Sentinel, The; Stoke-on-Trent (UK)

Rare Award

A Man who gave three decades of service to Tamworth has been awarded the town's highest honour in recognition of his commitment. Alec Benwell, pictured, who served as Civic Officer for 26 years, received the Freedom of the Borough in a special ceremony held at Tamworth Castle in June.

Vip Guests

Members of Tamworth Rotary Club were welcoming visitors from across the world this week. Seventy visitors were set to visit the town as part of the annual Rotary International Convention.

'Don't Leave It Too Late to Get Fit'

Tamworth adults could be risking their future health by getting too little exercise, a new survey has shown. More than half of all adults polled said they were not exercising enough, which means they could be putting themselves at greater risk of life-threatening illnesses such as cancer, heart disease and strokes.

Public Warned Over Fishy Callers

The public are being warned to be wary of door-to-door salesmen who are using 'aggressive techniques' to sell fish. Staffordshire County Council Trading Standards has issued the warning this week - and officials say the cold callers are selling fish from the back of a van and have been targeting 'vulnerable members of the public'.

Partnership

Tamworth residents are set to benefit from an improved relationship between public sector and voluntary and community organisations. The 'Staffordshire Compact' agreement has been drawn up between the county's public sector organisations, including councils, and various voluntary and community sector organisations - also known as the third sector. It sets out values and commitments on how best the sectors can work together to achieve more for people living in Staffordshire.

Safer Living

Park Walk

A Walkabout is being organised for residents who live near a nature park in Glascote Heath. The Friends of Burgess Nature Park is holding the event at 7pm tomorrow.

Bbq Alert

With temperatures rising, Staffordshire Fire and Rescue Service has warned people to play safe when using barbecues. Head of Central Risk Reduction, Ian Sloss, said: "If people don't take care all that BBQ fun could easily sizzle away."

Hit Targets

People from Tamworth who suffer heart attacks and are taken to Queen's Hospital, Burton, are receiving better care than ever before according to a recent study. The Myocardial Ischaemia National Audit Project showed that almost eight out of 10 patients admitted to hospital with the symptoms of a heart attack receive clot busting drugs within 30 minutes - above the national target.

Road Safety

An Innovative device adopted by Staffordshire County Council's Road Safety team has scooped a national award. The team won an award in the 'Reducing All Casualties' category for the Safety Center, a device which is used in the Young Driver Coaching Programme.

Warning

Hot temperatures expected this week have prompted a warning of the importance of staying safe in the sun. West Midlands Ambulance Service NHS Trust is expecting to see a rise in heat-related 999 calls.

Sprinklers Save Lives at Home

Domestic sprinklers are the equivalent of having a firefighter, ready and waiting, in every room of your home, fire chiefs said this week. Staffordshire Fire and Rescue Service is holding an event on Friday to inform people about the benefits sprinklers can bring.

Volunteers

Volunteers are needed to help out at Sir Robert Peel Hospital, near Tamworth. South Staffordshire Primary Care Trust (PCT) is appealing for volunteers to help in a number of ways.

Rewarded

Tamworth Youth Parliament representative James Greenhalgh has been presented with an award for Outstanding Young Person. The brand new All About Youth awards recognises achievements by young people, youth workers and youth clubs.

Award Joy

A Tamworth nursery has been awarded for its efforts. Tamworth Early Year's Centre, in Glascote, has received the Every Person Matters award.

Chavs with Thick Skins

Skins C4, 11pm IT took me some time to realise Skins was a drama. The first time I saw it I thought I'd happened across a Wish You Were Here segment about a short break in Fleetwood.

Youngsters' Juni-Versity Challenge

Seven to 14-year-olds will be graduating from a brand new children's university in Stoke-on-Trent after learning in their spare time. Thousands of youngsters are expected to sign up to the scheme, which will reward them for taking part in a wide range of after- school, weekend and holiday activities.

Minister Left Hanging Around

Hanging Around: The Olympics came to Staffordshire yesterday when a school held its own version of the games - and attracted some star guests. Thomas Alleyne's High, in Uttoxeter, staged a torch parade, dance ceremony and sporting activities. Pupils and staff also got to meet former Olympic badminton player Gail Emms and Government minister Iain Wright, pictured.

Grant Date Extended

Young people have been urged to apply for funding for youth- based projects. Staffordshire Youth Service has extended the deadline for applications until Friday, July 10 to allow more young people to apply for money from the Youth Opportunities Fund (YOF) and the Youth Capital Fund (YCF).

Chef Is Home After Family Finds Pounds5k Bail

A Chef facing extradition to Italy on murder charges has been reunited with his family after a relative stumped up bail. Edmond Arapi was arrested in connection with a killing in October 2004, as he returned to Gatwick Airport following a family holiday.