West Midlands news review of 2006

The BBC News website has been covering the big stories that happened in the West Midlands during the past year.

Here we highlight some of the major events or interesting stories across the region for 2006.

END FOR GUINEA PIG FARM AS FOUR JAILED

The body of Gladys Hammond was reburied at a churchyard

A family-run farm targeted by animal rights extremists for breeding guinea pigs for medical research announced in January it was to close.

Four people were later jailed for a campaign of terror against Darley Oaks Farm in Staffordshire, which included digging up a grandmother's grave.

The decision eventually led to the remains of Gladys Hammond, the mother-in-law of one of the owners, being located on Cannock Chase.

The six-year campaign included protests outside the farm, a burglary in which 600 guinea pigs were freed and threats to family members, friends and employees.

WOMAN'S FIRST HOSPITAL VISIT, AGED 102

A great-great-grandmother became one of the oldest people in the world to have a hip replacement in March.

Despite being 102, Mabel Blackwell, from Ross-on-Wye in Herefordshire, was given the all-clear to have surgery - the first hospital treatment she has ever needed, even giving birth at home.

The operation took place at Gloucestershire Royal Hospital where staff were amazed by her fast recovery.

The excellent health of Mrs Blackwell, known as Able Mabel to her family, convinced doctors she was well enough to be operated on.

FRENCH CAR FIRM PULLS PLUG ON FACTORY

A patriotic campaign against the closure was launched by unions

In April, French car maker Peugeot announced it is to leave Coventry, in what was called by an MP "a grim afternoon for the motor car industry".

About 2,300 jobs will go when the Ryton plant, where 206s are made, closes for good in January 2007, several months earlier than first thought.

In July, unions launched a £1m advertising campaign urging people not to buy the company's cars.

But production was reduced to just 160 cars a day from October enabling staff to leave when they wished.

FORMER BEAUTY QUEEN TO BECOME A GROOM

A former Shropshire beauty contestant and mother-of-four talked to the BBC about becoming a man as his book went on sale in April.

After four years of treatment, former Miss Shropshire finalist Helen Thompson is now Rico Paris, a name inspired by Barry Manilow's song Copacabana.

Rico Paris had once been a Shropshire beauty queen

Married twice as a bride, he said he planned to marry his girlfriend.

Mr Paris, from Telford, who now offers advice to people who have changed sex, said he was once "not bad looking" as a woman but is now "a short fat, balding middle-aged chap".

MORE WOE FOR WORKERS IN THE WEST MIDLANDS

A second major setback for workers in the region came in May when Heinz said the iconic HP Foods factory in Birmingham was to close and production of its famous sauce moved to Holland.

About 125 jobs will go at the Aston site when it shuts in March next year. Unions described the move as a "savage decision".

The US firm, that bought HP Foods last year, said it would improve efficiency and productivity.

The bottling operation for Lea and Perrins Worcestershire Sauce will be returned to its site in Worcester.

OLDEST FILM FOUND IN ATTIC

Arrest of a Pickpocket was found in an attic

In June, experts said the first ever fiction film made in the UK had been found in an attic in Worcestershire.

The film, titled Arrest of a Pickpocket, dates back to 1895 and was found in a stash of films lain untouched for 60 years at the Redditch home of 79-year-old Frank Williams.

The 50-second clip was described by experts at Sheffield University's film archive as "the founder of the British film industry".

The film shows a pickpocket being chased by a policeman before being wrestled to the ground, aided by a sailor, and arrested and was produced by pioneering film maker Birt Acres.

SIBLINGS SAVE FAMILY FARM WITH CHARITY PLAN

Charlotte and Ben Hollins said the hard work had only just begun

Against the odds, a brother and sister managed to raise £800,000 to save the farm that had been in their family for more than 100 years.

Ben and Charlotte Hollins sold thousands of shares in a charity that will buy the land at Fordhall organic farm near Market Drayton in Shropshire.

The charity will then lease it to the pair, who follow organic techniques their father began 65 years ago.

Mr Hollins, 21, said at the time: "It means everything to me and Charlotte to succeed."

WHEEL ROLLS OFF - WITH JUST TWO HOURS' NOTICE

The operators of Birmingham's answer to the London Eye announced it was leaving the city - with just two hours' notice before its last ride.

The wheel offered views of Birmingham and the Black Country

World Tourist Attractions admitted the decision was sudden but said they had been made an offer by an Australian firm that they "could not refuse".

The last ferris wheel ride was at 1800 BST on 5 September before work began to dismantle it.

It offered a 15-minute ride - in 42 six-seater gondolas - revealing views across Birmingham and the Black Country.

CITY LOSES ITS FAMOUS PORCELAIN PLATES

Fine porcelain maker Royal Worcester ended production in Worcester in September, which has been its home for more than 250 years.

The last 15 production workers left the firm's Severn Street factory on the last day of the month as work was transferred to Stoke-on-Trent and abroad to cut costs. -

The firm that bore the city's name and the Royal warrant, was founded in 1751 and has made some of the finest porcelain in the world.

The old factory is provisionally part of a new redevelopment in Worcester.