HERE are the stories making headlines in our part of the world, North Worcestershire and the Black Country.

A former Kidderminster fireman has been jailed for seven years for having sex with an underage girl who became pregnant.

Father-of-four Edward Bainbridge "groomed" the girl into having a relationship with him when she was 14 and 15 and he was in his 30s, Worcester Crown Court heard.

The full court report is here.

The Redditch Advertiser reports an inquest has opened into the death of a Redditch man found hanging from a tree in Arrow Valley Country Park.

Stephen Mellor, aged 55, of Birmingham Road was found hanged, and was taken to the Alexandra hospital where he died.

The story is here.

THE driver who died after his car crashed into a tree and lamppost in Dudley yesterday has been named on social media as Craig Griffiths.

The 26-year-old's car left the road at the junction of Birmingham New Road and Priory Road at 10.20pm.

To view the story click here. 

Meanwhile the Bromsgrove Advertiser reports a tough six day driving challenge for two fundraisers has raised an impressive amount for the Primrose Hospice.

Nicholas Irish and Stefan Jones formed a team called Betty's Boys to take part in a Screwball Rally that began on September 23.

For the full story click here.