Midlands Live: Breaking news and local stories

Summary

Updates from Monday 4 - Sunday 10 December
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Live Reporting

Your photos: Roe deer in snowpublished at 18:58 Greenwich Mean Time 8 December 2017
Stephanie Barnard
BBC News
More snow is forecast for Sunday and we're hoping you'll continue to send in wonderful photos like these.
How does this ancient old tree in Ellesmere tree stay upright asks Tree Hunter Rob, external? It's a good question, considering half of the trunk is missing.
Image source, Tree Hunter Rob
@eskimoden, external captured this amazing photo of roe deer in the snow in Bidford, Warwickshire.
Image source, @eskimoden
Warriors make 14 changes for European matchpublished at 18:55 Greenwich Mean Time 8 December 2017
BBC Sport
Worcester Warriors have made 14 changes to their starting line up for tomorrow afternoon's European Challenge Cup match against Oyonnax at Sixways.
David Denton (pictured below) is the only one in tomorrow's starting 15 who played in last Friday's Aviva Premiership match against Sale Sharks.
Image source, Getty Images
End of the line for London Midland's rail franchisepublished at 18:52 Greenwich Mean Time 8 December 2017
Allen Cook
BBC News
Train passengers in the West Midlands will see a new brand on some of the trains on Monday as a new rail operator takes over.
West Midlands Trains Ltd was earlier this year awarded a contract to run the West Midlands rail franchise.
Image source, West Midlands Rail
The firm is a joint venture between Dutch firm Abellio and Japanese partners and, from Monday, it'll take over routes currently operated by London Midland.
London Midland tweeted today, external to say "it's been a pleasure" running the routes.
City to push on with culture planspublished at 18:47 Greenwich Mean Time 8 December 2017
Partners involved in the City of Culture bid for Stoke-on-Trent have vowed to forge ahead with their plans for city's cultural transformation despite not winning the title.
Paul Williams, who led the bid team, said he was "disappointed" but proud of what the city achieved in being shortlisted.
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'No need for concern' over dying salmonpublished at 18:43 Greenwich Mean Time 8 December 2017
Allen Cook
BBC News
People in the Ludlow area who might have seen dying salmon in the river are being told not to worry.
The Environment Agency says it's "normal" after the fish have spawned.
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Sledgers get rare opportunity in town centrepublished at 18:39 Greenwich Mean Time 8 December 2017
Sledgers in Shrewsbury had a rare chance to slide through the town centre today.
Wyle Cop was closed to traffic earlier at the request of the police, because it is too slippy.
Media caption,
Road closed by snow a gift for sledgers
Sale reprieve for historic hallpublished at 18:36 Greenwich Mean Time 8 December 2017
Dudley Council votes to reconsider earlier plans for 'jewel in the crown' Himley.
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In the papers: Speed camera claim for Tamworthpublished at 18:34 Greenwich Mean Time 8 December 2017
Tamworth Herald
The Tamworth Herald features these stories on its website today:
Shrewsbury Town draw Blackpool in EFL Trophypublished at 18:29 Greenwich Mean Time 8 December 2017
The draw for round three of the EFL Trophy has been made and Shrewsbury have been drawn at home in the Northern section against Blackpool.
They are the only remaining team from the West Midlands in the draw, after their 2-1 win at Port Vale on Tuesday.
Drivers warned to make 'only essential' journeyspublished at 18:24 Greenwich Mean Time 8 December 2017
Allen Cook
BBC News
There are still poor driving conditions in parts of the West Midlands this evening, according to local police forces:
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Hundreds back campaign to save city's treespublished at 18:20 Greenwich Mean Time 8 December 2017
Claudia Berry
BBC News
A petition to save trees on Worcester's New Road has already attracted more than 2,000 signatures. , external
Work to raise the road to stop it from flooding , externalwas approved by the county council this week.
Image source, Google
But campaigners say the £1.2m project, due to start in January, will mean the trees down each side will have to be felled.
The council says only seven trees will be felled and they're planting 13 to replace them in Cripplegate Park.
Quote Message
I really care about the character of Worcester, about the green spaces and I think this road is an important artery into town. Losing the trees will look horrific and I just want the council to do a bit more to try and mitigate the damage caused by the flood defence plan."
Kerry Smith, Creator of online petition
See how much snow's forecast for the weekendpublished at 18:15 Greenwich Mean Time 8 December 2017
Rebecca Wood
BBC Midlands Today
After a day of snow for much of the West Midlands, here's how the weekend is looking and yes, more snow's on the horizon.
Keep your updated over the weekend with the latest forecast for your area on the BBC Weather website.
Media caption,
Rebecca Wood
Stunning landscapes in snowpublished at 18:09 Greenwich Mean Time 8 December 2017
Stephanie Barnard
BBC News
A huge thank you to everyone who is sharing their snow photos with us on Facebook, external, Twitter, external and email.
Here's just a selection of photos that have been shared with on Twitter across Shropshire and Staffordshire.
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And another landscape, but more to the point, meet Brock the border collie.
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Couple jailed over baby's brain damagepublished at 17:59 Greenwich Mean Time 8 December 2017
The girl was shaken so violently she will need special needs care for the rest of her life.
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Concerns over shopping centres takeoverpublished at 17:56 Greenwich Mean Time 8 December 2017
Facebook
People have been having their say on the BBC Shropshire Facebook page about Shropshire Council's idea of taking over the running of Shrewsbury's three main shopping centres.
The multimillion-pound plans would see them buy the Darwin and Pride Hill centres and take over the leases at the council-owned Riverside.
Image source, Google
On Facebook, Martin James wrote, external: "They can afford to buy a shopping centre but are planning to close 14 libraries if other solutions can’t be found. Thought they were complaining they had no money!".
And Craig Evans added, external: "I think more people would prefer the council to invest in constructing more affordable rental property for people of Shropshire".
While Bethan Humphreys posted, external: "Perhaps as an investment, shop units would be leased and therefore would provide ongoing income generation for the council for the future which in the long run would be able to support other council services which have had their funding cut".
'Be prepared' warning for snow issuedpublished at 17:50 Greenwich Mean Time 8 December 2017
BBC Weather
Most of the West Midlands falls under an amber "be prepared" weather warning on Sunday.
Significant snowfall is forecast with impacts for travel expected.
Louise Lear explains the potential impacts.
Media caption,
A warning has been issued by the Met Office advising significant snowfall on Sunday
PM pays tribute to 'city of innovation'published at 17:43 Greenwich Mean Time 8 December 2017
The prime minister said she's "delighted" Coventry has been named the next UK City of Culture, saying local residents should all be "very proud".
"I've no doubt that you’ll put on a spectacular year of events and really create a lasting legacy for people here", she told the Coventry Telegraph, external.
"Because your city has always been a place of innovation, from the air and motoring industries working at the cutting-edge of their fields, to major family events like the Godiva Festival that attract many thousands.
“There was huge support for your bid, with everyone from the two universities, a vast range of businesses and grassroots groups coming together to shine a spotlight on Coventry’s strengths and potential - and it’s this sense of community spirit that is the beating heart of your city."
Snow, snowmen and wintry scenes - More of your photospublished at 17:37 Greenwich Mean Time 8 December 2017
Stephanie Barnard
BBC News
We've been sent hundreds of photos of the snow across the West Midlands and we're trying to feature as many of them as we can. Thank you to everyone who has sent them in on the BBC Midlands Facebook page, external and Twitter., external
If you haven't heard already we're being told to expect "a significant amount of snow on Sunday" too. So be aware for work on Monday.
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This was the scene in Madeley, Telford, as captured by BBC Weather Watcher Paul L.
Image source, Paul L
'This isn't funny' - snowball warning from policepublished at 17:26 Greenwich Mean Time 8 December 2017
Allen Cook
BBC News
People are reportedly throwing snowballs at cars in Shrewsbury today and police say it could cause damage and "isn't funny".
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Travel: Train disruption in Stourbridge areapublished at 17:19 Greenwich Mean Time 8 December 2017
BBC News Travel
There's disruption to trains between Stourbridge Junction and Droitwich Spa this evening.
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