Shropshire hosts cabinet minister

Shropshire people can talk to a government minister next month as part of a review of local government.

Local Government Minister David Miliband is to visit on 7 February.

It is part of a nationwide tour to listen to the views of local people and councils on the creation of all-purpose local authorities.

Carolyn Downs, Shropshire county council chief executive, said: "It is not often we have such an important figure spending time in Shropshire."

She added: "It is also exciting that local people will be given the opportunity to influence the future direction of local government nationally."