BBC Weather

Tonight looks to be cloudy with some clear spells, lows of 3C (37F).

A body has been found in a stream in Shrewsbury by police hunting for a missing man.

Kenneth Webster, 80, was reported missing from his home in the town early this morning.

The body was discovered in water near to Moneybrook Way in Meole Brace.

Although formal identification has yet to take place, police say Mr Webster's family have been informed.

Stephanie Barnard
BBC News

Firefighters have given us more details about the blaze in Church Eaton, near Stafford overnight.

Firefighters were called to a house fire, which started in the loft, caused by the flue from a log burner.

The couple in their 80s are said to have had "a lucky escape" because they didn't have working smoke alarms and it was only by chance that they woke up and found their kitchen alight.

Image source, Staffordshire Fire

Steam trains are set to return to Broadway, Warwickshire, thanks to a new extension

Two dogs and two puppies have been found abandoned at a recreation ground in Coventry.

Four dogs were found wandering around Coundon Hall Park in Waste Lane by a member of the public on 10 March.

RSPCA Inspector Nicky Foster said: "One of the dogs had two young puppies with her and the other was suffering from mange so had significant fur loss and some sore patches of skin."

Image source, RSPCA

The dogs - a Jack Russell terrier called Poppy and her two eight-week-old pups, Tulip and Iris, and a young crossbreed called Willow, were taken in by the RSPCA's Coventry, Nuneaton & District Branch.

Willow is now under veterinary care and the rest of the dogs are doing well.

Image source, RSPCA

"The dogs weren’t microchipped and we’ve got no idea where they came from.

"It’s completely irresponsible and cruel to abandon these dogs - especially the young, vulnerable puppies - like this. The weather has been so cold recently that it makes it even more unbelievable that someone could dump their pet like this."

BBC News Travel

Drivers are warned to expect delays of about an hour on the M40 northbound between junctions 15-16 in Warwickshire due to a crash.

Highways England, external is reporting 10-mile tailbacks.

The air ambulance and emergency services are at the scene

BBC Hereford and Worcester

Residents living near Worcester's old Sansome Walk swimming pool say they're worried abut the sale, which was agreed last night by the city council., external

More than a year after the leisure centre closed, councillors approved a sale to Sanctuary Housing and youth charity the YMCA, who want to build new social housing and accommodation for vulnerable and homeless young people.

People living nearby say they haven't been properly consulted.

The proposals will now need to get full planning permission later this year.

A crime-hit primary school has erected an "ugly" fence between its playground and a housing estate to protect pupils from "threatening gestures" from locals.

The move comes after young students at Twickenham Primary in Kingstanding were allegedly subjected to anti-social behaviour.

The school itself has also suffered criminal damage and break-ins with offenders allegedly using neighbouring gardens to gain access.

Since January 2016, a total of 39 reports have been made to West Midlands Police by the school, including nine incidents of unauthorised access on to the school grounds.

In response, education bosses ordered a 10ft corrugated metal fence to be built in August between the playground and housing estate homes.

School bosses have also argued the fence is required to shield pupils from dangerous 5ft tall piles of rubbish dumped on the boundary separating the playground from homes.

Lozells Road in Birmingham remains partly closed after a fast food restaurant was set alight by a deep fat fryer fire.

West Midlands Fire Service says four pumps attended the "accidental blaze" which is now under control.

This photo from inside shows the extent of the damage. There are not thought to be any injuries.

Image source, West Midlands Fire Service

Image source, DESMOND JADDOO

Image source, West Midlands Fire

BBC News Travel

Queues are starting to build on the M40 northbound near J15 after a crash, Highways England says.

Currently, one lane is closed - police and the air ambulance are at the scene.

Image source, Highways England

The Rainbow Venues in Birmingham had its licence revoked after two drug-related deaths of teenagers.

BBC Weather Watchers

BBC Weather Watcher Wendy of Warwick has been busy snapping away this morning.

Here's two gorgeous pictures taken early this morning in Warwick.

Image source, Wendy of Warwick

Send us your weather pictures here.

Image source, Wendy of Warwick

West Midlands Fire Service says it has five crews, external in attendance at a restaurant on Lozells Road in Birmingham.

It says it believes deep fat fryers are well alight and asked people to keep away from the area.

The Sentinel

Some of the top stories to feature in the Staffordshire newspaper today include:

• Suspect evades police by jumping off bridge over River Trent, external
• Thieving rogue trader left six victims £12k out of pocket, external
• Unwanted Staffie finally has his day, external after joining up as a police dog

BBC WM

Cases of norovirus have been confirmed on wards at Walsall Manor Hospital, prompting an urgent plea for patients' relatives and friends to stay away if they have experienced sickness and diarrhoea symptoms.

A spokesperson for the hospital said: "We currently have patients in the Manor Hospital who have tested positive for norovirus and this is closing bays across four wards - Wards 2, 9, 17 and 15."

They added that the virus was "extremely dangerous" for the most vulnerable patients and that visitors could still infect others even three days after symptoms have ceased.

Emma Thomas
Reporter, BBC Midlands Today

The BBC's Becky Wood and Richie Anderson are raising money for Sport Relief all this week.

The sporting duo are taking part in the Peaky Pentathlon, walking along the region's canals with other challenges thrown in too.

Today they've been kayaking 10 miles, starting off at Great Heywood Marina.

If you want to meet the team canalside they'll be at Polesworth at 18:30 and hopefully at Atherstone at 20:00.

Until then, mile by mile, lock by lock, the duo will be back on their feet crossing counties from Staffordshire to Warwickshire.

Hundreds of residents have objected to a proposed children's home for suspected young offenders.

Meadows Care has applied to convert a bungalow in Clay Lane, Yardley into a facility for up to four children, aged between 11 to 18.

The home, which sits between two rows of houses and is enclosed by a 6ft tall fence, would serve youths remanded by police or the courts for up to six months while they await a future court hearing.

Image source, Google

Resident David Scranage, 63, said: "You have got vulnerable, single people absolutely terrified of the prospect of something like this, the increase in crime and trespassing because of the type of people going to be housed there."

Councillor Zaker Choudhry (Lib Dem, South Yardley) has also opposed the application, with 700 people signing a petition against the proposal.

He added: "The residents are really upset. Most of them have lived here for over 50 years. They say to me they have worked hard for a peaceful life and now this."

Representatives from the care firm have recently met with dozens of residents in Yardley to listen to concerns. They have stated the home will be staffed 24-hours and regulated by Ofsted.

Amy Tinkler is part of the GB team in Birmingham competing in the Gymnastics World Cup.

She's shared a video on her Instagram page of her warming up for the event.

Andy Giddings
BBC News

It's tight at the top of League One and after last night's draw at Northampton, Shrewsbury fans are getting nervous.

They've been giving their thoughts on BBC Radio Shropshire's Facebook page, external in response to the question "can they win automatic promotion?"

Phil Lawrence replied: "Only if Wigan and Blackburn mess up. Four games without Ogogo, one without Deano and Godfrey out injured piles the pressure on."

Paul Brasenell is equally concerned, writing: "It could have been decided last night. A win would have had Blackburn playing catch up, for the two out of three, instead of us!"

And Del Williams was even more gloomy, commenting: "Simple answer to the question is no. They had many opportunities and blew it, the Town will be knocked out in the playoffs...sorry."

Shrewsbury are in second place in the table, one point behind Blackburn with nine games to go, but Wigan in third have three games in hand and are just four points adrift.

It's hoped the launch of a new community drop-in can help tackle loneliness in Stoke-on-Trent.

Places of Welcome is part of a national network run at Fegg Hayes Community Methodist Church.

The group meets every Thursday, external, with the aim of connecting local people who may need support and an opportunity to have fun and "discover new talents".

Image source, Fegg Hayes Futures

The group posts on Facebook, external: "We've free tea and coffee and whilst here you can make use of the computers, try your hand at a range of crafts or just relax and have a chat."