BBC Midlands Today

Have you been gripped by The Archers this week? Millions have and even if you’re not one of them we’ve been behind the scenes to bring you the latest on the long running Radio 4 soap’s darkest plot – carefully scripted by writers and producers of the programme.

The trial of Helen Titchener, accused of attempted murder after a long running storyline about domestic violence, is attracting big audiences and headlines around the world and raising tens of thousands of pounds for the charity Women’s Aid. 

Watch Midlands Today on BBC One at 18.30.

Louise Hancock
Newsreader, BBC WM

New plans have been unveiled for a distribution warehouse, external on the site of a former brickworks in Essington.

Image source, Google

The initial proposal was rejected in May by councillors, external despite being recommended for approval. 

DX Network Services Ltd, the company behind the new centre, say the design has now been reduced in size by 30% and moved further away from nearby homes.

Lucy Martin
BBC Weather

We should see some decent sunny spells this afternoon, though there is the chance of a shower. 

The weather is set to improve over the coming days as well.

Phil Mackie
Midlands correspondent, BBC News

The jury has retired to consider verdicts in the trial of two men accused of the murder of businessman Akhtar Javeed, in Digbeth, Birmingham.

Four men are charged with preparing to commit acts of terrorism following arrests in Birmingham and Stoke-on-Trent.

Head coach Tony Pulis has said he never considered leaving West Brom - despite the club's failure to land some of his preferred transfer targets this summer.

More than 1,000 people are expected at Sandwell Valley Country Park on Sunday to take part in the Run For Joel.

It has been a rollercoaster week for Helen Titchener in The Archers who has been on trial accused of attempted murder. The storyline has shone a light on the workings of British courts.

Four men from the West Midlands charged with terror offences have appeared before magistrates.

Naweed Ali, 28, and Khobaib Hussain, 24, both of Sparkhill in Birmingham, and Mohibur Rahman, 32, and Tahir Aziz, 37, of Stoke-on-Trent, appeared at Westminster Magistrates' Court charged with preparing for terrorist acts.

The men have been remanded in custody and are due to appear at the Old Bailey on 19 September.

The men were driven to Westminster Magistrates this morning by a police convoy.

John Lewis confirms managing director Andy Street plans to run for the office of the Mayor of the West Midlands.

Andy Street, the boss of department chain John Lewis has applied to stand as Conservative candidate for the Mayor of the West Midlands.

John Lewis said, external: "Should Andy be successful in his application, he has agreed with the Chairman that he should step down from his role and a further announcement will be made to confirm the succession plan for the future leadership of the John Lewis brand." 

Image source, Getty Images

The metro mayor will represent Birmingham, Coventry, Dudley, Sandwell, Solihull, Walsall, and Wolverhampton.

Ben Godfrey
BBC Midlands Today

More than 900 people have signed up for a charity run in memory of a British teenager killed in a Tunisia terror attack.

Joel Richards, from Wednesbury, in the Black Country, died in Sousse in 2015 alongside his uncle and grandfather.

At his former school, a team of runners are getting ready to take part this Sunday at Sandwell Valley Country Park.

BBC WM Sport

Warwickshire captain Ian Bell has criticised the state of the pitch they encountered at Taunton this week. 

The Bears were beaten in just over two days by Somerset, which leaves them in danger of being relegated from the First Division of the County Championship with one game to go.

Bell says although it wasn't to blame for the result, it wasn't a good surface to play on.

Image source, Getty Images

Steve Swann
BBC Home Affairs Correspondent

Four men from the West Midlands accused of preparing acts of terror have arrived in London.

A police convoy drove into Westminster Magistrates' Court where they are due to appear.

Stourbridge News

Travellers who have set up camp on land off Turners Lane, in Brierley Hill, look set to be ordered to move on within days, the News has been informed.  , external

Two men have been charged and remanded in custody after an armed raid , externalat a jewellers in Stratford-upon-Avon on Wednesday.

Ioachim Karp, 19, from Birmingham, was charged with aggravated burglary and Andrei Florin, 28 and also from Birmingham, charged with aggravated burglary and escape from lawful custody.

Both men are due to appear at Leamington Magistrates' Court later. 

Louise Hancock
Newsreader, BBC WM

A motorcyclist was fatally injured on one of Birmingham's main roads in a crash involving a car yesterday.

The 25-year-old motorcyclist died after being hit by a blue BMW on the A441 Pershore Road, near Pebble Mill, at 14:45., external

The BMW drove off after the collision, West Midlands Police said.

The force is appealing for anyone who witnessed the crash to contact officers.

Pershore Road was closed for more than five hours yesterday following the collision.

Stephanie Barnard
BBC Local Live

The top stories in the newsroom this morning include:

• Two men from Sparkhill and two from Staffordshire charged with preparing for acts of terrorism are due before Westminster magistrates this morning
• A motorcyclist has been killed on one of Birmingham's main roads after a crash involving a car which drove off
• Warwickshire captain Ian Bell has criticised the state of the pitch they encountered at Taunton this week 

There are calls for the government to step in after three West Midlands Ambulance staff were violently attacked while treating patients. , external

One paramedic fractured a hand and two technicians received injuries to their face during two separate call-outs in Staffordshire on Wednesday night. 

In November last year, the service said physical assaults had risen by 30%, with 108 attacks between April and September 2014, to 139 in 2015.

Tony Jones, from the Unison union, says the government need to set up a task force to find out why the attacks are happening and look at deterrents.

BBC Weather

There will be isolated showers for some this morning, while others will see a mostly dry start with spells of sunshine.

Further light showers will develop through the afternoon, though some will enjoy a dry afternoon, with occasional sunny spells - highs of 21C (70F).