Stephanie Barnard
BBC Local Live

Families of victims of the Birmingham pub bombings victims are to crowdfund a High Court challenge, external in a bid to overturn a coroner's decision not to name any suspects.

In July, senior coroner Sir Peter Thornton QC said "the perpetrator issue is not within scope" of fresh inquest hearings to be heard later this year.

The decision led to many relatives of victims saying they would boycott the new hearings.

Campaign group Justice4The21 are now trying to raise £10,000 to pay for the application and the legal work required.

The group says it can apply for legal aid funding, but that "experience shows" it would be unlikely to be completed within the deadline for such High Court applications.

Drivers are warned to expect delays on the M5 southbound after an accident between West Bromwich and Oldbury.

One lane is closed between junctions 1 and 2.

Warwickshire captain Ian Bell hopes his team's form in the T20 Blast can help save their county season.

The Bears are bottom of Division One of the County Championship, after eight games without a win.

But they're top of the group in the T20 Blast ahead of their match against Worcestershire Rapids this evening.

A 24-hour penalty marathon begins at Molineux this morning (from 10am) to raise money for Cure Leukemia.

Goalkeeper Carl Ikeme was diagnosed with acute leukaemia after he had blood tests in pre-season training.

Image source, Steve Plant

Follow #Pens4Kemes on Twitter , externalfor the latest updates throughout the day.

So far £6,900 has been raised for the cancer charity online., external

Image source, Wolves

Birmingham Mail

The Independent Police Complaints Commission has started an investigation, external over the use of force during the arrest of two men in Aston on Sunday.

BBC Midlands Today

An independent panel tasked with overseeing Birmingham City Council has been told it can stand down. , external

A team of experts was installed in January 2015, following concerns over the budgeting and management of the authority.

A government minister's report published today has found "strong political leadership" within the authority and "good prospects for improvement".

The panel was set up in 2015 after a report found various problems at the council, many being the result of a series of poor decisions over the years, it said.

Sara Blizzard
BBC Weather

A fine day with sunny spells but also a few light showers in places.

Feeling warm with top temperatures of 21C (70F).

Stephanie Barnard
BBC Local Live

Good morning from the BBC WM newsroom. It's almost the weekend but not quite.

I'll be bringing you the latest news, sport, travel and weather from Birmingham and the Black Country between now and 18:00.

If you'd like to get in touch with us, you can tweet us @BBCWM, external or visit our Facebook page, external.

Officers say the two drivers may have information which could help the investigation.

About 50 people gather outside Birmingham's Council House to protest at the lack of progress.

The police watchdog is investigating claims after mobile phone footage of an arrest was released on social media.

Rikki Clarke's move from Warwickshire to Surrey and Dom Sibley's switch in the opposite direction will take place this season.

We'll be back with our usual mix of news, sport, travel and weather from 08:00 tomorrow, but keep an eye out here for more updates this evening and into the morning.

Refuse workers say they've been left with no other option other to go on strike.

Birmingham City Council says it faces "significant financial challenges" and needs a "high-quality, value-for-money and reliable refuse service".

So where do you stand on the issue or do you just want to see your bin being emptied?

David Guy posts on BBC Midlands Facebook page:, external Sympathies lie with local people who are receiving such a poor service. City council have given way too easily every time the teams go on strike.

Janet Bailey adds:, external My sympathy is with the bin men - this whole mess has been caused by the council. They say they want to save money but are employing 120 agency workers until September supposedly to clean up the mess

Join the conversation on social media., external

Birmingham Mail

Parents have warned that plans to close 26 of Birmingham’s children’s , externalcentres may create “a massive class divide in Sutton Coldfield”, where three venues are at risk.

Worcestershire Rapids resume their T20 Blast campaign tomorrow against the Birmingham Bears at Edgbaston.

After a slow start to the 20-over format, Worcestershire have found some form and will be aiming to continue that tomorrow as they will then host Northamptonshire Steelbacks on Saturday.

Director of cricket Steve Rhodes admits the side hadn't quite nailed key areas of the game early on.

If you've been following the story of Harry the cat who has been shortlisted in the Cats Protection awards - it's bad news.

Despite making the top three shortlist in the Furr-ever Friends category, external he didn't win.

He was pipped to the scratching post by Mittens.

Harry was nominated because of the love and support that he gives his 12-year-old owner Molly who suffers with severe anxiety and autism.

Earlier she told us "the cat was her world".

BBC WM Sport

The top sport stories this afternoon that we're talking about on BBC WM include:

• Harry Redknapp admits Birmingham City's pre-season has been the "most frustrating he's ever had" - adding that the squad is "well short" of what he wants
• Wolves boss Nuno says he doesn't anticipate many more signings - but will remain in the market in case anything catches their eye
• Walsall manager John Whitney has been outlining his decision to rule out James O'Connor from his plans for the coming season

Awat Hamasalih denied being a member of the terror group and helping their campaign.

Paul Franks
Presenter, BBC WM

A man's search to find his son has ended 47 years after they were separated.

The heartbreaking story of Andy McNicol featured on the ITV show Long Lost Family last night., external

His son, John, was put up for adoption after a relationship with a woman broke down.

She added: "We were so so long and we just can't believe that it's finally happened and we keep pinching ourselves."