Three West Midlands women have spoken of the upset caused by those who blame them for their miscarriages.

They spoke to BBC Asian Network on the understanding their real names would not be used, with one recalling how unmarried women were advised to shun her in case pregnancy difficulties were "passed on". 

Another called for more understanding about a subject she said was "taboo" in South Asian communities - where, according to an infertility specialist, such attitudes are familiar.  

BBC Sport

Aston Villa manager Steve Bruce says the key to the club's impressive revival under him has been getting the players he inherited to play as a team.

Villa have put together a six-match unbeaten league run since Bruce took over at the Championship side on 12 October.

It is the longest sequence without a league defeat since Martin O'Neill's final season in charge in 2009-10.

Image source, Dan Istitene - Getty Images

A podgy pooch has shed more than a third of his body weight to become an award-winning slimmer.  

Oscar, a spaniel, once tipped the scales at 3st 6lb (21kg) - 80% above his ideal weight - due to Sunday dinners and leftovers.  

Image source, PDSA

After walks left him out of breath, his Wolverhampton owner, June Lawrence, knew things had to change.

After hydrotherapy sessions and a diet, Oscar is PDSA vets' slimmer of the year, now weighing in at a healthy 2st 1lb (13kg).

The BBC's Steph McGovern has been live at Birmingham's New Street station talking to people about what impact the Autumn Statement will have.

BBC Travel

The A5 Watling Street in Cannock is partially blocked southbound at Churchbridge because of an accident.

Part of a major road in Birmingham closed by a burst water main is likely to remain inaccessible until the weekend.

Thousands of gallons of water flooded Harborne Lane, causing travel disruption around Selly Oak. 

Severn Trent says it's been able to drain most of the water but there is still a lot of surface damage and it could take up to two days to fix. 

BBC Weather

Expect a much more settled day. 

It should be dry with variable amounts of scattered cloud and some sunny intervals where the cloud thins and breaks. Highs of 10C (50F). 

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.

Let us know what's happening in your area or send us your photos. You can email, tweet @bbcwm, external or visit the BBC WM Facebook page, external.

Three women from the South Asian community say they are left feeling isolated by the reaction to miscarriage.

Three women speak of the upset caused by those who blame them for their miscarriages.

A podgy pooch is crowned slimmer of the year after losing more than a third of his body weight.

Aston Villa manager Steve Bruce says that the key to his side's progress has been finding a sense of teamwork.

That's it for today's Local Live updates for Birmingham and the Black Country.

We'll be back from 08:00 tomorrow, but until then, keep an eye on this page for breaking news. 

Allen Cook
BBC Local Live

Tamworth Castle has been given a third award in 10 years for its education work.

Image source, Tamworth Borough Council

The town's borough council, external says the nationally recognised Sandford Award is for their education workshops for children and follows an inspection earlier this year. 

The award recognises visits for school children at historic sites. Tamworth Castle first achieved the award in 2007 and again in 2011.

BBC Midlands Today

David Finney has been a swimming coach in Redditch for 40 years.  

His dedication has seen him shortlisted as one of our three finalists.  

An eight-year-old boy delivered his sister when his mother went into labour at their home in Wolverhampton.

BBC Midlands Today

A major road in the centre of Birmingham has been closed following a burst water main. 

Thousands of gallons of water flooded the A4040 between Harborne, Selly Oak, just before lunchtime. 

The road is closed while experts assess the damage.

Our reporter Bob Hockenhull is near the scene and will have the latest on BBC One from 18:30. 

Celebrations to mark the 150th anniversary of Wolverhampton's statue of Prince Albert get underway today. 

His Royal Highness The Duke of Gloucester will be in the city later to unveil a plaque. 

The statue was built in 1866 after Prince Albert died, external. The Queen was consulted and she requested the carved image of Prince Albert should show him riding his favourite horse.    

BBC Weather

Staying fairly cloudy overnight with some light and patchy rain for some. 

Perhaps clearer in the north allowing it to turn cold with pockets of frost. Lows of 6C (43F). 

BBC WM

Late and cancelled trains, overcrowded carriages - these are some of the complaints from rail passengers travelling on London Midland services into and out of Birmingham. 

One commuter told BBC WM: "It seems like it's been weeks since I got a on a train that was actually on time, which if you've got children to pick up the other end, you're often on a very tight time scale to get there."  

The train operator say extra drivers will be based at Northampton.