Louise Hancock
Newsreader, BBC WM

Birmingham Cathedral is closed today following Theresa May's announcement a terror attack on the UK could be imminent.

Acting Dean of Birmingham Cathedral, The Revd Canon Nigel Hand, said: “We have taken the difficult decision to close Birmingham Cathedral to the general public for the next 24 hours (subject to review).

“Cathedral Square will be a place of prayer, reflection and hope in the coming days.

"A prayer station has been set up outside the cathedral for people to have a moment of prayer and reflection.

“At this time, we are committed to the safety and security of our congregations, visitors, staff and the general public."

Some services will still take place during the closure.

Walsall Advertiser

Officers from the National Crime Agency swooped on an address in Streetly in Sutton Coldfield as part of an 'ongoing operation' today., external

Birmingham City trigger a one-year contract extension to keep goalkeeper Adam Legzdins at the Championship club.

Rebecca Woods
BBC News Online, Journalist

The death of Sir Roger Moore at 89 yesterday led Paul Bates to dig out this fantastic photograph of his father and friends meeting the Bond star on a skiing holiday.

Paul tells us: "My dad and three of his friends meet the great man in Crans-Montana, Switzerland in the 90s .

"Roger was having lunch with his wife and ski instructor.

Image source, Paul Bates

"After he finished, they asked if he would mind having a picture.

"He was lovely, asked where we were from and when we said Walsall, he went on to say he knew the area well as his auntie had lived in Sutton Coldfield.

"He chatted for a good ten minutes before his wife gave him a nudge to get a move on.

"A really lovely man."

Thank you for sharing this happy memory, Paul.

(We should have asked if he had an exploding ski pole?)

Rebecca Woods
BBC News Online, Journalist

A 60-year-old lorry driver has been arrested after five people were killed in an early morning crash on the M6.

The man, who Staffordshire Police say is from the West Midlands, has been held on suspicion of causing death by dangerous driving following the crash between junctions 15 and 14 southbound at 4:30 today.

Image source, Highways England

A reminder of what can happen if drivers don't strap themselves in.

It was later disturbed when a man was arrested but before that candles were lit and speeches heard.

Express and Star

A derelict landmark church with links to the founders of Wolves is set for a £1.1 million transformation into an antiques emporium, the Express & Star can reveal today., external

Image source, Express & Star

Hundreds of people fell silent in Dudley this morning to remember the 22 people killed when a suicide bomber blew himself up at the Manchester Arena on Monday night.

People gathered at Coronation Gardens for a minute's silence.

PC Paul Davies of Dudley Police tweeted this picture:

Image source, PC Paul Davies

Councillor Dave Tyler, the Mayor of Dudley, said: “We are deeply saddened by the tragic events in Manchester.

"Our thoughts and deepest sympathy are with the victims and the families and friends of those affected."

The Dudley Council House flag has been flying at half mast.

Rebecca Woods
BBC News Online, Journalist

Armed police are stationed at Birmingham's New Street station in the wake of the Manchester bombing.

West Midlands Police says it is increasing patrols at key sites, including train and bus stations and other crowded places.

"People will notice an increase in the number of armed officers at these and other locations," the force said.

"While this is a precautionary measure, these highly visible patrols will continue for as long as is needed. You would expect us to do everything possible to prevent further attacks and keep you safe."

Officers have also appealed for people's help.

"Please remain calm but alert. If you see anything that causes you concern, then let us know immediately, if you have suspicions about someone’s behaviour call us.

"Look out for anything that seems out of place, unusual or doesn’t seem to fit in with day-to-day life."

Jessica Foster, 47, a vicar from Kings Heath said it was important to stand together and show "we will not be divided by those who want to maim and murder".

"In Birmingham we connect no matter what your faith, ethnicity or wealth. We want to show our solidarity with Manchester," she said.

Image source, bbc

Saraya Hussain, 40, from Balsall Heath added: "It resonates with you as a parent. So how can we contribute and share in their grief?

"We came here to say we will not allow it to divide us."

Louise Hancock
Newsreader, BBC WM

A leader of Birmingham Central Mosque says there has been an increase in abusive calls since a extremist suicide bomber targeted Manchester Arena.

"The mosque received a lot of telephone calls - abusive calls - and emails, obviously we have to live it," Makhdoom Chisti told BBC WM.

"It has increased. We do see that some people come around the mosque and try to abuse us... this is part and parcel of life so we have to tackle that.

"But I clearly say, we are with the whole nation, it doesn't matter what faith, what race, they are.

"We try to work positively.... we need to make sure that everybody is working together and we are identifying our common enemy."

There are now more than 240 international campuses as universities take their brands to a global market.

Zeshaan Ali, from Hodge Hill, a volunteer co-ordinator for Islamic Relief, went to the vigil in Birmingham yesterday evening with his nine-year-old son Musa and daughter, Juwayriyah, 11.

"I have two kids myself- no family should have to go through what happened on Monday," the 33-year-old said."

"Also, am from the Muslim faith. I want to show terrorism does not exist within a religion.

"We go for days out, to the Bullring or the park on a sunny day - the same thing as going to a big concert. We like to think it is safe wherever you go with your family."

Image source, bbc

"I heard the news when I woke up - it was sickening to hear it... Our prayers go out to those who have lost loved ones."

Among the crowd at the Birmingham vigil was Barbara Anderson, 66, from Kings Heath, along with her daughter Carol Cockerill and granddaughter Lauren.

"I was gutted when I heard the news - we have family in Manchester and I needed to make sure they were safe," Ms Anderson said.

"They were, thankfully. I don't go to big concerts but Carol's sister, does... You just have to hope they will be safe.

"This made me angry- I have spent the day watching the news and went to the gym - good way of working off the anger.

Ms Cockerill added: "We attend major events and something like this will not stop us going or think twice."

She added she had been listening to BBC Radio One on Tuesday and had been impressed with the response of the young listeners.

"They will not be frightened or cowed," she said.

A vigil was held in Birmingham's Victoria Square on Tuesday evening to remember the victims of the bombing in Manchester.

Crowds gathered outside the council house, where a civic dinner after the election of the city's new mayor Anne Underwood, was due to be held.

Co-organiser Lee Dargue said the point of the event was to show solidarity with Manchester after such a tragedy.

Candles were placed in jars and a minute's silence was held as well as speeches from leaders of several faiths, he said.

West Midlands Police say there are no plans to deploy military officers in the region.

It follows news that the UK terror threat level has been raised to its highest level of 'critical', meaning military personnel will now be deployed to protect key sites across the country.

Tom Turrell
BBC Midlands Today

A man was arrested following a disturbance during a vigil in Birmingham last night. , external

Hundreds had gathered in Victoria Square in the evening as a mark of solidarity with Manchester, following an attack on a concert venue in which 22 people were killed.

Officers arrested the 39-year-old near the Council House on suspicion of possession of an offensive weapon.

He is known to police and is thought to have a history of mental health issues.

Charlie Slater
BBC Weather presenter

It will be another dry day with partly cloudy skies.

There will be increasing bright or sunny spells through the afternoon and it will feel warm in light winds. Highs of 23C (73F).

Welcome to the Local Live service from Birmingham on Wednesday morning.

We're keen to see your pictures, hear your news and read your comments. You can tweet us, external or go to our Facebook page, external.