Summary

  • Updates from 27 December to 1 January

  • Click on Related Stories to view stories from your area

Live Reporting

  1. Coventry City still targeting automatic promotion

    Martin Winch
    BBC News

    Coventry City's goalkeeper Lee Burge says he believes promotion is still a realistic aim for the team this season.

    Lee BurgeGetty Images

    The Sky Blues dropped to seventh in League Two after their Boxing Day defeat at Port Vale.

    Seventh is the last of the play-off places but Burge says the side wants to get into the top three and secure automatic promotion.

    We are in with a chance, we do want to be in the automatic play-offs and we're going to keep pushing and keep working hard to try and get up

    Lee Burge, Coventry City goalkeeper

  2. Garden escape attempt after police car chase

    Allen Cook
    BBC News

    A man and two teenagers have been arrested after a police chase which the force says ended with two of them trying to escape through back gardens.

    West Midlands Police says a car was reported to them yesterday after driving away from a garage in Telford without paying for petrol.

    They say it was then seen just after midnight "driving erratically" in Bushbury, Wolverhampton, and only stopped after being pursued for an hour.

    The teenagers then tried to get away by jumping over fences into gardens and one was eventually found hiding under a piece of plasterboard.

    Officers say they've arrested a 34-year-old man and two 17-year-old boys on suspicion of theft of a car.

  4. Landmark play to mark women's suffrage anniversary

    BBC Entertainment and Arts

    A landmark play to be staged in Staffordshire has made a list of the BBC's theatre shows "you won't want to miss in 2018".

    Elizabeth RobinsGetty Images

    In March, the New Vic, in Newcastle-under-Lyme, will be reviving Votes For Women by Elizabeth Robins (pictured) to mark a centenary of women's suffrage.

    The play was first staged in 1907, 11 years before women won the vote.

  5. Inquest opens into death of toddler hit by car at garage

    Sophie Madden
    BBC News

    An inquest has opened into the death of a 19-month-old who was hit by a car in Minsterley, Shropshire.

    Stelios Andrew Karsas was struck by a Hyundai Santa Fe on the forecourt of Minsterley Garage on the A488 Station Road.

    A hearing was opened earlier at the coroner's office in Shrewsbury's Shirehall and adjourned until 23 March 2018.

    Minsterley GarageGoogle

    Stelios Andrew Karsas was hit by a car on the forecourt of Minsterley Garage.

    Members of the public tried to resuscitate Stelios after the accident on 21 December.

    Paramedics and the air ambulance were called, but despite efforts to save the toddler, who was in cardiac arrest, he died.

    The police investigation into the incident is continuing.

  6. Defensive woes mount for Stoke ahead of Chelsea game

    Matt Sandoz
    Stoke City commentator, BBC Radio Stoke

    Stoke City's manager says his side's facing a challenging game against Chelsea this weekend after suffering another defensive casualty.

    Ryan Shawcross,of Stoke City, goes off injured during the Premier League match between Huddersfield Town and Stoke CityGetty Images

    The Potters' skipper Ryan Shawcross limped off the field (pictured) in their 1-1 draw with Huddersfield Town on Boxing Day.

    Stoke are already without Erik Pieters and Kurt Zouma.

    It's going to test us, but maybe we can get the likes of Erik Pieters back at the weekend hopefully, Bruno Martins Indi probably won't be ready so we'll have to just go with what we've got

    Mark Hughes, Stoke City manager

  7. In photos: Snow covered countryside in the West Midlands

    BBC Weather Watchers

    The snowfall overnight in the West Midlands has inspired more photos today from our BBC Weather Watchers.

    These three are from users Nick Brown, in Rugby; Ledbury Lass, in Hollybush; and Micks54pics, in Rubery:

    RugbyNick Brown
    HollybushLedbury Lass
    RuberyMicks54pics

  8. What tomorrow's weather's going to be like

    Rebecca Wood
    BBC Midlands Today

    We've had a cold, icy start for much of the region and here's how tonight and tomorrow are looking.

    You can also get the latest forecasts at any other time from the BBC Weather website.

    Rebecca Wood

  9. Woman's death treated as murder

    The woman in her 50s was found dead at a property and post-mortem tests are due to take place.

    Read More

  11. Man's death 'unexplained'

    Caroline Gall
    BBC News

    The discovery of a man's body in Birmingham's being treated as unexplained by police.

    Bristol Road, BirminghamGoogle

    They say they were called to Bristol Road after the find near Longbridge Social Club just after midnight today.

    Officers say a post-mortem examination will be carried out on the 62-year-old's body.

  12. Man released after attempted arson at police station

    Sophie Madden
    BBC News

    A man who was arrested after petrol was sprayed at a police station has been released under investigation.

    Rugeley Police StationGoogle Maps

    The entrance to Rugeley police station and several police cars were targeted on Christmas Day.

    Staffordshire Police says a 42-year-old man who was being questioned on suspicion of attempted arson with intent to endanger life has now been released.

    Inquiries are continuing.

  13. Wasps winger out 'for a while' with hamstring injury

    Martin Winch
    BBC News

    Wasps winger Josh Bassett won't play for the side for several weeks, according to director of rugby Dai Young.

    Josh BassettGetty Images

    The 25-year-old picked up a hamstring injury in the 49-24 win over Gloucester at the weekend.

    Wasps next play at Bath tomorrow in a 19:45 kick-off.

    It's a hamstring injury which, because of the Christmas period, it's very hard to get a full report on it really. But he's certainly going to be out for a while with it, that's for sure

    Dai Young, Wasps director of rugby

  14. Woman's death in Worcester treated as murder
    Breaking

    Allen Cook
    BBC News

    The death of a woman in Worcester's now being investigated as a murder by police.

    Emergency services were called to an address in Carnforth Drive shortly before 18:50 GMT on Wednesday.

    West Mercia Police says the woman, aged in her 50s, was found dead at the scene and a post-mortem examination will be carried out.

    However, this afternoon the force says it is now treating her death as murder and it has increased patrols in the area.

  15. Linden to leave Birmingham City Ladies

    Birmingham City Ladies' Germany international striker Isabelle Linden is to leave the struggling WSL 1 club.

    Read More

  16. Schools encouraged to learn about pottery

    Schools in north Staffordshire are being encouraged to become 'clay schools' in 2018 and learn more about pottery.

    It's a scheme run by the ceramics festival known as the British Ceramics Biennial, which has 19 schools signed up so far - it is aiming to get 90 involved eventually.

    Buildings in Stoke-on-Trent

    Next year they're aiming to make thousands of small figures to represent people in Stoke-on-Trent.

  17. Rugby: Warriors fly-half out for six weeks

    BBC Sport

    Worcester Warriors fly-half Jono Lance has been ruled out for about six weeks after breaking his hand during the home win over London Irish.

    Warriors have also confirmed prop Nick Schonert is due to have a scan on his ankle injury in order to determine the extent of the problem.

    Jono LanceGetty Images

    Meanwhile, it's been confirmed new director of rugby Alan Solomons will take charge of the Warriors squad at Saracens on Saturday as Gary Gold has returned to South Africa.

  18. Girl gets toilet roll igloo for Christmas

    All Maggie wanted for Christmas was toilet roll to play with, so her family got creative.

    Read More

  20. I was prepared to put up with racism - Walters on Rangers debut

    Mark Walters joined Rangers 30 years ago and recalls the racist abuse he received as one of few black footballers to have played in Scotland.

    Read More