Birmingham Mail

Pedestrian Hit by Lorry Near Shops

A 25-YEAR-old man is in a critical condition following a collision with a lorry in Birmingham. The pedestrian suffered serious head, leg and arm injuries in Birchfield Road, Perry Barr, at about 2.45pm on Friday.

Mum Gives Troops a Taste of Home ; Charity: Parcels Sent Out to Soldiers Serving in Afghanistan and Iraq

RECENT tragedies in Afghanistan have led to a surge in support for one Birmingham charity which supports brave soldiers and their families. Support Our Soldiers (SOS) was set up six years ago to send parcels out to British troops fighting in Iraq.

Celebrating City's Music

Uni Tower Is Transformed

A pounds 40 MILLION Muirhead Tower refurbishment scheme at the University of Birmingham has been completed after two years. The tower, originally built in 1969 at the Edgbaston campus, now boasts state of the art teaching facilities, an exhibition area, two purpose-built storage areas for archives and rare books, and a hospitality suite.

Forest Failure a Worry for Blues ; Nott'm Forest 2 Blues 1

BLUES continued with a stumble rather than a swagger in a pre- season campaign that is throwing up more questions than answers. Forest deservedly won at the City Ground, with Robert Earnshaw's smartly taken goal in the 83rd minute proving decisive after a thumping volley bColin Tattumy Lee Carsley had just previously put Blues on level terms.

Mcleish Glad to Make the Position Clear

BLUES formation at Nottingham Forest was not a guide to how they are going to line-up during the season proper, Alex McLeish has stressed. Barry Ferguson was a surprise choice to play in an advanced role just behind Cameron Jerome.

Eck's Men Reap Rewards of a Fast Start ; Cheltenham Town 0 Blues 4

BLUES recorded a comprehensive win at Cheltenham yesterday, with a quickfire start setting them up. Garry O'Connor smashed the opening goal after just 45 seconds from the edge of the penalty area after Keith Fahey intercepted a loose pass by Jack Durrant. Blues fielded a mix of senior players who weren't on duty at Nottingham Forest on Saturday and youngsters, plus two trialists got game- time. Landry Matondo was neat enough without ever being spectacular in midfield. His French compatriot, A...

Birthdays

Bobby Dazzlers

SOCCER SIX 1. Who scored the Arsenal goal in the 2006 Champions League final? 2. In which city do Espanyol play? 3. Which Scottish club are managed by Jim Jefferies? 4. Which club do Celtic need to beat to qualify for the group stages of the Champions League for 2009/10? 5. Who will be the first English club to appear in the women's Champions League? 6. Name the only English club that Owen Coyle played for. SPORTING SIX 1. Which: In which sport is the Falkirk Cup competed? 2. Boxing: At which...

Pounds 5m New Bus Fleet Is Just the Ticket ; Transport: Vehicles Are Part of an Improved Service On Routes 9 and 99

A pounds 5 MILLION fleet of new buses will soon be taking to the streets of Birmingham, Stourbridge and Halesowen thanks to an investment by National Express West Midlands. The buses on routes 9 and 99 will have better seating, buggy and wheelchair zones, improved handrails and anti-graffiti coating throughout the vehicle. Neil Barker, of National Express, said: "We're delighted to introduce 30 enhanced vehicles on to the 9 and 99 service for people travelling by bus to Halesowen, Stourbridge...

Free Luxury Car Valet with H20 Car Valeting

H20 CAR VALETING and the Birmingham Mail have teamed up to give you a very special reader offer this summer. We are giving away a FREE luxury car valet for every reader.

Drugs Project in Cash Boost

LLOYDS TSB Foundation has provided pounds 60,000 to help the charity that runs Birmingham's KIKIT drugs project. KIKIT is part of the Ashiana Community Project in Sparkbrook that runs a drop-in centre to provide help and advise in tackling substance abuse to young people.

Funding Boost for Homes Plan

BIRMINGHAM'S regeneration agencyUrban Living has had their plans to build new homes boosted by pounds 1.7 million in government funding. The organisation is part of a renewal programme that aims to rebuild communities in some of the UK's most deprived areas. Urban Living will be concentrating on areas in Birmingham and Sandwell.

Two Legs As Good As Four for Acorns

PUNTERS at a Birmingham dog track were bemused when the greyhounds were replaced by humans in fancy dress. The race at Perry Barr Greyhound Stadium was contested over half a lap by runners and riders including Scooby Doo, Superwoman and Homer the Greyhound.

Swine Flu Drug Online

Disabled Driver Is Stung by Pounds 60 Fine ; Parking: Firm Swoops Just Minutes After Badge Fell Out of Windscreen

A DISABLED man claims he was "cheated" out of pounds 60 when he was forced to pay a parking fine outside a Birmingham store. Paul Bulman, aged 62, received the fine from Birmingham parking enforcement company Inter-ParkUKfoparking in a disabled bay outside Somerfield at the Fox and Goose Centre in Ward End.

Pick of the Day

The Street (9.00pm) Joseph Mawle plays a racist chef forced to confront his hatred of ethnic minorities when a friend asks him to take the credit for saving a Polish child from a fire. Also starring Steve Marsh, Julia Krynke and Tanya Moodie. The Trouble with Girls (9.00pm) The first of two documentaries following young women working to put their criminal pasts behind them, despite being in unstable relationships and leading hedonistic lifestyles.

Steve Strike Gives Saddlers the Edge ; Hereford 0 Walsall 1

DEFENDER Stephen Roberts scored the only goal of the game to give Walsall victory over their League Two opponents but they missed some good second-half chances. Hereford made the brisker start and much-travelled striker Leon Constantine got the first shot on target from a Marc Pugh pass but Clayton Ince gathered it safely.

Baggies Turn Their Sights On Magpies ; Albion 0 Chievo 0

ALBION signed off their pre-season on a low-key note - yet this Saturday's game against Newcastle will be the complete opposite. The Baggies played out a goalless draw against Italian club Chievo with little goalmouth action to get excited about.

Tributes to Sir Bobby at Opener

ROBERTO Di Matteo is expecting an emotionally-charged opening day at The Hawthorns. Newcastle United will take on Albion on Saturday tea-time, in a game which will be dominated by tributes to Sir Bobby Robson.