Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer uses his Christmas message to thank NHS staff, emergency services and volunteers working over the festive period, as new figures reveal 1.2 million will be on duty.
Your complete guide to the Christmas Eve TV schedule for 2025, featuring festive films, specials, and shows across all major UK channels. Plan your viewing now!
Construction is finished on five new railway stations in Birmingham and the Black Country, restoring passenger services to some areas for the first time since WWII. Read the full details.
Bebington comedian Ben Turner is a finalist for One Liner Comedian of the Year. Help him bring the trophy to Wirral by voting before the end of December.
Melly May Lynch, 29, spent two days and £250 embracing the nostalgic 'tacky Christmas' TikTok trend in her North Wales home. Discover her festive transformation and the hunt for 90s decorations.
Find the full list of 42 Wetherspoons pubs open in the West Midlands on Christmas Day 2024, offering festive meals and company for those alone. Discover your local.
A festive warning has been issued to UK households about storing Baileys. The manufacturer confirms it lasts two years and doesn't need refrigeration. Read the facts.
Discover Lowsonford, a quaint Warwickshire village with lovely canal walks, leading to a pub with a festive scent and award-winning pies. Perfect for a festive day out.
Plans for a major 99MW battery energy storage system in Staffordshire have been unanimously refused by councillors following nearly 150 objections over fire risks and Green Belt impact. Read the full story.
Discover a perfect countryside escape just an hour from Birmingham. This writer's weekend in a Worcestershire hamlet and the Cotswolds offers idyllic walks, cosy shops, and delicious food.
UK households are being warned they may be storing their festive Baileys incorrectly. The manufacturer says it lasts two years at room temperature. Find out the facts.
Planning permission granted for 185 apartments in Salford's Adelphi Village, part of the £2.5bn Crescent masterplan. Discover the future-proofed, sustainable community taking shape.
Vanguard Self Storage's UK branches raised £4,182 for charity this Christmas, with initiatives including a Christmas Jumper Day for Save the Children and a raffle for the MND Association. Discover how they spread festive cheer.
Staff and students at Solihull Sixth Form College have raised more than £17,000 in 2025, supporting causes from West Africa to local health charities. Discover their incredible fundraising journey.
Discover Chaddesley Corbett, a Worcestershire village with Saxon roots, a 12th-century church, and timeless charm. Plan your countryside escape today.
The Warwickshire village of Ilmington has been crowned the best place to live in the Midlands for 2025 by The Sunday Times. Discover why this Cotswolds gem is thriving.
Wirral Council revisits plans for 22 new car park charges, sparking fears from Bromborough businesses who warn it could be 'another nail in the coffin' for the village high street.
Discover a festive London staycation in Marylebone Village. Our guide covers luxury hotels, award-winning dining, and unique shopping for the perfect pre-Christmas break.
A major fire involving a storage unit understood to contain fireworks is burning on a Walsall industrial estate. Eleven fire engines are at the scene. Follow live updates.
Discover Earlswood, a serene village near Birmingham with stunning lakes, a vibrant craft centre, and a community spirit that proves the smallest places have the biggest hearts. Plan your visit today.
Shoppers are snapping up real Christmas trees for a bargain £10.99 at Home Bargains. Discover the best festive tree deals from Tesco and Morrisons too.
The iconic Coca-Cola Christmas Truck Tour 2025 has announced its next steps. Find out where to see the festive lorry, get a free drink, and capture perfect holiday photos.
Discover Ombersley, a Worcestershire village crowned one of the UK's prettiest. With over 150 listed buildings and a tranquil winter charm, it's a perfect festive escape near Birmingham.
The Independent's guide to the UK's best festive markets features Birmingham's Frankfurt Christmas Market and Worcester Christmas Fayre. Discover dates, highlights, and what makes them special.
A common fridge storage error is putting families at risk of food poisoning. Experts warn raw meat must be stored on the bottom shelf to prevent dangerous cross-contamination.
Shoppers praise Dunelm's 'fun' £12 Santa Basket with Lid, saying it adds instant Christmas spirit. The festive storage solution boasts a flawless five-star rating online.
Amazon has cut the price of the popular LEGO Classic Large Creative Brick Storage Box by 27% just in time for Christmas. Get the deal now for creative holiday fun.
Energy giant RWE has secured financial closure for a major £200m battery storage facility in Pembrokeshire. Construction starts 2026, boosting UK grid stability and supporting 300,000 homes. Read the full details.
Discover why the Beautifect Box has won multiple awards and celebrity fans. This premium vanity case features studio-quality LED lighting and smart storage solutions.
Discover Castleton, a beautiful Peak District village near Birmingham that transforms into a magical winter wonderland with cosy pubs, festive lights, and carols in a cave.