Birmingham Mail

A man found dead in the doorway of city centre bank had been smoking Black Mamba before he died, according to friends, external.  

BBC Midlands Today

A major revamp of the Belfry Hotel in Warwickshire could create a hundred new jobs after expansion plans were unveiled. 

Propoals for the Ryder Cup golfing venue include a new indoor water entertainment area, specifically designed for hotel residents, and a luxury spa facility. 

There'll also be a 500-seat conference facility, with another 112 rooms added to the complex.

Walsall manager Jon Whitney releases seven players, but offers a three-year deal to goalkeeper Neil Etheridge.

BBC Midlands Today

A video clip of a Birmingham schoolgirl being hugged by friends after she had a walking blade fitted, has been one of our most popular tweets.

Prem Mohanty tweeted, external it "melted their heart".

Anto Finnegan tweeted, external: "Children just instinctively know the right thing to do. Wonderful." 

Tara tweeted, external: "I cried watching this earlier. It's wonderful, not least the holding hands marching round the playground." 

Trains are now running normally again between Birmingham International and Coventry, after an earlier incident at Tile Hill, National Rail says.

There's been a problem with some posters outside polling stations in Birmingham today - they've been telling people they can only vote for one candidate in the mayoral elections. 

People can have a second preference too. 

The city council has not confirmed how many polling stations have been affected but said the problem is now being rectified.

Stourbridge News

A devastated Kingswinford mum has paid a heartfelt tribute to her 12-year-old son who died of lymphoma just weeks after discovering he was suffering from the deadly disease - here is today's front page report, external.

Image source, Stourbridge News

Patrick Burns
Political editor, Midlands

It is polling day in the election for the West Midlands' first mayor.

I will bring you all you need to know about the role, which is being chosen in the middle of a general election campaign.

Join for more on the Midlands Today on BBC One from 13:30.

Alex Homer
BBC Local Live

A man has been charged with a series of burglaries in south Birmingham.

He is accused of carrying out eight break-ins spanning Kings Heath and Northfield, plus others in Solihull, Sandwell and Wythall, between 28 January and 23 March.

The 20-year-old has been charged with conspiracy to commit burglary and is due to appear at Birmingham Magistrates Court later on Thursday.

He was also arrested on suspicion of attempted murder in connection with a shooting in Bartley Green on Sunday and has been bailed by police.

Tom Garry
BBC Sport

Manchester City and Birmingham drew 1-1 in the league in a dress rehearsal for the Women's FA Cup final on 13 May.

Last year's champions City had to come from behind against a resolute Birmingham, who led through Emily Westwood's header before England right-back Lucy Bronze made it 1-1 after the break.

Louise Hancock
Newsreader, BBC WM

A 46-year-old woman and a 56-year-old man have been arrested on suspicion of illegal money lending and money laundering after a raid at a Northfield home, police say.

Officers from the England Illegal Money Lending Team seized documentation, electronic devices and a large quantity of cash at a residential address on Wednesday.

The suspects were questioned and were later released under investigation whilst enquiries continue.

A bus replacement service is running between Coventry and Leamington Spa in both directions, say National Rail.

Affected customers can use National Express services between Birmingham city centre and Birmingham International.

Disruption to rail services is expected to last until around 13:30 after reports of a person being struck by a train near Tile Hill in Coventry.

Rail services between Coventry and Birmingham New Street have been suspended after reports of a person being struck by a train. 

British Transport Police say it happened near Tile Hill in Coventry just after 10:00.

The line is likely to remain closed for some time.

Louise Hancock
Newsreader, BBC WM

Police have told us they are working "around the clock" to crackdown on gang crime in areas of Birmingham, including Bartley Green, Northfield and Frankley.

Image source, Thinkstock

Their efforts follow multiple cases of knife and gun crime in recent weeks. 

Over the Bank Holiday weekend alone there were four incidents involving firearms. 

In one case a 29-year-old man was shot in the arm.

The law firm said legal aid is in the best interests of the "effective administration of justice".

A man is today starting an 11-year jail term after beating his housemate to death in a dispute about a £30 debt.

Image source, West Midlands Police

Damien Boroweic, 22, borrowed the money off Wojiech Molenda and repaid him, but was later told Mr Molenda had informed their landlord the debt was still outstanding.

Mr Molenda, 52, was found dead in a bedsit they shared in Birmingham last April after Boroweic attacked him at the house. 

He admitted manslaughter at Birmingham Crown Court.

The lawyers acting for eight families of victims of the Birmingham pub bombings say they have been offered legal aid funding.

Image source, Getty Images

It is hoped this will cover the costs of representing the relatives in the upcoming fresh inquest hearings into the deaths of the victims of the 1974 bombings. 

Belfast law firm, KRW, initially made an application on behalf of the eight families in 2016 but this was refused because the Legal Aid Agency, which handles the funding applications, did not have contracts with law firms outside England and Wales.  

The Legal Aid Agency has changed its position ahead of the next hearing of the case on 31 May, the Ministry of Justice confirmed.

Charlie Slater
BBC Weather presenter

After a cloudy start, there should be some sunny spells today, but feeling breezy with highs of 15C (59F).

Louise Hancock
Newsreader, BBC WM

Parking charges at three of the West Midlands' main hospitals have almost doubled.

Rates changed this week - it used to cost £5.75 to stay for 24 hours at Good Hope, Solihull or Heartlands, but it now costs £10. 

Instead of £2.75 for up to one hour and £3.75 for up to two hours, it is now £3 for up to three hours. 

The tariff for staying up to four hours has increased from £4.75 to £5 and there is also a new fee for staying up to six hours of £7.

The trust which runs the hospitals says the majority of visitors, who stay for less than two hours, will actually pay slightly less.

Polls have opened in the election for the West Midlands first metro mayor.

Image source, Getty Images

Six candidates are competing for the job which will have extensive powers over transport, housing and job creation across the region. 

The BBC is not reporting on the general election until the polls close.