Legend, hero and gentleman - just some of the words that fans have been using to describe Cyrille Regis after his death.

The comments were left on Facebook via the BBC's page for the Midlands, external - the region where Regis spent the bulk of his career.

He began with West Brom before moving to Coventry City, where he was part of the 1987 FA Cup-winning team. He also won five caps for England and played for Aston Villa, Wolves, Wycombe and Chester.

A public service commemorating Cyrille Regis at The Hawthorns in about 15 minutes' time is going to be a colourful occasion, with flags and football shirts of all colours on display.

That's what his family has requested - they want today to be a celebration of his life.

Cyrille Regis' legacy to English football is "immense", according to his close friend and former team mate Brendon Batson.

Batson played with Regis at West Bromwich Albion where, with Laurie Cunningham, they formed the so-called Three Degrees.

Regis began his career, Batson said, at a time when black players were only "making their way in the game" but his skill on the field "inspired kids black and white".

Batson was speaking ahead of Tuesday's celebration of Regis' life at The Hawthorns.

Ron Atkinson - twice manager of Cyrille Regis - said the player was the best centre forward with whom he ever worked.

Atkinson - Regis' boss at West Bromwich Albion and Aston Villa - paid tribute to a "perfect role model" ahead of this morning's celebration of the player's life.

Regis died on 14 January aged 59.

Atkinson said he was a great player and even better bloke - the only complaint being he never scored "ugly" goals; they were all beautiful.

The pastor leading Cyrille Regis' funeral admitted nerves ahead of this morning's service but hoped for a "performance" worthy of the player.

Rt Rev David Carr, of the Renewal Christian Centre in Solihull, knew Regis for more than 40 years.

The private funeral will be followed this morning by a celebration of Regis' life at West Brom's stadium, The Hawthorns, where he began his footballing career.

BBC Sport

West Bromwich Albion have signed Liverpool and England striker Daniel Sturridge on loan for the rest of the season.

Image source, Reuters

Birmingham born Sturridge has scored 74 Premier League goals in 114 starts and has also netted 27 times in cup competitions, but has started only five games this season.

"This is a big coup for us. He has fantastic talent," said West Brom boss Alan Pardew.

A church near Newport has organised a day of support and prayer after a woman was found shot dead in her car.

Image source, Google

Cheryl Hooper, 51, died from a gunshot wound to the neck a post-mortem examination confirmed.

She was found in Farmers Gate, Newport, Shropshire, on Friday night.

A 45 year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of murder and is currently under police guard in hospital.

St Andrew's Church in Church Aston - close to the scene of the shooting - will be open all day.

The West Bromwich Albion first team along with manager Alan Pardew lined up with fans to pay their respects.

To be chosen to host The Biggest Weekend shows the BBC has the "confidence in our ability to deliver successful events", Coventry City Council has said.

Council leader George Duggins said the city already has "a brilliant reputation" for delivering large, popular events and the concerts would be another "wonderful addition" to the city's events planned for 2018.

So far, Billy Ocean, Snow Patrol, Nigel Kennedy and Eliza Carthy & The Wayward Band are confirmed for Coventry, with many more names still to come.

Express and Star

Here's some of the stories making the headlines in the Express & Star this morning:

• Porn shown to primary school pupils as Paddington screening goes badly wrong, external
• Blue plaque plan for Enoch Powell in Wolverhampton, external
• Homeless man found dead on residential Dudley street, external

John Bray
BBC News

Loud applause rang out at The Hawthorns as West Bromwich Albion said goodbye to one of their own.

Manager Alan Pardew and his first team squad joined several hundred West Brom fans to watch Cyrille Regis begin his final journey.

Some fans were in tears as the Regis family walked behind the hearse carrying Cyrille’s coffin.

The cortege left the stadium, through the Jeff Astle gates, for a private funeral and the family are returning to the stadium for a special service at 10:45 to remember a Hawthorns hero.

Tim Page
News Editor, BBC Shropshire

Former cabinet minister Owen Paterson is in hospital with three broken vertebrae after a riding accident at the weekend.

The MP for North Shropshire was initially treated at the Royal Shrewsbury Hospital before being transferred to the specialist spinal unit at the Robert Jones and Agnes Hunt Hospital at Gobowen.

He said he's been told he needs complete bed-rest, and won't be in London "at least for this week"

BBC News Travel

A lorry has left the carriageway on the A5 southbound at Holly Lane, Grendon, in Warwickshire.

Image source, Warwickshire Police

Recovery work is due to start at 10:00, police say., external

A 52-year-old man arrested on suspicion of murder is released, police say.

Dave Bennett, Coventry City team mate and good friend of Cyrille Regis, said he'd had a "remarkable relationship" with the player.

"He was an icon," he said.

"I'm going to miss him so much it's unbelievable".

"He'd ring me every two weeks at least, and I could get away with teasing him a bit more than some other people could.

"He's a massive loss to not only me, but to his family and to a lot of friends."

Richard Williams
BBC Coventry & Warwickshire

There's quite a sombre, reflective atmosphere outside The Hawthorns as people gather to pay their respects to Cyrille Regis.

Around 60 people have arrived, some have been adding to the tributes on the gates or just holding flowers.

Fans are being given the chance to pay tribute to Cyrille Regis at The Hawthorns.

The funeral cortege is at the stadium before leaving for a private funeral.

The service celebrating his life will start at 10:45 in the East Stand.

There's news about a huge event from BBC Music - The Biggest Weekend.

It's a weekend of fantastic music across England, Scotland, Northern Ireland and Wales - and England's event is to be be held in Coventry.

Snow Patrol and Billy Ocean will be at the War Memorial Park on 27 May to headline Radio 2's party.

Eliza Carthy & The Wayward Band and Nigel Kennedy will be there on 28 May, for Radio 3's event.

Tickets go on sale on 12 February, with most reserved for those living in the area.

You can find more details here.

The pastor leading Cyrille Regis' funeral said the world had "lost a gentleman".

Rt Rev David Carr, of the Renewal Christian Centre in Solihull, knew the former West Bromwich Albion footballer for more than 40 years.

The life of the 59-year-old will be celebrated at The Hawthorns with well-wishers lining the streets for the funeral cortege.

Former West Bromwich Albion manager Ron Atkinson says Cyrille Regis was the greatest centre forward he ever worked with.

Atkinson managed the player at West Brom and later at Aston Villa.

He was speaking before a celebration event to be held at The Hawthorns later, after a private family funeral.