HERE'S your evening news round-up for the Black Country and north Worcestershire.

Shadow Secretary of State for Health Jon Ashworth outlined a bold bid to scrap "outrageous" hospital parking charges if Labour wins the General Election while on the campaign trail in Dudley this morning (Monday May 22).

Mr Ashworth made the pledge during a rally outside Russells Hall Hospital where he met health campaigners, Labour Party activists and Labour candidates Ian Austin (Dudley North), Pete Lowe (Stourbridge) and Natasha Millward (Dudley South).

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Doggers and drug dealers have forced the closure of a beauty spot near Halesowen.

Distraught bosses at conservation charity Woodland Trust said they had reluctantly made the decision to shut off Uffmoor Wood as a result of a string of anti-social issues such as drug dealing, inappropriate sexual activity, violent dogs and dog fouling.

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X-Factor star Wagner is set to perform in two special Brierley Hill shows for Mary Stevens Hospice.

The Dudley-based singer, who shot to stardom in 2010 when he finished sixth on the popular ITV talent contest in a season which included the likes of Cher Lloyd, Matt Cardle and Rebecca Ferguson, will play the title character in the hospice’s Wizard of Oz pantomime.

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Moments after performing in front of the Queen during the Royal Windsor Horse Show, a Kidderminster soldier proposed to his teenage sweetheart in a spectacular way.

A video shows 18-year-old Josh Bayliss, from the Household Cavalry, dismount his horse in full state uniform and go down on one knee to the accompaniment of lowered lances and a trumpet fanfare by his comrades of the Household Cavalry Musical Ride.

Josh knew he was going to propose to his school sweetheart, Demi Scott-Rosato, also 18, but he didn't know how. He mentioned this to his friends and they suggested the solution.

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Calls are being made to "review" the job of chief executive at Worcestershire County Council in the wake of Clare Marchant's looming departure.

County Hall's opposition Labour group wants the £155,000-a-year wage packet for the job to be slashed, saying the salary is "out of control".

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