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Dudley Zoological Gardens has been holding royal celebrations for two milestone birthdays - the Queen’s 90th and that of its own regal resident, Asiatic lioness Kyra, who turns 10 today.

Keepers helped the lion into the patriotic spirit.

Image source, DZG

Express and Star

Grieving parents who were wrongly put under suspicion of causing their baby’s death have had their complaint against West Mercia Police dismissed, external.

Image source, Express & Star

Election 2016

Elections for police and crime commissioners will take place in the West Midlands on 5 May. 

Here is a guide to what PCCs do and how the system, introduced in 2012, works.  

Image source, bbc

Amy Cole
BBC Midlands Today

A plan to build more than 50,000 homes in Birmingham has been approved by the government, with 6,000 being destined for greenbelt land. 

A man is at the centre of a planning row after coming up with an unusual solution to his housing problem.

And you have probably heard by now Her Majesty the Queen is 90 years old today. Cadbury came up with its own way to mark the occasion. 

More on these stories and others on Midlands Today on BBC One at 18:30.

Shefali Oza
BBC Midlands Today

More cloud is on our way as well as some light, patchy rain.

Lows of 6C (43F). Find out more.

A plan to build more than 50,000 homes in Birmingham has been approved by government, despite anger that 6,000 are destined for greenbelt land in Sutton Coldfield.

The blueprint earmarks land for 51,100 homes, 300 hectares (740 acres) for business premises, 350,000 sqm of retail floor space and 745,000 sqm of office space across the city. Birmingham's population is expected to rise by 150,000 by 2031.

Image source, Suzanne Webb

Suzanne Webb, spokeswoman for campaign group Project Fields, said members were "absolutely devastated" by the decision.

But builder Kris Henscoe, said: "The greenbelt is the only place you're going to find land substantial enough to take the number of houses the area needs."

Alex Homer
BBC Local Live

If you are just catching up on Thursday's news, here are some of the stories we have been covering:

- A plan earmarking where homes will be built across Birmingham has been approved by government despite a row over homes on greenbelt land near Sutton Coldfield

- A robber fashioned a balaclava out of trousers but was rumbled when police found a one-legged pair at his house.

- A major road through Handsworth remains closed after a fire in a derelict pub

A second person has been arrested on suspicion of the murder of a teenager shot dead in a car in Birmingham, police say, external.

Expectant father Kenichi Phillips, 18, was killed as he sat in a Seat Leon on St Marks Crescent shortly before 19:00 GMT on 17 March.

Image source, West Midlands Police

Police said they detained a 17-year-old at around 07:00 today at a Smethwick address and he remains in custody.

A 22-year-old man who was arrested on suspicion of murder the day after the shooting is still on police bail pending further inquiries.

Soho Road remains closed while firefighters damp down at the scene of the fire in a derelict pub, The Beehive, we reported earlier.

Louise Hancock
Newsreader, BBC WM

Lloyds Bank has told us it is "too early to say" whether staff at their Wolverhampton office will be affected by plans to axe 430 jobs.

The Unite union claims the cuts will affect several of the bank's divisions, including consumer finance, commercial banking and legal.

The bank has also confirmed today it will be closing 21 branches during July.

BBC WM Sport

Captain Michael Morrison says the Birmingham City players have accepted the criticism aimed at them by manager Gary Rowett after their draw with Preston North End.

Rowett was furious after his side lost a two-goal lead to be held 2-2 at St Andrew's to end any hope of making the Championship play-offs.

BBC Midlands Today

Work starts today on a new cancer centre at Birmingham Children's Hospital, external. 

The £37m building also includes the UK's first centre for rare diseases, external.

The unit will provide care for about 250 cancer patients a year, from across the Midlands. It's expected to open by the end of next year.  

Grapevine Birmingham

Pizza fans, pay attention! A festival dedicated entirely to pizza, external is coming to Lab 11 Complex, in Digbeth, Birmingham. 

Image source, Grapevine Birmingham

Alex Homer
BBC Local Live

Here is a recap of the top stories on Thursday so far:

- A blueprint for development in Birmingham has been approved by government amid a row over homes on greenbelt land near Sutton Coldfield

- Work starts today on a new cancer centre at Birmingham Children's Hospital

- Chocolatiers at Cadbury World in Bournville crafted a tasty Buckingham Palace to mark The Queen's 90th birthday

Royal Sutton Coldfield Observer

Up to 6,000 new homes and a 71-hectare employment site is set to be built on Sutton Coldfield greenbelt after the government planning inspectorate endorsed the Birmingham Development Plan, external.  

Adrian Goldberg
Presenter, BBC WM

Jasper Carrott has today paid his own tribute to Victoria Wood, with whom he toured for about 12 months during the 1970s when she was starting her career.

He said he was "privileged" to help to hone the "remarkable talent" of the former Birmingham University student when she was starting out as a performer and writer.

He said she would "never settle for something that would get a laugh when she knew it could get a big laugh."

Image source, PA

There are around 25 firefighters at the scene.

There was a hole in a robber's plan - in the trousers he used to fashion a homemade balaclava, police have said., external

The one-legged garment found by officers at Paul Bartlett's home was enough for police to link him to a DIY mask worn in a string of robberies.

He carried out three shop raids in as many days in Sutton Coldfield where, alongside accomplice Adam Breen, he made off with cash, cigarettes and alcohol.

Image source, West Midlands Police

Bartlett, who had 27 previous convictions for 78 offences, including 45 for theft and burglary, admitted four counts of robbery and was jailed for 13 years. Breen was found guilty of the shop raids and handed a five year and two month prison term.

Image source, West Midlands Police

Sarah Falkland
BBC Midlands Today

The government's controversially sanctioned the release of two swathes of green belt in the Birmingham area and The Queen is rarely seen without her handbag but did you know her favourite brand is made in the Black Country?

More on these stories and more on Midlands Today on BBC One at 13:30.