Summary

  • Live updates from Monday 5 to Sunday 11 February 2018

  • Click on Related Stories to view stories from your area

Live Reporting

  1. Plans for 600 homes to be considered

    Plans for 600 new homes in Shrewsbury are due to go before Shropshire councillors next week.

    Taylor Wimpey and Persimmon Homes want to build them on land between Preston Street and London Road, around the back of Shrewsbury College and have also submitted proposals for access roads.

    House buildingPA

    A report drawn up by council officers recommends the proposals, which include footpaths and cycle ways, should be approved.

    The developers are initially applying for full planning permission for 353 homes, with outline permission for the other 247.

  2. Commonwealth Games should show 'environmental leadership'

    An MP has called for Birmingham's 2022 Commonwealth Games to show "environmental leadership" when it comes to cutting plastic waste at sporting events.

    Birmingham 2022Birmingham 2022

    The suggestion was made by Conservative MP for Erewash Maggie Throup during a Commons exchange, on what the government's doing to encourage sporting venues to recycle plastic.

    Sporting venues are in talks with Environment Secretary Michael Gove about waste, MPs were told.

    But, Culture Secretary Matt Hancock admitted, "there's clearly more to do".

  3. Standoff continues at house in Coventry

    Police in Coventry are still in a standoff outside a house in Holbrooks 14 hours after a planned arrest ended with a man barricading himself inside the property.

    Officers went to the address in Briscoe Road at 03:00, but the man refused to co-operate.

    A police negotiator is on the scene and the road remains closed.

  5. Transplant surgeon appointed MBE

    A lung and transplant surgeon, who's been appointed an MBE at Buckingham Palace, said there was still "work to be done" in encouraging organ donor registration.

    Majid MukadamPA

    After the ceremony Majid Mukadam, who works at Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Birmingham said Prince Charles had described his job as "a noble work because it is saving life".

    But the surgeon, honoured for services to transplant patients, said although the situation was better than when he started in 2009, there was "still a big gap between the number of transplants and the number of organs being donated".

    The 54-year-old, who moved to the UK 22 years ago from Mumbai, has spent the last six years encouraging members of the Asian community to join the organ donor register.

  6. Aston Villa 'injury free' for Birmingham derby

    BBC WM Sport

    Aston Villa have no injury worries going into the derby against Birmingham City on Sunday.

    Robert SnodgrassGetty Images

    Robert Snodgrass has shaken off a groin problem to be fit for the match as Villa look to make it seven league wins on the spin.

    Assistant manager Colin Calderwood says although Villa are in form they've got to work to keep it going.

    Form and the mood's good around the place so keep that going, but we've got to be aware of different opposition, so it's a new week, it's a new game - and one that's going to cover the whole of the city."

    Colin Calderwood, Assistant manager, Aston Villa

  7. MP urges police apology over assault

    The Edgbaston MP wants the West Midlands force to answer questions about the case.

    Read More

  8. Coventry may look to add to City of Culture title

    Just a couple of months after being named UK City of Culture for 2021, Coventry is lining up another title - European City of Sport in 2019.

    The City Council's cabinet votes on whether to submit a bid when it meets next week next week and the recommendation in a report from council officers is that they enter the race.

    WaspsGetty Images

    The title was first awarded by ACES Europe, a not-for-profit group based in Brussels, in 2001.

    Last year Bristol held the honour.

  9. Striker Fryatt announces retirement

    Ex-Walsall, Leicester, Hull and Nottingham Forest striker Matty Fryatt retires because of a long-standing Achilles injury.

    Read More

  10. Worcester Warriors go back to Black

    BBC Sport

    Worcester Warriors have confirmed their former loose-head prop Callum Black will be returning to the club in the summer.

    Here he is as a fresh-faced academy prospect in 2006 (below left) and as he looks now, playing for Ulster (below, right).

    Callum BlackGetty Images

    Black made 51 appearances the last time he was with the Warriors and has signed a two-year contract at Sixways.

  11. Man injured in 'targeted' stabbing

    A man has suffered a serious hand injury in a stabbing in Wolverhampton today, in what's thought to be a targeted attack.

    Officers were called to Terry's Hairdressers, in Bushbury, just before 13:30 today, police said, after a man in his 30s was badly injured.

    Officers are appealing for any witnesses to come forward.

  12. Another cold and wet day forecast for tomorrow

    Rebecca Wood
    BBC Midlands Today

    We are forecast more rain tomorrow and it's going to remain chilly, with temperatures only just rising above freezing.

    Friday is forecast to be cold and wet in the West Midlands

  13. Coach says academy in good shape

    Graham McGarry
    Crewe Alexandra commentator, BBC Radio Stoke

    One of Crewe's coaches insists the club's academy is still producing quality players.

    The club recently sold George Cooper to Peterborough for an undisclosed six-figure fee.

    Gresty RoadGetty Images

    Harry Clayton, a lead coach at the Reaseheath training ground said they try not to read what is written in the papers and just get on with their job.

    There's some good players coming through, I don't think anyone needs to worry about that. They're getting some good coaching. So providing they're still patient, there's some good kids coming through."

    Harry Clayton, Crewe Alexandra coach

  14. Town crier to make a comeback

    Oswestry is going to get its town crier back.

    The town has been without one for 30 years, but the town council voted last night to start the search for a new one.

    Oswestry

    It will be a voluntary post and the traditional costume, hat and bell will be provided by the council.

  15. Further arrest over stabbing death

    A further man is arrested on suspicion of murdering a "much loved" Gambian national.

    Read More

  16. Cricket bosses 'sorry' to see Krikken leave

    James Bond
    Sports Producer, BBC Shropshire

    Shropshire's director of cricket, Karl Krikken, has stood down, to take up a coaching job with Lancashire.

    The former Derbyshire player and coach has been with the minor county side since 2014.

    Karl KrikkenStuart Dunn

    He has been appointed lead coach in Lancashire's indoor Cricket Centre and head coach of their under-14s.

    He’s been fantastic for Shropshire in terms of his professionalism and his approach, he said. He’s helped the development of many of the players. His coaching abilities were very well received by the players and we are sorry to see him go."

    Toby Shaw, Shropshire CCC

  17. Couple guilty of murdering friend

    Dionne Clarke was attacked, tied up and left to die after an argument with the couple.

    Read More

  18. Environmental passions of killed girl 'to live on'

    Efforts are being made to to keep alive the memory of Olivia-Violet Reeves from Shrewsbury, who was knocked down and killed by a drunk driver last year.

    It would have been her 12th birthday in March and family friend Tracey Morgan said she wanted to mark that by organising a month-long campaign to tackle litter and pollution.

    Olivia-Violet ReevesTRACEY MORGAN/ CHANGE.ORG

    Ms Morgan said Olivia was keen to save the oceans. Ms Morgan has called on people to use the #helpLivhelp hashtag on social media and make donations to a Just Giving page, with the money going to the World Wide Fund for Nature.

    She's a light you cannot extinguish really. She will still get to do the work she wanted to do. We can still help Liv help the world, help the oceans and be that change she wanted to be."

    Tracey Morgan

  19. Paedophile fitted cameras in toilets

    Dr Matthew Falder duped his vulnerable targets, including anorexia sufferers, into sending naked images.

    Read More

  20. Anthony Banting killed on the way to meet son

    Anthony Banting had got off a tram in Winson Green, Birmingham, on 31 March when he was stabbed in the head, chest and back.

    Last month, Birmingham Crown Court heard Mr Banting was on the way to meet one of his sons in the pub when he died.

    Anthony BantingFamily handout

    Three minutes after the father-of-four had got off the tram at Soho Benson Road Metro stop, he was lying dead on a footpath.