A police officer who made a hoax 999 call to his own force claiming a fellow officer was going to be kidnapped by terrorists has been jailed for seven years.

"Unprecedented" action was taken by West Midlands Police to protect officers after PC Amar Tasaddiq Hussain's call in December 2014.

He said an officer would be kidnapped by a radical Muslim with links to so-called Islamic State.  

Jailing Hussain at Stafford Crown Court, Judge Michael Chambers QC said the 29-year-old showed no remorse and pleaded not guilty in the face of overwhelming evidence. 

Charlie Slater
BBC Weather presenter

Some warm spells of sunshine developing this afternoon, with the possibility of isolated showers towards the west later and top temperatures of 18C (64F).  

Birmingham City Council says it is meeting with social workers today to support them following yesterday's broadcast of a critical documentary, external - branded "a difficult night" by the local authority.  

The council says it knows it has more to do to protect vulnerable children, but believes voluntarily moving control to a trust is the best way forward.

In a statement, the authority said: "We remain absolutely committed to providing the best service for children and families in Birmingham. We have also been honest about the historic and well publicised failings of children’s services."

Birmingham-born Moeen Ali has been given his 25th England cap, ahead of his team's second Test against Sri Lanka at Chester-le-Street today.

BBC Travel

Drivers are warned of congestion at junction 3 of the M5 near Halesowen.

One lane is closed because of an overturned vehicle and recovery work.

Firefighters are dealing with a collision between a car and a van in Willenhall.

This picture of the scene was tweeted by Willenhall fire service, external. One casualty was freed by crews.

Image source, @WillenhallFire

Here's more on our earlier story about a Birmingham pool that's been closed temporarily due to a bug that made swimmers sick:

A mother whose two children became ill after swimming in the pool at Cocks Moors Leisure Centre in Kings Heath says the water was "murky" when visiting last weekend.

Suzanne Iommi also claims there was a strong smell of urine.

The centre says the bug was introduced into the pool by an external source and they take the health of customers extremely seriously. 

Walsall striker Amadou Bakayoko signs a new one-year contract with the League One club.

Birmingham Mail

A Birmingham mum has spoken of her shock after a huge 12ft hole opened up in her garden - after she prodded the earth with a shovel.

Adrian Goldberg
Presenter, BBC WM

Our top story this morning: There are calls for the resignation of Brigid Jones, the city councillor in charge of Birmingham's Children's Services, after a Channel 4 Dispatches broadcast last night, external hi-lighted serious issues within the department. 

Matt Bennett, the Conservatives' shadow cabinet member for children's services, has described the programme as "truly shocking". 

Earlier this week it was revealed the local authority wants a voluntary trust to take over the department which Ofsted has called "a national disgrace". 

Sarah Falkland
BBC Midlands Today

Up to 75,000 people are expected in Birmingham this weekend as the city hosts its 20th Gay Pride. 

The festival, which is the country's biggest Pride celebration, brings in more than £20m a year to the city. 

Organisers say its their biggest ever lineup, with more than 100 artists and DJ's performing over the two days.

Louise Hancock
Newsreader, BBC WM

A Birmingham swimming pool has been closed temporarily after a chlorine-resistant bug caused several children to become ill. 

Cocks Moors Leisure Centre in Kings Heath says the bug, which can have symptoms including sickness and diarrhoea, was introduced into the pool by an external source.

A statement from the site says the pool won't reopen until "4 June at the earliest".

Image source, Google

Caroline Gall
BBC News Online

- Calls for resignation of councillor in charge of Birmingham's criticised children's services

- Birmingham's 20th Gay Pride festival this weekend

- Pool closes after sickness bug

Five cars are involved in a collision on the M6, and two lanes remain closed between J6 and J7.

Latest weather for the West Midlands

BBC Sport

New Zealand international wicketkeeper Luke Ronchi is making his home debut for the Bears tonight in the T20 Blast at Edgbaston.

Image source, Getty Images

After a winning start at Trent Bridge last Friday night, Ronchi says: "I can't wait. The crowds really came out for the first T20 of the season at Nottingham. That was fantastic and we're hoping we can get another win under our belts".

BBC Travel

An accident involving four cars has closed two lanes of the M6 northbound between J6 for A38 Aston Expressway and J7, A34 (Great Barr).

More details on BBC Travel.

Three men have been charged with Syria-related terror offences, West Midlands Police have said.

Aras Mohamed Hamid, 26, of no fixed abode, and Shvan Haydar Aziz, 21, of Washington Road, Sheffield, are charged with preparing for acts of terrorism contrary to the Terrorism Act 2006. Ahmad Ismail, 19, of Portwrinkle Avenue, Coventry, has been charged with failing to disclose information to police of an offence involving the commission, preparation or instigation of an act of terrorism.

They are due before Westminster Magistrates' Court today.  

In connection with the arrests, police detained a 33-year-old man in Birmingham city centre on Thursday on suspicion of preparing for terrorist acts contrary to the Terrorism Act 2006.

BBC Weather

A chilly start in places, although it will be largely dry and bright. 

Some warm spells of sunshine will develop during the day. However, an isolated heavy shower is possible towards the west - highs of 19C (66F).

We're back with more news, sport, travel and weather updates.

If you see a story you think we should be covering, email us, tweet@bbcwm, external or get in touch on Facebook, external.