End of live updatespublished at 18:02 British Summer Time 30 March 2016
That's it for live updates today. We'll be back from 08:00 on Thursday with the latest news, sport, travel and weather for Birmingham and the Black Country.
Summary
Updates on Wednesday 30 March 2016
More news, sport, travel and weather from 08:00 on Thursday
End of live updatespublished at 18:02 British Summer Time 30 March 2016
Photos: Crews' progress at recycling plant firepublished at 18:01 British Summer Time 30 March 2016
Fifty firefighters remain in Saltley after a fire at a recycling plant.
We're told that there are still pockets of burning material on the site and crews will remain there for several hours.
Here are the latest pictures, external, including this one taken from the sky of all the hoses.
Image source, West Midlands Fire Service
Image source, West Midlands Fire ServiceNew flights at Birmingham Airportpublished at 17:55 British Summer Time 30 March 2016
Steve Hermon
Journalist, BBC WMBirmingham Airport has received a double boost today with the start of new services by Qatar Airways and Ryanair.
Qatar will fly eight times a week to the capital Doha, external helping to strengthen the region's links with Asia and Africa.
Sandwell Hospital calls on help to ease pressurepublished at 17:51 British Summer Time 30 March 2016
Great Barr ObserverBosses at Sandwell and West Birmingham Hospitals NHS Trust, external – the body in charge of Sandwell General – are calling on more support from care homes following news that extra beds have been brought in to cope with demand.
Image source, Great Barr ObserverPolice officer charged with assaulting a man in custodypublished at 17:46 British Summer Time 30 March 2016
A serving West Midlands Police officer has been charged with assaulting a man in custody, according to the Independent Police Complaints Commission.
The IPCC says Police Sergeant Jason Hayles, 44, will appear before Birmingham Crown Court tomorrow charged with assault occasioning actual bodily harm at Stechford Police Station, Birmingham, on 25 March last year.
Latest headlines: Government focused on Tata deal; police officer charged with assaultpublished at 17:38 British Summer Time 30 March 2016
Stephanie Barnard
BBC Local LiveThe top stories in the BBC WM newsroom this evening:
- The government says it's completely focused on working with Tata Steel to find a new buyer for its UK businesses, including ones in the West Midlands
- Aston Villa's newly restructured football board will discuss Remi Garde's replacement tomorrow, the BBC understands
- A serving West Midlands Police officer has been charged with assaulting a man in custody
Overnight forecastpublished at 17:31 British Summer Time 30 March 2016
Any lingering showers will soon die out, to leave a dry night with clear spells across the region.
Under the clear spells a widespread frost will develop, with a few mist and fog patches also forming with lows of -3C (27F).
Media caption, Weather for the West Midlands
Birmingham recycling plant fire was 'accidental,' says fire servicepublished at 17:18 British Summer Time 30 March 2016
Breaking
Chris Blakemore
BBC WMThe fire at a recycling site in Birmingham was started "accidently", says West Midlands Fire Service.
Ben Diamond says 50 firefighters remain at the scene and investigators have been at the site.
The metal and plastics piles which caught fire yesterday (pictured) contained items including crushed cars.
Image source, West Midlands Fire ServiceErdington man duped into buying two Pepsi bottles for £500published at 17:16 British Summer Time 30 March 2016
Royal Sutton Coldfield Observer
Image source, Sutton Coldfield ObserverHull against Villa approach for Brucepublished at 17:02 British Summer Time 30 March 2016
BBC SportBruce, 55, is a candidate to succeed the departing Remi Garde, along with Nigel Pearson, David Moyes and Sean Dyche.
Image source, Getty ImagesQuote MessageNo approach has been made nor would one be welcome.
Spokesman, Hull City
New timetables after complaints on Wolverhampton busespublished at 16:47 British Summer Time 30 March 2016
Book of condolence for Sandwell Council leaderpublished at 16:38 British Summer Time 30 March 2016
The acting leader of Sandwell Council says there will be a public commemoration of Darren Cooper in the near future.
Steve Eling led a minute's silence for staff in memory of the Sandwell Council leader who died suddenly over the Easter weekend.
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End of X postVideo: Fire continues to burn at a Birmingham recycling plantpublished at 16:22 British Summer Time 30 March 2016
Firefighters remain at a recycling plant in Saltley.
At its height more than 100 firefighters attended the blaze which involved two large piles of plastic and metal.
Media caption, A fire continues to burn at a recycling plant in Birmingham but is now under control
Wednesbury teen goes missing with babypublished at 16:05 British Summer Time 30 March 2016
Image source, Walsall AdvertiserTata Steel: Workers' reactionpublished at 15:49 British Summer Time 30 March 2016
Rob Mayor
Black Country Political Reporter, BBC WMAt the moment it's business as usual at TATA in Wednesfield.
Workers I've spoken to say they've not been told anything about the situation, but they've been through restructuring before and have everything crossed.
Tata Steel said it could not give an "open ended" commitment to keep the UK plants open while a buyer was sought.
Birmingham flights to Doha startpublished at 15:31 British Summer Time 30 March 2016
Peter Plisner
BBC Midlands TodayBirmingham Airport is to get a new regular service to Doha, flown by Qatar Airways.
Media caption, The airline will fly eight times a week to Doha.
Villa want Briton to replace Gardepublished at 15:10 British Summer Time 30 March 2016
BBC SportAston Villa want a British manager to succeed sacked Frenchman Remi Garde,BBC Sport understands.
Former Leicester manager Nigel Pearson and ex-Manchester United boss David Moyes have been tipped as replacements.
Image source, Getty ImagesImage caption, Pearson, Moyes, Dyche and Bruce are all possible candidates
But Burnley's Sean Dyche and Hull's Steve Bruce are also possible candidates.
Former Villa player and manager Brian Little, who recently joined the club's board of directors, will play a key role in the selection process but there is no rush to make an appointment.
Have your say: Aston Villa 'not good enough for the Premier League'published at 14:47 British Summer Time 30 March 2016
Stephanie Barnard
BBC Local LiveWe posted a video on Facebook earlier, external asking "How bad is Remi Garde really?" compared to other Premier League bosses.
You got in touch with your comments:
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End of X postMark Egan posts on Facebook:, external There's a common theme amongst all of them - the squads they were working with weren't good enough for the Premier League. Simple as that.
Matthew Barrall adds:, external Glad Garde has gone. Players need to take the blame for such a poor poor season.
Touching tribute to Walsall parents unveiled at RNLI lifeboat stationpublished at 14:35 British Summer Time 30 March 2016
Loving Walsall siblings have ensured the memory of their RNLI-supporting parents will live, external on with a "fitting tribute" at the lifeboat station.
Image source, Walsall AdvertiserCCTV appeal after man spat in face of bookiepublished at 14:16 British Summer Time 30 March 2016
Police are seeking this man to help with their investigations after an abusive customer spat in the face of an employee at a betting shop.
Officers say the staff member was assaulted when the customer was prevented from charging his laptop.
It happened at a branch of Bet Fred in Walsall town centre on 2 March at 19.10.
Image source, West Midlands Police
