Updates on Monday 14 December 2015
News, sport, travel and weather updates to resume at 08:00 on Tuesday
Watch as demolition work begins on Birmingham's former Central Library.
Built in the 1970s in the brutal13ist style, the building has divided public opinion over the years.
The project is expected to take many months
Amy Cole
BBC Midlands Today
On BBC Midlands Today this lunchtime demolition work has begun on one of Birmingham's landmark buildings.
The old Central Library, built in the 1970s, has divided public opinion over the years with Prince Charles widely reported to have described it as "an unmitigated disaster."
Campaigners, however, have continued to fight for its survival.
Join me for more on this story and others on BBC One at 13:30.
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A man appears in court charged with causing the deaths of two sisters by dangerous driving in Birmingham.
Image source, Wilkes Green Infant School
Sarah Falkland
BBC Midlands Today reporter
The first bite out of the old Birmingham library. Be warned though this is going to take a few months to be taken down piece-by-piece.
Up to 25 inmates, some brandishing table legs and chairs, external, were involved in a riot at Swinfen Hall prison and young offenders institution.
Image source, Lichfield Mercury
BBC WM Sport
Former Blues winger Jose Dominguez says becoming the new manager of Walsall would be amazing.
Image source, PAThe Portuguese winger's says he's applied for the vacancy after Dean Smith left the club to join Brentford.
The 41-year-old said: "It would be a fantastic move for me to move to a team like Walsall, to a place that I get a lot of love from everybody because of Birmingham City. I know the Midlands very well and it would be amazing for me."
Rain is working its way through the afternoon - so don't forget your brolly if you're popping out.
Latest weather for the West Midlands
Steve Hermon
Journalist, BBC WM
A crowd is gathering ahead of demolition of Birmingham Central Library.
Police are appealing for information in finding a Walsall woman, external who has been missing since last week.
Image source, West Midlands PoliceThe Birmingham Independent Improvement Panel, which was appointed by the government to monitor Birmingham City Council's Improvement Programme, is holding a public meeting later at midday.
The meeting will look at the city council's report on the progress, external it's made addressing Lord Kereslake's recommendations which includes turning around the failing children's services.
A man's in a critical condition after being stabbed in Edgbaston, external on Saturday afternoon
The 25-year-old had been stabbed in the neck and stomach while in his flat on Shepherds Gardens.
Steve Hermon
Journalist, BBC WM
Love it or loathe it the bulldozers are here. This is the view as the giant diggers prepare to demolish the library.
Contractors say the work would last for approximately 18 months and is expected to be completed in 2025.
Disused garage sites across Tamworth could be torn down, external to pave the way for 19 new council homes.
Image source, Tamworth HeraldSteve Hermon
Journalist, BBC WM
I'm at the demolition of the Central Library in Birmingham which starts today.
The building is being bulldozed as part of a £500m regeneration scheme of Paradise Circus to create new office space, shops and walkways.
Children Service Departments judged inadequate by Ofsted will have six months to improve, under plans announced by David Cameron.
Commissioners will go to Sandwell children's services with a view of taking the department over within a year, the government has announced
The PM said: "It shows how serious we are about confronting state failure and tackling some of the biggest social problems in our country."
BBC Sport
West Brom manager Tony Pulis says the effort put in by teams like his make the Premier League the "greatest" league in the world, after a 2-2 draw with Liverpool at Anfield.
Amy Cole
BBC Midlands Today
Police have charged 39 motorists with drink driving offences, externalduring the first week of their Christmas crack down.
Since the beginning of this month 49 people have been arrested for being over the limit - 39 of who are now due to appear in court.
The highest recorded breath test so far has been three times over the legal limit.
Officers have also arrested 13 people for driving while under the influence of drugs, that's compared with only two the year before.
Match of the Day 2 pundit Alan Shearer says Aston Villa might have to start planning for the Championship in the January transfer window.
Image source, BBC Sport
Stephanie Barnard
BBC Local Live
The top stories in the newsroom at 09:00:
- Government appointed commissioners are being sent into Sandwell with a view to taking over the protection of vulnerable children
- West Midlands Police charge 39 people with drink driving since the Christmas crackdown was launched two weeks ago
- "I cannot see Aston Villa staying up now," says Alan Shearer following the 2-0 defeat against Arsenal
Police have launched ahate crime investigation after ex-footballer Paul Gascoigne allegedly made a racist joke, externalduring a performance at Wolverhampton Civic Hall.
