A Christmas tree in memory of a teenage cancer patient and fundraiser is lighting up this weekend.

More than £5.5m has been raised for the Teenage Cancer Trust in memory of Stephen Sutton who died in 2014.

In October, Stephen's mum Jane reached the top of Mount Kilimanjaro for charity., external

Express and Star

Lollipop wardens could disappear from outside school gates across Walsall as part of drastic cost-cutting measures., external

BBC Entertainment and Arts

Pop group Duran Duran have said they are "outraged and saddened" at losing a High Court fight to reclaim US rights to some of their most famous songs.

"We are shocked that English contract law is being used to overturn artists' rights in another territory," said founder member Nick Rhodes.

Image source, WARNERS/STEPHANIE PISTEL

The group, who formed in Birmingham in 1978, argued that US copyright laws gave them the right to call for a reversion of copyright after 35 years.

Girls on Film, Rio and A View to a Kill were among the disputed tracks.

The number of new cases of HIV in the West Midlands rose by 10% in 2015 - with 473 people newly diagnosed. 

Thirty eight of those diagnosed had left it so late to go to the doctor they were diagnosed with Aids.

Public Health England says, external the rise is worrying and reinforces the importance of safe sex. 

There are more than 6,000 people being treated for HIV in the region.

Image source, SPL

BBC News dispels the myths of HIV to mark Thursday's World Aids Day. 

John Platt
BBC WM

Solihull Moors of the National League visit League Two promotion chasers Luton Town as they aim to reach the third round of the FA Cup for the first time in their history.

On Sunday, Stourbridge will hope to cause a huge cup upset as entertain the League One side Northampton Town at The War Memorial Ground. 

It’s a 14:00 kick-off and there’ll be commentary on BBC WM’s DAB service across Birmingham and the Black Country.

You can also hear coverage online via BBC Sport at 13:45.

A man who caused train delays in Wolverhampton, costing the rail industry £150,000, has been jailed for 14 months.

Joseph Bradley, 24, sat on Crane Street viaduct with his legs dangling over the edge on 14 October.

Trains were put on hold as he refused to get down. His actions delayed services by 2,204 minutes.

Bradley, of no fixed address, admitted obstruction of the railway line with intent. He was sentenced at Wolverhampton Crown Court on Thursday.

Image source, British Transport Police

Instagramers of Birmingham holds its first photography exhibition on Saturday.

The free event runs between 12:00 and 17:00 at Nest, in Digbeth., external

More than 105,000 images are on Instagram with the hashtag #igersbirmingham, external, including these stunning photos

Follow @igersbirmingham on Instagram., external

BBC WM Sport

Cradley Heath have been told they can carry on staging most of their meetings at Wolverhampton's Monmore Green.

The Heathens, who lost their old Dudley Wood Stadium to housing development in 1995, will race on Mondays at Monmore - except when it clashes with SGB Premiership side Wolves' own increased number of home fixtures. When that happens, Cradley will be allowed to stage meetings at Perry Barr, also the home of Birmingham Brummies.

"We are pleased to be able to accommodate the Heathens at Perry Barr in 2017," said Birmingham owner Tony Mole."

Rebecca Wood
BBC Midlands Today

Tonight will be rather cloudy and there will be light and patchy rain in places during the early hours. It will be less cold than last night so frost and fog are unlikely. Lows of 3C (37F).

Tomorrow will be pleasant and dry with light winds and plenty of sunshine.  

BBC Travel

With the train disruption being caused by the "incident" at Stafford, Network Rail's issued advice for passengers trying to get to Penkridge

Keep up-to-date with the BBC Travel website.

Poundland admits breaching food hygiene laws after rodent-damaged chocolate Santas were found at a store.

Did you know famous faces to be scouted at The Clothes Show include Cat Deeley in 1990, Holly Willoughby in 1996 and Vernon Kay two years later?

Image source, Getty Images

This year is the final time the 27-year-old show will be hosted in Birmingham.  

Being "spotted" became the stuff of folklore in the classroom. 

Teenagers saw the show in a different light, a career opportunity, and would don their best outfits - and highest heels - in a bid to get the attention of the scouts. Read more on BBC News.

John Platt
BBC WM Sport

West Bromwich Albion will attempt to stretch their unbeaten run to four matches as they welcome Watford to the Hawthorns. 

In their past three matches, the Baggies have won two and drawn one, lifting them to 9th in the Premier League – a point behind their opponents. 

There’ll be commentary on BBC WM 95.6 FM and build-up starting from 14:00.

Image source, Getty Images

In the Championship, Birmingham City midfielder Stephen Gleeson is back in contention for the game at home to Barnsley. The Irishman missed the win at Brentford because of injury. There’ll be commentary from St Andrew’s on BBC WM’s DAB service in Birmingham.

It’s a 17:30 kick-off for Aston Villa at Leeds United – live on BBC WM 95.6 FM. It’s seven games without defeat for Villa, who last tasted defeat at Preston at the start of October – which resulted in Steve Bruce replacing Roberto Di Matteo as manager.

Poundland has pleaded guilty to breaching food hygiene laws after rodent-damaged chocolate Santas were found at one of its stores.

Image source, Thinkstock

The retailer admitted a total of eight offences relating to two of its outlets in Corporation Street in Birmingham city centre.

One breach pertained to several chocolate Santas that had been gnawed at "by a rodent or rodents," Birmingham Crown Court heard.

The court was also told that an inspection at one of the stores uncovered evidence of mouse activity, including droppings on boxes of chocolate. Further droppings were found on shelving in the shop floor area and on a trolley containing food.

Judge Richard Bond adjourned the case until January to consider the sentence.    

Stephanie Barnard
BBC Local Live

Network Rail warns passengers travelling between Birmingham, Manchester and Liverpool to expect delays of about an hour due to all railway lines being closed at Stafford.

Cross County, London Midland and Virgin Train services are affected.

BBC Travel

A lane is blocked on the A5 eastbound in Weeford near Lichfield, between Weeford Island and the B5404 Hints Road junction, because of an accident.

Stephanie Barnard
BBC Local Live

The train operator London Midland is warning passengers travelling between Birmingham and Liverpool to expect a disrupted service due to an "incident" in Stafford.

All lines are blocked, affecting Euston to Crewe and Birmingham to Liverpool routes.

BBC Midlands Today

More emergency refuge areas could be added to motorways around the Midlands where hard shoulders have been converted into traffic lanes. 

The Smart Motorway programme's been criticised by some because of a lack of places to stop. 

Now Highways England is looking again at whether more lay-bys are needed in the "breakdown hot spots".

BBC Weather

After a cloudy start it'll be mostly overcast through today. 

The best of the brightness will be in the northeast and the winds will be light - highs of 8C (46F).

Police were called to reports of a shooting in Harborne last night. 

West Midlands Police says a short time later, a woman went to the QE Hospital with "arm injuries" in what officers believe was a targeted attack..

The woman's injuries are not thought to be life threatening.

Croftdown Road was cordoned off for forensic examinations.