Two Black Country city centres have major roads closed due to Storm Doris wreaking havoc.

High winds have caused damage to buildings and debris has blown into main roads.

Wolves midfielder Connor Ronan could miss the rest of the season after suffering a stress fracture in his back.

Kevin Pashby
BBC WM

The recommended salary for the first elected Mayor of the West Midlands is £79,000 a year, the BBC understands  

An independent panel has come up with the figure and wants it reviewed when the responsibilities of the role become more clear. 

If council leaders agree with the amount, it would leave the winner of this May's mayoral election earning more than half as much as the Mayor of London and slightly more than an MP.

Express and Star

Persistent beggars have been banned from entering Wolverhampton city centre, external by a judge as a "last resort".

Dudley Zoological Gardens will stay closed today for "animal and public safety" due to forecast high winds, its manager Matt Lewis says, external.

He said: "Our exotic animal collection will be kept in their internal dens and we’ll be keeping a close eye on the trees around the 40-acre ancient wooded site.

“We’re sorry for any inconvenience and aim to reopen as normal tomorrow, but please keep an eye on the zoo’s website and social media sites for any further updates.”

The HS2 high-speed rail link between London and Birmingham is expected to be rubber stamped later.

The government says it will boost the economy, but critics say it will cost too much and destroy large parts of the countryside. 

Construction should start this year and the project team believes it will create thousands of jobs.

West Midlands Police has confirmed its officers are at the scene of a bedroom fire in Bond Street, Stirchley, where they have cordoned off the road for firefighters.

BBC Travel

A replacement bus service is in operation between Machynlleth and Shrewsbury after a vehicle struck a bridge. It'll be in place until 09:15.

Services are also suspended between Wolverhampton and Birmingham International between 09:10 and 11:27 due to Storm Doris with 50mph speed restrictions imposed at a number of locations in Wales, resulting in possible delays of up to 15 minutes.

Elizabeth Glinka
BBC Midlands Today

Storm Doris is on the way, with strong winds expected to hit parts of the West Midlands. 

Gusts of up to 60mph are expected - with gusts of 70-80mph expected on higher ground. 

Transport is expected to be disrupted, with some train services between Birmingham and Wolverhampton cancelled this morning, including Arriva Trains Wales services. 

Forecasters are warning Doris could damage buildings and affect power lines. 

Charlie Slater
BBC Weather presenter

Severe gales will blow across the Midlands today. 

The worst of the rain will be first thing in the morning but gales will continue all day. 

Gusts of 60mph are likely in the cities and valleys, and 80mph on hills.  Highs of 8C (46F).

Alex Homer
BBC Local Live

I'm here with the news, sport, travel and weather updates on Thursday.

If you see a story and want to share your views or you've captured a photo you want to share, email us, tweet @bbcwm, external or visit the BBC WM Facebook page, external. 

A serious case review finds assaults on 18-month-old Keegan Downer may have been prevented.

That's it from us on Wednesday. Join us again from 08:00 on Thursday for more news, sport, travel and weather updates.

In the meantime keep an eye out here for any news as it breaks.

BBC WM Sport

There`s still no official news on Aston Villa striker Scott Hogan`s ankle injury. 

Hogan underwent scans and X-rays yesterday. The club are still awaiting the results of those tests although it`s expected that Hogan will miss the next two home games against Derby on Saturday and Bristol City on Tuesday night.

Image source, Getty Images

The Ludlow MP, Philip Dunne, is urging women to make more use of rural maternity units like the ones in Bridgnorth and Ludlow.

After a meeting with NHS managers, Mr Dunne said "increasing the number of births at each location is important to help secure their long term future".

The MP is asking mums who have had babies at the midwife-led units to share their happy experiences, to encourage other women to use the facilities.

He says births and antenatal appointments at Ludlow have fallen over the past five years, but have risen in Bridgnorth.

Birmingham Mail

The man found dead in a lake at the University of Birmingham has been named as Dean Jones, external.  

Rebecca Wood
BBC Midlands Today

A band of rain from the west will spread across the region this evening. 

This will clear in the early hours when strong winds will develop, these strengthening close to gale force over hills by dawn - lows of 8C (46F).

Tomorrow, severe gales will bring disruption in the morning, with a band of rain moving eastwards, though brightening though the afternoon.  

Rail services are likely to be disrupted on Thursday morning as companies make plans for potential problems caused by high winds.

Arriva Trains Wales says it will temporarily suspend services between Wolverhampton and Birmingham International. 

The last service out of Birmingham, external will be the 09:10 Birmingham International to Holyhead, and services will resume with the 11:27 Holyhead to Birmingham (New Street only).  

Nick Owen
Presenter, BBC Midlands Today

Toddler Keegan Downer should "never have been placed "with the woman who went onto murder her. 

Today a Serious Case Review was published into the role various agencies played in her life and death.

Seventy years ago, three little old Austin motor cars made a pioneering trip across the continent from Longbridge in Birmingham. It took in seven capitals in seven days and now a similar old Austin is being lovingly restored to repeat the very same trip. 

More on these stories and others in the Midlands Today on BBC One from 18:30.