This Easter Holidays, from 24 March – 15 April, head to Newquay's Pirate's Quest for an exciting new adventure. Join the live pirate crew on the Quest for the Golden Egg with tours running daily throughout the holidays!

Embark on the special mission set by Captain Blackbeard, as you travel back in time to the Golden Age of Piracy, almost 300 years ago…

Begin your adventure on board a Pirate Hunter's Ship, the Royal Anne. The vessel left England in 1721 with the intention of sailing to the Caribbean, but wrecked off the South Coast of Cornwall.

A real LIVE pirate from the infamous Republic of Pirates will rescue you from the sinking Royal Anne, escorting you through a secret passageway, and then acting as a guide through several detailed sets and scenes. Discover mystical caves and brave the murky streets of eighteenth century Cornwall as you look out for clues that might lead to the discovery of some chocolate gold!

Eventually you'll arrive at the Captain's Ship, ready to successfully return to the Caribbean with your Easter booty.

The authentic pirates are brought to life by talented theatrical actors, who are guaranteed to make this a unique and memorable experience. Families of all ages can enjoy a fascinating opportunity to learn something new about piracy, and experience the REAL life of a seafarer during the Golden Age of Pirates.

A new campaign has been launched urging people to play their part so that, “Together, we can tackle child abuse”.

It encourages members of the public to help protect children and young people by reporting any concerns they may have about the possible abuse or neglect of a child to the City of Wolverhampton Council, the NSPCC or West Midlands Police.

The City of Wolverhampton Council and Wolverhampton Safeguarding Children Board are backing the campaign which was launched by the Department for Education amid fears that some people are failing to report their concerns because they are not certain of the signs of child abuse, don’t know where to report it, or are worried about being wrong.

As well as highlighting how people should go about reporting their concerns, the campaign also urges people to look out for the signs that could suggest a young person is being abused. These include changes in their ABC – their appearance, their behaviour and the way they communicate.

Councillor Val Gibson, the City of Wolverhampton Council's Cabinet Member for Children and Young People, said: "We all have a role to play in protecting children and young people from child abuse and neglect.

“Anything you notice can help a child at risk. If you’re concerned in any way that a child is being abused or their safety is at risk, please speak to someone as keeping quiet could mean that the authorities miss out on vital information they need to keep children safe from harm.

"Information about a child's welfare is gathered from many sources, and your report will form part of a bigger picture. You don’t have to be absolutely certain, but by speaking to the council, the NSPCC or the police you could provide the missing piece of the jigsaw – and ultimately keep a child safe."

To report concerns in confidence, please call the City of Wolverhampton Council's children's social care team on 01902 555392 or 01902 552999 outside normal working hours. If the child is at immediate risk, call the police on 999, or 101 if you think a crime has been committed. Trained counsellors are available via the NSPCC helpline 24 hours a day on 0808 800 5000 or via This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

Councillor Gibson added: “Anyone can make contact with the authorities if they are worried or have concerns about a young person, including children and their families, relatives, friends and neighbours and professionals such as teachers, doctors, nurses and health visitors. Whoever you are, the message is clear – if you think it, report it."

A councillor who once tipped the scales at nearly 30 stone is preparing to run his first London Marathon.

Councillor Paul Sweet, the City of Wolverhampton Council's Cabinet Member for Public Health and Wellbeing, will be taking part in the 26.2-mile race in April to raise hundreds of pounds for Sense, the national disability charity which supports people with complex communication needs.

He said: "My late brother John was hampered by being blind in one eye for most of his life, and his passing made me look for a charity that helps people with more complex needs which I could support.

"My own journey has been a rollercoaster to say the least. I was once approaching nearly 30 stone and had many health problems. I went up and down with my weight before being asked to take part in the City of Wolverhampton Council’s Call to Action in 2014 to tackle high levels of obesity in the City.

"Inspired by this, I managed to lose over eight stone and went onto to complete several 10ks and two half-marathons – but I've always wanted to do a full one."

Councillor Sweet's preparations for the London Marathon were hampered by a fractured hip and hernia surgery last year, during which time he gained some 20kgs as he was unable to run. But he vowed: "I am not going to let this setback define me and I am gently building up the miles and hoping to stay fit and well as the big day approaches.

“I’ve set a target of £1,500 for Sense, but am hoping to raise as much as I possibly can.”

Joining Councillor Sweet in this year's London Marathon – and also supporting Sense – is Martha Cummings, the council’s Voluntary Sector Coordinator. She is also a member of Wolverhampton and Bilston Athletics Club and Event Director at Wednesfield Junior parkrun.

She said: “I started running three years ago to lose a little weight and to get ready for the London Marathon which is my biggest challenge on my bucket list.

“I'm now lighter, fitter and in much better shape than when I started running, and have completed three 10ks and six half-marathons including the Great North Run and Birmingham Marathon – all to get me to London.

"There are so many good causes out there that are doing incredible work for people with very challenging lives, and I’ve used my efforts to raise money for different charities, helping a variety of people and causes.

“Sense is an amazing charity, and thanks to the generosity of family, friends and strangers I am already two-thirds of the way to raising £1,500 to help offer a life changing opportunity to someone who is deafblind or has complex needs. I would be incredibly grateful for any further support to help me to reach my target.”

Accompanying the duo at the London Marathon on Sunday 22 April will be Lisa Eardly, a nurse at Newbridge Surgery, Event Director of Wolverhampton parkrun and fellow member of Wolverhampton and Bilston Athletics Club.

She said: “Paul, Martha and I volunteer and run together at Wolverhampton parkrun at West Park every Saturday morning.

“This is my first London Marathon and I’ll be celebrating my 50th birthday a couple of weeks later.

“I’m fundraising for Kwale eye hospital in Kenya, as I’ve been fortunate to have three stints nursing voluntarily in Kenya.”

Sense supports people with complex communication needs to be understood, connected and valued. It began, and continues, to support people who are deafblind. Today, it also supports a wide range of people with complex communication needs. To find out more, please visit www.sense.org.uk.

West Midlands families joined forces to support the launch of Muscular Dystrophy UK’s West Midlands Family Support Group.

The group has been set up to help South Asian families affected by muscle-wasting conditions get access to vital support. It will provide a range of support to the West Midlands community, such as helping them to access local health and care services and find suitable, accessible accommodation.

Around 4,000 people from the South Asian community in England and Wales have a neuromuscular condition, such as muscular dystrophy, and up to 600 people on the West Midlands are affected. Neuromuscular conditions cause muscles to weaken and waste over time, leading to increasingly severe disability. There is no cure, and few treatment options, cutting lives short.

Spearheaded by Naima Ali-Khan (36) from Coventry, Sanah Rauf (21) from Wolverhampton and Jaspal Mann (41) from Coventry, the group hopes to break down some of the language and cultural barriers that may prevent South Asian families from accessing services.

Naima, a student nurse and Muscular Dystrophy UK ambassador, whose two teenage daughters have an ultra-rare condition called SEPN1-related myopathy, said:

“As a parent of children affected by a muscle-wasting condition, it was a privilege to meet other families who really understand what you are going through. It can be overwhelming at first when you don’t know where to go to for support and this is why the group is so important. It can be empowering and reassuring to speak to others in a similar situation and learn from their experience.

“I hope the group will act as a much-needed lifeline for families who need support and understanding, when dealing with the challenges neuromuscular disease can bring.”

Bobby Ancil, Senior Neuromuscular Outreach Manager at Muscular Dystrophy UK, said: “It was good to have families coming together and drawing strength from each other. Muscle-wasting conditions can turn lives upside down, and the feeling of isolation and helplessness people often feel after a diagnosis can be all-consuming.

“By reaching out to the South Asian community in the West Midlands, we want to help families get the right support when it is most needed.”

Muscular Dystrophy UK has been supporting South Asian families affected by muscular dystrophy through the Yorkshire Neuromuscular Awaaz Forum. In 2014, the charity teamed up with Leeds General Infirmary Neuromuscular Service and two mothers from West Yorkshire, whose sons have Duchenne muscular dystrophy, to form the group. Meeting regularly in Bradford, the group brings families affected by muscular dystrophy together to support each other.

With Mother’s day just around the corner, everyone at Twycross Zoo, including the adorable mother and baby orang utan duo, Kibriah and Kayan is feeling the love

Come and say hello and visit the award-winning conservation charity in the heart of Leicestershire this Mother’s Day, where mums go FREE all mothering Sunday weekend.

On Sunday 11^th March from 1pm, visitors can treat mum to an exclusive sparkling afternoon tea in Himalaya’s Windows on the Wild Restaurant, where the whole family can enjoy a delicious range of sandwiches, scones and sweet treats.**

Open from 10am to 5pm 364 days a year, there is something for everyone at Twycross Zoo. Walk the Wetlands area, marvel at the winged wonders of the Butterfly Farm, meet the meerkats, pop and see the penguins and say hi to the snow leopards.

Twycross Zoo is open to the public from 10.00 to 17.00, 364 days a year. For more information and to book tickets visit www.twycrosszoo.org or call 0844 474 1777.