Rob Mayor
Political reporter, BBC WM

We now know that 1,961,153 people are registered to vote in the West Midlands Mayoral Election, but what percentage will actually turn up to a polling station?

The imposition of a mayor has angered many who point to the fact that Birmingham and Coventry rejected the office by referendum in 2012.

In addition, there are no other elections on 4 May and some predictions say turnout could dip into single figures.

That would be even lower than the 2014 West Midlands Police and Crime Commissioner election, where only 10.4% of people exercised their democratic right.

With polling experts suggesting a neck and neck contest between Labour and the Conservatives, the candidates know every vote counts. 

All six will debate live on BBC WM from Bournville College between 19:00 and 20:00 tonight.

Lichfield Mercury

An inspirational Lichfield woman has raised more than £7,000, external for MENCAP by completing the London Marathon.

A car dealer who lied about the mileage on a car he sold to someone in Dudley has been ordered to pay nearly £3,000.

Alan Quinn, of Moat Gardens, Sapcote in Leicestershire, told the car buyer the Renault Scenic had done 90,000 miles but had actually actually clocked up more than 140,000 miles.

Image source, Dudley Borough Council

The 53-year-old was fined £650, as well as ordered to pay costs of £1,500, compensation of £500 to the consumer and a £65 victim surcharge.

Dudley Council say Quinn failed to say the odometer, which measures the distance traveled, had been replaced. 

The weather is playing a big part in Warwickshire's Royal London One-Day Cup opener against Northamptonshire. 

The match at Wantage Road has now been reduced to 33 overs a side .

Walsall Advertiser

George Dobson has admitted he would love to come back on loan to Walsall, external next season if the Saddlers can agree a deal with his parent club West Ham United.

The UK faces the biggest housing crisis in a generation, and no government has done enough, says Jack Dromey.

But the Labour MP said his party had a record to be proud of, as he spoke to Daily Politics presenter Andrew Neil after Jeremy Corbyn pledged to build 100,000 affordable council and housing association homes in England a year to rent and buy.

Speaking from Birmingham, he spoke about the 'Brummie Bond' and public-private partnerships, before former Conservative co-chairman Sayeeda Warsi gave her reaction.

Dudley News

This week's front page lead story "Vandal attack fury" - read more online, external.

Image source, Dudley news

BBC News Travel

Horses on the line at Widney Manor in Solihull are causing delays and cancellations, London Midland say, external, 

The operator says all lines are currently blocked, but it hopes to have them clear by 15:30.

A pub argument led to Dean Hartley hitting his colleague with such force that he killed him.

BBC Sport

Birmingham City captain, Paul Robinson, has been given a three-game FA ban for violent conduct during the derby loss at Aston Villa.

The 38-year-old defender was seen to aim a kick at home skipper James Chester on Sunday in the aftermath of Gabby Agbonlahor's 68th-minute winner (pictured).

Image source, Getty Images

Robinson will now miss Saturday's home game with Huddersfield Town and the final-day trip to Bristol City.

He will also start next season still under suspension, assuming Robinson, who is on his second one-year player-coach contract at St Andrew's, opts to extend his playing career for yet another season.

A "safe" club night for people with learning difficulties has been branded a success after a night of dancing, music and fun for the over 18s.

Jamie Firman, from Jay's Disco's, external, set-up the night, alongside one of his DJ's, Chris, who has Asperger syndrome, to give people a safe but fun night. 

The first night was held at the Walsall nightclub, Religion, for over 18s., external

Based on the success, another night is already planned for next month, external.

Stourbridge News

"Tributes for tragic DJ, 31" - read that story and more in this week's edition of the Stourbridge News, external.

Image source, Stourbridge News

Teenagers are using the messaging service WhatsApp to co-ordinate violent car-jackings in south Birmingham, police say.

Officers believe youths, often armed with knives and in some cases stun-guns, are behind a spate of robberies since October. 

One victim, Sarah Khatri, says two men threatened her with a blade and stole her Kia outside St Columba Church in Chantry Road, Moseley, at about 09:45 on 27 March.    

Image source, Google

Raids were carried out earlier during which three 16-year-old boys were arrested, and cash, a car key, mobile phones and clothing were seized, police say.

WhatsApp have yet to say whether it will co-operate with West Midlands Police.

Phil Mackie
Midlands correspondent, BBC News

A man accused of preparing acts of terrorism has denied making improvised explosive devices using fairy lights and a pressure cooker. 

Birmingham Crown Court was told that Zahid Hussain, 29, had been "bedroom radicalised" and may have been planning to attack a railway line. 

Zahid Hussain was arrested in August 2015 after a member of the public saw him acting suspiciously. 

When he was detained, officers found recipes for making explosives; then during a search of his home in Alum Rock, they discovered various chemicals as well as fairy lights and a doorbell which had been modified to form part of a detonator - and a pressure cooker packed with shrapnel, the court heard. 

Opening the case for the prosecution, Annabel Darlow QC said that Mr Hussain had been radicalised by researching the so-called Islamic State.

Although the bomb wasn't viable - he believed it was, she said, and thought it could cause "devastation". 

He is alleged to have researched potential locations including railway lines in Birmingham.

He denies preparing for an act of terrorism. The trial is expected to last five weeks

Three 16-year-old boys have been bailed after being arrested over a spate of attacks in the city.

The city council insists it can still attract businesses to the Friargate business district

Elizabeth Glinka
BBC Midlands Today

The West Midlands is the leader in creating manufacturing jobs across Europe, according to new figures.

Wolverhampton is the city with the most new jobs, while Solhihull, Coventry and Birmingham also made it into the top 10.

The figures from the Financial Times show almost 17,000 jobs were created in the region between January 2012 and December last year. 

Great Barr Observer

All eyes could be on Perry Barr's Alexander Stadium in five years' time, external following Birmingham's ambitious bid to bring the 2022 Commonwealth Games to the Second City.

Sarah Bishop
BBC Midlands Today

People from the West Midlands with learning difficulties had their first experience of what it's like to be in a nightclub last night. 

A special event at the Religion nightclub in Walsall attracted more than 250 people with learning difficulties and their carers. 

Many said it was an experience they were very keen to repeat.

Birmingham City club captain Paul Robinson will miss his side's final two games after being banned for violent conduct.