HERE’S what’s you need to know in the Black Country and North Worcestershire.

A kind-hearted Stourport woman is urging residents to give their thumbs-up in memory of inspirational Midland teenager Stephen Sutton.

Rebecca Williams is encouraging people to take ‘selfies’ of themselves and make a donation to her fundraising page to help collect much needed cash for the Teenage Cancer Trust.

The full story can be read here.

The Droitwich Advertiser reports students at Droitwich Spa High School were told to stay at home on Tuesday morning after asbestos was found in the school building just before the bank holiday weekend.

Parents were sent a letter letting them know that ‘background’ levels of asbestos had been discovered in parts of the main classroom block in the school, and asbestos specialists were called in to investigate.

The story is available to read here.

Meanwhile the Stourbridge News reports a man who threatened security staff at Merry Hill shopping centre with a knife after he was caught stealing has been spared further jail time.

Mark Rushton, of no fixed address, stole cosmetics from Boots, then went into Debenham’s where he took cosmetics, Wolverhampton Crown Court heard.

The full court report can be read here.