A Birmingham MP is urging MG Motor UK to meet with the government to "discuss and explore options" after the company announced it wanted to stop building vehicles at Longbridge, with the potential loss of 25 jobs.

Richard Burden, MP for Birmingham Northfield, said he wanted MG to delay the decision that would bring the company's UK manufacturing to an end, adding: “I understand the business concerns that MG have surrounding costs of assembly at Longbridge, which have undoubtedly been aggravated by problems with the strength of the pound. 

"Having spoken to the Government, I know they are willing to meet MG to discus and explore options and help that may be available and I am sure the same will be true for the local authority and the Local Enterprise Partnership."

Charlie Slater
BBC Weather presenter

Plenty of brightness mixed in with quite a bit of cloud.

Here's Charlie Slater with your 50-second forecast

MG says it is to stop building cars at its Longbridge site in Birmingham because it's "inefficient and expensive". 

A spokesperson said the end of car-building would be subject to a "managed, wind-down" process, but no timeline could yet be given.    

Sales, marketing and after sales operations remain centralised in the UK at Longbridge, as will the MG parts warehouse. But a marketing chief said the move was "sad" as manufacturing jobs would be at risk as a result of vehicles arriving fully built for distribution.

Workers face a consultation process.

Car-building is to stop at MG's Longbridge facility, with a potential loss of 25 jobs.

The company says that where possible, production staff will be moved into new roles.

It adds the jobs of more than 400 design engineers and other staff at the plant’s technical centre are safe.

Production will be moved to China. Matthew Cheyne, head of sales and marketing at MG Motor UK, said: "Relocating to state-of-the-art overseas production facilities will allow faster access to product and help to meet ever-increasing customer demand, all while maintaining the highest levels of production quality."

Stephanie Barnard
BBC Local Live

MG Motor UK says it will no longer build cars at its Longbridge site in Birmingham.

We're told 25 people face redundancy as a result of the move, which sees the company ending its UK manufacturing.  

Car-building is to be transferred to China to "streamline costs".

At Longbridge, cars will arrive fully built instead, for distribution to dealers.

BBC Midlands Today

A housing charity claims that one in eight tenants in the West Midlands has fallen victim to landlords breaking the law. 

Research by Shelter , externaland YouGov found that tenants had suffered everything from abuse and harassment to seeing their belongings thrown out of the property and the locks changed. 

Too often, the study says, people don't know their rights and need more help and advice. 

Trish Adudu
BBC Midlands Today

The promoter of a bare knuckle world title fight claims the sport is safer than gloved boxing.   

The difference, according to James Freeman, is most of the bouts are three, two-minute rounds and avoid "that repetitive head injury with a glove that spreads the impact around".

More than 1,500 spectators are expected to watch Birmingham's Ricky Nelder challenge for the title in Warwickshire on Saturday. 

Modern bare knuckle boxing has a governing body and medical teams are on standby at the ringside. 

BBC Sport

It's a 10:30 start for Warwickshire v Lancashire today, and free entry if you want to see Warwickshire's fight against relegation. 

Birmingham Mail

Sexual health bosses will hand out around 48,000 condoms to students during Freshers’ week in Birmingham, it’s been revealed.  , external

A security operation begins this weekend in Birmingham in preparation for the Conservative Party Conference.

Measures are being put in place to protect the International Convention Centre and the Hyatt hotel ahead of the start of the conference a week on Sunday. 

West Midlands Police says no specific intelligence has been received relating to threats but they're taking steps to ensure people's safety.

BBC Radio Stoke

A 25-year-old man from Birmingham has been charged with burglary after a raid on a jewellers in Hanley earlier this year

He will appear before magistrates this morning.

Six other men, arrested in connection with the break-in, remain in police custody.

BBC Sport

Warwickshire need to take another seven Lancashire wickets today to guarantee their survival in the first division of the County Championship. 

The Bears dominated day three of their crucial match at Edgbaston yesterday. 

After setting Lancashire 347 to win, Warwickshire reduced the visitors to 28 for 3 by the close of play. 

Image source, Getty Images

BBC Weather

After a rather cool start with one or two mist patches, most places will have a dry bright day with plenty of warm sunshine.  

More cloud will appear in the afternoon but there will be sunny breaks then too with highs of 18C (64F).

Stephanie Barnard
BBC Local Live

It's Friday!

But before it's the weekend I'll be bringing you the latest news, sport, travel and weather updates for Birmingham and the Black Country between now and 18:00. 

Comment on today's news and share your pictures by tweeting, external or reaching us on our Facebook page, external.

Gaming is about more than just blockbuster releases, and at the UK’s biggest gaming show some of the country’s independent developers tell us why their role in the industry is so important.

Former Aston Villa striker Stan Collymore says young footballers are "milked like a cow" and are not given enough help off the pitch.

A fell-running champion admits stabbing three top athletics staff at a major UK stadium.

A police custody sergeant says he struck a detainee 12 times about the head and face because it was the only way to ensure his own safety.

Relive all the EFL action after Aston Villa and Newcastle United draw, and Norwich go top of the Championship.

Lancashire lose three late wickets after being set 347 to win by relegation rivals Warwickshire - with the loser facing relegation if Hampshire win.