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

Hospital bosses have made a dramatic u-turn after a cancer-battling former Dudley councillor spoke out about being denied a potentially life-extending drug.

Retired football referee Geoff Southall, former vice-chairman of Dudley Council’s planning committee, said he felt “very hurt that people are prepared to write you off” after he was told his application to be treated with new radioisotope drug Radium 223 had been refused.

But after the Stourbridge News contacted the Royal Wolverhampton NHS Trust about the Wordsley grandfather's plight - hospital chiefs have now confirmed an appointment has been made for treatment to get underway on November 3.

To read the full story click here.

The ‘inspirational’ co-founder of a Stourbridge charity, which has raised more than £1million to help those affected by breast cancer, has been awarded by Prime Minister David Cameron.

Veronica Kumeta, 55, founded Ladies Fighting Breast Cancer alongside the late Sue Macmaster in 2000, and has been named as the latest recipient of the Point of Light award.

The retired beauty therapist set up the charity with the aim of helping her close friend – Carol Knaggs – who passed away from the disease.

To read more click here.

Shocking footage has been released showing the moment a car was vandalised in Kates Hill.

Paint was stripped from a Vauxhall Vectra, parked on a driveway in Haig Road, last month after two men threw a corrosive liquid over it.

Police are investigating the crime, which happened between 9pm on September 18 and 8am the following day.

To read more click here.

World-beating Halesowen tennis player Jordanne Whiley had her day at Buckingham Palace today when she picked up an M.B.E.

The talented 23-year-old, who has had a breakthrough year winning multiple titles including the US Open Wheelchair Women's title, was accompanied to the palace by her mother and father.

The Princess Royal presented the formerEarls High School pupil with her honour.

To read more click here.

A drink driver who killed a young soldier when he ploughed into his car at high speed inOldbury has been jailed for 10 years.

Adam Hancox died instantly when Kasim Mohammed sped through red traffic lights at about 70mph and smashed into his Ford Ka.

The 27-year-old, who was already disqualified from driving and had 44 offences on his criminal record, tried to run away from the crash scene.

To read the full court report click here.

Following his appearance on TV's Grand Designs, a businessman who grew up in Hagley says he plans to rent out the abandoned cave in Wyre Forest which he has transformed into a luxury retreat.

Angelo Mastropietro, aged 38, spent eight months almost single-handedly turning the cave at Low Habberley into “Britain’s first luxury cave house retreat of the modern world”, complete with walk-in shower, under floor heating, a fully-fitted kitchen and even wi-fi.

To read more click here.

A fundraising campaign has been set up to help cover the costs of a funeral for a Redditch father of one who hanged himself.

Popular Stephen Mellor, aged 55, of Birmingham Road, was found hanging from a tree in Arrow Valley Country Park last month after a long battle with a number of mental health issues.

Now, his heartbroken partner Donna Grimshaw is appealing for help to pay for his funeral, set to take place later this week, via a GoFundMe page set up by a mutual friend.

To read more click here.

A NEW Bromsgrove mum took up running to raise cash for the hospital where her baby son underwent "amazing" treatment - and she ended up losing nearly seven stone into the bargain.

Steph Connellan, aged 24, of Finstall, ballooned to 16-and-a-half stone while pregnant with her first child, Charlie, who was born with excess fat tissue on his right knee.

But, as Birmingham Children's Hospital helped Charlie through his problem, she resolved to take up running - with the aims of losing weight and raising money to say thank you for his treatment.

Having never run before, she started training in April and is now ready to do her first half marathon.

To read more click here.