HERE are a few stories that have featured on our websites today.

AN “INCREDIBLE” amount of taxpayers’ money is being spent by cash-strapped Sandwell Council as a result of long-running fraud allegations, the News can reveal today.

As well as paying KPMG accountants to conduct an internal investigation, which is now eight months old, council chiefs have hired Wragge, Lawrence, Graham and Co solicitors to deal with the legal ramifications of the allegations into dodgy land deals which surfaced last summer.

For the full story, visit here.

A REDDITCH taxi driver has been cleared by a jury of sexual assaulting a university student.

Former teacher Shamim Ahmed, aged 37, of Studley Road, had been accused of pinning the young woman against his taxi and kissing her on the left side of the neck.

You can read the full story here.

THE changing face of Mary Stevens Park continues following the unveiling of the refurbished main gates and opening of a new cafe.

A VIP unveiling was all part of a £3.1million restoration programme, £2.6m given from the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) and the Big Lottery Fund, which is set to be completed next summer.

For more on this, visit here.

A DEDICATED air ambulance volunteer from Stourport has been named in The Independent on Sunday’s Happy List 2015.

Lynne Beckett made the list, which celebrates inspirational people whose kindness makes Britain a better place to live, thanks to her tireless fundraising efforts for Midlands Air Ambulance.

You can read the full story here.