supportive group , despite an “ emotional @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the scales .
She embraced Slimming World ’ s eating plan , and was shocked by how much she could eat compared to her previous diets which left her feeling deprived .
The diet is crammed with so-called ‘ Free Foods ’ including potatoes , pasta , rice , lean meat , fish , eggs , fruit and vegetables .
Amy , who now eats Weetabix for breakfast , said : “ I ’ d been so used to trying to lose weight by restricting myself that at first I couldn ’ t @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` I ’ d been having four to five takeaways a week before joining Slimming World , so this new way of looking at food was a revelation .
`` I went from barely cooking at all to being the chef of the house.
” Amy ’ s boyfriend did not attend the sessions , but still managed to shed two and a half stone by just sticking to the same meals .
She said : “ It ’ s given our relationship a boost too because I feel like I ’ ve @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and we enjoy getting active together by going to the gym or taking the dog for long walks in Wales.
” The transformation has also uplifted how Amy feels at work , where she often felt anxious about her weight .
She added : “ Children just say whatever is on their minds .
I remember one pupil once said I was ‘ big like mummy ’ and it crushed me .
I knew he didn ’ t mean anything malicious by saying it – but it still hurt.
” Amy also suffers @ @ @ @ @ @ @ which is exacerbated by stress and poor diet , but it has “ reduced massively ” since she shed the weight .
She is now looking forward to pursue her long-term dream of becoming a headteacher .
Amy said : “ When I was at my biggest I felt as though I had lost myself .
I wasn ’ t the bubbly confident girl my friends and family knew and loved .
Now I feel like I ’ m back to myself – and I can ’ t wait to see what the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sandwich with crisps and a bottle of coke Dinner : Burger meal from a fast food restaurant or a takeaway kebab with chips Breakfast : Weetabix with skimmed milk , a mug of coffee and a banana Lunch : A large homemade salad with a bottle of water and some fresh fruit Dinner : Pan-fried salmon with sweet chilli dressing , served with rice and vegetables

newsdesk@birminghamlive.co.uk (Gregory Kirby, James Rodger)

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A teacher who gorged on five takeaways a week and was too embarrassed to pose for holiday snaps has lost five stone to be crowned Miss Slinky.
Amy Hodgson was so embarrassed about her size on a holiday of a lifetime to Iceland that she refused to pose for photos with her boyfriend.
The 24-year-old joined Slimming World with her sister after she returned, ditching her diet of takeaways, crisps and sweets for vegetables, potatoes and rice.
She dropped 10 dress sizes as her weight plummeted from around 15 stone to just under nine stone in just 12 months.
The busy teacher was once told by a pupil that she looked like “a big mummy,” but the Liverpudlian now has her confidence back again being officially named “Miss Slinky.”
She added: “These days I’m brimming with confidence and I’ve stopped letting worries about my weight hold me back. I’m now striving to improve myself and putting myself forward for things I would never have dreamed of doing before.”
Amy decided to take action after being handed an XXL robe on a trip to the Blue Lagoon spa during her holiday in Iceland with her boyfriend Jonathan.
(Image: Jonathan Buckmaster)
She said: “Visiting Iceland was supposed to be the trip of a lifetime, but I felt like it’d been ruined because of how I felt about my weight.
Amy added: “I felt embarrassed to be in a swimsuit and that’s just not me at all – before I gained weight I was so confident and comfortable with myself.
"When we went to collect our robes I was handed an XXL – the same size as Jonathan.”
Shortly after returning from Iceland Amy’s sister rang to ask if she wanted to join Slimming World with her.
She said: “I decided to stop putting it off and just went for it. I’d tried so many diets in the past but they were all quick fixes – I knew if I wanted to get rid of the extra weight for good I had to make changes for life.”
Amy soon felt at home in the supportive group, despite an “emotional wobble” when she first stepped on the scales.
(Image: Jonathan Buckmaster)
She embraced Slimming World’s eating plan, and was shocked by how much she could eat compared to her previous diets which left her feeling deprived.
The diet is crammed with so-called ‘Free Foods’ including potatoes, pasta, rice, lean meat, fish, eggs, fruit and vegetables.
Amy, who now eats Weetabix for breakfast, said: “I’d been so used to trying to lose weight by restricting myself that at first I couldn’t believe how much I could eat.
"I’d been having four to five takeaways a week before joining Slimming World, so this new way of looking at food was a revelation.
"I went from barely cooking at all to being the chef of the house.”
(Image: Jonathan Buckmaster)
Amy’s boyfriend did not attend the sessions, but still managed to shed two and a half stone by just sticking to the same meals.
She said: “It’s given our relationship a boost too because I feel like I’ve got the ‘old me’ back and we enjoy getting active together by going to the gym or taking the dog for long walks in Wales.”
The transformation has also uplifted how Amy feels at work, where she often felt anxious about her weight.
She added: “Children just say whatever is on their minds. I remember one pupil once said I was ‘big like mummy’ and it crushed me. I knew he didn’t mean anything malicious by saying it – but it still hurt.”
(Image: Jonathan Buckmaster)
Amy also suffers from a skin condition called psoriasis, which is exacerbated by stress and poor diet, but it has “reduced massively” since she shed the weight.
She is now looking forward to pursue her long-term dream of becoming a headteacher.
Amy said: “When I was at my biggest I felt as though I had lost myself. I wasn’t the bubbly confident girl my friends and family knew and loved. Now I feel like I’m back to myself – and I can’t wait to see what the future holds.”
Before menu
Breakfast: Nothing
Lunch: A shop-bought sandwich with crisps and a bottle of coke
Dinner: Burger meal from a fast food restaurant or a takeaway kebab with chips
Evening: Chocolate, crisps, sweets
(Image: Jonathan Buckmaster)
After menu
Breakfast: Weetabix with skimmed milk, a mug of coffee and a banana
Lunch: A large homemade salad with a bottle of water and some fresh fruit
Dinner: Pan-fried salmon with sweet chilli dressing, served with rice and vegetables
Evening: Slimming World hi-fibre cereal bar


birminghammail--2020-01-09--'Love to move him on' - The damning verdict on Aston Villa's forgotten man

Scott Hogan 's nightmare has continued in the Championship at Stoke City .
After playing a bit part in Sheffield United 's promotion to the Premier League last term , Hogan hoped his latest loan move away from Aston Villa would allow him to hit the reset button on a career which has stalled rapidly .
The £12million forward 's fortunes have taken a turn for the worse in the Potteries though , and Stoke boss Michael O'Neill is now ready to offload him .
Republic of Ireland international Hogan has managed just three goals in 15 appearances for Stoke @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of six in his last 54 outings for club and country .
In the space of the last month Hogan , 27 , has played more football for Stoke 's under-23s than their first team .
Reports have now emerged to suggest Celtic are interested in signing Hogan this month - but why has it gone so badly wrong for him at Stoke ?
We caught up with Sentinel reporter Martin Spinks to find out why ... How has Hogan performed during his time at Stoke ?
`` If you 're being kind @ @ @ @ @ @ @ out because we have seen so little of him - just four league starts and nine cameos from the bench .
`` If you 're being unkind you 'd have to assume he 's lost a bit of focus and heart behind the scenes and needs a move for the sake of his own career .
`` Whatever the reasons , to fail to make any kind of impression on this Stoke squad over the past five months takes some doing . ''
What is O'Neill 's opinion of Hogan - and what @ @ @ @ @ @ @ He has n't had much to say about him and that 's probably just as well because Hogan is n't even on the bench now and O'Neill would clearly love to move him on to create space in his squad .
`` Had he been a permanent signing , O'Neill might have persevered more , but being a loan signing made him dispensable in this window . ''
What is Stoke 's plan for Hogan ?
`` Give him back to Villa , no question , and no doubt they have been encouraging @ @ @ @ @ @ @ move out of Villa in this window .
`` Bar the odd glimpse like two goals vs Derby and a late winner vs Swansea to save Nathan Jones for another day , it just has n't worked for him at Stoke , but to be fair he is n't the only player to fall by the wayside here . ''
How have Stoke 's supporters reacted to him ?
`` Not sure they have shown much reaction at all really , he 's been so relatively anonymous .
He 's been widely seen @ @ @ @ @ @ @ his time at the club and his exit will cause few ripples either way . ''
Villa paid £12m for Hogan - how much do you think he is worth now ?
`` You 'd be surprised if anyone took him for anything more than another loan spell because he 's had so little football .
`` His price has obviously plummeted and if they were to sell him tomorrow they 'd surely be lucky to get more than £2m . ''

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Scott Hogan's nightmare has continued in the Championship at Stoke City.
After playing a bit part in Sheffield United's promotion to the Premier League last term, Hogan hoped his latest loan move away from Aston Villa would allow him to hit the reset button on a career which has stalled rapidly.
The £12million forward's fortunes have taken a turn for the worse in the Potteries though, and Stoke boss Michael O'Neill is now ready to offload him.
Republic of Ireland international Hogan has managed just three goals in 15 appearances for Stoke across all competitions and boasts a record of six in his last 54 outings for club and country.
In the space of the last month Hogan, 27, has played more football for Stoke's under-23s than their first team.
Reports have now emerged to suggest Celtic are interested in signing Hogan this month - but why has it gone so badly wrong for him at Stoke? We caught up with Sentinel reporter Martin Spinks to find out why...
How has Hogan performed during his time at Stoke?
"If you're being kind you'd say the jury is still out because we have seen so little of him - just four league starts and nine cameos from the bench.
"If you're being unkind you'd have to assume he's lost a bit of focus and heart behind the scenes and needs a move for the sake of his own career.
"Whatever the reasons, to fail to make any kind of impression on this Stoke squad over the past five months takes some doing."
What is O'Neill's opinion of Hogan - and what has he said about him?
"He hasn't had much to say about him and that's probably just as well because Hogan isn't even on the bench now and O'Neill would clearly love to move him on to create space in his squad.
"Had he been a permanent signing, O'Neill might have persevered more, but being a loan signing made him dispensable in this window."
What is Stoke's plan for Hogan?
"Give him back to Villa, no question, and no doubt they have been encouraging Hogan's people to find him another move out of Villa in this window.
"Bar the odd glimpse like two goals vs Derby and a late winner vs Swansea to save Nathan Jones for another day, it just hasn't worked for him at Stoke, but to be fair he isn't the only player to fall by the wayside here."
How have Stoke's supporters reacted to him?
"Not sure they have shown much reaction at all really, he's been so relatively anonymous. He's been widely seen as an impact player at best during his time at the club and his exit will cause few ripples either way."
Villa paid £12m for Hogan - how much do you think he is worth now?
"You'd be surprised if anyone took him for anything more than another loan spell because he's had so little football.
"His price has obviously plummeted and if they were to sell him tomorrow they'd surely be lucky to get more than £2m."


birminghammail--2020-01-09--Campaign to end 'hygiene poverty' in Tamworth

A retired nurse is urging Tamworth residents to back a campaign to end hygiene poverty in the town .
Marie Ballard has recently set up a Tamworth branch of the Hygiene Bank – a registered charity which collects toiletries and grooming and beauty essentials to distribute to people who are struggling to afford even the basics .
Marie says that official figures show that 31 per cent of children in Tamworth are living in poverty and that three out of 10 teachers say they regularly buy their pupils toiletry essentials – and even wash their uniforms .
And she says @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , at some point , been unable to afford sanitary wear and have had to miss school or work .
Marie told the Herald : “ This hygiene poverty impacts on personal dignity , self esteem and mental health .
“ Progress so far has been amazing , we ’ ve been supported with donations and have had some requests for help , we ’ re about to get involved in two schools providing them with products and offering to help families via the schools.
” Marie says she first became aware of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ article .
“ I thought : ‘ We could have a branch of that here in Tamworth !
’ People have been amazing – they have not just donated stuff they already have , they have gone out and bought things to donate .
“ Hygiene poverty is a problem in Tamworth ; people stop buying toiletries long before they resort to foodbanks .
A lot of schools are taking children ’ s uniforms home to wash or are washing them at school .
“ Bullying happens at school be-cause of hygiene poverty @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to be clean .
“ It ’ s a discreet service we offer , it is all anonymous .
We will be working with local schools and will be supplying them with toiletries for pupils , but it could also be a health visitor who is looking after a young mum and see she needs some help – they can just get in touch with us.
” Drop-off points in Tamworth so far are as follows : Peel Medical Practice , Aldergate ; Riverside Surgery , Balfour ( off Lichfield Street ) ; @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Heart Church in Glascote ; St Paul ’ s Church in Fazeley and Next Place Property Agents in Glascote .
More venues are sought across Tamworth and anyone who can help is asked to contact Tamworth Hygiene Bank via its Facebook page .

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A retired nurse is urging Tamworth residents to back a campaign to end hygiene poverty in the town.
Marie Ballard has recently set up a Tamworth branch of the Hygiene Bank – a registered charity which collects toiletries and grooming and beauty essentials to distribute to people
who are struggling to afford even the basics.
Marie says that official figures show that 31 per cent of children in Tamworth are living in poverty and that three out of 10 teachers say they regularly buy their pupils toiletry essentials – and even wash their uniforms.
And she says that 27 per cent of women have, at some point, been unable to afford sanitary wear and have had to miss school or work.
Marie told the Herald: “This hygiene poverty impacts on personal dignity, self esteem and mental health.
“Progress so far has been amazing, we’ve been supported with donations and have had some requests for help, we’re about to get involved in two schools providing them with products and offering to help families via the schools.”
Marie says she first became aware of the Hygiene Bank charity through a magazine article.
“I thought: ‘We could have a branch of that here in Tamworth!’ People have been amazing – they have not just donated stuff they already have, they have gone out and bought things to donate.
“Hygiene poverty is a problem in Tamworth; people stop buying toiletries long before they resort to foodbanks. A lot of schools are taking children’s uniforms home to wash or are washing them at school.
“Bullying happens at school be-cause of hygiene poverty – this is about people being able to be clean.
“It’s a discreet service we offer, it is all anonymous. We will be working with local schools and will be supplying them with toiletries for pupils, but it could also be a health visitor who is looking after a young mum and see she needs some help – they can just get in touch with us.”
Donations can include shower gel, soap, shampoo, deodorant, sanitary towels, toothpaste, toothbrushes and similar items.
Drop-off points in Tamworth so far are as follows:
Peel Medical Practice, Aldergate; Riverside Surgery, Balfour (off Lichfield Street); Parson Street Surgery in Wilnecote; Sacred Heart Church in Glascote; St Paul’s Church in Fazeley and Next Place Property Agents in Glascote.
More venues are sought across Tamworth and anyone who can help is asked to contact Tamworth Hygiene Bank via its Facebook page.


birminghammail--2020-01-09--Cheikh Diaby latest as young West Brom forward nears his debut

Cheikh Diaby , the young forward who signed a deal with West Brom back in October , has been cleared to play for the club after a frustrating spell for the club and the player .
Diaby , 19 , joined the Baggies after a trial period , during which time he caught Slaven Bilic ’ s eye .
The club proceeded to offer the Frenchman a contract until the end of the season , with the option of a further year .
Planned to be fast tracked into Deon Burton ’ s U23s side , the last couple of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Diaby has been forced to sit out West Brom U23s ’ Premier League 2 matches because of red tape surrounding the deal that took him to The Hawthorns from French side Le Havre .
If you want to follow all things Albion via social media then this is the place to find out how .
Transfers , injuries , match-day videos and photos and the thoughts of the manager and his players , we ’ ve got you covered .
We ’ ll be bringing the very latest throughout the week and around @ @ @ @ @ @ @ yourself updated with our social media accounts ... Twitter : All the latest news as it happens For all your latest WBA news , opinion , analysis and transfer gossip , click here You can follow our reporter Joseph Chapman on Twitter , and his email address is Joseph.Chapman @ reachplc.com Diaby had come close to signing for Valencia before Albion came in for him , but he was stopped in his tracks from hooking up with the club ’ s U23s immediately .
Diaby has been training as normal each week at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ been made to wait until now for his chance in a match situation .
Those problems surrounding his transfer have now been resolved with UEFA , and Diaby is free to feature for the Baggies .
He is likely to be handed an opportunity in the coming weeks , as Albion look to get competitive minutes into his legs .
The U23s , who usually have Jamie Soule , Callum Morton and Stanley Asomugha among their centre forward pool of options , travel to basement side Sunderland on Monday .

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Cheikh Diaby, the young forward who signed a deal with West Brom back in October, has been cleared to play for the club after a frustrating spell for the club and the player.
Diaby, 19, joined the Baggies after a trial period, during which time he caught Slaven Bilic’s eye. The club proceeded to offer the Frenchman a contract until the end of the season, with the option of a further year.
Planned to be fast tracked into Deon Burton’s U23s side, the last couple of months have not gone to plan; Diaby has been forced to sit out West Brom U23s’ Premier League 2 matches because of red tape surrounding the deal that took him to The Hawthorns from French side Le Havre.
Diaby had come close to signing for Valencia before Albion came in for him, but he was stopped in his tracks from hooking up with the club’s U23s immediately.
Diaby has been training as normal each week at the Walsall training ground, and has been made to wait until now for his chance in a match situation.
Those problems surrounding his transfer have now been resolved with UEFA, and Diaby is free to feature for the Baggies.
He is likely to be handed an opportunity in the coming weeks, as Albion look to get competitive minutes into his legs.
The U23s, who usually have Jamie Soule, Callum Morton and Stanley Asomugha among their centre forward pool of options, travel to basement side Sunderland on Monday.


birminghammail--2020-01-09--Jeremy Bamber ITV drama White House Farm viewers all saying same thing about Stephen Graham's Welsh

Jeremy Bamber ITV drama White House Farm viewers all saying same thing about Stephen Graham's Welsh accent

Line of Duty star Stephen Graham has got everybody talking in his latest ITV drama White House Farm .
All anybody tuning in on Wednesday night to the first episode was left discussing in the aftermath was Graham 's Welsh accent .
The new six-part series is based on the real life story of a mass murder in an Essex farmhouse in 1985 .
The harrowing events that led to Jeremy Bamber 's conviction form the basis of 'White House Farm ' , with Liverpudlian-born Graham playing one of the detectives looking into the case .
Police discovered the bodies @ @ @ @ @ @ @ parents Nevill and June , sister Sheila Caffell and her twin sons Nicholas and Daniel , both six , all shot dead at the isolated Georgian property .
But WalesOnline reports the audience at home who were watching the first episode on Wednesday evening were more concerned with the murder of the Welsh accent happening right there on screen .
One viewer even said it was as bad as Dick Van Dyke 's 'Cockney ' accent in Mary Poppins .
Bamber is currently serving life imprisonment without the possibility of parole , despite @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the few prisoners in the UK subject to a whole-life order .
Willow Grylls , Executive Producer for New Pictures , said : `` This notorious case has been the subject of much debate , and our programme focuses on the impact of the human tragedy .
`` I ’ d like to specially thank Colin Caffell as without his collaboration this would not have been possible .
`` We have also been blessed by the talent of our director Paul Whittington and an incredible cast.
” Writer Kris Mrksa added : @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has focused on contested legal details , but I wanted to tell this story in a way that did justice to the devastating emotional truth of what happened .
”

newsdesk@birminghamlive.co.uk (Kathryn Williams, James Rodger)

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Line of Duty star Stephen Graham has got everybody talking in his latest ITV drama White House Farm.
All anybody tuning in on Wednesday night to the first episode was left discussing in the aftermath was Graham's Welsh accent.
The new six-part series is based on the real life story of a mass murder in an Essex farmhouse in 1985.
The harrowing events that led to Jeremy Bamber's conviction form the basis of 'White House Farm', with Liverpudlian-born Graham playing one of the detectives looking into the case.
Police discovered the bodies of the then 24-year-old’s adoptive parents Nevill and June, sister Sheila Caffell and her twin sons Nicholas and Daniel, both six, all shot dead at the isolated Georgian property.
But WalesOnline reports the audience at home who were watching the first episode on Wednesday evening were more concerned with the murder of the Welsh accent happening right there on screen.
One viewer even said it was as bad as Dick Van Dyke's 'Cockney' accent in Mary Poppins.
Bamber is currently serving life imprisonment without the possibility of parole, despite maintaining his innocence, and is one of the few prisoners in the UK subject to a whole-life order.
Willow Grylls, Executive Producer for New Pictures, said: "This notorious case has been the subject of much debate, and our programme focuses on the impact of the human tragedy.
"I’d like to specially thank Colin Caffell as without his collaboration this would not have been possible.
"We have also been blessed by the talent of our director Paul Whittington and an incredible cast.”
Writer Kris Mrksa added: "So much discussion of the case has focused on contested legal details, but I wanted to tell this story in a way that did justice to the devastating emotional truth of what happened.”


birminghammail--2020-01-09--Watch as girls fight on the floor in dramatic scrap at intu Merry Hill

Astonishing mobile footage has captured the shocking moment two girls trade blows in the middle of intu Merry Hill – as shoppers watch on in disbelief .
The viral video - which has been shared more than 1,200 times - shows the pair pulling on another ’ s hair as they scrap on the floor outside Costa on Monday , January 6 .
It was not known why the fight started but the clip showed a security guard having to wrestle the sparring girls apart .
One of the group , who were with the fighting party , is also @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a passer-by tries to stop the dramatic skirmish .
You can watch the clip above .
It was not known if anyone had been arrested – or if officers were called – but West Midlands Police has been contacted for more information .
Shocked viewers called the fight appalling and have slammed the group 's actions .
One said : “ Am I the only one who finds this s*** embarrassing ?
Imagine if their mums were scrolling on their Facebook and see this – pure embarrassment.
” While another said : “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ scrapping and not stabbing , or a group kicking .
Makes a change these days to see one-on-one with no weapons involved.
” A third wrote : “ It is nice to see people trying to stop it instead of just standing there recording it .
It is like we have gone back a decade.
” The last wrote : “ They should be ashamed of themselves .
Why fight like that in the middle of the shopping centre ?
Get a grip.
” Keep up-to-date with all things Dudley , Walsall , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Live Facebook page - where you 'll get the latest news , travel , weather and events in your area .

newsdesk@birminghamlive.co.uk (Charlotte Smith, Jordan Coussins)

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Astonishing mobile footage has captured the shocking moment two girls trade blows in the middle of intu Merry Hill – as shoppers watch on in disbelief.
The viral video - which has been shared more than 1,200 times - shows the pair pulling on another’s hair as they scrap on the floor outside Costa on Monday, January 6.
It was not known why the fight started but the clip showed a security guard having to wrestle the sparring girls apart.
One of the group, who were with the fighting party, is also filmed kicking one of the fighters as a passer-by tries to stop the dramatic skirmish. You can watch the clip above.
It was not known if anyone had been arrested – or if officers were called – but West Midlands Police has been contacted for more information.
Shocked viewers called the fight appalling and have slammed the group's actions.
One said: “Am I the only one who finds this s*** embarrassing? Imagine if their mums were scrolling on their Facebook and see this – pure embarrassment.”
While another said: “I suppose at least they’re scrapping and not stabbing, or a group kicking. Makes a change these days to see one-on-one with no weapons involved.”
A third wrote: “It is nice to see people trying to stop it instead of just standing there recording it. It is like we have gone back a decade.”
The last wrote: “They should be ashamed of themselves. Why fight like that in the middle of the shopping centre? Get a grip.”
Keep up-to-date with all things Dudley, Walsall, Sandwell and Wolverhampton on our Black Country Live Facebook page - where you'll get the latest news, travel, weather and events in your area.


birminghammail--2020-01-09--Twitter users will be given option to block replies to their tweets

Twitter has revealed plans to allow users control over who can reply to their tweets - and even block responses completely .
The social network is set to launch a test of the new feature early in 2020 before considering a full roll-out , as it looks to make individuals `` feel safe and comfortable '' using the platform .
People will be given a choice of four conversation participant options : - Global - allowing anyone to reply to a tweet - Group - meaning only those the user follows or mentions can reply - Panel - restricting responses @ @ @ @ @ @ @ - Statement - blocking responses from anyone else entirely While the move could help limit harassment online and cyber-bullying , it has also raised concern that senior political figures could make statements without being subjected to public scrutiny .
`` Please do not allow public figures such as Trump , to hide replies to their outrageous statements , '' one Twitter user responded on the company 's tweet announcing the plans .
In November , Twitter allowed users globally to hide replies to their tweets that they find abusive or irrelevant .
`` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ talking on Twitter is important so we can serve public conversation , '' Twitter said in a statement .
`` We want to give people more control over the conversations they have on Twitter , for example , who can reply to their Tweets .
We will be testing this in early 2020 . ''

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Twitter has revealed plans to allow users control over who can reply to their tweets - and even block responses completely.
The social network is set to launch a test of the new feature early in 2020 before considering a full roll-out, as it looks to make individuals "feel safe and comfortable" using the platform.
People will be given a choice of four conversation participant options:
- Global - allowing anyone to reply to a tweet
- Group - meaning only those the user follows or mentions can reply
- Panel - restricting responses to only those mentioned in the tweet
- Statement - blocking responses from anyone else entirely
While the move could help limit harassment online and cyber-bullying, it has also raised concern that senior political figures could make statements without being subjected to public scrutiny.
"Please do not allow public figures such as Trump, to hide replies to their outrageous statements," one Twitter user responded on the company's tweet announcing the plans.
"Democracy demands feedback and reality checks."
In November, Twitter allowed users globally to hide replies to their tweets that they find abusive or irrelevant.
"Making sure people feel safe and comfortable talking on Twitter is important so we can serve public conversation," Twitter said in a statement.
"We want to give people more control over the conversations they have on Twitter, for example, who can reply to their Tweets. We will be testing this in early 2020."


birminghammail--2020-01-09--Urgent warning over Reynhard Sinaga social media posts issued by police

Police have issued a legal warning over social media posts that might identify victims of serial sexual predator Reynhard Sinaga .
Concerns were raised after 36-year-old Sinaga was publicly identified on Monday as the UK 's most prolific rapist and detectives began receiving multiple calls .
The Indonesian student was jailed for life with a minimum of 30 years after drugging and sexually violating 48 men at his city centre apartment in Manchester .
Greater Manchester Police set up a dedicated incident room as their investigations established that 195 men in total appeared to have been unconscious when Sinaga filmed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ those still to be identified .
On Thursday , the force issued a warning to social media users over the consequences of identifying victims of sexual offences .
A spokesman said : `` We are aware of a number of social media posts circulating which may identify potential victims of sexual offences in connection with the live investigation into Reynhard Sinaga .
`` We would like to stress that , under the Sexual Offences ( Amendment ) Act 2000 , victims of sexual offices have a lifelong right to anonymity and therefore any @ @ @ @ @ @ @ constitutes a criminal offence .
`` Additionally these posts risk jeopardising an ongoing investigation into serious crime .
`` Please be mindful when sharing any social media posts . ''
Sinaga 's trial heard that he went out in the early hours of the morning , hunting for lone , drunk young men around nightclubs near his flat .
The slightly-built student posed as a Good Samaritan who offered them a floor to sleep on or promised them more drink .
His victims - who were mainly heterosexual - had little or no @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Sinaga repeatedly raped many of them .
It is thought he laced alcoholic drinks with a drug such as GHB , also known as liquid ecstasy .
He was caught when one of his victims regained consciousness and fought him off before going to the police and , crucially , handing in Sinaga 's phone .
Sinaga was found guilty of a total of 159 offences committed between January 2015 and May 2017 - 136 counts of rape , 13 counts of sexual assault , eight counts of attempted rape and two counts @ @ @ @ @

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Police have issued a legal warning over social media posts that might identify victims of serial sexual predator Reynhard Sinaga.
Concerns were raised after 36-year-old Sinaga was publicly identified on Monday as the UK's most prolific rapist and detectives began receiving multiple calls.
The Indonesian student was jailed for life with a minimum of 30 years after drugging and sexually violating 48 men at his city centre apartment in Manchester.
Greater Manchester Police set up a dedicated incident room as their investigations established that 195 men in total appeared to have been unconscious when Sinaga filmed himself assaulting them, with 70 of those still to be identified.
On Thursday, the force issued a warning to social media users over the consequences of identifying victims of sexual offences.
A spokesman said: "We are aware of a number of social media posts circulating which may identify potential victims of sexual offences in connection with the live investigation into Reynhard Sinaga.
"We would like to stress that, under the Sexual Offences (Amendment) Act 2000, victims of sexual offices have a lifelong right to anonymity and therefore any post which identifies victims of sexual offences constitutes a criminal offence.
"Additionally these posts risk jeopardising an ongoing investigation into serious crime.
"Please be mindful when sharing any social media posts."
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Sinaga's trial heard that he went out in the early hours of the morning, hunting for lone, drunk young men around nightclubs near his flat.
The slightly-built student posed as a Good Samaritan who offered them a floor to sleep on or promised them more drink.
His victims - who were mainly heterosexual - had little or no memory of the hours that followed as Sinaga repeatedly raped many of them.
It is thought he laced alcoholic drinks with a drug such as GHB, also known as liquid ecstasy.
He was caught when one of his victims regained consciousness and fought him off before going to the police and, crucially, handing in Sinaga's phone.
Video Loading Video Unavailable Click to play Tap to play The video will auto-play soon 8 Cancel Play now
Sinaga was found guilty of a total of 159 offences committed between January 2015 and May 2017 - 136 counts of rape, 13 counts of sexual assault, eight counts of attempted rape and two counts of assault by penetration.


birminghammail--2020-01-09--Lichfield vicar defends church's new car park built around a single grave

LICHFIELD ’ S St Michael ’ s Church has defended what has been branded an “ appalling ” decision to lay a new car park in its grounds either side of a single grave .
The church , the origins of which date back to the 12th century , has created parking spaces for as many as ten cars adjacent to the drive which runs from Church Street up to its main door , maintaining it was necessary “ for young families with children and for older members of the congregation ” .
There is a bed of shale , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ memorial vase to a John Yates , protected by two wooden posts .
Last week a notice placed on the grave read : “ Please respect my grandfather ’ s grave – do not drive or walk on it - as you can see it has been damaged by cars in the past .
Thank you so much.
” One city resident , who does not wish to be named , said : “ I can ’ t believe what the church has done .
I am furious .
It is a single @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has been surrounded by different-coloured shale .
I am appalled.
” Another resident said of the car park : “ How would you feel if it was your mum ’ s grave ?
” Simon Baker , Rector of St Michael ’ s , told BirminghamLive that a visitor to the grave spoke to those doing the work and “ was happy ” with the way the grave was being treated .
In a statement , Rev Baker said : “ St Michael ’ s is a growing church with many activities during @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Sundays .
“ Good available car parking is necessary for young families with children and for older members of the congregation .
“ This area of the churchyard has been used for parking for services and other events at the church for some time .
“ The parking was on the grass and there was a significant danger of damage to tree roots and to the one remaining grave in that area .
“ The present hard surface is designed to protect the trees and the remaining grave has been carefully highlighted to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to be respected .
“ Other headstones from that area were relocated in the 1970s .
The depth of the new surface is only about four inches and so there was no deep excavation or digging .
The project was undertaken after due process and consultation .
“ A full planning application was made through the local authority and no objections were received .
In addition formal permission through the Church of England ’ s own planning process was received after independent advice .
“ Again no objections were received as part of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ undertaken with the local authority tree adviser present and also a designated archaeologist .
`` Clearly the new parking does change the way the approach to the church looks and it will have come as a surprise to many people who freely use the churchyard to walk through or to visit graves of loved ones .
`` However we believe that it is a reasonable and careful adaptation for the needs of the church community and to provide a facility for everyone who uses the church not only on Sundays but for significant @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ''

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LICHFIELD’S St Michael’s Church has defended what has been branded an “appalling” decision to lay a new car park in its grounds either side of a single grave.
The church, the origins of which date back to the 12th century, has created parking spaces for as many as ten cars adjacent to the drive which runs from Church Street up to its main door, maintaining it was necessary “for young families with children and for older members of the congregation”.
There is a bed of shale, within which sits an existing grave and memorial vase to a John Yates, protected by two wooden posts.
Last week a notice placed on the grave read: “Please respect my grandfather’s grave – do not drive or walk on it - as you can see it has been damaged by cars in the past. Thank you so much.”
One city resident, who does not wish to be named, said: “I can’t believe what the church has done. I am furious. It is a single grave, there since 1940, which has been surrounded by different-coloured shale. I am appalled.”
Another resident said of the car park: “How would you feel if it was your mum’s grave?”
Simon Baker, Rector of St Michael’s, told BirminghamLive that a visitor to the grave spoke to those doing the work and “was happy” with the way the grave was being treated.
In a statement, Rev Baker said: “St Michael’s is a growing church with many activities during the week as well as services on Sundays.
“Good available car parking is necessary for young families with children and for older members of the congregation.
“This area of the churchyard has been used for parking for services and other events at the church for some time.
“The parking was on the grass and there was a significant danger of damage to tree roots and to the one remaining grave in that area.
“The present hard surface is designed to protect the trees and the remaining grave has been carefully highlighted to avoid damage and ensure that it continues to be respected.
“Other headstones from that area were relocated in the 1970s. The depth of the new surface is only about four inches and so there was no deep excavation or digging. The project was undertaken after due process and consultation.
“A full planning application was made through the local authority and no objections were received. In addition formal permission through the Church of England’s own planning process was received after independent advice.
“Again no objections were received as part of that process. The work itself was undertaken with the local authority tree adviser present and also a designated archaeologist.
"Clearly the new parking does change the way the approach to the church looks and it will have come as a surprise to many people who freely use the churchyard to walk through or to visit graves of loved ones.
"However we believe that it is a reasonable and careful adaptation for the needs of the church community and to provide a facility for everyone who uses the church not only on Sundays but for significant occasions such as funerals and weddings."


birminghammail--2020-01-09--Shocking moment Ross Kemp loses voice after taking Spice in harrowing Belmarsh ITV documentary

This is the shocking moment Ross Kemp lost his voice after ingesting just a tiny amount of the drug 'Spice ' .
The EastEnders actor took the narcotic while filming a documentary inside a British prison .
The documentary maker was unable to speak after he breathed in the residue of a small amount of the popular prison and street drug left inside the bottom of an inmate 's vapouriser .
The documentary airs on ITV1 tonight , and sees Kemp go inside the walls of HMP Belmarsh , the country 's most notorious maximum-security jail , which has housed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ infamous - convicts .
Ross explores how staff cope with high-profile inmates , extremists and common criminals living side-by-side and goes inside the High Security Unit , where he meets Muhammad Asif Hafeez , known as Sultan , the alleged mastermind of a drug-smuggling empire .
Speaking to the Sun , Ross said : `` I am rarely lost for words but as I turn to camera , I have lost the ability to speak .
`` My brain has gone blank , my hands are clammy and my mouth is dry .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ is known as 'Man Down ' , said to be one of the strongest strains of the now illegal former legal-high .
Ross said Man Down `` does exactly what it says on the tin '' .
The 55-year-old Londoner was visiting Belmarsh Prison to film a two part documentary , Welcome To HMP Belmarsh With Ross Kemp , which debuts on ITV on Thursday .
The south-east London prison has held the likes of Ian Huntley , rapist John Worboys and Lee Rigby 's killers .
It was home to 187 murderers @ @ @ @ @ @ @ there .
The inmates Ross met included far-right campaigner Stephen Yaxley-Lennon , more commonly known as Tommy Robinson .
Welcome To HMP Belmarsh With Ross Kemp starts on Thursday , January 9 , on ITV at 9pm .

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This is the shocking moment Ross Kemp lost his voice after ingesting just a tiny amount of the drug 'Spice'.
The EastEnders actor took the narcotic while filming a documentary inside a British prison.
The documentary maker was unable to speak after he breathed in the residue of a small amount of the popular prison and street drug left inside the bottom of an inmate's vapouriser.
The documentary airs on ITV1 tonight, and sees Kemp go inside the walls of HMP Belmarsh, the country's most notorious maximum-security jail, which has housed the country's most dangerous - and infamous - convicts.
These include Ian Huntley, Ronnie Biggs and Charles Bronson.
Ross explores how staff cope with high-profile inmates, extremists and common criminals living side-by-side and goes inside the High Security Unit, where he meets Muhammad Asif Hafeez, known as Sultan, the alleged mastermind of a drug-smuggling empire.
Speaking to the Sun, Ross said: "I am rarely lost for words but as I turn to camera, I have lost the ability to speak.
"My brain has gone blank, my hands are clammy and my mouth is dry."
The variety of spice Ross tried is known as 'Man Down', said to be one of the strongest strains of the now illegal former legal-high. Ross said Man Down "does exactly what it says on the tin".
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The 55-year-old Londoner was visiting Belmarsh Prison to film a two part documentary, Welcome To HMP Belmarsh With Ross Kemp, which debuts on ITV on Thursday.
The south-east London prison has held the likes of Ian Huntley, rapist John Worboys and Lee Rigby's killers. It was home to 187 murderers and 17 terrorists when ITV was filming there.
The inmates Ross met included far-right campaigner Stephen Yaxley-Lennon, more commonly known as Tommy Robinson.
Welcome To HMP Belmarsh With Ross Kemp starts on Thursday, January 9, on ITV at 9pm.


birminghammail--2020-01-09--Aston Villa transfers live: Two strikers targeted, Burnley's stance on Rodriguez and advice for Grea

Aston Villa transfers live: Two strikers targeted, Burnley's stance on Rodriguez and advice for Grealish

Hello and welcome to Thursday 's LIVE Aston Villa coverage from BirminghamLive .
Villa completed their first signing of the @ @ @ @ @ international Danny Drinkwater joining in a loan deal from Chelsea until the end of the @ @ @ @ @ men will now be looking for a replacement for striker Wesley Moraes , who is @ @ @ @ @ and bolstering the squad ahead of the second half of their Premier League campaign .
@ @ @ @ @ latest news , rumours and links on any transfer news on incomings and outgoings at @ @ @ @ @ also also be all the fallout as Villa earned a creditable 1-1 draw away to @ @ @ @ @ leg of their Carabao Cup semi-final .
It is a one-match shootout for a place @ @ @ @ @ with us as we bring you all the latest news LIVE from Villa Park as @ @ @ @ @ all the action below ...

Hello and welcome to Sunday's LIVE Aston Villa coverage from BirminghamLive.
Villa completed their first signing of the transfer window with former England international Danny Drinkwater joining in a loan deal from Chelsea until the end of the season.
Dean Smith's men will now be looking for a replacement for striker Wesley Moraes, who is out for the season, and bolstering the squad ahead of the second half of their Premier League campaign.
We will have all the latest news, rumours and links on any transfer news on incomings and outgoings at Villa Park.
On the pitch, Villa were hammered 6-1 by Manchester City.
So stick with us as we bring you all the latest news LIVE from B6 as we get it.
Follow all the action below...


birminghammail--2020-01-09--Inside Winter Love Island villa in Cape Town - and it's very different from the Majorca version

Love Island returns to our screens this weekend - with some new features .
New presenter Laura Whitmore has given us a sneak peek of the new abode .
The show returns to ITV2 on Sunday evening , bringing with it a raft of new islanders .
Whitmore is at the helm after taking over the role from Caroline Flack .
Flack has stepped down from her role as presenter of Love Island following an assault charge .
And the new presenter is n't the only thing changing about the show , with a brand-new location .
New features at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the size of the ITV show ’ s Majorcan retreat , include The Dog House .
The South African villa is based in Constantia , Cape Town .
Islanders booted out of the communal bedroom will be relegated to a pull-down bed they will be forced to make themselves , reports The Mirror .
Previously , when couples rowed , one would sleep outside on sofas or daybeds .
There is also a boys ’ dressing room to let the men bond , and a large staircase .
The fire pit makes a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s famous dumpings .
Outside decks on three levels allow private chats while the kitchen has extra seating .
The garden 's coloured bean bag chairs also make a comeback this year , where in the past islanders have done most of their daytime bitching and flirting .
When things get a little too heated , the singletons will be able to make use of a huge swimming pool and patio area that overlooks the stunning Cape Town countryside .
And after taking a dip , the rows of sunbeds should provide the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on topping up their tans .
In previous years , the Islanders have had to make do with only a shower in the washroom , but this year they will have full use of a huge whirlpool to bathe in .
Another hot tub has been conveniently positioned in the notorious hideaway .
The secluded spot will allow the islanders to enjoy some privacy if the mood takes them .
The inside of the hideaway has been decked out in vibrant pink hues .
Throughout the series , lucky contestants will be picked @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the night alone as a couple .
And to remind the 12 singletons of what they 're there to do , bosses have left plenty of flirty reminders in the form of neon signs .
In the past , the signs have been a throwback to some much-loved catchphrases from previous seasons .
And this year is no different , with quotes including : 'Bro code ' , 'Vibey ' and 'Feeling You ' adorning the walls .
And it wo n't be long before the contestants are introduced to their new digs @ @ @ @ @ @ @ winter version - of Love Island kicks off on Sunday , January 12 , on ITV2 at 9pm .

newsdesk@birminghamlive.co.uk (Lucy Needham, Ashleigh Rainbird, James Rodger)

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Love Island returns to our screens this weekend - with some new features.
New presenter Laura Whitmore has given us a sneak peek of the new abode.
The show returns to ITV2 on Sunday evening, bringing with it a raft of new islanders.
Whitmore is at the helm after taking over the role from Caroline Flack.
Flack has stepped down from her role as presenter of Love Island following an assault charge.
(Image: ITV)
And the new presenter isn't the only thing changing about the show, with a brand-new location.
New features at the villa, which is five times the size of the ITV show’s Majorcan retreat, include The Dog House.
The South African villa is based in Constantia, Cape Town.
Islanders booted out of the communal bedroom will be relegated to a pull-down bed they will be forced to make themselves, reports The Mirror.
Previously, when couples rowed, one would sleep outside on sofas or daybeds.
There is also a boys’ dressing room to let the men bond, and a large staircase.
The fire pit makes a welcome return to host the show’s famous dumpings.
Outside decks on three levels allow private chats while the kitchen has extra seating.
The garden's coloured bean bag chairs also make a comeback this year, where in the past islanders have done most of their daytime bitching and flirting.
(Image: ITV)
When things get a little too heated, the singletons will be able to make use of a huge swimming pool and patio area that overlooks the stunning Cape Town countryside.
And after taking a dip, the rows of sunbeds should provide the perfect spot for the islanders to work on topping up their tans.
In previous years, the Islanders have had to make do with only a shower in the washroom, but this year they will have full use of a huge whirlpool to bathe in.
Another hot tub has been conveniently positioned in the notorious hideaway.
The secluded spot will allow the islanders to enjoy some privacy if the mood takes them.
The inside of the hideaway has been decked out in vibrant pink hues.
Throughout the series, lucky contestants will be picked to leave the communal bedroom and spend the night alone as a couple.
And to remind the 12 singletons of what they're there to do, bosses have left plenty of flirty reminders in the form of neon signs.
In the past, the signs have been a throwback to some much-loved catchphrases from previous seasons.
And this year is no different, with quotes including: 'Bro code', 'Vibey' and 'Feeling You' adorning the walls.
And it won't be long before the contestants are introduced to their new digs.
The new series - and first winter version - of Love Island kicks off on Sunday, January 12, on ITV2 at 9pm.