An artist from Solihull has created an unusual picture of an eagle, using paint and tyres.

Contemporary artist Ian Cook , external(as seen on YouTube) took a new tyre made by Birmingham-based Goodyear-Dunlop and started to create the image on a large canvas.

Nick Clitheroe
BBC Midlands Today

Amazingly the sun is out for Warwickshire's pre-season photo call.  

Joanne Malin
BBC Midlands Today

Police forces in the West Midlands have launched a clampdown on so-called car cruisers. 

Since February, the Central Motorway Police Group has stopped more than 50 drivers for various illegal street racing offences and seized 20 vehicles. 

It comes as two men were jailed for breaching an injunction in the Black Country where street racing is banned. 

Great Barr Observer

Police officers are appealing for information following an attempted burglary near Great Barr. , external

Image source, West Midlands Police

Nine people have been arrested on suspicion of murder after the body of a man was discovered at a hostel in Birmingham.

Police say the body of a 52-year-old man was found, external yesterday morning at a hostel on Durham Road, Sparkhill.

Eight men and a woman continue to be questioned by West Midlands Police.

Stephanie Barnard
BBC Local Live

You may have heard that Shakespeare is getting a Black Country makeover, as Hamlet becomes 'Yamlet'. 

Over the weekend, the story has been a hit on social media , externalas users made their opinions known.

Don't be left out, join the debate. Here's a quick reminder of the local take on the bard... 

Walsall Advertiser

Vulnerable, in-need Walsall youngsters are having to be turned away by the YMCA, external due to a surge in applicants and a lack of volunteers.

Image source, Walsall Advertiser

BBC Travel

There's severe delays on the M6 southbound at J7, A34 (Great Barr), because of a broken down lorry.

Travel time is about 70 minutes and congestion is building at J9, A461 (Wednesbury).

Earlier we told you that according to counter-terror police, properties were being searched in Birmingham. Here's more:

A 24-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of Syria-related terrorism offences before boarding a flight at Gatwick Airport, West Midlands Police says.

A woman, 20, was arrested at an address in west London. Both are being questioned in the West Midlands.

Searches are being carried out at two addresses in Birmingham.  

There was "no risk to any passengers at Gatwick Airport or to the wider public" related to the arrests, police said.  

Properties in Birmingham are being searched after a man and woman were arrested on suspicion of Syria-related offences, say counter-terror police.

Stephanie Barnard
BBC Local Live

The top stories in the BBC WM newsroom this morning:

- Birmingham City says it has not used the services of a doctor at the centre of doping allegations and has no knowledge or record of any of its players, past or present, doing so

- An inquest into the deaths of two friends from Birmingham, believed to have drowned while on holiday in Spain, is due to take place today

- More than 20,000 households in flood-hit areas in the West Midlands could get more help with their home insurance from this morning

BBC WM

Our top story this morning:

Birmingham City describe claims that a doctor supplied its players with banned, performance-enhancing drugs as "baseless". 

The Championship side was named in the Sunday Times as one of a number of clubs which used Mark Bonar, a private doctor in London.

A spokesman for Birmingham City said: "The club have not used the services of Mark Bonar and has no knowledge or record of any of our players, past or present, doing so."

Dr Bonar says the "allegations are false and very misleading".

BBC Weather

A largely dry but grey start across the region, before showers quickly edge northwards. 

Showers will give some heavy and thundery downpours in places, but there will be some sunny intervals this afternoon. Feeling cooler than yesterday with highs of 12C (54F).

Inquest into deaths of two friends from Birmingham believed to have drowned on holiday in Spain are due to take place today.

Lisa Coggins and Tracey Aston died in October last year in Lloret de Mar on the Costa Brava. 

BBC Travel

- There's heavy traffic on the M5 southbound between J2, A4123 (Oldbury) and J3, A456 (Halesowen) because of an accident

- One lane on the M6 is blocked southbound at J9, A461 (Wednesbury), because of a broken down vehicle

Stephanie Barnard
BBC Local Live

We'll be bringing you the latest news, sport, travel and weather live updates for Birmingham and the Black Country between now and 18:00.

If you'd like to get in touch with the BBC Local Live team today - email, tweet @BBCWM, external or get in touch via Facebook., external