Victoria Derbyshire

The collapse of Carillion is a "crisis of the company's making", says Mike Lynch, assistant general secretary at the Rail, Maritime and Transport (RMT) Union.

Some of the directors of the Wolverhampton-based company should be held accountable, particularly after dividends were paid out to shareholders last year amid the firm's financial difficulties, he told the BBC's Victoria Derbyshire show.

RMT is calling on rail companies which had contracts with Carillion, like Network Rail, Heathrow Express and Arriva Rail, to take those contract workers in-house to give them secure employment.

Facebook

"Give him a chance" seems to be the main reaction from Stoke City fans to the news that their new manager is Paul Lambert.

The former Aston Villa and Norwich boss was named today as Mark Hughes' successor.

Image source, Getty Images

On the BBC Radio Stoke Facebook page, Andy Lloyd wrote, external: "I'm not feeling inspired to be honest and he would not have been my choice. Having said that, if he comes in gets them playing to their potential, who knows?"

While Nancy Wright added, external: "You've got to give him a chance! The players have to take a lot of the responsibility. They are the ones that play the games, so let's hope they decide to play for him!"

And Geoffrey Matthews typed, external: "Let's get behind him and pray he keeps the team in the Premier League."

Alternative arrangements to complete the building of a £350m hospital in Smethwick need to be made in the wake of construction firm Carillion going into liquidation.

Toby Lewis, chief executive of the Sandwell and West Birmingham Hospitals NHS Trust, said work on the Midland Metro hospital is "almost complete."

Image source, Handout

In a statement, external he said: "People working for Carillion are part of our local community and we will want to do anything that we can do to support their needs and futures at this difficult time.”

Image source, Twitter/Toby Lewis

Joe Baldwin
News Editor, BBC Hereford & Worcester

An inquest has opened into the deaths of two men in a plane crash in Worcestershire a week ago.

Their names have been revealed by Worcestershire Coroner Service as John Patrick Smith, 52, from Gloucester and Ahmed Abdullah, 24, from Kuwait.

The single-engine plane was heading to Gloucestershire Airport when it came down in foggy conditions at Bredon Hill near the village of Overbury.

More tests on the wreckage are being carried out at Farnborough to try to work out what caused the deaths.

BBC Radio 5 live

Former Scotland striker Kevin Gallacher has been on BBC Radio 5 live to pay tribute to Cyrille Regis. The pair played together at Coventry.

"I was a young lad coming down to England and he helped me along. His physical presence took the centre halves away and allowed me to take the glory and score the goals.

"He just wanted to help you along and settle you into the club. He did the kind things, he put an arm around you. Every time you saw him at the ex-players' stuff at Coventry he always wanted to speak to you, he was such a genuine fella," said Gallacher.

"He was one of the masters, along with Brendon Batson, who helped to change the face of football. It was fantastic and that's why he got a lot of respect from fellow professionals, what he did to help the other side of football."

West Bromwich Albion says it is planning a fitting tribute, external to one of its "all-time greats" Cyrille Regis following his sudden death "after being taken ill last night".

Image source, West Bromwich Albion

The Sentinel

These are the main headlines on the Sentinel website:

• Motorist who killed OAP in horror smash has driving ban lifted by court two years early, external
• Bushes cut back and lights installed to stop prostitutes soliciting, external
• Traders face months of disruption as work starts on upgrading uneven pavements, external

BBC Radio Derby

Burton Albion's manager Nigel Clough says his side need to do better at home after suffering another defeat at the Pirelli Stadium.

Image source, Getty Images

The Brewers were beaten 3-1 by Queens Park Rangers, leaving them third from bottom and without a home win in 10 games, dating back to 16 September.

Danny Kelly
Presenter, BBC WM

Singer Sheila Ferguson says she's been left heartbroken over the news of Cyrille Regis' death.

West Brom's iconic Three Degrees - Cyrille Regis, Brendon Batson and the late Laurie Cunningham - met with the American group of the same name.

Image source, PA

Sheila says she had an "instant connection" with Cyrille when they met for a photo shoot.

She said: "He was such a humble person. On our second date I met his mother. He was so family orientated and didn't have a chip on his shoulder. It was a magical time. I needed time to rest my vocal cords. We had a lovely time together and we shared a lot."

Northampton sign Coventry City defender Jordan Turnbull on a two-and-a-half-year deal, initially on a free transfer.

Pat McFadden, MP for Wolverhampton, says his "key concern" after the collapse of Carillion will be for the 400 jobs at the company's city headquarters.

Image source, UK Parliament

He said he hoped as much employment as possible can be maintained "out of the wreckage of all this".

He called on the government to "stabilise the situation" and give confidence to the public "who rely on the services for which Carillion and its subcontractors were responsible".

The business minister, Andrew Griffiths, is expected to make a statement in the Commons this afternoon.

BBC News England

A couple who lost a third child to a rare heart condition say they'll keep fundraising for equipment that could help prevent future deaths.

Carrick Prentice-Underwood, 19, from Redditch, died on Thursday.

Image source, Underwood Family

It follows the death of his sister Charlotte, 16, in 2010 and 17-year-old brother Craig in 2013, who all had tests which showed they had the same genetic condition..

Parents Robert and Maggie Underwood say they felt "numb" after their loss.

The couple have been calling for defibrillators in schools since losing Charlotte.

They also say they will now be pushing for tests for their younger children, five-year-old Poppy and Mitchell, seven.

Matt Sandoz
Stoke City commentator, BBC Radio Stoke

Stoke City's new manager Paul Lambert is a former Scotland captain and last managed Wolves, leaving the Championship club in May.

Image source, Stoke City

The 48-year-old has also managed Livingston, Wycombe, Colchester United, Norwich City, Aston Villa and Blackburn.

He was a Champions League winner with Borussia Dortmund and won eight major trophies in seven seasons at Celtic, including four Scottish titles.

Stoke City say Lambert will watch the Potter's game tonight against Manchester United from the stands., external

Allen Cook
BBC News

Paul Lambert's been confirmed as Stoke City's new manager., external

The 48-year-old has signed a two-and-half-year contract and succeeds Mark Hughes who was sacked earlier this month.

More tributes have been paid to Baggies and England star Cyrille Regis who has died at the age of 59.

The footballer played across the West Midlands during his career, including Wolves, Aston Villa and Coventry City, as well as representing his country.

He's been described as a pioneer for black footballers, many who say they were inspired to get into the game because of him.

Former Manchester United and Watford FC footballer Danny Webber tweets:

BBC Sports presenter and former footballer Gary Lineker adds:

And former England International and Manchester United star, Rio Ferdinand tweets:

Wasps sign All Blacks fly-half Lima Sopoaga for the 2018-19 season from New Zealand Super Rugby side Highlanders.

Allen Cook
BBC News

Virgin Trains owner Sir Richard Branson says the firm are now reconsidering the decision not to sell the Daily Mail newspaper on its West Coast trains.

Image source, PA

Six days ago, the operator said "after listening to feedback from our people" it decided to stop stocking copies of the paper.

At the time, a Daily Mail spokesman called the decision "disgraceful".

Today, Sir Richard Branson - who claims he was not aware of the decision before reading media reports - says he's told Virgin Trains to reconsider and re-stock the newspaper while carrying out a full review., external

The West Coast Mainline connects London with Birmingham, Manchester and Liverpool.

BBC Weather Watchers

It might be January but our BBC Weather Watchers seem to have found the first green shoots of the year.

These two photos have come from users Mrs Penberthy Photos in Oakamoor, Staffordshire and Silverlady in Warwick:

Image source, Mrs Penberthy Photos

Image source, Silverlady

Ron Atkinson, who signed Cyrille Regis at both West Brom and Aston Villa said the news of his death had come as a "complete shock" to him.

Image source, Getty

"He was magnificent," he said.

"He was as quick a player as you've ever seen, he was strong as an ox - with a good touch and scored spectacular goals".

"I think he's the best centre forward I've ever had, and I've had some top players.

"And I think he was a better bloke than a player even - he was just an unbelievable guy."

BBC Sport

The hunt goes on for Stoke City for their new manager as Martin O'Neill has become the latest person to reject the chance to become their boss.

Image source, Getty Images

The 65-year-old Republic of Ireland boss looked set to replace the sacked Mark Hughes but has now removed himself from the running.

His decision means Stoke have failed to land any of their top three targets.

Gary Rowett signed a new contract at Derby County to end Stoke's hopes of recruiting him, while former Watford boss Quique Sanchez Flores decided to remain with La Liga side Espanyol.