Updates from Tuesday 2 to Sunday 7 January
Click on Related Stories to view updates from your area
Gavin Bevis
BBC News
Police want to speak to this man, external after several mobile phone contracts were fraudulently taken out at shops in Derby and Burton.
Two of the deals were arranged at Carphone Warehouse's Ashbourne Road branch using the details of a 31-year-old man from Kilburn.
Police want anyone with information to contact them on 101.
Image source, Derbyshire Police
Allen Cook
BBC News
This is the lorry which is on fire at junction 4 of the M5 this afternoon near Bromsgrove.
West Mercia Police is urging drivers to avoid the area as delays are already building., external
Image source, West Mercia PoliceRiver levels remain high across the West Midlands this afternoon, with a number of Environment Agency flood alerts still in place., external
Many of the affected rivers are expected to peak this afternoon.
Here you can see a photo of the swollen River Severn in Bridgnorth, taken by BBC Weather Watcher PJs.
Image source, PJsAllen Cook
BBC News
A man's died in a fire in Worcester this afternoon.
The blaze happened at a building on Tolladine Road at about 14:50, West Mercia Police says.
Officers say the man was pronounced dead at the scene and they have cordoned off the area.
Allen Cook
BBC News
The M5 has now been shut southbound between J4 and J4A near Bromsgrove after a lorry fire, external.
Image source, Highways EnglandHighways England says traffic is being taken up and over the junction on the northbound side.
Hereford and Worcester Fire Service says all the people involved have been accounted for., external
Image source, Highways EnglandFor four hours, Yvonne Beer, 87, was tied in a wheelchair by a scarf after her bed was taken.
Read MoreWest Brom have spoken out to defend midfielder Jake Livermore and explain what led to his confrontation with a West Ham fan at London Stadium last night.
The club said he reacted after a spectator chose to make a comment about the death of his infant son.
Image source, Getty ImagesThe club went on to say it "would like to think that all right-minded football supporters could understand this reaction which did not result in any physical exchanges".
And it praised him as "an outstanding young individual who has the total support of everyone at the club" and that it would not be making any further comment.
The Worcester News has these top stories today:
Allen Cook
BBC News
This is the scene at the lorry fire on the M5 this afternoon where a lorry is on fire at junction 4.
Image source, CMPGCentral Motorway Police Group says there's been a serious collision and traffic on both sides , externalof the motorway is being diverted up and over the junction.
Andy Giddings
BBC News
Lots of people have been sharing photos of the laser light display over Telford, to mark the start of the town's 50th year.
Seven beams were shot across the night sky from locations around the surrounding area, converging on the Wrekin hill last night and on New Year's Day.
Thanks to Jamie Rowland for these pictures.
Image source, Jamie Rowland
Image source, Jamie Rowland
Phil Maiden
Reporter, BBC Hereford & Worcester
We've had more on the "major incident" reported by police on Tolladine Road, Worcester., external
They say firefighters are dealing with a major blaze at a home in that area.
West Mercia Police says all the emergency services are at the scene.
BBC News Travel
A lorry fire's causing delays this afternoon on the M5 at junction 4, affecting traffic in both directions:
Allow Twitter content?
This article contains content provided by Twitter. We ask for your permission before anything is loaded, as they may be using cookies and other technologies. You may want to read Twitter’s cookie policy, external and privacy policy, external before accepting. To view this content choose ‘accept and continue’.
Allen Cook
BBC News
People are being urged to avoid part of Worcester this afternoon as police say there's a, external "major incident".
Image source, West Mercia PoliceWest Mercia Police says it's on Tolladine Road involving all the emergency services, near the Prince of Wales pub., external
We'll bring you more when we get it.
Chris King
Reporter, BBC Radio Stoke
A former Crewe Alexandra football coach has appeared in court this afternoon charged with a number of historical sex offences.
Paul McCann, 57, of Great Sutton, Cheshire, faces six charges of indecent assault, two regarding a boy under 16 and four involving a youth over 16.
All the offences relate to the same complainant and are alleged to have taken place between 1987 and 1990.
Mr McCann spoke at South Cheshire Magistrates' Court in Crewe today only to confirm his name, age and address. His case has been sent to appear at Chester Crown Court on 31 January.
He was given unconditional bail.
A delivery driver narrowly missed being hit by debris as roof felt was blown off shops in Shard End, Birmingham.
Read MorePlans for a new motorway junction, external are being put on show this week, for people to give their comments.
The M42 turn-off at Solihull, just south of junction six, is expected to cost £282m and construction work could start in 2020, if plans are approved.
Image source, GoogleThe aim of the new junction is to ease traffic-flow around the National Exhibition Centre.
Monica Rimmer
BBC News
Former Aston Villa and West Brom goalkeeper Derek Dudley has died from inoperable liver disease.
The 47-year-old, who grew up in Perry Common, died on New Year's Eve at his home in Rugeley.
Veteran football stars took part in a charity match in November, external for the goalkeeper who at the time was given months to live.
One of Derek's good friends Jon Pearson said the money raised has been "some financial relief" for Derek's family.
Mr Pearson said of Derek: "He was the first name on the team sheet for all his managers and someone you looked up to to give 100% every match.
"He was one of those guys who was quiet but he would always let you know on the pitch if you wasn’t performing!"
Steve Hermon
Journalist, BBC WM
Birmingham City manager Steve Cotterill says his side are "getting better" as they beat Reading to move off the bottom of the Championship table.
Image source, EmpicsJacques Maghoma (pictured) slammed in the opener for Blues, who ended a six-game winless sequence by beating Leeds on Saturday.
Sam Gallagher's cool finish after half-time doubled their lead and the 2-0 win saw the Blues leapfrog Sunderland to go 23rd in the table.
Quote MessageI am delighted with that and we are really pleased with it. I think we deserved to win the game. Reading are a good team but we are getting better. We are learning, we are fitter, we are more organised and we are settled now."
Steve Cotterill, Birmingham manager
Shefali Oza
BBC Midlands Today
Wind speeds in the West Midlands have been as strong as 61mph from Storm Eleanor., external
That was recorded in Coleshill. Leek saw a speed of 54mph and there was 50mph in Pershore.
Image source, Worcestershire County CouncilThe strength of the winds has brought down a number of trees today, such as the one pictured above on Hartford road, Bromsgrove., external
These are among the top stories today on the Sentinel newspaper's website:
