UK News: Boy dies after falling 20ft into canal basin

A YOUNG boy has died after falling 20ft into a canal basin.

The emergency services were called to Stourport Basin in Stourport-on-Severn, Worcestershire, just before midday yesterday. The boy died in Birmingham Children's Hospital after attempts to resuscitate him failed.

Fire hits oil storage site

More than 60 firefighters were today tacking a major blaze at a waste oil storage site. Crews from across Kent were called to the Kingsnorth Industrial Estate in Hoo just after 11pm last night. The blaze initially involved two road tankers, but spread to drums containing more than 1000 litres of oil.

Education chief calls for more apprenticeships

At least 40 per cent of teenagers should be required to do apprenticeship-style qualifications that lead directly to a job at 16, a leading education expert has said.

Tim Oates, director of research at the Cambridge Assessment exam board, said the move would cut the youth unemployment rate and boost economic competitiveness.

He also recommended the Government should consider giving children more job-based tuition at the age of 14 or even as young as 11.

General's TA warning

Reservists should make up a far greater proportion of the UK's military capability, a Government-commissioned review is expected to recommend to Prime Minister David Cameron.

A report by the deputy head of the armed forces, General Sir Nick Houghton, is set to caution against dramatic cuts in Territorial Army numbers or in their Royal Navy and RAF equivalents.

Brian noises up Cambridge

Brian Blessed has announced he will stand as a candidate to become the chancellor of Cambridge University.

It follows a Facebook campaign organised by students to get 50 nominations to allow the actor to complete against Lord Sainsbury.

Wales: Specialist police teams have begun recovering the bodies of four workers killed in the Chevron oil refinery blast, while one of their injured colleagues remains in a critical condition.

Dyfed Powys Police said the removal of the corpses would be "a slow and methodical process" due to the nature of the incident, which has been described by officials as a "tragic industrial accident".

Coventry: A woman whose body was found in a canal was "a beautiful, bright, happy girl", her family said.

Emma Ewart, 27 was found in the Coventry Canal on Thursday.