Walsall Advertiser

Today's front page of the Walsall Advertiser, external features the latest on two men accused of funding Syria-related terrorism.

Image source, Walsall Advertiser

A driver on his way to work on Christmas Day morning was car-jacked by a man who pretended to be asking for a lift on a petrol station forecourt in Birmingham, say police.

The 51-year-old driver was at Texaco petrol station, Stratford Road, Sparkbrook, when he was approached by a man asking for a lift at around 06:40.

When the car owner refused, he was punched several times and the thief managed to take the keys to the Black VW Golf, said the West Midlands force.

Footage shows the car owner try to enter the car on the passenger side unsuccessfully and he was briefly dragged along before the suspect made his getaway.

He suffered minor injuries. The force, which said the car had not yet been recovered, is appealing for information.

Here are some of the top stories around Birmingham and the Black Country this morning:

- Giving blankets and money "could be making homelessness problem worse", it has been claimed

- Motorists' fines totalling more than £6m for driving in Birmingham's bus lanes have been used by the council to fund public services, an ex-MP claims

- BBC Radio 5 live is behind the scenes at Queen Elizabeth Hospital Birmingham

BBC WM Sport

In cricket, Warwickshire has just announced that Ian Bell is their new captain, external. 

He replaces Varun Chopra, who is stepping down to concentrate on his batting. 

Bell has been with Warwickshire since the age of 10, and has since gone on to play for England in more than 100 Test matches, before he was dropped for the current tour of South Africa. 

You will be able to hear from him here on BBC WM this afternoon. 

Image source, Getty Images

We're going to have some rain showers working their way across the region. Find out what the outlook is like tonight and tomorrow morning.

Four children aged between eight and 14 were at the centre of Judge Hilary Waton's inquiries at a family court hearing in Coventry, which heard allegations had been made about a man they knew.

The judge made a series of findings of fact after analysing evidence.

She said police were involved but she did not reveal whether anyone has been charged with any offence.

The children, under the responsibility of Coventry City Council, spoke of travelling to Birmingham on a bus and indicated that the hotel was in the city.

Judge Watson said some of the "suggestions" might seem "fantastical", but concluded they were probably a "grim reality".

No one was identified in a written ruling.

Phil Mackie
Midlands correspondent, BBC News

I visited the maxillofacial lab, where workers known as prosthetists create artificial replacements for missing facial parts.

Prosthetist Stefan Edmondson and his colleague Andrew showed him some of the models they had produced, including a pair of 3D printed skulls.

Listen live to our coverage behind the scenes today.

Giving out blankets and money to rough sleepers in Birmingham could be making the problem worse - that is what we have been told.

The claims have come from Andrea Galley who works for Reachout Network ministries.

Darren Nicholas is homeless in Birmingham, and he told us it was not fair that a small minority of rough sleepers were selling their donations.

Children were made to perform "sexual activities" with each other - and animals - at a Birmingham hotel, a family court judge has concluded.

A small crowd has gathered outside Malmaison in Birmingham in the hope of seeing some of the stars of the Strictly Come Dancing Live! tour, external, as it starts at the city's Barclayscard Arena tomorrow.

Reena Gill, who is on maternity leave from TSB bank with her eight-month-old Jack, was among those waiting.

Mrs Gill said: "I just love the show - the glitz and the glamour takes you to another world. I don't do much dancing myself though unless you count in the living room, when no is watching, with an eight-month-old!"

She said she was most looking forward to seeing Anita Rani dancing with Gleb Savchenko when the tour began.

BBC 5Live

At the Queen Elizabeth Hospital Birmingham burns centre, the walls are adorned with pictures of icy scenes - designed to encourage patients to heal quicker.

Burns specalists Professor Steve Jeffrey, and nurse Liz Shale, said they chose the designs to "aid wound healing".

They explained to 5 Live’s Nicky Campbell why other decorations, such as mirror placement and use of patient photos, could help burns patients come to terms with their injuries.

Tamworth Herald

"Devastated" was one of the words used by the family of Fallan Kurek after they were presented with the stark details of her death, external, which happened in May last yea.

Image source, Tamworth Herald

Car manufacturing in the UK has reached a 10-year high, with almost 1.6 million vehicles made here in the last year. 

Nearly 80% were exported abroad, despite falling sales to China and Russia.

Jaguar Land Rover, which has an engine manufacturing plant in South Staffordshire, had a record-breaking year. 

In 2015 it built just under half a million cars and overtook Nissan to become Britain's largest carmaker.

BBC WM Sport

West Bromwich Albion keeper Ben Foster is warning that 40 points may not be enough to ensure Premier League survival this season, going into this Saturday's derby with bottom club Aston Villa.

Albion, in 13th, will start the day 15 points ahead of struggling Villa.

Image source, Getty Images

But Albion are only five points clear of trouble themselves and Foster warns: "You know what the derby game with Villa is all about.

"It's going to be full-blooded. Two teams who badly need the points."

Alex Homer
BBC Local Live

Here are the top stories in the BBC WM newsroom on Thursday:

- Giving blankets and money "could be making homelessness problem worse", it has been claimed

- Motorists' fines totalling more than £6m for driving in Birmingham's bus lanes have been used by the council to fund public services, an ex-MP claims

- We're behind the scenes at Queen Elizabeth Hospital Birmingham

We should expect quite a soggy day despite a dry start. Highs of 6C (43F).

Find out what else is in store for us.

BBC Radio 5 Live

The majority of us will have visited or been patients at a hospital at some point in our lives, but what is it like behind the scenes?

For 24 hours, BBC 5 Live broadcasts live from one of the UK's busiest hospitals - Queen Elizabeth Hospital Birmingham, external - to meet the people who make you better.

From the prosthetics lab to A&E, the cleaners to the CEO, our reporters bring you a snapshot of life at the hospital. Listen live today.  

Alex Homer
BBC Local Live

Motorists' fines totalling more than £6m for driving in Birmingham's bus lanes have been used by a council to fund public services, an ex-MP claims.

Cameras were put at 10 sites in September 2013 and two more in 2014.

Image source, Google

In the first two years cameras operated, 213,774 penalty charge notices were issued, a Freedom of Information (FOI) request showed.

Former Lib Dem MP John Hemming said the council had been "economical with the truth" on how it would spend the money.

BBC Travel

One is blocked and there is heavy traffic on the M42 southbound between J7 for the M6 and J6 for Birmingham Airport, because of a crash.

Alex Homer
BBC Local Live

I'm back in the BBC WM newsroom with the latest news, sport, travel and weather updates.

If you want to comment on our stories or share your pictures, email us, tweet @bbcwm, external or contact us on the BBC WM Facebook page, external.