Summary

  • Updates on Wednesday 30 March 2016

  • More news, sport, travel and weather from 08:00 on Thursday

Live Reporting

  1. One-minute silence held for council leader Darren Cooper

    Members of Sandwell Council gathered in the town centre today for a one-minute silence to remember Darren Cooper.

    The council leader died suddenly over the Easter weekend.

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    Books of condolence have opened at the Council House in Oldbury and Smethwick Library today.

  2. At the scene: Scrapyard fire latest

    Elizabeth Glinka
    BBC Midlands Today

    Efforts are continuing to put out a major fire at a scrap yard in Birmingham this lunchtime. 

    At its height yesterday more than 100 firefighters were called to the recycling plant in Saltley after tonnes of metal went up in flames.

    There had been concerns about gas and electricity supplies lying very close to the site, but the fire has now been brought under control:

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  3. Two men injured after quad bike hits wall

    Two men in their 20s are being treated in hospital after the quad bike they were riding hit a wall.

    West Midlands Ambulance Service says it was called to the crash, near Cherry Orchard Road and Coopers Road in Handsworth, at 1.50.

    One of the men was taken to the QE Hospital with a suspected head injury. The second suffered shoulder pain and some cuts to his face. 

  4. Latest headlines: Search for new Villa manager starts; Trade union calls for government to find steel investors

    Stephanie Barnard
    BBC Local Live

    The top stories in the BBC WM newsroom this lunchtime include:

    - Aston Villa Football Club is looking for a new manager after the departure of Remi Garde

    - The steelworkers trade union says the government needs to intervene and help find new investors for Tata Steel

    - Firefighters remain at a recycling plant in Birmingham that was the scene of a huge fire yesterday

  6. Future of Tata Steel jobs in doubt across the West Midlands

    There's uncertainty over the future of hundreds of jobs across the West Midlands after the news that Tata Steel plans to sell its loss-making UK business.

    The Indian firm has sites in Wednesbury, Walsall, Halesowen, Willenhall and Brierley Hill (pictured), along with an office in Birmingham. 

    The UK and Welsh governments have insisted they are working "tirelessly" to ensure the future of the British steel industry, while analysts say a sale may be complicated amid difficult trading conditions.

    Tata Brierley HillGoogle

    I think it is unlikely we will see a buyer for the business as a whole.

    Colin Hamilton, Commodities expert at Macquarie Group

  7. How bad is Remi Garde really?

    BBC WM Sport

    Garde's record of two wins from 20 matches makes him the worst Villa boss in the Premier League era. 

    He suffered heavy defeats at Everton, Man City and most notably at home to Liverpool, but how does his record compare to struggling managers at other clubs over the years? Watch our video to find out.

    Aston Villa: How bad is Remi Garde really?

    Meanwhile, assistant manager Eric Black will take charge of Villa until a new man's appointed.

    Former Leicester boss Nigel Pearson and former Blues boss Steve Bruce are among the bookies' favourites.

  10. Latest headlines: Remi Garde leaves Villa; 70 firefighters tackle blaze at scrapyard overnight

    Stephanie Barnard
    BBC Local Live

    The top news stories for Birmingham and the Black Country this morning include:

    - Aston Villa have parted company with their manager Remi Garde by mutual consent

    - Seventy firefighters have been working overnight to tackle a blaze at a recycling plant in Birmingham that began on Tuesday afternoon.

    - There's uncertainty over the future of hundreds of jobs across the West Midlands as Tata Steel plans to sell its loss-making UK business

  11. One-minute silence to be held for Sandwell Council leader at 11am

    A one-minute silence is to be held in memory of Sandwell Council leader Darren Cooper at 11:00.

    The council says staff will be gathering in Oldbury Civic Square this morning. Afterwards, a book of condolence will open at Sandwell Council House and also Smethwick Library.

    The 52-year-old died suddenly on Saturday.

    Sandwell Council leader Darren CooperSandwell Council

    We just want to thank everyone for their kind words following the sad death of Councillor Darren Cooper over the weekend. Your wonderful tributes and comments mean a lot to us all at this very sad time.

    Sandwell Council

  12. 1,000 patients forced to wait 12 hours at Walsall Manor Hospital

    Express and Star

    More than 1,000 people had to wait over 12 hours to be seen at Walsall Manor Hospital’s A&E department last year, new figures have revealed.

    Walsall Manor HospitalExpress and Star

  13. M6 southbound delays at Wednesbury

    BBC Travel

    One lane closed on the M6 southbound between J9, A461 (Wednesbury) and J8 M5, because of an accident. 

    Drivers are warned to expect delays.

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  14. Man jailed for killing friend with punch

    A man has been jailed for three years after killing a friend who asked to be punched in the face, police said.

    Patrick Ryan (pictured left), 25, hit Phillip Evans (pictured right) while they were were drinking on 11 October, after Mr Evans claimed he had "never been knocked out before".

    The 42-year-old could not be revived, Wolverhampton Crown Court heard.

    Patrick Ryan and Phillip EvansWest Midlands Police

  15. Firefighters remain at scrapyard blaze after working through the night

    Stephanie Barnard
    BBC Local Live

    Firefighters will remain at a scrap metal yard in Birmingham for the next few days to deal with the aftermath of yesterday's "severe" blaze.

    The emergency services say they received more than 100 calls alerting them to the site in Saltley as plumes of thick black smoke were spotted across the city.

    Huge recycling yard fire breaks out in Birmingham

    People in the area were advised to keep their doors and windows closed after about 800 tonnes of metal and mixed plastic caught fire.

    Crews have been working throughout the night to bring it under control.

  16. Weather: A chilly start but a chance of light showers later

    Kaye Forster
    Weather Presenter, BBC Midlands Today

    A frosty start for some this morning, followed by a day of sunshine and occasional showers. 

    The showers may turn heavy in places, with the risk of thunder and hail too with highs of 12C (54F).

    Latest weather forecast for the West Midlands

  17. Road closure in Saltley after scrapyard blaze

    BBC Travel

    - Landor Street in Saltley is closed in both directions around the Arden Road junction, because of yesterday's scrapyard fire

    - There's heavy traffic on the A449 in both directions in Fordhouses, Wolverhampton between the M54 J2 junction and the Bee Lane junction 

    For the latest disruptions visit BBC Travel.

  18. Remi Garde leaves Aston Villa

    Aston Villa has parted company with manager Remi Garde by mutual consent. 

    The 49-year-old Frenchman had been in charge of the Premier League's bottom club for only four months. 

    He was appointed in November, but has been unable to prevent the slide towards relegation.

    Remi GardeGetty Images

  19. Good morning: Live updates for Birmingham and the Black Country

    Stephanie Barnard
    BBC Local Live

    I'm in the BBC WM newsroom bringing you the latest news, sport, travel and weather updates for Birmingham and the Black Country.

    If you'd like to get in touch about any of the updates we're featuring, email, tweet @BBCWM or get in touch via Facebook.