Summary

  • Updates for Thursday 5 May 2016

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

Live Reporting

  1. 'Severe' kitchen fire in Birmingham flat

    Stephanie Barnard
    BBC Local Live

    Firefighters have tackled a "severe" house fire in Handsworth Wood this afternoon.

    Three crews from Aston, Handsworth and Perry Barr received a 999 call at 13:49 alerting them to a blaze in a kitchen on the building's first floor.

    A spokesman says no injuries have been reported.

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  2. Domestic violence charity closes due to funding shortage

    A domestic violence charity in Walsall has closed amid funding difficulties.

    Walsall Domestic Violence Forum released a statement on Facebook saying: "We have fought long and hard over many years to secure the necessary funds to continue our support services for victims of DV. However, sadly we have now lost that battle."

    The charity closed its doors for the final time yesterday.

  3. Watch: Pretty in pink - 100-year-old woman models in Vogue

    A 100-year-old woman has made history by becoming the oldest model to feature in Vogue.

    Bo Gilbert, who lives in a housing facility in Warwickshire, was chosen by Harvey Nichols for a special campaign to celebrate the magazine's 100th anniversary.

    Bo Gilbert never goes out without heels and make-up

    The 100-year-old previously worked at a cardboard box manufacturing firm in Birmingham after moving to the city as a teenager.

  4. Court: Kenichi Phillips shooting

    Here's more on our earlier story about a man accused of murdering an 18-year-oldwho was killed in a drive-by shooting.

    Screen grab of online story

  5. Cat shot in the face 'by shotgun'

    A cat has lost part of its tongue after being struck by a bullet which went through its nostril, mouth and neck, the RSPCA says. 

    The six-year-old, called Tom, was found injured by his owner on 23 April, near his Lichfield home.

    A vet discovered that the bullet - thought to be from a shotgun, the charity said - had caused serious injuries to Tom's face and teeth. His eyesight is also damaged.

    TomRSPCA

    It’s thrown me off my feet because this happening to Tom has made me feel like I’ve lost an arm because we are so close and he follows me everywhere. I feel so helpless that I can’t help him more.

    Amanda Dukes, Tom's owner

    Anyone with information is urged to contact the charity, which says Tom is lucky to be alive, on 0300 123 8018.

  6. Baggies announce new shirt sponsor

    BBC WM Sport

    West Bromwich Albion have signed what they call a record commercial deal with online casino UK-K8.com to be The Baggies' new shirt sponsor.

    The Chinese-based firm has agreed an initial two-year deal with Albion, which hopes to grow a fan-base in Asia as a result. 

  7. Rail delays in Stourbridge cleared

    The faulty train in Stourbridge which caused delays has now been cleared, says London Midland.

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  8. Latest headlines: Man appears in court over murder charge; super cars for private hire in Wolverhampton

    The top stories in the BBC WM newsroom this lunchtime:

    - A man has appeared before magistrates charged with murdering a Birmingham teenager who was shot as he sat in a car

    - Lamborghini and Rolls-Royce have been licensed for use as private hire cabs in Wolverhampton  

    - A baby elephant at the West Midland Safari Park named after cancer fundraiser Stephen Sutton has celebrated his second birthday

  10. Walsall boss Whitney remains positive

    BBC Sport

    Walsall interim boss Jon Whitney insists that the Saddlers are still highly optimistic going into this Sunday's League One finale.

    To earn the second automatic promotion place, Whitney's side must win at Port Vale and hope that Burton Albion lose at all-but relegated Doncaster Rovers.

    But Devante Cole's late goal at Bescot for Fleetwood on Monday means they now need an extra swing in goal difference.

    Walsall interim boss Jon WhitneyEmpics

    If you look at it another way, we've got the 2-0 win. We've got momentum now. Our intention was to keep it going for as long as we can. We're going to carry it forward to next week and see where it takes us

    Jon Whitney, Interim Walsall manager

  11. Man appears in court on murder charge

    Louise Hancock
    Newsreader, BBC WM

    A man has appeared before magistrates charged with murdering Birmingham teenager Kenichi Phillips who was shot as he sat in a car in Ladywood in March. 

    Dean Silvera, 37, from Stamford Grove in Perry Barr was remanded back into custody to appear at crown court next week. 

  12. Blinders star says Brummie accent 'sexy'

    "The Birmingham accent is sexy," says Peaky Blinders star Cillian Murphy.

    Last night he was in Birmingham for the series three premiere. 

    Cillian Murphy

    The 39-year-old says he would test out his Brummie accent on Peaky Blinders' creator, Steve Knight, who was born in the city.

    "I would call him up and leave messages on his phone and see if he approves."

  13. May 2016 local council elections in the Black Country and Staffordshire

    Express and Star

    Voters head to the polls today across the region to vote in the local council elections. Read more.

  14. Man due in court over Kenichi Phillips shooting

    Louise Hancock
    Newsreader, BBC WM

    A man charged with the murder of Birmingham teenager Kenichi Phillips is due before city magistrates later. 

    Dean Silvera, 37, from Perry Barr, is the second person to be charged with murdering the 18-year-old who was shot dead in March as he sat in a car in Ladywood. A 17-year-old was charged last month.

    Kenichi PhillipsFacebook

    Kenichi Phillips

    A 22-year-old man arrested on suspicion of murder the day after the shooting remains on police bail while investigations continue.

  15. Trains delayed in the Strourbridge area

    Train services in the Stourbridge area are disrupted.

    London Midland advises that road transport is being used temporarily.

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  16. Delivery company could be affected by BHS administration

    Amy Cole
    BBC Midlands Today

    Drivers and warehouse staff who deliver goods to BHS stores could be affected by the high street chain going into administration. 

    The Unite union says 60 drivers and 300 warehouse staff work at DHL, based at Atherstone near Coventry, and supply 164 stores. 

    BHS store in Birmingham

    Unite is calling for urgent talks with DHL management, but they say it's too early to speculate on what will happen while discussions are continuing with administrators.  

  18. Polling stations open for West Midlands PCC and local elections

    Voters are heading to the ballot boxes after polling stations opened for local elections across the West Midlands.

    The election of the West Midlands Police and Crime Commissioner is also taking place, alongside ballots for seats on councils in Birmingham, Dudley, Sandwell, Solihull, Sutton Coldfield and Wolverhampton.

    Polling stations opened their doors at 07:00 and will close at 22:00.

    Ballot paperThinkstock

  19. Hundreds gather for a red carpet screening of Peaky Blinders

    Hundreds of fans of the Birmingham based gangster drama Peaky Blinders turned out for a special screening of the new series in the city.

    Stars including Cillian Murphy who plays the lead character Tommy Shelby, attended the red carpet event at the Everyman Cinema.

  20. Latest headlines: Second man due in court on murder charge; delivery company could be affected by BHS administration

    Stephanie Barnard
    BBC Local Live

    The top news stories that we're looking at in the newsroom this morning include:

    - A second man charged with the murder of a Birmingham teenager Kenichi Phillips is due before magistrates later

    - Drivers and warehouse staff who deliver goods to BHS stores could be affected by the high street chain going into administration

    - Birmingham City manager Gary Rowett, who was at the Peaky Blinders premiere last night, says he'll take inspiration from lead character Tommy Shelby - promising to be ruthless