By Maeve Hussey The world's largest youth music festival is under way across Birmingham, with 10,000 young performers taking over the city for an extravaganza of melodies. The National Festival of Music for Youth launched on Monday and runs until Saturday.

By Shahid Naqvi Birmingham City University has been awarded the highest 'A' grade status for the quality of the training it provides for new secondary school teachers.

Health bosses are reviewing superbug-related deaths reported by Midland hospitals as Government figures revealed the region has the worst record in England. Clostridium difficile was linked to 1,115 deaths in 2006, compared with 534 the previous year.

HATS off to entrepreneurial Birmingham milliner Vivean Pomell. The woman behind Edgbaston's unique family-run, on-line bespoke millinery service has launched her own web site this week to broaden her customer base.

By Alison Dayani A DEAN at a Midland university is hanging up his cap and gown after 34 years of inspiring students in the city. Stewart Buchanan said a fond farewell to University of Central England, based in Perry Barr, when he retired yesterday.