HERE'S a round-up of what's been making the news across the Black Country and North Worcestershire today (Wednesday).

KINVER'S MP Gavin Williamson has been appointed by the Queen as a Privy Counsellor in a ceremony at Buckingham Palace.

South Staffordshire MP Mr Williamson, who had previously been Prime Minister David Cameron's Parliamentary Private Secretary since October 2013, said finding out he was being appointed to the new role was a "wonderful surprise".

As a Privy Counsellor, Mr Williamson will be given access to some of the country’s most confidential information.

To read the story in full click here.

A man who tried to escape police in a 100 mph chase has escaped jail but been banned from the roads for three years, the Kidderminster Shuttle reports.

Daniel Wright was spotted by a patrol car as he sped along the A456 in Hagley at 11.20pm on October 5 last year, Worcester Crown Court was told.

To read the full report click here.

In Dudley, a man was kidnapped at knifepoint by two men who claimed they wanted to buy his car.

The duo met the 26-year-old man at his Dudley home at 10.40am on Monday (May 25) after seeing his Audi for sale online.

But after asking to take the A5 for a test drive, they pulled onto the car park of a pub on Dibdale Road and threatened him with a knife.

To read the full story click here.

Seven teaching assistants are being made redundant in a last-ditch attempt by a Cradley Heath primary school to balance its books, the Halesowen News reports.

Timbertree Academy will be left with five assistants across the seven classes, a further four providing one-to-one support to special needs pupils and an IT support worker.

The school, which is a flagship academy run by United Learning Trust after it left the control of Sandwell Council in 2013, will lose a mixture of full and part-time classroom support staff.

To read more click here.

MPs and train users in Worcestershire are teaming up to call for better fares - amid claims passengers are being ripped off.

To read more on this click here.