Shropshire Star

• Cheers and tears on A-level result day

  There were cheers of joy – and some tears too – as students in colleges and school sixth forms learned whether they had bagged the grades they needed to make the next step in their education or career, with many hoping to take up university places across the country.

  Our coverage of A-level results day 2017

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  • <b>Scroll down to find your college's results. </b>

  At the newly-formed Shrewsbury Colleges Group – made up of Shrewsbury Sixth Form College and Shrewsbury College of Arts and Technology – a record number of students took 2,400 A-level exams.

  Students were welcomed to the English Bridge campus this morning to collect their results from the exams department and enjoy a celebratory breakfast.

  Maddy Page, 17, from Bomere Heath, Shrewsbury got three A*'s and an A and will begin her studies in Politics, Philosophy and Economics at Oxford in the autumn.

  She said: "I am shocked with my results but it is so nice to see how well everyone has done after so much work.

  "I am really proud of myself. I was really unsure about how it was all going to go."

  James Staniforth, principal and chief executive, said: "It was the first year of the new A-levels and, while it has been challenging for the students, they have all done brilliantly."

  Becky Allen will be swapping Shrewsbury for the white sands of Fiji when she takes a year out to work as a volunteer.

  The 18-year-old then wants to go to Bristol University to study geography after gaining an A* in Maths, an A in French and a B in Geography.

  "I am very relieved about the results," she said. "I did a lot of studying and my parents will be really happy with how I have done."

  Oxford beckons for Phoebe Lewis, 18, who got two A*s and an A and will be studying Chemistry.

  "I am elated. All the hard work I put in has paid off. I called my mum and she was so proud," she said.

  Eric Cheng, 18, will be studying medicine at Cambridge. He got four A*s in Biology, Chemistry, Maths and Physics and an A in Further Maths A/S.

  "I am ecstatic with my results," he said.

  "I did better than expected. I needed to get two A*s and an A so I have exceeded that. Now I am off to Cambridge for a six year course as I want to become a doctor."

  At Shrewsbury High School headmaster Michael Getty said: "The girls have needed to show real tenacity this year to rise to the challenge of A-level and we are particularly delighted for the girls who have managed to secure a clean sweep of straight A* and A grades despite the increasing demands of the new A-level system.

  "Head girls Alexa Newman, who achieved 3A*s, and Sarah Callear who achieved 2A*s and one A deserve particular credit for how they have balanced significant responsibility and extracurricular involvement alongside their studies and still managed to secure outstanding grades.

  Eight girls in total managed such a clean sweep of top grades with almost 80% of the schools A-level results this year being at A*-C.

  Mr Getty said: "The school’s results are a great testimony to the strong pupil-teacher partnership that we pride ourselves on at the high school alongside our belief in every individual’s potential for success.

  "The girls now head to some of the most prestigious universities across the country to pursue a hugely diverse range of range of careers, from Medicine to Mathematics, from Languages to Law."

  Meanwhile at Adams’ Grammar School in Newport, headmaster Gary Hickey said: “Once again we have seen some truly incredible results for many, with 35 students achieving three or more passes at A* to A, while 10 students have achieved an incredible four A* to A grades.

  “It’s a real privilege to see all of their hard work come to fruition in addition to the high marks that so many have achieved in their Extended Project Qualifications.

  “Special congratulations go to Lewis Dean and Dominic Henderson on achieving straight A* grades for all four of their A-levels. I am also delighted to report that all seven of our Oxbridge students for 2017 entry have achieved the grades they needed and the 10 students wishing to study medicine/veterinary have also been successful in securing the necessary grades.

  “I’d like to wish all of our leavers the very best for the future and hope they will stay in touch to let us know how they get on in the next exciting chapter of their lives.”

  At Thomas Adams College delighted headteacher Liz Dakin said: “We are absolutely thrilled, as these achievements are the result of a lot of hard work by both students and staff over the last year. I would like to congratulate the students and wish them every success as they venture out to apprenticeships or university.

  "Many are going off to ambitious courses in law, engineering, business, textiles, maths and teaching. Others are off to do apprenticeships, for example in graphic design, IT or administration. There issuch a wide variety, and there are many wonderful individual achievements at every level, which is important as we are an inclusive college.”

  At the college 26 subject areas achieved a 100% pass rate and there were more than one hundred A* to B grades.

  There will be 12 students from Newport Girls’ High School going to university to study medicine, veterinary science or medically related courses such as dental surgery, midwifery, genetics and physiotherapy.

  The top performing student is Elizabeth Bearblock who achieved four A* grades and will be studying medicine at Cambridge.

  Elizabeth Haigh also has a place at Cambridge to study Modern and Medieval Languages and today collected two A*s and one A grade.

  Three more girls achieved three A* grades –Laura Newey, going on to study Veterinary Science; Francesca Storey, who will study medicine; and Isobel Cox who will do politics and international Relations.

  The success rate was 99%t and 86.7% A* to B grades which is an improvement on last year.

  Headteacher Ros Garner said: "The girls have worked incredibly hard to achieve these results and the staff would like to congratulate them and wish them all the very best for their future studies."

  At The Marches Sixth Form a greater number of students than ever achieved the highest grades with 22% getting A or A*s.

  Students have gained access to their first choice courses at top universities including; Cambridge, Durham, Manchester and internationally in the United States with scholarship.

  Claire Boyes, head of sixth form said: “We are immensely proud of all our students and would like to congratulate and celebrate their achievements and wish them well as they embark upon the next stage of their career path.

  "As part of the Marches Academy Trust, The Marches Sixth Form is large enough to offer extensive opportunities to our students but small enough to nurture each and every individual to reinforce our vision of achievement through caring.

  “With an increasing number of students now choosing to remain with us until the age of 18, as well as welcoming students who have completed their 11-16 education in other schools, we are enhancing our course offering year on year and for the first time we have offered the national BTEC qualifications, in addition to extending our A-level courses”.

  Sarah Godden, headteacher at Oldbury Wells School in Bridgnorth, said: "Congratulations to our sixth form students who have done so brilliantly well this year. In fact, they are the highest A-level results that we have seen over my 10 years of headship."

  The school reported that in academic A-levels the average grade is B, and for vocational subjects the average grade is a Distinction Star (the highest grade awarded).

  The school has pass rate of 97%.

  The headteacher at Bridgnorth Endowed School, Barry Worth, said: “We are all incredibly proud of the successes of our students. It is really pleasing that so many of our students have achieved results that will allow them to pursue their chosen career. I would like to congratulate all of our students and wish them every success in the future."

  At Sir John Talbot’s Sixth Form students are celebrating record A-level results for the school. The average grade is a strong C, with Art, English, Maths, Philosophy and Psychology having 100% of students achieving A*-C; and Maths and Psychology achieving 100% A*-B.

  Headteacher David O’Toole said: “I am incredibly proud of all our students and what they have achieved. They have all worked incredibly hard and deserve to celebrate their personal success.

  “All our students are able to make positive plans for September with most students taking up their first choice university places. We wish all our students well as they move on to their next career step.”

  The number of students attaining the top grades of A* B at Grove College has increased this year with 41% of all grades were A*-B with more A* grades than ever before, and 56% achieved 1A*-B grade.

  Individual students whose performance stands out are Rowan Cookson, who has secured her place at Cambridge University, with two A* grades and an A grade; Zoe Watson who also achieved two A* grades and an A grade; Beth O’Brien who achieved one A* grade and two A grades and Max Du Bois Jones who achieved three A grades.

  Headteacher Sonia Taylor said: “These results are a credit to the hard work and commitment of our students here at The Grove and we are proud that their dedication has been rewarded. It is also a tribute to the unrelenting encouragement of our talented staff and of course the support of our parents and carers. Congratulations to all of our students and we wish them well as they embark on the next stage of their journey.”

  Three A-level results records have been broken at Concord College in their best ever set of results.

  The Acton Burnell-based college believe the most impressive of their results was that 84% of grades awarded were A* and A and 45% were A*.

  Concord students also achieved 97% of grades with either A*, A or B.

  Principal Neil Hawkins said: “These stunning results – Concord’s best-ever – are a wonderful reward for the hard working and determined young people who are Concord’s 2017 leavers.

  “I hope that each is proud of their accomplishments. I trust that these results will also give confidence as these students are ready to take the next step in their lives.”

  “Collectively, our 2017 leavers have achieved Concord’s best-ever results on a number of key measures.

  “This outstanding success rests on the skills, support and hard work of the whole Concord community. I am grateful to the academic, pastoral and support staff who have worked so hard to build an environment in which the amazing really is possible.”

  Pupils at Shrewsbury School have produced another excellent showing at A-level with over 77% of the examinations awarded an A*, A or B grade.

  Particular success was enjoyed by candidates studying for the Cambridge Pre-U qualifications with over 50% of all results banded at the distinction level.

  42 pupils achieved a full set of A or A* grades and, of these, 11 achieved a clean sweep of A* performances – placing them perfectly for entry to some of the country’s most prestigious universities including Oxford and Cambridge.

  Megan Redhead gained three A*s and a distinction grade in Economics, English, Geography and French respectively while her fellow student, Mathew Hedges collected the top grades in Economics, Chemistry, Maths and Physics.

  Headmaster Mark Turner said: “These excellent grades are a testament to the maturity and determination of our pupils and to the enthusiasm and professionalism of their teachers. We wish the pupils all the best as they move on to the next phase of their education and hope that they will continue to demonstrate their commitment to high-calibre achievement as they have done in their time at Shrewsbury School.”

  Wrekin College's students matched the good performance of last year and, among many other successes taking students to their first choice of university, a high number achieved top results.

  Andy Liu took four A-levels a year early and achieved four A* grades, averaging a staggering 99 per cent across 18 Maths and Further Maths modules.

  Stephanie Brook also took her exams a year early and her one A* and two A grades secured an offer at Bath, but see her on her way to a top Australian university next year.

  Sam Yeadon got two A*s and an A and with Jake Thorpe won places at Imperial, London and the LSE respectively, two of the most highly selective universities in the UK, to read Biomedical Engineering and Economics.

  At New College Telford students are celebrating overall pass rate of 95%.

  Jenny Nolan, director of sixth form and higher education, said: “We are extremely proud of our students – their success is our success.

  “Against continued curriculum changes, to BTEC and the A Level landscape, we are proud that our headline results are showing overall improvements compared to last year

  “We have seen a significant increase in our BTEC and vocational results, with impressive pass rates of 98.3% – 58% of which gained either a distinction, or a distinction star. This is well above the national average.”

  A total of 89% of this year’s New College Telford leavers are heading to either university or further education, with a further 7.5% going on to full-time jobs.

  Kaydi Menary is going on to Lancaster University to study Economics and Finance, after achieving one A and two B grades in Fine Art, Maths and Economics Studies.

  At Oswestry School results showed half of the exams taken were given A* to B grades, with an overall pass-rate of 98%.

  Hayley Martin from Newtown secured two A*s and an A in Biology, Chemistry and Mathematics and will now go on to York University to study Biomedical Sciences.

  Headmaster Julian Noad said: "This is a very pleasing set of results, particularly given our non-selective intake and the increased challenge of reformed A-levels.

  "To maintain our excellent pass rates in this climate is a magnificent indictment of the hard work of both our pupils and our staff.

  "They also engage in such a full and successful co-curriculum, developing leadership and other wider skills, ensuring that they really do leave Oswestry School having learned ‘for life’. I wish them all every future success and happiness."

  At Moreton Hall more than half of all the papers taken at the independent school near Weston Rhyn achieved the top two grades.

  Top girl Phoebe Jackson has taken her place at Cambridge to read engineering after getting three A*s and an A in her chosen subjects.

  Principal Jonathan Forster said he is delighted with the results

  He added: "These results underline the strength and depth of the academic provision at Moreton. Eight departments achieved 100% A* and A – a remarkable achievement for a school that does not set a high bar for admission to our A-level courses.

  "Moreton prides itself on the all-round education we offer and this is exemplified by individuals such as Florence Wade-Smith who captained the school’s Lacrosse team to victory at the National Finals and today has achieved two A*s and two As in her A-level subjects - a remarkable end to her school career."

  Students at William Brookes School had 24% A*/A grades, 44% at A*-B and an overall pass rate of 97%.

  Headteacher Geoff Renwick said: “In a year when the course structure has changed so dramatically to a full two year course without the half-way check of AS levels, it is really pleasing that our students have achieved such excellent A-level grades, particularly at the top end.

  "Supported by our expert teachers, they have worked extremely hard over the past two years of sixth form and contributed significantly to life at the school. We are extremely proud of their success and wish them well in the next stage of their lives, and look forward to welcoming our new intake of sixth formers from schools across Shropshire in just a few weeks’ time.”

  At Ludlow College two twins were both looking forward to taking their first steps on a career in heath having both bagged top grades in their subjects.

  Rory and Lucy Naylor, both 18 and from the Knighton area, are hoping to enter the medical profession in different ways.

  Lucy got two distinction-stars and one distinction in her BTEC Health and Social Care course and will be studying adult nursing at Swansea.

  "I'm becoming a nurse and he's becoming a doctor," she said of her brother, who got all A*s in chemistry, biology, mathematics and the extended project qualification - and will be going to Oxford University.

  "I don't know why we're both interested in health, " he said.

  "I did have some mental health issues when I was in year 9, so maybe its that that got me interested - but Alzheimer's is really what I'm interested in studying."

  Jack Corston, also 18, from Ludlow, studied the same subjects as Rory, getting one A* and two As.

  He said: "I'm going to Sheffield to study bio-medical science. I want to go into medical research.

  "I have been interested in doing something to do medicine from an early age."

  Students at the college once again achieved a 100% pass rate in their A-level results, for the second year in a row.

  Carl Morris, head of Ludlow College, said: "We are thrilled that our students are celebrating such outstanding successes in their A level results this year.

  "Our overall pass rate of 100%t, in both our A-level subjects and our vocational Level 3 courses, continues to reflect the exceptional work of both our students and staff.

  "We have had a lot to celebrate over the past year with 41 per cent of students succeeding in gaining places at elite Russell Group universities compared with the average of 35 per cent and 99 per cent of students making progress after college with 62 per cent continuing with their education, 10 per cent employed as apprentices and 27 per cent entering other employment.

  "I am looking forward to seeing how this year’s students progress in their chosen futures," he said.

  At Bishop Heber High School 61% of A-level grades were A*-B, with 80% of A-level grades achieved at A*-C.

  Headteacher David Curry said: “With all the recent changes in A-levels we are especially thrilled with the outstanding success of our students today. We are extremely pleased that so many of our students achieved their expected places at a wide range of Universities."

  Bedstone College were today celebrating after nearly half of all entries were at B grade or above and a 100% pass rates in nine subjects.

  Bedstone’s Headmaster, David Gajadharsingh said: “I am delighted with this year’s A-level results. We are extremely proud not only of our high-achieving top grade students but also all those students who have worked exceptionally hard to boost their final grades and achieve results that have gone beyond expectations.

  "As a non-selective independent school, our aim is to ensure that every child reaches their full potential by working with them to achieve their best possible results, and the grades this year are a true reflection of the hard work done by staff, students and parents alike."

  Students at Ellesmere College Sixth Form had an overall 96% pass rate including quite a number of outstanding performances.

  Nearly 50% of all grades awarded to Ellesmere students were in the top A* A B grades with the girls raising that bar to 58% of their grades published being A*A B.

  Headteacher Brendan Wignall said: "It is always a pleasure to see our students secure impressive grades such as these and it is particularly pleasing to see all who wish to progress to university being able to do so.

  "I congratulate our A-level, IB and BTEC students on their achievements.

  All our students completing their studies with us deserve this success. Credit must also go to the excellent work of our teaching staff and, of course, to parents for their constant support and encouragement."

  This was the last year of A-levels for North Shropshire College (NSC) as it will will become a vocational education specialist college from next term.

  Peter McCann, principal and chief executive for NSC said: “The results for the college’s final year of A-levels have been impressive and we are very pleased to announce that 15 out of the 18 A-level courses that were available had a 100% pass rate.

  "Specific subjects with the excellent result of 100% grades A*-C are Fine Art, Art Photography, Graphics, Textiles, Media and Business.

  "These are all subjects we will still be offering at NSC as BTEC Extended Diplomas, which are equivalent to A-levels. We wish huge congratulations to all A-level students and a big well done for all their hard work and perseverance throughout their two years with NSC."

  Adcote School reported a 4% increase in top grades, with 84% A*-C this year.

  Two girls are celebrating gaining the exceptionally high grades needed to secure their places at Oxford University:

  Klaudia Chmielowska will study Philosophy, Politics and Economics with 3As and an A* and Aurora Lu, with 3A*s and an A will study Chemistry.

  Headteacher Diane Browne said: “We are so proud of all our students who have once again achieved an impressive set of A-level results."

  Llanfyllin High School achieved a near perfect pass rate in this year's A-level results.

  Acting headteacher Llyr Thomas congratulated his students on an "excellent set of examination results", with a pass rate of 99%

  Improving on last year, a quarter of results were A* to A grades and nearly half were grades A* to B

  Mr Thomas said: "We are delighted that students have gained places at top universities to study a range of courses including natural science at Cambridge."

  There were several outstanding individual performances, including four students who received straight A* and A grades.

  "It is very pleasing to see our students enjoy the reward of their hard work," Mr Thomas added.

  "We are very proud that our students achieve such good results with such consistency."

  At Newtown High School 84% of students got two or more grades at A*-C.

  All of the Year 13 students followed the new Welsh Baccalaureate Advanced Skills Challenge Certificate, with 78% of them passing.

  Graeme Harkness, headteacher, said: "This success reflects the talent and determination of our students and the dedication of their teachers.

  "We are incredibly proud of all our Sixth Form students and appreciate that their excellent results reflect not only their dedication but also the considerable support of their parents and families.

  "It is a testament to all our students that they have done so well in achieving such fantastic success in very challenging examinations. I and the school wish them every success with their future careers."

  At Ysgol Dinas Bran the overall pass rate was 99% with over half of the grades being awarded at A* to B.

  A whole host of students were given three A* grades including Elinor Barnett, Jessica Brown, Carys Stallard and Adam York.

  Julian Gonzalez, who took his A-levels a year early, also got three A*s, including full marks in the Further Maths papers.

  Headteacher Martyn Froggett said: "We are delighted with the success of all our students. They have worked very hard and their results are a credit to themselves.

  "I thank all the staff for the support they have given the students over the course and all parents for their help too. We wish everyone the best for their futures."

• No to rent rises

  Michaelmas, which falls on 29 September, is a traditional date for farm rents to be reviewed in most cases following rent review notices served at least 12 months previously. A rent review can conclude in one of three ways – a reduction, an increase or a standstill. The outcome depends on the parties either agreeing the level of rent or having it determined by arbitration which has become a very expensive way in which to resolve the dispute costing many times the amount of difference between the parties.

  TFA Chief Executive George Dunn said “We are beginning to see an alarming number of cases where landlords are seeking to raise farm rents particularly on tenancies let as Farm Business Tenancies (FBTs) which have open market rent formulas. Too often we see existing operators taking on additional land on FBTs at exorbitant levels of rent with apparent scant regard for the economics involved and landlords are choosing to use these rent levels as comparables for existing situations. Landlords need to realise these levels of rent are unsustainable and in order to preserve good landlord/tenant relationships, which ensure that tenants are able to pay rent and make a profit whilst farming in sympathy with the land, pursuing these increases must stop”.

  “There is so much uncertainty at the moment, not least in relation to Brexit. Both landlords and tenants would be better off in agreeing sufficiently long enough tenancy terms building in rent reviews after Brexit in order to adjust matters in a more certain environment in relation to trade, Government policy, regulation and access to labour. What we really need at this time is an element of stability to be available when all else seems to be at sea,” said Mr Dunn.

  “Rather than spending tens of thousands of pounds in professional fees in arguing over the level of rent, it would be better if landlords and tenants sat down to agree a longer term strategy which incorporates Brexit at rent levels which give both a return to the landlord and the ability for the tenant to make a reasonable living from farming the land”, said Mr Dunn.

• Fire at town centre barbers

  Firefighters were called at about 9.15am this morning to a fire at Town Barbers in High Street.

  Three fire engines from Hodnet, Market Drayton and Prees attended.

  The fire involved two light fittings in the basement of the shop.

  Crews used breathing apparatus, thermal imaging camera, a covering jet and a hose reel jet to deal with the fire.

  A spokesman for Market Drayton Fire Station said: "There was smoke logging in the basement but minimal damage."

  The incident, which caused the shop to be closed for a short time, was under control within an hour.

• Shropshire CCG rated as 'inadequate'

  Shropshire Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) has been criticised by NHS England in an Ofsted-style rating system.

  Simon Freeman, accountable officer for Shropshire CCG, said the NHS England report did recognise the progress the group has made in relation to financial turnaround and organisational resilience.

  In her letter Wendy Saviour, director of commissioning operations for NHS England Midlands and East, said she expects the CCG will come out of special measures this year.

  It was placed in special measures in November 2015 so it could receive help from external experts to tackle its growing deficit. The group was then put under formal “directions” last year by NHS England to address its financial problems.

  At a meeting of the group in Shrewsbury, Mr Freeman said the latest report reflects the difficult financial situation the group finds itself in. The group is currently forecasting an in-year deficit of £19.4 million.

  He said: “NHS England assesses each CCG every year. CCGs are rated based on their performance against these indicators and can achieve an overall rating of either inadequate; requires improvement; good or outstanding.

  “We have been rated inadequate. The report did have some positives – not many, but there are some.

  “There has been some positive progress in the latter part of the year in regards to finances and leadership.

  “We remain inadequate because of our substantial financial difficulties.”

  In the report NHS England said the CCG had one of the lowest rates of digital interaction between primary and secondary care. Julie Davies, director of performance and delivery at Shropshire CCG, said the low rates of digital interaction were not down to GP surgeries.

  She said: “Shrewsbury and Telford Hospital NHS Trust still use a lot of referral clinics so we are working with them to increase the number of e-referrals.”

  The CCG was also criticised for its referral to treatment and four-hour wait performance which remain some of the worst in the country.

  Claire Skidmore, chief finance officer at Shropshire CCG, added: “The executive team and I have a lot of work to do over the coming months in order to build on work already done to introduce stability, leadership and stronger governance to Shropshire CCG.

  “We are working hard to demonstrate that we are ready to be lifted from special measures and will continue to focus energies on actions to improve both financial and quality ratings.

  “We aim to deliver an improved rating for 2017/18.”

• Driver sought after crash

  Eddie Cooper watched a beige Mini Clubman collide with the front of his silver BMW M3 on the car park outside the Coopers Arms pub in Woore, before driving off.

  The incident happened at approximately 8pm on Wednesday. Mr Cooper said the man was aged about 30, of average height and slim build, and wearing wellington boots and a flat cap.

  Mr Cooper said he had reported the matter to Shrewsbury police, and anybody with any information should contact the force on 101.

• Decade of Atonement at stately home

  The filming of Atonement made Stokesay Court, between Ludlow and Craven Arms, a famous movie location, with star Keira Knightly reported to have taken jaunts into Ludlow during filming.

  On September 3 visitors will be able to explore the grounds and parts of the house where so much of the action in the film took place.

  The charity open day is to raise funds for Alzheimer’s Research UK Shropshire and Signal, a charity which helps to build deaf-friendly communities.

  Since 2007 there has been a steady stream of visitors to Stokesay Court, who have enjoyed tours of the house and grounds, often guided by the owner Caroline Magnus.

  She said: "The magnificent Grade II* listed mansion was completed in 1892 and is located in the mature landscaped grounds of an older house.

  "The film makers of Atonement made good use of these and visitors will be able to view the grotto, fountain, lake, stream and lawns which all feature prominently in the film.

  "Two key parts of the film location inside the house can also be seen. The great hall with its superb wooden panelling will have an exhibition of Atonement related artefacts and there will be tea and cake available in the dining room."

  Visitors who wish to see more of the house can book a short Atonement tour to see some of the bedrooms, the statue from the fountain in the film, the billiard room and the drawing room for an additional fee to the main admission price.

  The film was an adaptation of Ian McEwan’s best-selling novel, set in 1935, which tells the story of a young girl’s false accusation which has far reaching repercussions for those involved.

  Newcomer Saoirse Ronan was nominated for an Oscar for her part as the accuser Briony Tallis, just one of the seven nominations the film received.

  Other significant roles were played by James McAvoy, Keira Knightley, Benedict Cumberbatch, Juno Temple and Brenda Blethyn. The film, directed by Joe Wright, went on to make $129 million all over the world and won the BAFTA award for Best Film.

  Tickets are now on sale online via the Stokesay Court website at stokesaycourt.com/whats-on.

  General admission tickets are also available from Ludlow Assembly Rooms, Shrewsbury Visitor Information Centre or The Shropshire Hills Discovery Centre at Craven Arms.

• Toblerone 'not distinctive enough'

  Defending its right to launch its Twin Peaks bar - based on Shropshire's own Wrekin hill - Poundland cites Toblerone's own chocolate bar which was brought out with fewer chunks last year as a reason why.

  Poundland, which was launched in the West Midlands by businessman Steve Smith, who now lives near Bridgnorth, has claimed Toblerone’s shape is no longer distinctive enough to be a valid trademark, in legal documents defending its right to launch a copycat bar.

  Last month, the budget chain was forced to delay the launch of its Twin Peaks bar, which has two humps rather than the single peaks of Toblerone, after a legal warning from the brand’s owner, a Swiss division of Mondelēz.

  The new design is based on The Wrekin and nearby Ercall.

  Documents seen by a national newspaper are said to reveal the legal wrangle has escalated, with a claim and counter-claim filed at the high court.

  Toblerone is one of Poundland’s most popular products, with 11 million bars sold last year.

  But the retailer says it decided to bring out Twin Peaks “in response to the unfavourable reception” that greeted Toblerone’s new version with fewer chunks, launched last year.

  Speaking at the time of the launch, Poundland’s trading director, Barry Williams, said it had created an alternative with “a British taste, and with all the spaces in the right places”.

  In legal defence documents filed earlier this week, Poundland says the triangular prism shape of the Toblerone bar, which was registered under an EU trademark in 1997, is no longer distinctive partly because of the existence of the new version.

  It claims that any good reputation enjoyed by the Toblerone bar trademark has been “irretrievably abandoned” by the launch of the product with bigger gaps between its nine chunks, which the public “consider unfavourably in comparison”.

  Poundland also says the 12-chunk registered version is no longer on sale in the UK, where an 11-chunk bar has been sold since about 2010.

  The legal row echoes Nestlé’s long-running battle with rival Cadbury, also owned by Mondelēz, to trademark the shape of the KitKat bar in the UK. In the latest round, the court of appeal ruled that the four-finger design of Nestlé’s product had “no inherent distinctiveness”.

  Sally Britton, an intellectual property lawyer at Mishcon de Reya, said the Toblerone battle covered the same issue of whether a shape could be distinctive enough to function as a trademark.

  “A trademark is something that distinguishes your goods and services from others. The more you use a mark consistently, the stronger your rights should be. There is an argument that Toblerone is weakening its rights by changing the shape of its bar,” Britton said.

  She said Toblerone clearly was a distinctive shape and, unlike KitKat, already registered as a trademark, which was why Mondelēz was so keen to prevent its mark from becoming generic.

  “If other businesses are selling chocolate bars of an identical shape to Toblerone it could be argued that its shape is losing its distinctiveness and is not functioning as a trademark. That’s why Toblerone is taking action,” Britton said.

  Mondelēz claims Poundland and its supplier Walkers Chocolates have infringed its trademarks on the overall shape of the bar, the pyramid-shaped chocolate chunk or “peaks”, prism-shaped gold Toblerone packaging and the Matterhorn mountain logo.

  It says Poundland’s Twin Peaks bar is “deceptively and confusingly similar” to Toblerone to the extent that shoppers may believe it is produced by Mondelēz or has been otherwise approved by the company.

  The claim by Mondelēz says it made £17m in net revenues from Toblerone in the UK last year and spent £4.3m on marketing.

  The company is seeking damages in relation to trademark infringement and “passing off” against Poundland and Walkers Chocolates. Although the Twin Peaks bar was flagged in an ITV documentary and promotional bars were sent out to journalists, it has never reached store shelves.

  Mondelēz and Poundland declined to comment.

• The Salop gran who starred with Elvis

  They say everyone remembers where they were when they heard the news that Elvis Presley had died. That is certainly true of Annette Day, who has very vivid recollections.

  "I was sitting at home, I lived at Beckenham in London then, and I heard it on the television news," she says.

  "It was like a bolt from the blue, there had been no suggestion whatsoever that his life had been in danger, although there were comments that he had put on a bit of weight.

  "I thought it was so terribly sad, he was a man of so many talents, who had so much more left to give."

  And Annette, who now lives in Shropshire, knew about this better than most.

  Because 10 years earlier, as a fresh-faced 19-year-old, Annette became the first and only English actress to star alongside Elvis on the big screen.

  WATCH the Double Trouble film trailer:

  The 69-year-old grandmother played Jill Conway, a rebellious British heiress who led the singer through all sorts of wild escapades across Europe, getting mixed up with spies, jewel thieves and madcap detectives along the way.

  Off screen, the pair enjoyed a close, if brief, friendship with the King of Rock 'n' Roll, which even extended to him buying her a car as a treat.

  It is 40 years today since Presley died in the bathroom of his Gracelands mansion in Memphis, Tennessee, after suffering from heart failure brought on by a drug overdose. He was just 42 years old and, if not at the height of his stardom, was still one of the biggest global stars having successfully reinvented himself for the glam rock era.

  While there had been rumours about his health, particularly concerning his weight and dependency on prescription drugs, very few people were aware of the lonely, troubled individual behind the flamboyant jump-suited stage persona.

  

  Annette, who settled in Shropshire with husband Mike the year after Elvis's death, remembered the singer as being like a big brother to the innocent teenager who had been plucked out of obscurity after being spotted working on a market stall by film producer Judd Bernard.

  "He had a terrific sense of humour, he was always playing games," she says.

  "There were a couple of times, off-stage, when the light came on for me to go through the door onto the set, and he would grab my coat so I couldn't walk, and the crew would be calling for me. I had a ball, it was tremendous fun."

  

  And she got a first-taste of the star's legendary generosity at the end of filming, when she was making small talk about how youngsters back in Britain would have to save to buy their first car.

  "After a day on set we were talking about how youngsters have to save every penny to buy a car after their graduation," she says.

  "In the US, most youngsters were given a car, not so in the UK."

  Then one day, in a car park, Elvis asked her to follow him, and asked her to close her eyes.

  "At that moment I knew he had a surprise waiting for me, but never in my wildest dreams could I have thought of a sports car," she says.

  "It was a white Mustang convertible. Elvis handed me the keys and said 'it's your's'.

  "I couldn't believe it, but I think he did things like that quite often," she says. "I think if he was able to help somebody, he liked to do that."

  

  Double Trouble was Presley's 24th feature film, and it was reported that by this time he was getting quite weary of them, although he made seven more movies in the two years that followed.

  It is said that when he found he would have to sing Old MacDonald Had A Farm for a scene in Double Trouble, Elvis screamed "It's come to this?", and Annette believes that he was definitely falling out of love with the movie industry.

  "I think, more than anything, he wanted to be back out on stage to his fans," she says.

  "I think he was quite pleased when the musicals had stopped. I think he would like to have got a more serious picture, he wanted to do more than just musicals. I think he could have been a very good actor, but the films he was in were all the same sort of thing, family films with a few more songs in between."

  Annette, who worked as a secretary at Telford-based SMP Security before her retirement, was offered a seven-year contract by MGM Studios after Double Trouble, but decided acting wasn't for her. She rarely talks about her part in the film, and reckons many people have no idea about her previous career.

  

  "I don't watch the film very often, and when I do I don't think I was very good in it," she says.

  "I went to be with my husband, and I've had my children and my grandchildren and I have no regrets about that at all. They say go out while you're at the top, I had great fun, but it was very hard work, you would be there on set at eight in the morning, and you could be there until 6.30 at night, nobody could go until everything was perfect."

  She returned to the UK, not only leaving behind her brief film career, but also her Ford Mustang.

  "I found it would cost rather a lot to bring it back to the UK," she says. Today, of course it would be worth a fortune as a treasured piece of movie and musical history, but she gave it to her brother who was living in the US at the time. He used it for a few years, and then sold it when it broke down.

  It all begs the question of what would Elvis be doing if he were still alive today at the age of 82?

  Annette does not think he would be performing today, although she say s he would also have found it very difficult to give it all up.

  "It must be very hard for somebody who is at the top like that to walk away from it all," she says. And she has no doubt that if he had lived to a ripe old age, it would have done nothing to lessen the legacy of his work.

  "He just had something about him," she says.

• Person cut from car in M54 crash

  It happened just before the junction 6 exit for Ketley, heading westbound.

  Emergency services were at the scene just after 7am, where a casualty had to be cut free from the car.

  Claire Brown, a spokeswoman for West Midlands Ambulance Service, said one ambulance was at the scene dealing with one patient.

  Firefighters from Telford Central and Wellington fire stations were also on the scene.

• Families sought for TV show

  ITV's Save Money Good Food, presented by Susanna Reid and chef Matt Tebbutt, is looking for families in Shropshire and mid Wales to appear on the show which offers advice on cooking better meals while saving money on the food bill.

  Anybody interested in appearing in the series should see the website www.smgf.co.uk or contact the production team on via WhatsApp on 07599 061310.