COVENTRY'S CAR INDUSTRY GETS A BOOST

DUTCH firm Spyker Cars looks set to create 40 new jobs as it began its production of supercars in Coventry this week.

The group switched assembly of its new Aileron supercar from Holland to a new plant at CPP Limited, in Wheler Road, Whitley.

In order to meet new production targets, CPP will look to create around 40 new jobs, taking its workforce to about 150 workers.

The news follows Spyker’s announcement last November to scale up production and reduce costs related to the manufacturing process.

Spyker founder Victor Muller, chairman Vladimir Antonov and managing director of CPP, Brendan O’Toole, visited the plant based on the Seven Stars Industrial Estate earlier this week.

Mr O’Toole said: “Against a general backdrop of decline in UK car manufacture in recent years, this provides very positive news, not just for CPP but importantly for Coventry.

“Spyker is a world renowned name in the design and production of exclusive cars and CPP is extremely pleased to now be playing a larger part in that success story.

“We have established a very good working relationship over the last decade and this announcement allows us to take this relationship to the next exciting stage.”

CPP has established a new bespoke 20,000 sq ft assembly plant close to its headquarters and can produce five cars a week in one shift.

Mr Muller said the move was a “landmark in the history of Spyker” which was founded in 1875.

He added: “This move makes sense on many different levels.

“CPP has been producing our body panels for 10 years and we have an extremely close working relationship with the company.

“More than half our components are sourced from the UK, so moving here will bring us considerable efficiency savings which is vital for a car company of our size.

“In addition, this area has probably the richest heritage in car production of any region in the world.

“CPP has shown that the tradition of quality is very much alive and well in the Midlands region and in Coventry in particular.

“Coventry has been at the forefront of quality automotive design and production and Spyker wants to be a lasting part of that. We are already starting to establish links with the two universities in the city. This marks a new and very exciting era for Spyker.”

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POTHOLE HELL IN COVENTRY STREETS

COVENTRY has finished nearly bottom of the pile when it comes to filling potholes that are plaguing the city’s streets.

This is the finding of a new league table published by CTC, a national cyclists’ organisation.

It shows that Coventry has only managed to fill 16 per cent of the potholes reported on the site, placing it 192th out of 212 authorities across the country.

The table is drawn up online at fillthathole.org.uk and allows
road users to report a pothole, which is then sent to the local authority in charge to fix.

Debra Rolfe, CTC campaigns’ coordinator, said: “Potholes pose a significant risk to cyclists, they’re a nuisance to car drivers but if you cycle over a deep pothole, you could be seriously injured.

“It’s essential that highway authorities and councils get road defects fixed as quickly as possible. That’s why CTC is asking all road users to report potholes on our website as it will make it safer for everyone using the roads in Coventry, as the council will know where the problems are and should be able to fix them faster.

“Our website has received
a record number of hazard
reports this January – the
highest monthly total we’ve ever seen.”

Coventry has had on-going troubles with potholes and the recent cold spell has led to more opening up across the city.

Residents of Woodway Lane are so fed-up with the situation they have likened the potholes in their street to the surface of the moon.

Retired resident Derek Jones, 79, said the road can be “treacherous” for motorcyclists who are unfamiliar with the road.

He added: “The road has never been properly maintained, they patch it up again and again, but don’t do the job properly.

“It is really very bad, when you’re driving along it’s so bumpy and dangerous for
motorcyclists, especially those that aren’t familiar with the road. They might fall off their bikes.”

Councillor Ed Ruane (Lab, Henley) is calling for an urgent review of road maintenance in the city to combat the growing problem of potholes.

He said: “Woodway Lane is in a shocking condition and is very dangerous to drive on due to the number and size of
craters in the road.

“This is a serious issue which has been reported to the council time again by residents and myself.

“Many motorists in the city have become used to swerving around the potholes in the road to prevent repeated damage to their tyres and suspension on their cars.

“This sort of driving will
inevitably lead to accidents.

“It would be safer to drive a moon buggy down Woodway Lane and many other roads in our city which have more
similarities with the surface of the moon than a city road.”

Elsewhere in the city,
residents in Jobs Lane, Tile Hill, have been collecting hub-caps which have fallen off the tyres of cars which have hit potholes in the road.

But Coventry City Council maintains it is doing all it can to repair the uneven roads that have left motorists potty.

A spokesman said: “We are aware of this website, however we don’t know whether the figures accurately reflect how many potholes have actually been fixed.

“More than 2,000 potholes have been filled, compared to almost 1,500 last week, while the Bobcat planing machine was used in various locations to help resurface stretches of road where there are a number of potholes.

“This brings the total number of potholes filled to more than 4,700 in the past three weeks.

“Plans for work include Kingfield Road, Foleshill, as well as continuing to repair priority potholes. To report a pothole call Coventry Direct on 0500 834 333.”

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NEW BREATHE EASY GROUP LAUNCHED

A NEW service to help people living with lung conditions will be launched in the city.

The Breathe Easy Coventry group will help patients that suffer Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease. COPD is the name for a collection of lung diseases including chronic bronchitis, emphysema and chronic obstructive airways disease.

The move comes after NHS Coventry, which is bringing the service with the British Lung Foundation, conducted a survey to seek the views of COPD sufferers in Coventry.

They found that patients wanted a support group in the city as the closest ones were in neighbouring Leamington or Warwick.

Esther Peapell, head of patient and public involvement for NHS Coventry, said: “We are pleased we have been able to respond to the needs expressed by these patients.

“The setting up of this group is a good example of what can be achieved when we work closely with the community.

“This process benefits not just the service users, it also helps us to learn how to be more responsive and provides services that the community needs. Next year we will be developing this partnership process and setting up similar groups for people with other conditions.”

Marina Harbin, 74, of Tile Hill, said: “I’ve been suffering from emphysema for the past five years and used to feel isolated and alone.

“My friend and I previously travelled to Leamington Spa to get support. I’m really pleased – not just for myself, but for other people in the community who are suffering from a lung condition they will also benefit from the support.

“It’s marvellous to have this group in the city.”

The group’s launch takes place on Friday February 12 at the Methodist Central Hall, Warwick Lane, city centre, at 2pm.

After that the group aim to meet on the second Friday of every month at the same venue.

For more information call Roy Goddard, on 07752 657223.

'LEWD MAYOR' TOLD TO APOLOGISE

COVENTRY’S former “Lewd Mayor” Andy Matchet has been instructed to sign a letter of apology to an ex-council equalities officer who lodged a complaint against him.

Last week a standards committee panel issued a 10-working day deadline on the already suspended Earlsdon councillor to sign a letter by Friday February 19.

Failure to do so could lead to further penalties by the standards committee.

The letter is one of the two sanctions that was imposed on the Conservative party member last November when the council standards sub-committee issued a three-month ban on him as councillor.

It ruled he had broken the code of conduct with an “inappropriate” conversation about sex at his own Lord Mayor’s Ball in 2008.

Cllr Matchet’s ban began on January 5 after he lost an appeal. But he is yet to agree to sign any apology letter ahead of his return to office in April.

He has also been suspended from the Tory party.

It comes after 27-year-old former equalities officer Laura Slegg complained about his alleged conversation with a 45-year-old charity chief executive Ms X, after the pair had danced “flirtily” and discussed sex, allegedly initiated by him.

Ms Slegg accepts she also took part in some of the conversation. She then went home after the talk and made notes about what had been discussed.

Ms X did not want to complain, but Ms Slegg provided the only evidence of the boozy chat with her notes.

Cllr Matchet had told the appeal tribunal he felt Ms Slegg had been prejudiced against him because of his age and sex.

The proposed letter was sent to Cllr Matchet’s solicitors, with a return date set for January 22.

But the office is yet to receive the letter, which will be passed onto Ms Slegg, and so a new date has been set.

Christine Forde, the council’s monitoring officer, told the standards committee: “Should Andy Matchet fail to provide the letter of apology, that could amount to a further breach of the member code of conduct and be the subject of investigation.”

DANCE WORKSHOPS CREATE A SPLASH

A GROUP of girls have put on their dancing shoes to give them more confidence.

Regular evening dance sessions have been taking place at the Broad Street Young People’s Centre, in Broad Street.

It has enabled about a dozen 11 to 17-year-old girls to become accomplished performers and grow their confidence.

Clare Loughlin, senior youth worker at the centre, said: “The dance workshops have given the girls so much more self-belief than they had before. They create their own routines, which range from flapper moves to street dancing, and choose the music.

“As well as developing new skills, they feel they are being taken seriously because they can see their ideas are being listened to, and they have gained the confidence to perform on stage.

“They also have the opportunity to use other facilities here, such as the recording studio.

“We are now planning to hold street dance and hip hop workshops for boys later this year.”

And because of this success dance workshops will be featuring in Splash – a half-term holiday programme for 14 to 19-year-olds in Foleshill.

A dance workshop will be held next week on Tuesday evening and another on Saturday afternoon.

Other activities young people can take part in include drama and cookery workshops, art and crafts, music recording sessions and football.

Staff from Coventry Connexions will also be on hand during half-term to provide advice and information on health, careers, money, education and much more.

About £5million of government money has been made available to young people in Coventry between 2008 and 2011 through the Positive Activities for Young People programme.

PAYP provides intensive activity-based activities, targeted at young people at risk of negative outcomes, such as involvement in anti-social behaviour and crime, as part of Department for Children, Schools and Families’ Aiming High for Young People strategy.

The girls taking part in the dance sessions will perform at the Ricoh Arena on Friday March 26 to celebrate the achievements of PAYP in the city.

For more information about the Splash programme or the term time dance workshops, call the centre on 024 7678 5179.

NEIGHBOURS FROM HELL EVICTED

A FAMILY who made their neighbours’ lives a misery have been evicted from their Radford home.

Louise Brown, 35, who lived in Bulwer Road with her three children, was served the eviction order at Coventry County Court last December. She left the property last week.

Whitefriars Housing Group sought the order and an injunction against her brother Kevin Brown – who didn’t live at the address but was a regular visitor – following reports of abusive behaviour.

The court heard claims that Mr Brown, 33, was verbally, physically and racially abusive to his sister’s neighbours.

His sister’s failure to ensure any visitor to her home did not commit a criminal offence and her own anti-social behaviour, led the judge to make the eviction order.

The move follows more than 30 serious incidents reported by neighbours, between February 2008 and August 2008, including loud music being played throughout the night, stones and eggs being thrown, damage to cars and fences and threatening and abusive behaviour.

Despite warnings and advice to stop the behaviour, it continued and Whitefriars, supported by neighbours, served notice on the tenancy.

An injunction was also placed on Mr Brown, stopping him from returning to the area.

Gail Cooper, manager of Whitefriars’ specialist anti-social behaviour team, asb4, said: “This family has caused a lot of misery to a number of residents. From missing appointments as they were too scared to leave the house, to being physically punched, they have had to cope with ongoing incidents which have impacted heavily on their own enjoyment of their home.

“We hope the court’s decision and our action will now mean they have a far more peaceful and happy 2010.

“We take all reports of anti-social behaviour seriously. It is never an easy decision to seek an eviction, but in this case the persistent nature of the incidents, and the repeated decision by the tenant to ignore all advice to stop her and her family’s behaviour, meant it was the only option available to us.”

COVENTRY HOSPITAL DOES PIONEERING SURGERY

A PIONEERING technique has helped a woman save her sister from kidney failure.

A ground-breaking freezing method has been used for the very first time at Coventry’s University Hospital, which has allowed an ‘incompatible’ kidney transfer to take place.

Maxine Bath, 41, from Wolverhampton, developed kidney failure when she was 20, and has been on dialysis for the past 15 years.

Ten years ago family members were tested to see if any of them would make suitable donors, but none were compatible because Maxine’s body produced antibodies against the ‘living’ donor tissue.

Then 12 months ago Maxine’s blood pressure suddenly dropped. She needed treatment quickly to stop her going blind.

So, surgeons at University Hospital, in Walsgrave, decided to take drastic action, freezing Maxine’s blood, and skimming off the guilty antibodies, so she could be given her younger
sister Michelle’s kidney – without it being rejected.

Michelle Titmus said: “It’s been very difficult to see Maxine getting slowly worse, knowing that there wasn’t anything we could do to help her. When it started to sink in that I was actually going to be able to do this for my sister, I was so excited.

“I just keep thinking she doesn’t have to have dialysis anymore – how great is that?”

Maxine’s blood pressure was so low, University Hospital could not use its normal machine to remove the antibodies, in case it made her condition even worse.

So, renal consultation Rob Higgins and his team used a ‘cryofiltration’ system to remove the plasma from Maxine and Michelle’s blood.

They chilled it to zero degrees, and filtered off the antibodies, before re-warming the plasma, and returning it to the patient.

Both sisters had their blood skimmed five times before the transplant in November last year. Hospital bosses think this is the first transplant to use the process, which allows the patient to receive a ‘non-matched’ organ.

Maxine said: “I already feel healthier.

“Rob told me I was the first kidney patient in the world to try this, which is really exciting. It hasn’t quite sunk in yet.”

Mr Higgins said: “This opens the doors of donation for more kidney patients awaiting transplants.”

TEMPLE COMPLAIN OVER SALLY ARMY DECISION

A LETTER of complaint has been sent to the city council’s chief executive and local government ombudsman following plans to convert a car park into a homeless shelter.

Last month the council’s planning committee approved plans for a £60million Salvation Army hostel to be built on a public car park in Hillfields.

The 80-bed hostel will replace the Salvation Army’s existing building in Lincoln Street, which is being demolished as part of the council’s Swanswell Area Regeneration development.

The hostel will be moved to the car park in Howard Street and Harnall Lane West that is used by residents and congregations of the Shree Krishna Temple, GNP Gurdwara and St Stanislaus Kostka Roman Catholic Church.

But Coventry and Warwickshire Hindu Council has written to the ombudsmen after claiming proper procedures were not followed in passing the planning permission where councillors approved the plans by six votes to four.

Harish Dhokia, chairman of Coventry and Warwickshire Hindu Council, said: “We feel we have been mislead by the whole process. The council did not even tell us that it was considering selling it to private developers otherwise we would have signalled a potential interest. Questions need to be raised as to why there was this level of secrecy about the information given by the local authority.”

Two letters were sent out this week, one to Martin Reeves, chief executive of Coventry City Council and the other to the local government ombudsmen.

And a petition with around 2,000 signatures will be handed into a council meeting that was due to take place this week.

“We have no personal objection to the hostel,” added Mr Dhokia. “I cannot stress that enough. It will give a home to the people that need it and it’s a good service to provide. We just haven’t been consulted properly. A meeting was going to be held on February 9, but instead of saying it was going to be postponed the council said it was cancelled. The word cancel concerns me in that things will get approved without people being able to raise questions and objections.”

A spokesman for Coventry City Council said: “The petition will now go to cabinet member’s city development meeting on February 18.

“This is because the cabinet member will be asked for approval to publish a statutory notice to close the car park. This will start a consultation process to allow for views on this proposal.”

CITY'S COUNCIL TAX CLAWBACK

COVENTRY City Council is still trying to claw back council tax debts that have risen to nearly £13million.

The worrying figure obtained by the Times shows that the amount of council tax outstanding is £12.8million – this is after more than £1million of debts were written off in 2009.

And this year’s figure is an increase of £700,000 from last year’s deficit of £12.1million when the deputy leader of the council warned the amount was likely to rise because of the recession.

Cllr Kevin Foster, cabinet member for finance, procurement and value for money, said: “The more money we have the more we can spend on services so it’s important we get it.

“The money collected goes towards helping some of the most vulnerable people in our society, such as children and elderly people.

“It also goes towards the more visible services such as bin collections, roads and parks – all of which people enjoy.

“We knew there would be difficulty in collecting some money, which is why we
reduced our collection target from 98.7 per cent from last year to 98.5 per cent this year.

“But it is important we get as much money in as possible to deliver services.”

If people fail to pay their council tax then dodgers could face bankruptcy proceedings, charging orders or even prison.

But despite these warnings the council wrote off £1.1million last year, an increase on the £900,000 written off from April 2007 to March 2008.

Circumstances such as a person dying and leaving no estate, a person declaring themselves as bankrupt or leaving the city with no trace, means the debt cannot be repaid.

A council spokesman said: “Debts are written off for a variety of reasons.

“In all areas extensive verification is undertaken, for example to chase absconders we use both internal and external sources such as tracing agents.

“When all avenues have been exhausted the debt will be written off, however if the whereabouts of any absconder subsequently comes to light then the debt is re-raised and pursued for payment in full.”

Cllr Foster said new systems to try and detect fraud have also been successful.

He added: “There have been the more memorable instances where we used social-networking site Facebook to catch council tax dodgers.

“Two examples that spring to mind are the woman who said she was living alone when her Facebook page revealed her partner was living with her and a man who was claiming
benefits while enjoying a cruise.

“That aside we also work with other departments, such as the Department for Work and Pensions and neighbouring councils to share information.

“Once someone is caught we do all we can to make sure they pay.”

But Cllr Foster said the recession has meant many people have faced losing their jobs or declaring themselves bankrupt, which effects council tax payments.

“Of course there are people who are genuinely struggling with payments and we want to help them,” he said.

“We do this by asking people to contact us and we can sort out weekly payments rather than monthly, see if they are eligible for any benefits to help with other payments and check their payment history.”

What do you think? Write to us or send an email to timesletters@mrn.co.uk.

OLD BOYS CLUB FACES CLOSURE

THE future of a building belonging to an old boys’ club is under threat of closure as members aren’t using it.

Crunch talks will take place in March to see if money can be raised to keep the Coventry Schools Former Pupils Association, also known as the Bablake Old Boys club, in Fleet Street, city centre, open.

Bosses will bring the matter up at the annual general meeting, which takes place on Thursday March 4.

Chairman Geoff Eames said: “We are running at a loss at the moment and if this continues then we will have to close the venue.

“We have to cover the rents and rates of the premises as well as other costs like cleaning bills and we aren’t raising enough money.

“I don’t know exactly how much is needed to run the club.”

The association charges a £20 fee for members to use the building, which dates back to the 19th century and was built as a school house for Bablake School.

At the time the school was boys only and had only a small number of pupils. The fee-paying selective school is now on larger premises in Radford and open to both boys and girls.

Geoff added: “The biggest trouble is we are unable to attract the younger generation who want this sort of club to go down to and drink. If they do then it’s still available to them now.

“In the meantime we are looking at ways we can get more people to come along.

“A Facebook group has been started that has more than 700 people joined saying the club should remain open, but they don’t seem to be using it.”

PARENTS MEET WITH MP TO DISCUSS CRUMBLING SCHOOL

PARENTS who want a crumbling primary school rebuilt took their plight to a city MP.

Members of the parent action group met with Coventry North East MP Bob Ainsworth to discuss John Gulson School in George Street.

Campaigners are calling for the Foleshill school to be rebuilt because of its poor state.

They met with Mr Ainsworth, who is also the defence secretary and is backing their campaign, last week.

Parent Sam Begum, who has three children attending the school, spoke to Mr Ainsworth.

She said: “He was very insightful and helped by giving suggestions on how we can take our campaign further.

“He suggested getting a resolution from all councillors and getting them to vote on our cause.

“Mr Ainsworth is on our side and said that the school is irreparable.

“Our next step is to contact all councillors and see if children’s secretary Ed Balls will visit the school.

“Failing that we would like to meet him in London.”

Last month more than 30 mums and dads demonstrated outside the council house with placards and carried pictures of the school’s peeling paint, leaking cisterns and cracked plaster.

They handed in a petition with 1,346 signatures to a cabinet meeting which was headed by Councillor John Blundell (Con, Wainbody).

Councillor Blundell, the cabinet member for children, learning and young people, said there wasn’t enough money for a new building and pledged a programme of maintenance and improvements instead.

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EASTENDER STAR ORGANISES FUNDRAISER AT RICOH

SOAP star Adam Woodyatt is organising a fundraising event at the Ricoh Arena to help victims of the Haiti earthquake.

A family fun day will be held at the stadium’s Jaguar Exhibition Hall on Sunday February 28 featuring cast members from EastEnders.

Adam, who plays Ian Beale in the BBC1 soap, and lives in Southam, south Warwickshire, wanted to organise a fundraising event in the Midlands and started brainstorming ideas on his Twitter page.

EastEnders’ stars set to appear so far include Pam St Clement, Samantha Womack, Scott Maslen, John Altman and Michelle Collins.

There’ll be live music by local bands, dancing, indoor fair attractions, question and answer sessions with soap stars and opportunities to pick up autographs and signed photos in return for donations to the Haiti earthquake relief appeal.

Liz Cooper, marketing director at the Ricoh, said: “The number of people getting involved is growing by the minute.

“We’re looking at real key stars from EastEnders and maybe even actors and actresses from Coronation Street, Holby City and Hollyoaks – this is going to be a really big day.

“It’s great that people like Adam are giving up their time to raise funds and the Ricoh will do its bit as well.”

Ticket details will be announced shortly. The day will begin at 10.30am and finish around 5pm. All of the proceeds will go to the Haiti appeal.

COVENTRY MARKET SCOOPS TOP AWARD

COVENTRY’S beloved indoor market has won the title of Britain’s favourite market.

The city centre market won the top national award after securing the most votes of shoppers anywhere in the country.

It was the only category in the awards organised by the National Association of British Market Authorities (NABMA) which was decided by public vote rather than a judging panel.

Traders publicised the awards and urged regulars to register their vote for the market online.

Coventry Market officials, who attended the awards ceremony in Birmingham last week, said that it was a testament to how well regarded the market is by its customers.

Brian Sexton, market manager, said: “Market traders have worked very hard to collect the votes and there was a huge campaign to get everyone behind us. We came close to winning it last year and it’s great that we’ve won it now.

“Coventry people should be very proud and hopefully it will attract more people from across the country to visit the city.”

But the news comes as the market faces an uncertain future as it battles plans by English Heritage to award it Grade II listed status.

Council chiefs have joined forces with market traders to oppose the listing as it would hamper plans to redevelop the market as part of the £1billion Jerde development.

A review of the decision is due to take place in March.

Councillor Kevin Foster (Con, Cheylesmore), deputy leader of Coventry City Council, said: “I’m really delighted for the market traders and those who use the market.

“The next bit of good news would be for the government to overturn the listing and allow market traders to look forward to being able to become part of the 21st century city centre and the regeneration plans we would like to create.”

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MP URGES TO BULLDOZE RUNDOWN HOME

A COVENTRY MP is backing a campaign by residents to get a derelict house knocked down.

Coventry North West MP Geoffrey Robinson is supporting a bid by neighbours to get the problem house in Tay Road, Radford, bulldozed and the area around it cleaned up.

He has written to Martin Reeves, chief executive of Coventry City Council, urging the authority to use its full powers to help remedy the situation.

Mr Robinson said: “The council has allowed this situation to drag on for far too long. The council has the power to take strong action on grounds that this derelict building is having a severe impact on the surrounding area in terms of the social environment.

“Coventry City Council also has the power to undertake clean-up work themselves under section 219 and recover the costs from the owner. I would urge the council to take positive steps sooner rather than later as these residents deserve to live in peace.”

The issue was being discussed at a council meeting today.

'SCAMNESTY' MONTH IN COVENTRY

RESIDENTS are being urged to report any bogus letters that promise prizes as part of a ‘Scamnesty’.

The Office for Fair Trading began its Scam Awareness campaign this week, which runs until February 26.

It comes after an influx of bogus companies who call, send letters or emails claiming people have won big prizes and ask for cash up front.

In Coventry, a 66-year-old woman lost £40,000 to various lottery scams while another resident lost about £30,000 to a Spanish lottery company.

Councillor Hazel Noonan, city services cabinet member, said: “Scams can be recognised because they are received out of the blue, promising something for nothing and usually ask for money up front.

“Typical scams to be aware of include fake foreign lotteries, prize draw notifications, bogus psychic predictions and ‘phishing’ scams which involve email messages appearing to be from a genuine organisation, such as a bank or building society asking for personal information.”

Coventry residents are being encouraged to take part in ‘Scamnesty 10’ and report any scams they receive to Consumer Direct.

Mike Lynn, from Coventry Trading Standards, said: “Last year we received more than 100 mailings from residents, with foreign lotteries topping the list of most complained about.”

For more information visit www.coventry.gov.uk/tradingstandards or call Consumer Direct on 08454 04

POPE MAY VISIT COVENTRY

THE POPE has officially confirmed he will visit the UK this year for the first time, bringing a widely tipped trip to Coventry one step closer to becoming reality.

In a speech to the Catholic bishops of England and Wales to mark the end of their pilgrimage to Rome, Pope Benedict said: “On the occasion of my forthcoming apostolic visit to Great Britain, I shall be able to witness that faith for myself and, as successor of Peter, to strengthen and confirm it.

“During the months of preparation that lie ahead, be sure to encourage the Catholics of England and Wales in their devotion, and assure them that the Pope constantly remembers them in his prayers and holds them in his heart.”

No dates or an itinerary have been given at this stage.

He is widely expected to visit the archdiocese of Birmingham, which contains Coventry, for the beatification of Cardinal John Henry Newman.

And despite Newman spending half of his life in Birmingham, Coventry Airport has been mooted as a possibly location for a visit. Last week a leading promoter of Cardinal Newman’s cause suggested that Coventry Airport would be an ideal location, because it had already proved itself as a suitable venue during the visit of Pope Benedict’s predecessor Pope John Paul in 1982.

If a visit to the city is announced it is expected to be on either September 12 or 19 and will form the finale of the entire three-day Papal visit to Britain.

CAMPAIGN LAUNCHED TO HELP 'HIDDEN CARERS'

A CAMPAIGN was launched this week to help thousands of ‘hidden carers’ in Coventry who look after loved ones without any support.

Of nearly 30,000 people in the city who care for someone without any help from health and care organisations, more than 20,000 do not see themselves as carers, and do not register on the radars of such organisations.

The worrying figures come from newly launched NHS service, Carers Direct, which is promoting a new helpline to these carers to find out what practical and financial support may be available to them.

Pauline Dye, manager of Coventry Carers’ Centre, said: “So many carers take on the role without even realising it. Often it starts with offering to help elderly relatives with shopping, or checking if they’ve taken their medication, which can quickly develop to caring for several hours or more a week.

“On the other hand, becoming a carer can happen overnight as a result of a medical emergency, an accident or the birth of a child with disabilities.

“Without help and support, before long, carers can find themselves struggling with what can be very physical and mental demands, trying to balance work and home life, and potentially risking their own health and wellbeing as a result.

“It is important that carers are aware that there is help out there from local organisations like Coventry Carers’ Centre or the Carers Direct helpline, whether it’s just having someone to talk to, guidance on financial assistance or simply understanding the support available to them.”

It is estimated that 6,000 people become a carer every day across the UK, often doing so out of love, devotion or duty.

The campaign is being supported by Dr Hilary Jones and celebrities Sir David Jason, Paul O’Grady, Tony Robinson and Arlene Phillips.

Carers can obtain free information, support and advice by calling the Carers Direct free phone helpline 0808 802 02 02, or visiting website www.nhs.uk/carersdirect.