Louise Hancock
Newsreader, BBC WM

This afternoon's headlines for Birmingham and the Black Country include:

- There have been cancellations to a number of rail services because of damage to overhead electric wires near Birmingham New Street station, National Rail says, external. 

- Birmingham has among England's highest rates of homelessness, according to the charity Shelter. 

- An engineering company in Sutton Coldfield has appointed administrators following a fall in revenue

More than a quarter of a million people in England are homeless, says housing charity Shelter.

Monica Rimmer
Journalist, BBC Online

London Midland is warning that services through Birmingham New Street may be altered at short notice all day. 

It's because of damage to overhead lines near Smethwick. 

London Midland has more. , external

Rail users can claim compensation if they're delayed for more than 30 minutes... 

BBC Midlands Today

The council's considering cutting nearly £500,000 in funding each year for the New Art Gallery Walsall as it seeks to save £86m by 2020. 

Our Black Country Political Reporter Rob Mayor will have more on BBC1 from 13:30. 

BBC WM

West Midlands UKIP MEP James Carver has been appointed the party's Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs spokesman. , external

Mr Carver says his priorities will be emphasising the importance of Britain's re-emergence onto the world stage after it leaves the EU.

Image source, Twitter/UKIP

BBC Midlands Today

An engineering company in Sutton Coldfield has appointed administrators following a fall in revenue.

Lloyds British Testing, which produces and maintains industrial lifting equipment, says it is facing cost pressures from the last financial year.  

The company says it will continue to trade as normal until a buyer can be found. 

It has a workforce of about 200 people.

BBC Travel

There's been an accident on Four Crosses Lane in Four Crosses at the junction of the A5 near Cannock.

Express and Star

The main road to Wolverhampton Railway Station will close to drivers from next month, it has been revealed., external

Image source, Express and Star

BBC Sport

Wolves manager Paul Lambert takes his side to Loftus Road tonight looking for their first Championship win in nine games. 

Ahead of tonight's clash with Queens Park Rangers, Wolves are sitting just above the league's relegation places. 

Lambert has defender Danny Batth available again after suspension - you can follow live commentary on the game on the BBC sport website. 

Image source, Rex Features

Monica Rimmer
Journalist, BBC Online

It's been a frustrating morning for commuters trying to get in and out of Birmingham New Street. 

There have been cancellations to a number of rail services because of damage to overhead electric wires near the station, National Rail says, external. 

One commuter noted that not all trains were affected as some were passing through. London Midland offered this reason:

Image source, Twitter

London Midland has the full run-down of delays on its website here. , external

Some rail users remained upbeat. Anyone for tea?

Image source, Twitter

BBC News England

Two teenage boys who drowned while swimming in the sea disappeared beneath the waves minutes before a lifeboat could reach them, an inquest has heard.

Yahye Omar Mohamed, 14, and Waseem Muflahi, 15, both from Birmingham, were on a trip to Barmouth, Gwynedd, on 7 August when they died.

Image source, AMANAH FC / TWITTER/ FACEBOOK

A friend said they had been warned before they ventured into deeper water.

A conclusion of accidental death was recorded at Wednesday's inquest in Caernarfon.

Birmingham has among England's highest rates of homelessness,  according to the charity Shelter. 

One in 119 live in the city without a permanent roof over their heads, Shelter says.

The charity, releasing figures to mark its 50th anniversary, calculates there are almost 255,000 people with no permanent address across the country.

The government says it does not recognise the figures, but is investing more than £500m on homelessness.  

BBC Midlands Today

An 83-year-old swimming coach from Redditch has been named the BBC Midlands Unsung Sporting Hero for 2016. 

David Finney set up the Bridge swimming club in the town 40 years ago. 

Image source, BBC/John Bray

He's coached thousands of people to swim over the years. 

He was announced as the winner during the West Midlands Community Sports awards at Villa Park last night.

Watch more of David's story here.

BBC News England

A man has been charged with murder after a woman was found strangled, following a house fire.

The body of Lisa Skidmore, 37, was discovered at a house in Mill Croft, Bilston, near Wolverhampton on Thursday.

Leroy Campbell, 55, of Forest Road, Moseley, faces charges including murder and arson with intent to endanger life.

Image source, Family picrure

BBC Weather

A milder start than of late to a largely dry and cloudy day with some sunny spells. 

Where the cloud is thick enough there could be the odd spot of drizzle. Highs of 7C (45F). 

Monica Rimmer
Journalist, BBC Online

There's fresh woes for rail users this morning after yesterday's delays.

National Rail says disruption, external to services through Birmingham New Street is expected until the end of the day.

It's because of a signalling problem at the station and damage to overhead electric wires. 

Keep up to date with all the latest on the National Rail website, external. 

Monica Rimmer
Journalist, BBC Online

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

If you'd like to get in touch you can email, tweet @bbcwm, external or visit the BBC WM Facebook page, external.

A man is charged with murder after a woman was found strangled, following a house fire.

A school in Birmingham is creating healthy food boxes for parents in a bid to tackle obesity.

A police officer is hospitalised after being hit by a car while dealing with a "cowardly attack" by a man threatening him with a tree branch.