01/01/2014 Midlands Today

Good evening. West Midlands Ambulance Service dealt with a

record amount of emergency 999 calls in the early hours of the New Year,

averaging four emergency calls a minute. More than 200 ambulances and

100 paramedics were on call. Between 1am and 2am this morning, the

control room saw an increase of 8% on last year's record levels. Last

year was busy. We had a 50% rise. This year in the peak period, we had

an 8% rise in calls again above last year. A lot of them were

alcohol`related. We were dealing with about a 909 call every 15

seconds. `` 999. A pioneering support centre for

former military personnel is hoping to increase its work this year by

becoming a charity. Over the last three years, more than 600 people

have been helped by the Veterans' Contact Point in Warwickshire. Laura

May McMullan reports. Luke McCloskey left the Royal Marines at the start

of year. The Veterans' Contact Point advised him on how to set up and

market his bootcamp business. A lot of the time, people are confused and

they are not sure what to do. People do struggle a lot. It is just here

support. We have had 75 enquiries. Len has always offered a helping

hand. Little did he know it would lead to setting up a vital support

service for ex`service men and women. We have transferable skills.

After 24 years in the military himself, he knows how difficult it

can be to adapt to civilian life. You are not used to going out,

budgeting, looking for work, making your money last the month.

Everything is provided for you in the military. Without this, I would

be dead. Meeting other veterans, that alone, it cheered me up no end.

They have renewed my forklift licence. They got me my card. I put

me on a course to work on the railways. In the last three years,

they have helped more than 600 people. It has been set up with the

help of various partners. There is a wide`ranging charities all under one

roof. The volunteers say there is always help here for veterans.

The president of West Bromwich Albion John Silk has died at the age

of 89. Mr Silk was made a club director in 1984 and became chairman

in 1988, a position he held for four years. He became president in 2003.

So flags flew at half mast at the Hawthorns today as West Brom beat

Newcastle in the Premier League with a late penalty from Saido Berahino.

Stoke went ahead through Oussama Assaidi. But Everton equalised in

the last minute. And Aston Villa won at Sunderland, thanks to Gabby

Agbonlahor. In the Championship, Birmingham are

now unbeaten in ten games, but had to settle for a point against

Barnsley. In League One, Shrewsbury won 2`1 at

Oldham. Port Vale lost 3`2 at Preston. Three late goals inspired

Coventry to victory at Rotherham. A one`all draw there between Tranmere

and second`placed Wolves. And Walsall sit seventh after beating

Sheffield United 2`1. In League Two, Cheltenham's game was

postponed. Burton are up to second place after a point at Mansfield.

Well, there's been plenty of rain around today. Rebecca Wood has the

weather forecast. A rather wet night to come. Heavy

downpours expected. The other weather warning in place for heavy

rain particularly across Herefordshire `` a yellow weather

warning. The showers continue through the next few hours and

overnight. By the time we make it into the early hours of tomorrow, it

will clear. Still gusty. Tomorrow will be a day to dry out. We have

plenty of sunny spells to come. Isolated showers here and there.

Temperatures not doing too badly. The sunshine will help. By Thursday,

we still have another band of rain to come. That is with us as we make

our way into Friday. Strong winds to come. Unsettled weather for the next

few days. The National forecast in a moment.

We are back at 10:40pm. Goodbye for now.

unsettled weekend. I'll be back after 10:30pm tonight.

Hello. It is a New Year but it is the same old weather. Flood warnings

are on the rise. The flood line number is on screen if you are at

all concerned. Still some rain to come this evening and overnight

Still some heavy bursts. It will push the way towards the east taking

the strongest winds with it. It did in temperature across the Highlands.

Temperatures are holding up fairly well. Tomorrow, I can offer you a

glimpse of brightness. Quite it isn't over getting out and about.

Many places staying dry. -- quite a decent day for getting out and

about. There will be some long, dry spells and a decent amount of

sunshine as well. Temperature