Monica Rimmer
Journalist, BBC Online

Birmingham has been named as the worst place to park in the UK, according to a list collated by an insurance company.

The findings are based on the number of parking tickets issued, the length of time spent looking for a space and the frequency that vehicles suffer parking-related damage. 

Birmingham received a parking score of 228, putting it ahead of Manchester (217), Cardiff (215) and Bristol (209). London was in fifth place at 204. 

Around 2,000 people were interviewed for the research for the company Privilege.

BBC Weather

Another dull, cloudy and overcast day and again it’ll be mild. 

There is scope for a little bit of brightness today but in the main it’ll be cloudy with a few spots of drizzle. Highs of 10C (50F).

Monica Rimmer
Journalist, BBC Online

Good morning and welcome to Friday - just one more Friday until the big day. 

I'll be bringing you the latest news, sport, travel and weather updates for Birmingham and the Black Country 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.  

Follow live text commentary from the Premier League as Southampton host West Brom at St Mary's.

One of four new £5 notes which could be worth up to £50,000 is found in south Wales.

Birmingham Repertory Theatre (REP) says its funding could be cut by two thirds leaving bosses struggling to cover its upkeep and overheads.

We'll be back with our usual mix of news, sport, travel and weather from 08:00 tomorrow.

Keep an eye out here for more updates this evening and into the morning.    

The West Midlands Police and Crime Commissioner says he's disappointed with next year's funding settlement for the force, which has just been awarded by central government.

The force will get £44.1m - a reduction of £6m on this year's figures.

David Jamieson says the cuts are twice as big as they were last year and the funding settlement "fails to recognise that crime is changing and not falling".    

BBC Weather

Cloudy with outbreaks of rain for the remainder of the day, with some low cloud.

Tonight will be a drizzly and mild night with lows of 8C (46F).

Royal Sutton Coldfield Observer

An elderly couple suffered smoke inhalation following a fire at their home in Sutton Coldfield , externalin the early hours of the morning. 

New Birmingham City boss Gianfranco Zola says he had to be "professional" about replacing Gary Rowett as manager.

Monica Rimmer
Journalist, BBC Online

A school in Birmingham gets a shout on this week's round-up of the best local independent television from around the UK. 

The pupils get to relive some of the conditions of World War One, in a local nature park.

Click here to watch the report. 

Image source, Made in Birmingham

A student who went paintballing to prepare for combat with the so-called Islamic State group is found guilty of trying to travel to Syria.

BBC Midlands Today

Formula One legend Nigel Mansell says his West Midlands roots remain "terrifically important" to him.

Mansell, who won the F1 drivers' championship in 1992, has lived in Jersey for nearly 23 years, having previously made his home on the Isle of Man. 

He won the BBC Sports Personality of the Year in both 1986 and 1992 and has been speaking ahead of the event's return to Birmingham on Sunday.

Mansell, who won 31 races in his 15-year Grand Prix career, paid tribute to his Uncle Jack and Aunty Iris, who live near Solihull, during an interview with BBC Midlands Today.

The 2016 BBC Sports Personality of the Year award will be announced at the Genting Arena on Sunday evening on BBC One.

BBC Midlands Today will be live on the red carpet as sporting stars arrive at the event from 17:00 GMT. 

You can watch that via the red button on any BBC television channel, or on the BBC News Channel.  

BBC WM

Bosses at Birmingham's Rep Theatre say they're "very disappointed" in a cut of nearly two thirds to their council funding. 

The theatre will lose £325,000 from 2017.

It will have a budget of £900,000 less a year than it did in 2010.

Image source, Birmingham Rep

A man has appeared in court charged in connection with a stabbing at Smethwick Galton Bridge railway station. 

The 44-year-old man appeared before Walsall Magistrates' Court charged with causing grievous bodily harm with intent and possession of a bladed article. 

Image source, British Transport Police

The man, of no fixed address, was arrested following an incident at the station on Monday night where a man was taken to hospital with stab wounds after being seriously assaulted on the platform. 

He was remanded in custody and is due to appear before Wolverhampton Crown Court in January.  

BBC Weather Watchers

BBC Weather Watcher Elle Niño. sent in this lovely picture from Solihull. 

We love that the sun is reflecting in the puddles. 

Image source, Elle Niño.

If you have a picture you'd like to share get in touch via email, tweet @bbcwm, external or visit the BBC WM Facebook page, external.    

Alice Rosenthal
BBC WM

The latest headlines for Birmingham and the Black Country include: 

- A Birmingham man who tried and failed to join the so-called Islamic state in Syria has been convicted of terrorist offences

- A van driver from Birmingham has been the victim of a night time road rage attack on the A75 near Castle Douglas

- A woman has died after a two-car crash in Aldridge this morning

A teenager found with a loaded gun in Nando's is sentenced to three years in a young offender institution.

BBC Travel

Five vehicles and a large van are involved in a crash on the A5 near Tamworth this evening, the fire service says.

Get the latest from our BBC Travel website.