Following new research out this morning showing 22 per cent of UK dogs are overweight, Andrew Bucher, the Chief Veterinary Officer at MedicAnimal, the UK’s leading online pet healthcare retailer, said: “It should come as no surprise that more than one-fifth of UK pets are overweight. Pets, just like humans, need a balanced diet and the right amount of exercise."

Birmingham St Mary’s Hospice is encouraging people from Birmingham and Sandwell to make volunteering top of their New Year’s resolution list. On Tuesday 17^th January between 12pm and 2pm, the Hospice will be hosting a drop-in session at Birmingham Voluntary Service Council (B5 6DR) for those interested in making a difference this year. At the drop-in session, members of the public will be able to find out more about the range of flexible volunteering opportunities the charity has available and how they can get involved.

A recently retired Sandwell special school principal has been named in the Queen’s New Year Honours list. Gordon Phillips, who retired last summer after ten years as principal at The Meadows Sports College in Oldbury, was made an MBE (Member of the most excellent Order of the British Empire). Gordon, a father-of-two, started teaching in 1975 at Bishop Vaughan RC School in Plymouth, where he was a former pupil himself.

In the new year, we all consider different resolutions to improve our lives. There are the usual get fit, quit smoking, cut down on alcohol or take up a new hobby. We all know them and we’ve all probably tried one of them at some point in our lives, but what about resolutions for our pets? We’ve had a think at our end on some ways to improve your pet’s new year and hopefully you’ll be able to benefit from it too.

The way vehicles will access City of Wolverhampton Railway Station will change as of today, as part of the city’s £132 million Interchange improvements. It coincides with the switch to a new entrance for the extended multi-storey car park, which will be operational for the first time on the same day. From Sunday, motor vehicles will no longer be able to access the station via Railway Drive. Instead, they can access the station, multi-storey car park, short stay parking, passenger drop-off/pick-up area and taxi rank via Corn Hill.

Children are being encouraged to start 2017 with a bang by taking part in a popular weekly run for young people. The Wednesfield Junior Parkrun, launched 18 months ago, gives four to 14-year-olds the chance to run, jog or walk a 2km circuit around Wednesfield Park every Sunday morning. Parents can also join in if they wish. Councillor Paul Sweet, the City of Wolverhampton Council’s Cabinet Member for Public Health and Wellbeing, said: "The Junior Parkrun is a fantastic way for children and young people to get exercise, enjoy some fresh air and make new friends.