This time 137 years ago, Birmingham police arrested 80 residents for failing to clear snow from their pathways, archives show., external

Image source, West Midlands Police

Police were employed just to clear snow from the paths and thoroughfares, as well as enforcing a byelaw calling for residents to keep their paths snow-free.

Residents were fined a shilling (5p) for not complying.

This scene was replayed across the West Midlands and in February 1900 an auctioneer and a merchant from Warwick Road in Coventry were fined 1 shilling and 6d after they failed to clear a footpath some 20 yards away from their property.

Allen Cook
BBC News

More than 900 homes and businesses are without power this afternoon in the West Midlands., external

A large chunk of that figure are 434 in Bridgnorth, Shropshire while there are 152 affected in part of Birmingham.

Wolverhampton, Telford and Coventry are also affected with Western Power Distribution saying it could be this evening before some get their power back.

A man has been arrested on suspicion of attempted murder after a teenage boy was injured in a firearms incident, police say., external

Officers were called to an address on Brookside Road, Stratford-upon-Avon on Monday 4 December after a 17-year-old was found with a leg injury.

The man, from Leicester, was arrested in Bristol and remains in police custody.

Allen Cook
BBC News

Three men who stole a lot of money from a shop's cash machine in a Shropshire town, external still haven't been tracked down by police.

The West Mercia force says the break-in reportedly happened early on the 29 November at the Spar on Church Street, Bishop's Castle.

They say the three men forced their way in to get to the ATM inside the shop. No arrests have been made and officers are appealing for witnesses to come forward.

Lee Thomas
Newsreader, BBC Radio Stoke

General Electric's decision to cut 500 jobs in Stafford has been described as "devastating news" by Staffordshire County Council.

Image source, Google

A waning demand for fossil fuel power plants is being blamed by the US firm which says it'll start a consultation on the losses.

The council says it'll work with other groups to do "all we can" to support workers who are affected.

Stephanie Barnard
BBC News

Shropshire is experiencing lots of snow at the moment.

We're getting reports of gridlocked roads and delays in Shrewsbury.

Maggie Rowlands sent in this stunning of snow falling in Chirk Bank.

Image source, Maggie Rowlands

Steve Jones tweeted us this photo, external taken in Shrewsbury in the past hour, as well.

Image source, Steve Jones

Genevieve Tudor
Journalist, BBC Shropshire

A reindeer which was thought to have been stolen from a house at Coalbrookdale in Shropshire has been found.

Image source, Severn Edge Vets

Her owner, Diana Vincent, said three-year-old Raziel was taken from a field outside her house yesterday.

But today she says someone spotted her in an orchard in Little Wenlock and she's "thrilled" to have her back.

BBC News Travel

The A49 might be open south of Shrewsbury after the earlier snow-related crash, but a jack-knifed lorry further south on the road is causing major delays.

One motorist said he had been at a standstill for 40 minutes.

Surrounding roads are also said to be congested.

Telford has activated its army of volunteer snow wardens, and Telford and Wrekin Council has been arming them with gloves, shovels and salt.

The wardens are asked to help clear side roads and pavements of snow in their area, while the council focuses on main roads.

The authority says more than 150 have signed up since it started recruiting them in 2012, but it is looking to find more and has produced this video.

Rebecca Wood
BBC Midlands Today

Scattered snow showers are likely to remain throughout the day.

Isolated snow showers will continue overnight, but for most places it will turn dry with clear spells and risk iof icy patches.

Minimum Temperature: -3C (27F).

The Sentinel

The Sentinel features these stories on its website today:

• Met Office issues amber weather warning for up to 20cm of snow, external
• Thug knocked out pub landlady and left man needing surgery, external
• Brave customers wrestled with knifeman during terrifying raid on bookies, external

Riyah Collins
BBC News

George Eliot "would have been delighted to have a multi-cultural community in Coventry," according to chairman of The George Eliot Foundation John Burton after plans were submitted to turn her former residence into an Islamic School.

Image source, Google

The writer lived at Bird Grove (pictured), on what is now George Eliot Road in Coventry, for eight years from the age of 21 after growing up in nearby Griffiths House in Nuneaton.

Mr Burton says the Grade II* listed house, which is looking a bit "sad" after being empty for a year, is a "genuine cultural asset" and although Eliot didn't write any of her novels there, her time in Coventry was important in the development of her later novels.

"There is a story to be told in Coventry," Mr Burton said, "and we think Bird Grove could help tell that story."

Author and lead singer of The Selecter, Pauline Black said Coventry's successful City of Culture bid was in part down to the city's diverse population.

“Across the city there is so much diversity with other people getting involved in other people’s culture and that’s what it’s all about", she said.

"It’s not just UK City of Culture, I consider it to be UK city of multiculturism and Coventry is the bearer of that sign.”

On the old adage of people being sent to Coventry - "people can now get sent to Coventry and feel like they're really part of something", she said.

What are the cultural highlights of Britain's newest City of Culture?

Stephanie Barnard
BBC News

We're featuring some of the snow photos you've sent us.

Thanks to Steve Smith who took this in Gnosall.

Image source, Steve Smith

And thank you to Greg Butler who took this photo in Endon.

Image source, Greg Butler

Tasha Williams took this cracking photo on Cannock Chase

Image source, Tasha Williams

Allen Cook
BBC News

The snow's forced the closure of the Much Wenlock Museum today, Shropshire Council says, external.

Image source, Shropshire Council

BBC News England

With the snow continuing to fall across parts of the West Midlands today, the emergency services are warning drivers, external to take care on the region's roads.

A couple of years ago, the BBC looked at how people should drive in snow and icy conditions.

The advice included what to check before leaving your house such as tyres, screenwash and windows and what to take.

There's also information on how to drive from the Institute of Advanced Motorists and what to do if you get stuck.

BBC News Travel

The A49 near Shrewsbury's reopened now after the earlier crashes and vehicles skidding which West Mercia Police said was down to the snow:

BBC News Travel

The A49 remains closed south of Shrewsbury in both directions after a crash this morning caused by the weather.

The road is shut near Dorrington.

Just south of that, a jack-knifed lorry is also causing delays.

Most main roads around Shrewsbury and in the town centre are at a standstill.

Police in Shropshire are advising people not to drive unless absolutely necessary.

Allen Cook
BBC News

With the current snowfall in Shropshire and with more forecast, people in the county are being told not to call Shropshire Council unless it's urgent.

While residents in the Telford and Wrekin area are getting this advice from their council over bin collections: