HERE'S your evening news round-up for the Black Country and north Worcestershire.

An investigation sparked by a frustrated UKIP councillor's online outbursts cost Dudley taxpayers £1,700.

Sedgley councillor Bill Etheridge faced a standards committee hearing last month over claims he had breached Dudley Council’s members’ code of conduct, which he refused to attend, saying he held the "whole thing in complete contempt".

To read the full story click here.

A kind gesture by a recently retired couple from Hagley will help to keep rescued greyhounds warm on chilly days.

Carl and Joan Ashmore, of Kidderminster Road, were each given a £75 retirement gift after notching up a total of 95 years in the civil service.

To read more click here.

A drink driver from Brierley Hill has been jailed for six months.

Carl David Warren, aged 48, of Bent Street, had 42mcgs of alcohol in 100mls of breath, when he was caught behind the wheel in Dudley on February 20. The legal limit is 35mcgs.

He was also sentenced for driving while disqualified, without insurance or MOT.

Warren was disqualified from driving for 60 months and must pay a victim surcharge of £115 and £85 court costs.

To see who else has appeared in court click here.

A multi--million transformation of the historic Hartlebury Castle is set to be completed within the next two months.

Work to convert the Grade One listed Worcestershire castle into a new visitor attraction is nearing completion and it is set to be launched to the public on May 7.

To read more click here.

The food hall at Webbs Garden Centre in Wychbold has been shortlisted as a finalist in this year's Farm Shop & Deli Awards.

Food at Webbs launched its new-look foodhall and restaurant last spring, featuring a butchery, cheese and deli counter, gelato bar, bakery and patisserie, chocolate library, a wall of wine, local beers and ciders, and a restaurant selling homemade dishes.

The facility has been nominated for 'Food Hall of the Year' in the 5th year of the Farm Shop & Deli Awards, which recognises the best of the specialist independent retail market.

To read more click here.

West Mercia Police have today issued an appeal for witnesses after a crash involving a car and an elderly man in Redditch on Saturday morning (March 10).

The pedestrian, an 87-year-old man, sustained serious leg injuries in the crash which happened on the car park of the Co-Op on Headless Cross Drive at around 9.05am.

To read more click here.