Summary

  • Man dies in police custody

  • Corbyn on bin dispute

  • Family in flat fire

  • Thousands of cyclists set for Midlands roads

  • Updates from Friday 22 September 2017

Live Reporting

  1. Solihull backroom duo leave Damson Park

    Assistant boss Nick Green and coach David Bridgwater leave Solihull Moors, who sign Joe Payne and Richard Brodie.

    Read More

  2. Man dies in police custody - investigation launched
    Breaking

    A man died while in police custody in Oldbury yesterday.

    He was taken into a custody suite but found unresponsive in his cell during a routine check at 02:00.

    The Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC) says it is now carrying out a full investigation and reviewing CCTV.

    The man, in his 30s, has not been named.

  4. Family escape flat fire

    A family have escaped a fire at a flat in Tamworth.

    Staffordshire Fire and Rescue Service said crews were called to a second floor flat on Arden Close, Amington, at 00:17 on Friday to reports of a bedroom fire.

    The service said the fire was caused by a modified lighter which had been left on flammable materials in the bedroom.

    Arden CloseGoogle

    Thankfully no one was seriously harmed by this fire and we were able to attend before serious damage was caused to the property. Fortunately the parents smelled the smoke before the fire spread throughout the property and were able to evacuate and call us."

    As they did not have working smoking alarms this incident could easily have had a more tragic outcome."

    Gary Fox, Station Manager

  6. Velo 100-mile cycling event: Your comments

    A massive cycling event takes place this weekend in Staffordshire, the Black Country and Worcestershire.

    On Sunday, 15,000 cyclists will follow the 100-mile route of Velo Birmingham through the Midlands, much of it on closed roads.

    Here are some of the comments you've been making on Facebook:

    CyclistsGetty Images

    How will it effect me? Should one of my family ever need to be cared for by McMillan nurses, money raised from the Velo may help with their care. My husband is diabetic and money raised from the Velo may one day find a cure for the disease."

    Lynsey Pledger

    All taking part on the public highway. A definition of highway is an area of land which the public at large have an absolute right to use to pass and repass without let or hindrance. I appreciate the need to close roads to carry out road repairs, or install or repair utilities but for a sporting event?"

    David Denning

    Yes okay, the money will be raised for Macmillan nurses etc, but what about district nurses or carers that may already be visiting a member of your family, but can’t get through because the roads are closed?"

    David Austin

    Velo Birmingham? Hardly any of it is in Birmingham."

    Dale Harper

  7. County Championship: Yorkshire face testing final day against Warwickshire

    Yorkshire need to win against Warwickshire today at Headingley if they want to avoid relegation to Division Two.

    Jeetan PatelGetty Images

    Already-relegated Warwickshire, 49-1 overnight in their second innings, made 251 yesterday, thanks largely to skipper Jonathan Trott and Tim Ambrose.

    That set Yorkshire 175 to win, with 21 overs to face in the gathering gloom, but Jeetan Patel claimed two of three wickets as Yorkshire closed on 56-3 - meaning they need 119 runs with seven wickets remaining.

    You can follow live updates here.

  8. Sports headlines: Could the Bears beat Yorkshire?

    Mikey Burrows
    BBC WM Sport

    The top sports stories we're talking about this morning include:

    • Warwickshire have a chance of a rare win at Yorkshire later
    • Lee Carsley says Blues need a more experienced full-time manager as replacement for Harry Redknapp
    • In speedway, Cradley Heathens were heavily beaten by the Isle of Wight last night - an injury-hit line up lost 61-29
    • Wolves take a 28-point lead to Somerset tonight for the second leg of their knockout cup semi-final
    • Tamworth's David Gilbert is in quarter-final action right now at the World Open Snooker in Yushan, China - he's facing 10th seed Mark Allen

  9. Transfer gossip: Villa and Blues

    BBC Sport

    BBC sport has got all the latest transfer gossip from the back pages including whispers about Villa and Blues.

    Aston Villa are one of five Championship clubs reported to be keeping tabs on Rangers' Colombian striker Alfredo Morelos, 21, following a goal-laden beginning in Scotland that has seen him score eight times in 10 games. (Birmingham Mail)

    Former England manager Steve McClaren is one of the favourites to succeed Harry Redknapp as the new Birmingham City boss. (Birmingham Mail)

    For completed deals, check theBBC Sport transferspage.

  11. Get ready for 15k cyclists on the roads

    BBC Midlands Today

    Fifteen thousand cyclists will take to the region's roads on Sunday for the first Velo Birmingham.

    Cyclists

    The race is proving controversial as some businesses along the 100-mile route are concerned that road closures in Staffordshire, the Black Country and Worcestershire will damage trade.

    Many roads will be closed throughout the area - check whether you'll be affected on the website.

    Velo birmingham 2017 mapVelo Birmingham

  12. Video: Your 50-second weather forecast

    Charlie Slater
    BBC Weather presenter

    After a foggy start for some, there'll be some decent sunshine around this morning, but cloud will increase later bringing some rain with highs of 17C (63F).

    Latest weather for the West Midlands

  13. Friday: Live updates for Birmingham and the Black Country

    Stephanie Barnard
    BBC Local Live

    Good morning and welcome to Friday.

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

    If you'd like to get in touch, you can reach the BBC Local Live team on Facebook or tweet @BBCWM.

  14. The gardening 'oldie' teenagers love

    The 'First Lady Of The Allotments' is 83.

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  15. The gardening 'oldie' teenagers love

    The 'First Lady Of The Allotments' is 83 and teaching her juniors 'about life' and green thumbs.

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  16. Police probe homophobic match chants

    Carol Smith says she was subjected to chants for 30 minutes at the clash between Villa and Boro.

    Read More

  17. Yorkshire three down chasing 175 to win

    Yorkshire lose three wickets after being set 175 to win by relegated Warwickshire at Headingley.

    Read More

  18. Thrones star causes stir on campus

    Isaac Hempstead-Wright, who plays Bran Stark in Game of Thrones, is a student in Birmingham.

    Read More

  19. Our coverage across the day

    We'll be back with our usual mix of news, sport, travel and weather from 08:00 on Friday.

    Keep an eye out here for more updates before then.

  20. Car with 'gun shot damage' recovered by police

    Olivia Morley
    Journalist, BBC WM

    A police investigation has been launched after gunshots were heard in Birmingham yesterday evening.

    West Midlands Police was called to The Fold in Kings Norton at about 17:30.

    A car was found with suspected shotgun damage and has been recovered for forensic examination.