The Birmingham Commonwealth Games bid team say they're waiting to hear more from the federation that will decide which city is to host the 2022 Games after Birmingham's bid was deemed "not fully compliant".

Speaking in last month, GB rhythmic gymnast Mimi Cesar said having the 2022 Commonwealth Games in her home city of Birmingham would be "amazing" and would secure funding for her sport.

Jamie George scores a hat-trick of tries to help Saracens beat Wasps 38-19 and move to the top of the Premiership.

Stephanie Barnard
BBC News

Twenty years on BBC Midlands Today - Nick Owen was last night surprised live on air with some of the highlights of his career over the past two decades.

From cracking one-liner jokes, to a tear jerking moment when he took his father back to Dunkirk - last night was really a moment to stop and reflect at Nick's broadcasting career in the West Midlands.

Thanks to everyone for their comments on Facebook - safe to say, there's a lot of love in the room for Nick Owen - here's a flavour of some of them.

Martin Dudley:, external "Nick Owen is a great anchorman, love BBC Midlands Today - news worth watching, just a shame he’s a ‘Hatter’"

Sarah Jane Glover:, external "Congratulations Nick, love watching you on Midlands Today, you always remind me of my Dad with your “jokes”.....looking forward to watching you for years to come."

Elizabeth Jones:, external "Well done Nick. You make every broadcast special. You are a compassionate caring man and treat everyone with respect. Thank you."

Paula Bird:, external "Excellent gentleman with a lovely manner and terrible jokes(!) but I always enjoy watching him - well done Nick - keep going please."

Birmingham Mail

Here are some of the latest stories on the Birmingham Mail homepage., external

• Teenage student stabbed by stranger near Aston University, external
• School CCTV captures 'ghost' causing havo, externalc in corridors in dead of night
• Kings Heath at a 'standstill' as crash paralyses 50 and 35 bus routes, external

The chief executive who helped put together Birmingham's bid to host the 2022 Commonwealth Games says the team were aware "there would still be a few hurdles to clear before a decision was made".

Paul Blanchard, chief executive of Commonwealth Games England, said: "It was a huge effort to put such a comprehensive bid together in such a short timescale.

Image source, Birmingham City Council

Mr Blanchard says the team will, as planned, "will be working with the Commonwealth Games Federation closely over the coming weeks to demonstrate that Birmingham would stage a world class Commonwealth Games in 2022".

Dan Roan
BBC Sports editor

The federation that will pick the city to host the 2022 Commonwealth Games will not say exactly why Birmingham's bids is "not fully compliant".

A spokesperson from Birmingham 2022 said says:

“Birmingham worked closely with the DCMS to present a compelling and low risk bid for the city to host the 2022 Commonwealth Games.

"This was delivered within a very tight, but pre-agreed timeframe because of the proximity of the 2022 Games and this was communicated to all interested parties.

"We expected a period of discussion and negotiation with the CGF following submission and we await further clarification from the CGF about the next steps.”

The Commonwealth Games Federation has announced it is extending the bidding deadline for the 2022 Games to 30 November after saying Birmingham's bid was "not fully compliant".

Birminghamwas the only city to submit a bid to host before the original deadline on 30 September.

Kuala Lumpur in Malaysia, Victoria in Canada and a potential Australian entry had been thought to be possible bidders but none came forward.

Image source, Birmingham City Council

We will bring you more on this story as we get it.

Musician Andrew Pearce has been lifting the spirits of his fellow patients at Telford's Princess Royal Hospital by playing tunes on his guitar.

The 22-year-old from Craven Arms went in on 27 September to be treated for ulcerative colitis.

He's been playing the guitar since he was 14 and is a member of two bands.

Nurses asked him to play after hearing him singing in the shower.

Four men have been arrested following an armed robbery at a Tesco Express store in Stafford on Wednesday night, police say.

Image source, Google

Staffordshire Police say three women who work at the store on Stone Road were about to close when two masked men carrying "large knives" forced them to open the safe.

The men took cash from the safe and tills, and "a large quantity of cigarettes". They stole a car from a member of staff to make their getaway.

The four men arrested, all in their 30s and from the Stafford area, remain in custody, police say.

A gun maker from Herefordshire will be going to a World War One ceremony in France next month in honour of his grandfather.

John Slough's grandfather, Albert, died in the Battle of Passchendaele in Belgium 100 years ago, which will be commemorated in the 100-gun salute near Lille.

Mr Slough has restored 16 World War One guns that will be fired during the salute (pictured).

Heidi Booth
Journalist, BBC Radio Derby

You'd have to have a wooden heart not to smile at this...

Back in 1977, Margaret had been saving up for months to see her favourite singer, the one and only Elvis Presley.

Sadly just before she was due to see him he died, and she never got the chance to see him perform.

So, for her 70th birthday today, her daughter Charlie Baldwin brought in Elvis impersonator Bob to surprise her mum at home in Stretton.

Margaret was, of course, all shook up at the stunt, and said it was "the most different birthday I've ever had in my life".

Coventry Observer

Some of the top stories on the Coventry Observer website this morning include:

• "It's a witchhunt," claims another councillor tackled by us over immigration tweets, external
• Police appeal as man still in coma after being found, external in Foleshill street last month
• Man cleared on breaking jaw in fight outside nightclub, external but found guilty of assault

BBC Midlands
BBC Midlands

BBC Midlands Today reporter Satnam Rana, who's been diagnosed with breast cancer, is trying to persuade more black and Asian women to talk openly about the disease.

Last month the BBC reporter revealed she discovered a lump and is due to undergo a mastectomy.

Thanks for all your comments on Facebook, external, here are just a few.

Joanna Tolley:, external "I hope that your openness encourages more people to be aware and I’m convinced that a positive attitude is a great asset when overcoming cancer."

Neal Snell:, external "Every good wish Satnam - your a lovely smiley lady so we'll miss you on TV so get back fully fit real soon."

Penny Cornish:, external "It’s good to speak out especially if it encourages others to check themselves and attend routine breast scans. My cancer was found that way and after 8 ops and a mastectomy I now feel really well and have a new perspective on life."

A death row inmate in Florida, who was befriended by a man from Shropshire, has been executed this morning.

Mike Lambrix (right) was convicted of murdering two people more than 30 years ago, although he's always insisted he killed the man in self-defence after he found him strangling a 19-year-old woman.

Image source, BBC / State of Florida

Jan Arriens from Bishop's Castle (left) runs a charity called Life Lines and had been writing to Lambrix for 26 years.

But hopes of a last minute reprieve were dashed and Lambrix, who was 57, was pronounced dead at 22:10 last night at the Florida State Prison after being given a lethal injection.

Passengers travelling on trains between Lichfield and Gravelly Hill are being diverted onto buses due to "slippery rails" says London Midland., external

Cross Country is accepting tickets, external between Tamworth and Birmingham New Street as a result.

Firefighters have been tackling a fire at a five-storey block of flats on Federation Road in Burslem this morning.

The fire service were called at 08:20 - three people are being treated by West Midlands Ambulance Service, but it's not known how serious their injuries are.

A 57-year-old man from Bridgnorth has been charged with a historical rape, police say.

West Mercia Police says the charge relates to an attack on a 36-year-old woman in Telford in February 1993.

He is due to appear at Telford Magistrates' Court later today.

Burton Mail

Human remains have been found in an 18th Century underground crypt, external in a village churchyard near Uttoxeter - including those of a well-known novelist.

Stephanie Barnard
BBC News

Fans of the Birmingham Big Sleuth trail will have the chance to see the sculptures all together for the last time this weekend.

The 100 statues will be exhibited until Sunday at Eastside City Park, before being auctioned to bidders next week.

It's hoped the art project could raise £500,000 for Birmingham Children's Hospital Charity.

Though the charity warns that some visiting time slots have sold out - so buy your tickets in advance.

About 30 firefighters have been called to a fire at a flat in Burslem.

Six appliances and an aerial platform are tackling the blaze on Federation Road.

Image source, Stoke Police

The fire service were called just after 08:20 - it's not yet clear if anybody has been injured.