The average commuter travelling to Birmingham will be around £65 worse off after today's rail fare rise, say campaigners.

The Rail Delivery Group admitted it was a "significant" rise, but said that more than 97% of fare income went back into improving and running the railway.

Image source, Getty Images

Paul Plummer, Rail Delivery Group chief executive, told the BBC Today programme: "We are very aware of the pressures on people and the state of the economy and are making sure everything we do is looking to improve and change and make the best use of that money."

He admitted it was "a significant increase" in fares - the highest since they rose by 3.9% in January 2013.

Phil Maiden
Reporter, BBC Hereford & Worcester

A man's been charged with the murder of a woman in Worcestershire. , external

The 44-year-old's body was found just before midnight on New Year's Eve at a house in Cloverdale, Bromsgrove, police say.

West Mercia Police say they've charged a 49-year-old man from Cloverdale with murder and he'll appear before magistrates later.

A fleet of 45 electric trains will replace "the majority" of Great Western Railway's diesel engines.

Strong winds are set to hit the West Midlands later as Storm Eleanor heads our way.

The Met Office has issued a yellow warning for the region from the early hours of Wednesday.

Strong and gusty winds are expected through much of the day with a risk of minor property damage from flying debris. There is also a small chance of transport delays, route and bridge closures.

Image source, Met Office

Gusts of 60 to 70 mph are likely.

Storm Eleanor is the fifth named storm to hit the UK this winter.

Extra police patrols are being put on in an area of Bromsgrove, Worcestershire, after a woman was murdered.

The 44-year-old woman's body was found at a property in Cloverdale in the town shortly before midnight on New Year's Eve.

A 49-year-old man was arrested at the property.

Police are appealing for anyone with any information to contact them.

BBC Weather Watchers

Anyone catch sight of last night's full moon?

Often known as the Wolf Moon, it is already thought it could be the biggest of 2018.

Weather Watcher Darryl took this image in Castle Bromwich.

Image source, Darryl

Eskimodens Lens took this in the Warwickshire village of Bidford-on-Avon.

Image source, Eskimodens Lens

And bingoswestry took this in Oswestry, Shropshire.

Image source, Bingoswestry

Image source, GWR

Great Western Railway (GWR) has started running some of its new trains between London and the Thames Valley today.

The electric Electrostar trains are running from Reading and Didcot Parkway for the first time.

This has been made possible by the electrification of the Great Western Mainline between London and Didcot.

Meanwhile, GWR's intercity express trains will now also reach Oxford, Worcester and Great Malvern.

A 51-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of stabbing another man in Telford.

The 50-year-old victim suffered a "serious injury to his hand" at a property in Barclay Court in Trench yesterday, police said.

Officers are appealing for any witnesses to come forward.

The West Midlands has seen some of the highest increases in rail fares according to analysis by the Labour Party.

Image source, Getty Images

The highest increase was on a Virgin Trains season ticket between Birmingham and London Euston which has risen by £2,539 since 2010 and now costs £10,567, the party said.

The biggest percentage increase identified was between Tame Bridge Parkway and Nuneaton, where the cost of an annual season ticket will have risen by 50% since 2010 - from £1,948 to £2,916.

Train fares across the country will go up by an average of 3.4% from today, the biggest rise since 2013.

BBC Weather

A yellow weather warning for wind has been issued for later. But it is a bright start with some heavy rain, preceded by some hill snow. It will become dry with some sunshine during the afternoon, but will turn wet and very windy again later. Highs of 9C.

More from BBC Weather

More than £17m has been seized from criminals in the last five years, according to figures from West Midlands Police.

Image source, West Midlands Police

Just over £9m was recovered from drug dealers and fraudsters while another £8m was taken from people who failed to prove they’d acquired the money legitimately.

West Midlands Police kept around £6.5m, spending it on crime prevention and community projects such as boxing clubs set up for young people.

The Home Office, CPS and courts services also take a share.

BBC News Travel

A serious police incident closed the A5191 Hereford Road, Shropshire, in both directions for a time overnight.

The road, between Oakley Street and Upper Road, has re-opened but lorries are recommended to take an alternative route as it is difficult for them to pass through, police say.

BBC News Travel

A reduced service is running on a number of West Midlands Railway routes due to planned engineering works.

Services are expected to busier than usual, the company said. , external

Archaeologists have discovered one of England's ancient cities is steeped in more history than at first thought.

A wall has been discovered underneath Worcester's medieval castle which dates back to about 750 BC, 500 years earlier than previously known structures.

After a dry and bright start we’ll see rain arrive later this morning and over lunchtime.

It’ll become dry this afternoon before turning wet and windy tonight with highs of 9C (48F).

BBC News Travel

A fallen tree is blocking the rail line between Coventry and Leamington Spa affecting Cross Country rail services.

Services may be diverted via Solihull and tickets are being accepted on Chiltern Railways and Virgin Trains.

Archaeologists discover evidence the city of Worcester dates back to the early Iron Age.

West Brom asked for their match at West Ham on Tuesday to be postponed as it is their second in 48 hours and the Hammers had a week between games.

Aston Villa achieve their biggest win of the season against Bristol City to go fifth in the Championship.

Port Vale have signed striker Dior Angus from non-league Redditch United, manager Neil Aspin confirms to BBC Stoke.