Nadine Dorries said the joke was ‘shocking and abhorrent and unacceptable’.

Former minister Nick Gibb said his constituents were ‘furious about the double standards’.

On February 6, 1962, an explosion rocked a West Bromwich housing estate wrecking homes, cars and causing 30 injuries but miraculously no-one was killed.

Kidderminster Harriers and businesses across the town are set to enjoy a £1.3 million funding boost, thanks to the team's FA Cup run.

West Midlands Police said the urn was taken on Friday.

More funding will be pumped into efforts to tackle domestic abuse following a rise in "worrying rise" in murder cases being handled by West Mercia Police.

BBC Breakfast presenter Charlie Stayt said he was ‘really confused’, asking Nadine Dorries if his question was a ‘difficult’ one.

Train bosses say they are pleased to welcome more passengers as services get back to normal following the relaxation of Covid restrictions - but warn it will be a "complex undertaking".

From delivering food parcels out of the back of a car to a warm city centre cafe, Maria McKellar continues to serve Wolverhampton's homeless, vulnerable and hungry.

A driver who says he paid the Clean Air Zone charge but the payment was rejected has lost an appeal and paid a £120 fine.

The West Midlands police commissioner has made a call for 'real investment' from the Government to keep children away from drugs and clear of crime.

Voluntary groups are invited to apply for a share of a £5 million lottery fund to mark the Queen's Platinum Jubilee.

A flavour of Gallic charm and humour was instilled into the Wolverhampton Literature Festival as Ian Moore took to the virtual stage.

Pupils and staff at Loxdale Primary School in Bilston have joined volunteers from Severn Trent to plant seven Tiny Forest across Wolverhampton.

Expressandstar.com brings you live coverage as West Brom unveil Steve Bruce as their new manager.

Health bosses in Wolverhampton are set to provide an update on proposals to merge the city’s urology services with neighbouring Walsall.

Two cars and handbags were stolen in a break-in at a home.

Stourbridge’s long-awaited state-of-the-art glass museum has been granted permission for three planning applications to create new signs and install windows.

A man has been banned from driving for three years after leading police on a chase in his van.

A multi-vehicle crash closed the M6 near Spaghetti Junction on Friday afternoon, leading to hour-long delays.

A further ten coronavirus deaths have been confirmed in the region’s hospitals, official NHS figures show.

Sutton Coldfield is set to play host to a special festival celebrating the works of William Shakespeare this spring.

A trial date has been set for a man accused of murdering a pensioner found collapsed at his own home.

The final work is getting underway to welcome the world's leading snooker players to Wolverhampton.

A fifth aide has walked out of No 10 in 24 hours and another Tory MP has submitted a letter calling for a vote of no confidence in the Prime Minister.

The search is on to find the occupants of a car involved in a police chase on a quiet Black Country street.

The Health Secretary said the Labour leader deserved ‘absolute respect’ for his work as director of public prosecutions.

A murder suspect died after suffering brain damage and multiple organ failure in prison, an inquest has heard.

Children at a Wolverhampton special school can enjoy the great outdoors after being given a new learning pod.

A new app giving advice and help for people worrying about impending soaring energy bills has been launched by a Walsall charity.

The Mary Stevens Hospice Pantomime Company’s annual show is set to make its return this February.

A teenager has appeared in court accused of stabbing another teenager on a residential street.

Organisations in Wolverhampton planning to hold half-term events of their own are being encouraged to submit details so they can be featured on a website for young people.

Police have issued a warning to van owners after a spate of break-ins which saw eight vehicles targeted in one night.

A group of young adults with complex conditions which include obsessive compulsive disorder in Wolverhampton have been left without hot water and central heating for over two weeks.

A man was found dead after emergency services responded to reports of a fire at a retirement home on Monday evening.

A new walk-through coronavirus testing facility has opened in Birmingham as part of the government's drive to improve the accessibility of Covid-19 testing for local communities.

Stafford Borough Council’s latest budget has been approved – but opposition members on the authority have blamed the controlling Conservative group for funding challenges that lie ahead in the coming years.

A Halesowen based school trust is celebrating 10 years of growth.

The Transport Secretary is the second Cabinet minister to do so in five days.

Four of Boris Johnson’s most senior aides quit in a torrid day for the embattled Prime Minister.

The Green Party has announced its candidate for the Erdington constituency by-election next month.

Angry residents in a Walsall area have issued another plea to save trees which are to be chopped down to make way for the Sprint Bus development.

"This city means everything to me after all these years and I won't stop thanking the people for what they've given me until the day I die."

Construction group Kier has launched a major recruitment drive in the West Midlands.

Families face a financial crisis – with energy bills, interest rates and council tax charges all rising.

The increase comes shortly after Ofgem put up the price of energy by nearly £700.

Buying and refurbishing an existing city centre hotel would be more beneficial to Wolverhampton than a premier hotel as part of the Westside project, a councillor has said.

Ofgem has given itself the powers to change the price cap outside its normal twice-yearly reviews

The drug dealing former boyfriend of the mother of Kemarni Watson Darby has denied repeatedly lying about the death of the three-year-old.

Plans to build ten new semi-detached council houses on a former school site have been approved.

A former children's service manager left her full-time sports club job to become a foster mother instead.

A West Mercia Police officer's behaviour in forming a sexual relationship with a vulnerable woman he met through his work and then using his work phone to flirt with another was "wholly unacceptable" a police standards chief has said.

It is 81% lower for those who have received only two doses.

A volunteer group has called for more food donations to help neighbours in need.

Comedian and actor Miles Jupp has come a long way since bursting on the scene in the children's television hit Balamory.

Black Country residents are being invited to have their say on proposed changes to NHS treatment policies which aim to remove risks of a postcode lottery,

The Express & Star has helped readers beat the January blues with its Grand New Year competition.

Plans for the regeneration of Cannock’s rundown town centre have been highlighted by a county council chief.

Steve Bruce says he has one aim as Albion boss – winning promotion to the Premier League.

Rishi Sunak said the cost-of-living crisis could not be underestimated but ‘difficult decisions’ needed to be made.

Senior Tories said the exits marked the ‘beginning of the end’ for the Prime Minister.

Could a run of fiery skies seen over the West Midlands be due to the eruption of a volcano on the other side of the planet?

They have just come through their toughest two years yet but a travel firm has celebrated its 20th anniversary.

A council has introduced new restrictions on drinking alcohol in public across the district.

The papers splash with the latest crisis consuming the embattled PM as his closest staff suddenly depart.

Presenter Fiona Bruce previously called for people who have chosen not to get vaccinated to apply for the episode, which was broadcast from London.

There was a 77% increase in the number of children needing specialist care for serious and urgent issues like self-harm and eating disorders.

Efforts to get unemployed people into work in the West Midlands are being stepped up with 16 temporary Jobcentres now operating in the region.

The excitement is building among fans and members of Kidderminster Harriers as the big cup match approaches.

West Midlands Police have made more than 40,000 referrals to social services for domestic abuse over the last year, official figures show.

New plans for a shuttle to link the HS2 Interchange Station with the city have been submitted.

Struggling families face yet more severe hardship.

A team of seven girls has been chosen to represent Team England at the Dance World Cup finals this June.

A fledgling community band has scooped a golden award in its first competition and earned an invite to the national final of a prestigious music festival.

The people behind the produce are the subjects of an art exhibition right in the heart of the city.

A charity dance event to raise funds for the Hospice Charity Partnership will soon see fundraisers showing off their moves.

The Penny Post Credit Union is expanding having completed a transfer of engagements from Voyager Alliance Credit Union.

One of Russia's top ballet companies will bring three shows to the Wolverhampton Grand, marking the twentieth anniversary of its first UK season.

The Express & Star has helped readers beat the January blues with its Grand New Year competition.

Kidderminster is going FA Cup crazy ahead of this weekend's big match.

Axe-wielding robbers held up a security van at McDonald's in Willenhall and escaped with cash.

Burglars have snatched two bicycles worth almost £3,000 from a property in Abbots Bromley.

Munira Mirza reportedly resigned as Downing Street’s head of policy after the Prime Minister refused to apologise for the widely criticised remarks.

A teenager has been assaulted and robbed in Walsall after being followed off a bus.

The West Midlands will receive £24.3 million to support vulnerable families in the region.

The claim will allege KPMG failed to respond to multiple ‘red flags’ which should have alerted them to a clear and obvious risk of misstatement.

A Wednesbury dental surgery is set to get a £70,000 makeover to help it start welcoming more NHS patients.

A shoe shop which has been in Kidderminster for over 20 years is re-locating.

Plans for “necessary” temporary tents to be put up around a Birmingham university’s student halls for the Commonwealth Games have been unanimously approved.

Walsall is to get a seven-day-a-week oncolgy service from Monday after bosses announced an increase in days and hours.

A further eight coronavirus deaths have been confirmed in the region’s hospitals, official NHS figures show.

People in Wolverhampton are being asked to take extra care when sorting out domestic household waste and recycling materials to ensure they are put in the correct bins.

Proposals for a new Aldridge super tip and a bigger Bloxwich facility to end frustrating queues for residents will be decided within three months.

Working people are being asked to pay the cost of the Government's mistakes through tax rises after a "colossal mismanagement" over Covid-19 payments, an MP has said.

People looking to make some noise are being encouraged to apply for roles at the Commonwealth Games.

Pupils playing truant are among the teenagers given support by a specialist team of officers patrolling Birmingham city centre streets.

A shoe shop which has been in Kidderminster for over 20 years is re-locating.

Walsall residents are facing a 2.99 per cent hike in their council tax bills for the coming year.

An intruder has caused extensive damage after breaking in and ransacking a GP in Smethwick.