BBC News Travel

The M6 Toll has just reopened northbound after this morning's closure between junctions seven and eight.

Police shut the section after the death of a man at about 08:30.

Father-of-three Bradd Darby died in hospital after being stabbed in a Nuneaton street.

BBC News Travel

Trespassers on the line at Leamington Spa are causing disruption to rail services in the area.

Trains are having to run at reduced speed on all lines, said Chiltern Railways.

BBC News Travel

A multi-vehicle crash is blocking the M42 southbound between junctions 11 and 10.

All vehicles have been moved to the hard shoulder, said Highways England, who hope to release trapped traffic soon.

Worcester News

Some of the top stories to feature in the Worcester News this Friday include:

• Where is Worcestershire FA's application to upgrade, external Worcester Raiders' Claines Lane ground?
• Worcester mum-of-four cheated cousin by taking out phone accounts using her details, external
• School's controversial bell-tower gets the go-ahead, external

BBC Radio Stoke

Two police officers in Stoke-on-Trent went above and beyond at the weekend - when they were flagged down for help to deliver a baby.

Lynn Evans and Mark Kondratiuk were on patrol in Tunstall on Saturday night when they were stopped by a "frantic" man by the side of the road.

BBC News Travel

Highways England says it hopes the M6 Toll road will fully open again "imminently" after a closure of about five hours between junctions seven and eight northbound.

The police shut that section of the road after the death of a man on the motorway at about 08:30.

Diversions have been set up to take vehicles off the motorway at junction seven, but motorists have been complaining of being stuck in queuing traffic for several hours.

Shropshire Star

Here are some of the top stories to be covered by the newpaper's website today:

• Care home firm fined £120k after cellar death near Oswestry, external
• £450 compensation bill for Telford woman whose dog bit child, external
• 'Beast from the east' to bring coldest winter spell to Shropshire, external

Two lanes of the M5 southbound remain closed between junctions three and four after a lorry fire.

Image source, Highways England

There are currently delays of half an hour on approach to the scene.

Giles Latcham
BBC Midlands Today

A multi-million pound fund has been launched to help businesses across the Midlands grow and create jobs and skills.

It's part of the Midlands Engine initiative launched by the Government last year.

Government minister and Worcestershire MP Sajid Javid said the fund would help harness the region's potential and give small firms a much-needed boost.

The initiative could help 1,500 firms create nearly 4,000 jobs.

The mother of two boys killed in a suspected hit-and-run in Coventry has paid tribute to her sons.

Casper and Corey Platt-May, aged two and six, were hit by a car in the Stoke area of Coventry yesterday.

Corey was an "amazing boy", who "loved school more than any kid I know", said his mother Louise today.

Image source, Family Handout

"He never kept still, always had to be doing something and coming up with new ideas of things to do," she said.

"His main passion in life was his football. He has been playing for a local team since he was four but since the day he could hold a ball he was never without one.

"He will be deeply missed by all that had the pleasure of knowing him.”

Image source, Family Handout

She described brother Casper as a "cheeky little boy, always getting into trouble and driving his brothers crazy".

"He was so loving and caring and constantly told his family how much he loved them," she added.

"He loved walking everywhere with his wellies and splashing in the puddles. His smile could light up any room and he will be so so missed by all who knew him.”

Casper and Corey Platt-May were hit by a car as they crossed a road in Coventry.

BBC News Travel

People remain stuck in their cars on the M6 Toll between junctions T7 and T8, heading north.

Police shut the section of the motorway, near Cannock, after the death of a man on the road at around 08:30.

Highways England says it is working with the Central Motorway Police Group to get traffic moving again as soon as possible.

Firefighters are considering whether to take industrial action over the proposed introduction of new flexible care contracts.

The West Midlands Fire Brigades Union is opposing the changes - meaning firefighters helping vulnerable people alongside their usual roles.

In the West Midlands area, the fire service have signed contracts to work with councils in Coventry, Dudley and Wolverhampton.

The union said the changes could "compromise safety" but the fire service said it could help both the community and dwindling finances.

BBC Midlands Today

A Worcestershire couple who taught a town to dance are being remembered in a new play about their lives.

The Dancing Club, which premieres in Kidderminster next week, is the true story of Frank and Wynn Freeman, who had a dance school above a shop in the town for almost 50 years.

Even Len Goodman, former judge on BBC's Strictly Come Dancing, says "he made dancing a fun and enjoyable evening" for everyone.

Lynn McNally was found at a property in Telford during the early hours of Wednesday.

Andy Giddings
BBC News

With more freezing weather forecast overnight, a number of football clubs have been asking for help.

Hereford FC want a hand getting the covers on the pitch, external to protect it from frost.

While AFC Telford United are asking for help tomorrow morning to take them off.

BBC Shropshire

Shrewsbury's main swimming pool reopens tomorrow after two months of closure.

The Quarry pool closed in December after a glass panel fell and smashed into the water, though it was decided to carry out further refurbishments on the tiling while the pool was empty.

Image source, Quarry Swimming & Fitness Centre

Staff at the centre thanked users for being patient, external while the work was undertaken.

The centre manager, Peter Davis, said it has taken nearly a week to refill the pool with water.

Joanne Malin
BBC Midlands Today

Two West Midlands brakemen will have their final practice sessions today for the four-man bobsleigh at the Winter Olympics in South Korea.

Image source, Getty Images

Joel Fearon, from Coventry, has already competed in the two-man competition finishing 12th.

Fearon will go in one of the four-man bobs, while Ben Simons from Broseley, in Shropshire, is part of the other British team for the event.

You can follow coverage of this event on BBC Sport on Saturday.

The grandfather of Corey and Casper Platt-May, killed in a Coventry crash, has spoken about how he had witnessed the aftermath of the incident.

Image source, Family Handout

Kim May described their deaths as an "absolute nightmare".

He said he arrived at the scene and "burst into tears". "I couldn't believe what I was seeing," he said.

"It was just like a war zone out here. It looked like a bomb had just exploded, it was terrible."