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Series 11 (January-March 2007)

Climate change
Inside Out investigates the impact of global warming across England, and asks if the situation is as dire as many scientists predict.

Clampers
Finding somewhere to park in a busy town centre isn't always easy. It's little wonder that some drivers are tempted to park illegally on private land. But it can cost them dearly.

Nature and climate change
Inside Out investigates the impact of global warming on wildlife across England. Plus photo gallery

Mobile homes
Inside Out has uncovered evidence that residents of a Wolverhampton mobile home park are being cheated out of thousands of pounds - by the site's owner.

Slavery
New evidence suggests Birmingham not only profited from, but also had a hand in supporting and defending the slave trade. Award-winning musician Soweto Kinch takes a personal journey into his city's past.

Army recruits
The Midlands is one of the most fertile recruiting grounds for Britain's Armed forces. We meet some of the newest recruits, and find out what makes them so willing to serve their country.

City Apartments
City and town centres across the West Midlands are being transformed. Inside Out asks whether these new developments are good for our cities.

Birmingham - England's 'second city'?
Birmingham has traditionally been known as England's 'second city' after London. But can it still lay claim to the title?

Flood fighters
Nearly 150 thousand people in the Midlands live in areas threatened by floods. Inside Out has been following Midlands fire crews as they learn to become flood fighters.

Traveller education
Inside Out asks whether traveller children are being forgotten by the education system.

Aston Villa - the Ellis years
Inside Out meets a figure who has loomed large over Midlands football for nearly 40 years - Mr Aston Villa - Doug Ellis.

Series 10 (September-November 2006)

Migrant workers special
Between 40,000 and 70,000 Eastern Europeans have come to live and work in the Midlands over the last couple of years. Inside Out presents a special report on their impact.

Air ambulance, pedigree dog trade and Bhangra
Inside Out follows two paramedics as they go through the gruelling selection process to become air ambulance crew members. And Adil Ray explores the phenomenon of Bhangra.

Egg donors, Minnie Pit and Bournville's bells
Inside Out looks at the issues that still surround egg donation, and the shortage of egg donors. Plus Staffordshire's Minnie Pit mining disaster. And Bournville's bells.

Homelessness, Tourettes, and British Muslims
On the 40th anniversary of the first broadcast of Cathy Come Home, we look at the TV play's connections with the Midlands. Plus the story of a partially blind man with Tourettes - and his battle to be taken seriously as a composer. And Britain's Muslims.

Earthquake and glass factory
A year on from the terrible earthquake that devastated Pakistan, Inside Out returns to the country to find out what's happened to the survivors. Plus the story of Birmingham's glass makers.

The Specials, kidney transplants and Jillywood
Twenty-five years after Coventry band The Specials released their iconic song Ghost Town, it's still viewed as one of the most influential tracks in British music history. Plus we investigate so-called transplant tourism. And the Jillywood tour.

Manufacturing, Kojak and Victorian painting
A special report on the region's declining manufacturing base. Plus Kojak's Birmingham. And the Victorian painting inspired by a muse.

Lottery special and teenagers with learning difficulties
A special report on the National Lottery. Plus a group of teenager with learning difficulties from West Bromwich are given the chance to go to Tenerife.

Migrant workers, land speed record and Muslim comedy
Every summer Herefordshire becomes home to thousands of migrant workers on the hunt for seasonal work. Plus behind the scenes on the record breaking land speed record run. And Muslim comedy.

Art forgery, abusive pupils and farmers
Staffordshire artist John Myatt became involved in what became known as the biggest art fraud of the 20th Century. Plus abusive pupils. And the farmers batttling to survive.

Series 9 (January-March 2006)

Animal rescue centres, Barnes Wallis, and exam stress
Animal rescue centres may have the best of intentions, but are some actually doing more harm than good? Plus Barnes Wallis, the man who invented the bouncing bomb. And exam stress.

Hilda Murrell, farming in crisis, and Mark Allen
The murder of Hilda Murrell in 1984 sparked a police investigation that would last for more than two decades. Plus farming in crisis - we visit Fordhall Farm. And meet Mark Allen was able to live a fairly normal life – despite having the genetic disease cystic fibrosis.

Amputee firefighter
Firefighter Simon Hawkins lost his lower left leg in a motorcycle accident. We join the 31-year-old as he attempts to become the first amputee firefighter in Europe to return to active duty.

Hedge wars, bobsleigh champion, and murder mystery
Leylandii, the fast-growing hedges, have become a common cause of neighbourly disputes. Plus Jackie Davies, bobsleigh champion. And the case of Florrie Porter who was stabbed to death during the Second World War.

Conmen, fatherhood, and waterways
The conmen who earn a living by preying on the vulnerable in their own homes. The woman who got more than she bargained for when she set out in search of the man she thought was her father. Plus living and playing on the West MidlandsÂ’ waterways.

Carjackers, war photography, and coastal couple
A vehicle is stolen in the UK every 90 seconds. One in five of these is taken by carjackers. Plus we visit the Defence School of Photography. And meet the couple who have been on a 15 year journey that has taken them the length of BritainÂ’s coastline.

Coffin factory, derelict homes, and senior singletons
For more than 100 years, a family-run factory in the West Midlands produced some of the worldÂ’s finest fixtures and fittings for coffins. Plus a report on derelict homes. And senior singletons seeking their love match.

Grave desecration, JRR Tolkien, and prison pen pals
Grave desecration is a problem across the West Midlands. Plus the author JRR Tolkien has long been hailed as one of BritainÂ’s best-loved writers but is enough being done to celebrate the author in Birmingham where he grew up? And prison penpals.

Illegal rubbish dumping, Jack the Ripper, and gay weddings
We look at plans to beat the rubbish dumpers in Stoke. Plus the hunt for the identity of Jack the Ripper in the West Midlands. Plus gay weddings.

Series 8 (September-November 2005)

Hoax callers, freerunning, and alternative funerals
Inside Out joins Staffordshire Fire and Rescue as the service tries to cope with the regular false alarms. Plus freerunning - a new craze sweeping through the streets of Birmingham. And the growing trend for alternative funerals.

Railway trespass, Miss England and Droitwich's history
An increasing number of children are putting their lives at risk by venturing on to railway lines in the West Midlands. Plus is the Miss England contest an anachronism? And a look back at Droitwich in the Second World War.

Pakistan Earthquake
We look at the trauma faced by the Midlands families with no news about loved ones caught up in the South Asia earthquake.

Cowboy builders, Madeleine Carroll, and grandparents' rights
More people in Birmingham are falling foul of cowboy builders than ever before. Plus actress Madeleine Carroll - ‘the white flower of the Black Country’. And thousands of grandparents across Britain are being denied access to their grandchildren.

Congestion charges, rollercoasting, and Vietnamese aid
Inside Out meets the business leader who believes congestion charges are needed if Birmingham is to avoid total traffic gridlock. Plus the rollercoasting thrill seekers. And the Coventry woman helping out Vietnam's victims.

Puppy sales, war protester, and Malcolm X
Inside Out investigates a woman who has been banned from keeping animals, but is still involved in the sale of puppies. Also we look at Brian Haw non-stop demonstration against the governmentÂ’s policy in Iraq. And Malcolm X's historic visit to Birmingham.

Roadside cafes, and Pagans
Inside Out investigates the last of the roadside transport cafes, and looks at the life of a 21st century pagan.

Penalty points, wartime murder mystery, and storms
Inside Out investigates drivers who illegally trade speeding penalty points, uncovers fresh evidence in an unexplained wartime murder mystery, and meets the storm chaser who believes Birmingham got off lightly in a recent tornado.

Series 7 (Jan-March 2005)

Police crashes

Inside Out investigates people injured or killed as a result of high speed police crashes.

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Bullying

It happens everywhere, but how is the West Midlands trying to combat the rise in bullying?

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Miscarriage

Many couples beginning a family experience the grief of losing an unborn child.

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PWS revisited

Two years ago Inside Out met a woman who was in danger of literally eating herself to death because of a rare genetic disorder.

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Fallen star

Nick Drake's musical career was cut short before he gained the recognition he deserved.

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Property success

Lea Beven has made a fortune on the buy-to-let market - so why is she selling up and getting out?

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Car seat safety

Startling findings suggest that around 70 percent of childrens' car seats are incorrectly fitted.

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A pilgrimage to Knock

Adrian Goldberg made the pilgrimage to Knock to revisit his Irish Catholic roots.

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Car cloning

Have you ever received a parking fine from an area you've never visited? If so you may have become the latest victim of car cloning.

Series 6 (Sept-Nov 2004)

It's chanting Stan, but not not as you know it

Stan Collymore left the latest reality TV show only to reveal his innermost secrets on a prime-time documentary. After so much exposure he is now going in search of spiritual enlightenment.

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Family under siege

What happens when peaceful protest becomes a hate campaign? Inside Out has the exclusive story of a family under siege at Darley Oaks Farm in Newchurch.

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Making dubious copies of DVDs may be illegal, but it doesn't stop bootleggers from doing it anyway. Inside Out West Midlands follows the trail of the crooked dealers who continue to disregard the law.

Northern Soul
It all started in 1960s Hitsville, USA - the birthplace of Motown. The soul explosion took off around the world, but then everything went quiet and it seemed as though it had dropped off the radar. We meet the fans who are keeping the music alive.

Micro sculptures

You may not be able to see it, but this is the work of a world-famous sculptor, who creates pieces so small they are almost invisible to the naked eye. After years of developing his technique, Willard Wigan tells us about his love for all things miniature.

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Noise pollution

There is always someone on the street who manages to wake everyone else with their barking dogs or love of the latest dance music. We follow Coventry's Noise Pollution Team as they tackle roaring burglar alarms, loud parties and difficult noise makers.

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Gambling

You may be partial to the occasional flutter. You may even have had a wager on Euro 2004. But the odds are you probably didn't gamble a whopping £50,000 on Spain to win. Inside Out meets one man who did.

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Phone masts

It is not surprising that a 60 foot metal tower should cause anger amongst local residents forced to live with the eyesore, but is there more at risk than just spoiling the view?

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Designer babies

We go undercover to investigate the Gender Clinic's claims that they can determine the sex of a baby with 90% accuracy.

Series 5 (Jan-Feb 2004)

Gun crime

Gun crime in the Midlands is on the increase, but how does it compare with the United States? And what lessons can be learned from Birmingham, Alabama?

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Graffiti artist

It's the latest in contemporary art and it comes straight from the street. Graffiti art has made the leap from the subway to the gallery. Inside Out meets spray man Arron Bird.

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Fat cure

A West Midlands surgeon has pioneered a revolutionary new treatment to cure obesity. We meet Paul Super and his grateful patients.

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Black flash

West Bromwich Albion’s 'Three Degrees' - Cyrille Regis, Laurie Cunningham and Brendan Batson -changed the colour of the beautiful game. Over 25 years after their glory days, We find out more about them.

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Miracle baby

When she arrived four months early weighing just twelve ounces (340 grams), Aaliyah Hart fitted into the palm of her mother's hand. Against all the odds, she has just enjoyed her first Christmas at home ...

Series 4 (Sept-Oct 2003)

Car crime

West Midlands Police are cracking down on car crime and Inside Out investigates the problem and reports on some of the solutions.

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Internet dating

There is a new way to meet the love of your life and all at the touch of a button - Online dating.

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Returning to Romania

We follow disabled orphan Cornel Hrisca-Munn as he returns home from Worcester to Romania to visit his family. But what did he leave behind and why?

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Smoking ban

As smokers become increasingly stigmatised, many pubs and restaurants are thinking about banning smokers. Inside Out looks at whether Midlanders will be fuming mad if smoking bans get the go-ahead.

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Property developers

As house prices spiral as high as trendy loft apartments, there are big profits to be made by suburban property developers.

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Speed cameras

Speed kills, but some drivers resent the presence of speed cameras so strongly that, in some cases, they have broken the law by vandalising them.

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Exotic pets

A million people own exotic pets but do they know how to look after them? No, that is why pet rescue centres are busier than ever.

Series 3 (Jun-Jul 2003)

John Caudwell

From sweeping floors in a pottery to an £840 million fortune - John Caudwell's life is an extraordinary tale of rags to riches. We get a unique opportunity to go behind the notorious hard man image and discover the real John Caudwell.

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Breakdancing

If you thought breakdancing disappeared in the '80s in a haze of leg warmers and sweat bands then you are in for a surprise because breakdancing is back - in a big way. Inside Out finds out more.

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Crufts

From prize winning pooches to loveable scruffy mongrels - Britain's love affair with its four legged friends is unparalleled. We go behind the scenes at the world famous Crufts to find out more.

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Collector cars of the seventies

Leaks, ropey suspension and rotting bodies - 1970s cars were unreliable and had a reputation for poor quality. But for some, 70s cars are the only cars to be seen in.

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Speeding

Around 2,000 young drivers are killed or seriously injured on Britain's roads each year. The figure is falling, but is enough being done? We investigate.

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Heart operations

With over 10,000 Britons awaiting heart surgery and NHS waiting lists anything up to 12 months, many patients are taking their health into their own hands.

Series 2 (Jan-Mar 2003)

Clarice Cliff

For those of you with an eye for a collectable, We have just the thing. With her bright and original designs, Clarice Cliff took the pottery world of the 1920s by storm. Now 80 years on, some of her work, pound for pound, is worth more than gold.

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Haile Selassie

Hailed as the black Christ by many in the Rastafarian community and described as the ‘King of Kings, Lord of Lords’, Ethiopian emperor, Haile Selassie, was also a visitor to Malvern.

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British cinema

Discover how three West Midlands men, £40 and four football matches pulled British cinema from obscurity and catapulted it firmly into the footlights on the world stage.

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Big cats

In the last 12 months there has been over 100 sightings of big cats around the West Midlands, and we don’t mean the overweight moggy from next door! We go on the trail to find out if pumas and panthers are prowling around a neighbourhood near you.

Expats
Eighty years ago Benidorm was a sleepy fishing village. Now over 10,000 Brits have turned it into one of Spain's most popular destinations for some much needed winter sun.

Football injuries

We investigate how many professional footballers are receiving substandard medical treatment. It's a problem that can destroy the careers of even the most highly paid players.

Robot man

They may not be able to climb stairs and their exterminator looks more like a sink plunger, but Daleks and their fellow robots are taking over the world. That’s if you believe Professor Kevin Warwick who prepares to join them as the first half man, half robot.

Series 1 (Sept-Nov 2002)

Organ transplants

Every year nearly 3,000 organ transplants take place in the UK. These transplants save people’s lives or drastically improve them. We meet Antony Hooker, the Midlands lifesaver who makes transplants happen.

Stand up comedy

Inside Out’s Adrian Goldberg swaps presenting for stand-up and tests his comedic flair in Birmingham’s top comedy venue, The Glee Club. With the help of Janice Connolly, alias Barbara Nice, her comedy persona, Adrian gets some vital comedy coaching.

Football clubs in crisis

Coventry and Port Vale could be on the brink of financial ruin. The collapse of ITV Digital has left them teetering on the edge of disaster. They've been left unpicking a financial nightmare of immense proportions.

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Exorcist

"Spirit of trauma out you go. In the name of Jesus out you go. By the power of God, by the stripes of Nazareth." - Trevor Newport, Deliverance Minister performing an exorcism.

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Life coach

Catapulted to fame in this summer’s Big Brother, Alison Hammond is something of a celebrity in Birmingham. Offers of television work have been pouring in, but before Alison makes any life changing decisions, we send her to a life coach Sean McPheat, for some essential advice.

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Budget airlines

Air travel is cheaper than it's ever been with low cost operators like EasyJet, Ryanair and Go flooding the market with bargain basement flights. You can now fly to more destinations on low cost airlines than ever before, and the list is growing. Great news for passengers!

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Dating divorcees

Already dubbed the 'Singleton society', Britain has over two million divorcees, 16,000 of them right here in the West Midlands. Inside Out discovers the difficulty of finding love in a nation of commitment-phobes.

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Pyramid selling

Fancy making £24,000? All you have to do is part with £3,000, cross your fingers and wait for the outcome. But you may lose everything in the process. Despite a wealth of bad publicity, pyramid selling is very much alive and kicking in the UK. The Midlands is no exception.

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Back to back housing

Birmingham's back to backs were built to house the rapidly increasing working population that swelled Britain's expanding industrial towns. The houses in Birmingham are the last surviving example of 'court' style back to back housing in England.