Children in Need

Here's BBC Radio's Richie Anderson setting off on the last leg of his 250-mile tandem bike ride, helped by BBC Coventry & Warwickshire's Phil Upton.

BBC WM's Richie was heading to Coventry's Ricoh Arena to be joined by rugby star James Haskell.

A man is jailed for life after admitting killing his friend with a rock in Sandwell.

A man who murdered his friend by repeatedly bashing a rock over his head in an argument about money has been sentenced to life in prison.

Sandwell man Darren Lander, 28, killed Richard Groves, 32, at his Warley home in May.

On the night of the murder, the pair had visited a cashpoint for drugs money before returning to the flat, police say, external, where Lander (pictured) accused Mr Groves of stealing money from his aunt’s house.

A fight broke out and Lander left his victim dead on a bedroom floor.  

Image source, West Midlands Police

A 45-year-old man was "seriously" injured when he was attacked on his way to work by men armed with a knife, police say.

It happened at about 05:45 yesterday in Freer Road, Aston.

West Midlands Police says, external the victim is in hospital where his condition is described as serious but stable.

Western Power Distribution has said there is a power cut in Solihull. 

It hopes to have power restored by 11:30. 

The family of former footballer Dalian Atkinson, who died after being shot with a Taser by police, say his death has caused "agony and frustration".

Nearly a year after a Birmingham street attack left a man with devastating neurological injuries, police and his family are urging the public to help find those responsible.

Jason Webb, 30, was repeatedly kicked in the head on 1 January, 2015, and now needs round-the-clock care, his family says.

Police believe he was attacked in Kernthorpe Road, Kings Heath, and left there until he was found by passers-by at around 8am.

Image source, West Midlands Police

Jason's aunt, Jackie, said: "The toll this has taken on the family is hard to express. Jason ’s mum’s health has deteriorated, she is reluctant to leave her home at times and worries that when the phone rings it is bad news about Jason."

A man repeatedly kicked in the head during a street attack almost a year ago struggles today to communicate, is partially blind and needs round-the-clock care, his family says.

Jason Webb's injuries were sustained on New Year's Day 2015 following a dispute in Kernthorpe Road, Kings Heath, Birmingham, and as the anniversary of the attack draws near, the effects remain life-changing. 

Image source, West Midlands Police

Jason's aunt, Jackie, said: "His life will never be the same.

"This is extremely upsetting for Jason and for all his family and friends."  

Those responsible for the attack on the 30-year-old are yet to be found.

All week you have been using Your Questions to ask about the West Midlands. Here are some of our answers.

Children in Need

How has your week been? A long one? 

Well, spare a thought for BBC presenter Richie Anderson. He's almost finished a 250-mile tandem bike ride, all in aid of Children in Need. 

Over the last few days he's cycled from Birmingham through Smethwick and Walsall up to Stoke-on-Trent, to Shrewsbury, Worcester, and Coventry. 

Today he's heading back to Birmingham and on to Dudley. 

Image source, Dave Cooper Photography

Richie is being joined on his bike today by Mary Rhodes from Midlands Today. 

Keep your eye on this page throughout the day and we'll keep you updated on his progress. 

BBC Weather

A frosty start to a cold and breezy day with sunny spells and a few showers with some falling as sleet over hills and high ground. Highs of just 6C (43F). 

Monica Rimmer
Journalist, BBC Online

Good morning, I'm in the BBC WM newsroom bringing you the latest news, sport, travel and weather for Birmingham and the Black Country between now and 18:00.

To comment on our stories and send us your photos, email, tweet @bbcwm, external or visit the BBC WM Facebook page, external.

One of the men wrongly convicted for the Birmingham pub bombings in 1974 is to have his life story depicted in a play.

The homeless population in Birmingham city centre has risen, why are more people sleeping rough on the city's streets?

You have been in touch to tell us the stories behind your last names and ask about their origins.

A teenager is sought by police in connection with the murder of a man in Birmingham.

That's it for live updates today. 

We'll be back from 08:00 on Friday with the latest news, sport, travel and weather updates for Birmingham and the Black Country.

Nicola Beckford
Reporter, BBC Midlands Today

As Birmingham and Frankfurt mark 50 years of partnership as twinned cities, business leaders from Germany say they're worried about the possible impact of Brexit. 

It comes as the annual Frankfurt Christmas Market, which is run by continental European stall holders, gets under way in the city centre today.

There was concern about the Brexit vote at the business breakfast I attended this morning. 

The man charged with promoting Frankfurt across the world, Eric Menges, said the vote created "a lot of uncertainty which is never good for business - we don't know what way everything is heading".

Stall holders are optimistic and this year the market is open for longer which they believe will make a positive difference to trade.

Police have named this man - Jammal Chase - as a "key suspect" in their investigation into the fatal stabbing of Giovanni Lewis who died last month. 

Image source, West Midlands Police

Mr Chase, 19, is originally from Birmingham but currently of no fixed address. 

Mr Lewis, 28, was left outside Heartlands Hospital, Birmingham, on 18 October.

A post-mortem found he died from a stab wound to the heart.   

Birmingham Eastside

New Narrative Enterprise Foundation are partnering with Mercedes-Benz and LSH Auto UK to present a Fashion Show Fundraiser on the 24 November to raise money to tackle child poverty in Birmingham.  , external