Summary

  • Click on Related Stories to read updates from your area

  • Updates from Monday 14 May to Friday 18 May

Live Reporting

  1. Aston Villa boss urges 'rocking' crowd for play-off win

    Steve Hermon
    Journalist, BBC WM

    Egyptian midfielder Ahmed Elmohamady is Aston Villa's only injury concern for the Championship play-off second leg against Middlesbrough.

    Mile Jedinak's first-half headed goal in the first leg is the difference between the sidesGetty Images

    Boss Steve Bruce has suggested he is a "big doubt" after going off in the closing stages of the first leg.

    Villa hold a 1-0 advantage after the first leg and, whoever wins the semi-final, they'll face Fulham in the Championship play-off final.

    We're at Villa Park, I'm sure it'll be rocking, it should be a wonderful atmosphere. We've got an advantage, the crowd can hopefully play their part, but it's a big tie still ahead."

    Steve Bruce, Aston Villa manager

  2. Get the weather for tonight and tomorrow

    Alex Hamilton
    BBC Weather

    There's been plenty of sunshine around today with the dry weather, here's how tonight and tomorrow are looking:

    Alex Hamilton

    You can get the latest weather forecast at any other time for your area from the BBC Weather website.

  3. Councillor at centre of Birmingham bin strikes loses role

    Kathryn Stanczyszyn
    Political Reporter, BBC WM

    The woman in charge of Birmingham's bins has lost her job on the city council's cabinet.

    Piles of binbagsGetty Images

    Labour councillor Lisa Trickett was re-elected in the recent local elections.

    However, at a meeting of the authority's controlling Labour group last night, her cabinet position in charge of waste management was given to another councillor, Majid Mahmood.

    Councillor Trickett oversaw restructuring plans for the city's waste service which led to last year's months-long strike action.

  4. The Midlands is still Brexit Central

    Our political editor attempts to steer us through the confusing ways of the customs union. Or Customs Union.

    Read More

  5. House decorated with 40 England flags ahead of World Cup

    Chris King
    Reporter, BBC Radio Stoke

    A man in Stoke-on-Trent's covered his house in over 40 England flags in preparation for the World Cup.

    House covered in flags

    Roy Williams decorates his house in Bucknall for every World Cup and has done since the 1980s.

    However, he admits that not everyone in his family likes him doing it.

    I definitely have to wait until my wife goes to work, when she's got to work I'm straight on the phone to my daughter and she comes up and gives me a hand getting them up. Because, once they're up, she doesn't say anything, she just can't wait for them to get knocked out."

    Roy Williams, England fan

  6. Contract talks for Telford defender

    The new AFC Telford manager is in talks with Dom Smith over a new contract

    The former Shrewsbury defender joined the Bucks late on in the season and played a big part in steering them clear of National North relegation.

    Dom SmithMike Sheridan

    Smith's fellow central defender Shane Sutton has already signed a new deal.

  7. Diet pills caused 'distressing death'

    Eloise Parry died at the Royal Shrewsbury Hospital after taking a slimming supplement, a court hears.

    Read More

  8. Cipriani turned down offers from abroad

    Wasps fly-half Danny Cipriani says he turned down offers from abroad before signing for Premiership rivals Gloucester.

    Read More

  9. Man suffers serious throat wound near pub

    Lee Thomas
    Newsreader, BBC Radio Stoke

    A man's in hospital after suffering a throat wound outside a pub in Crewe.

    The Crown, Earle Street, CreweGoogle

    Police were called to The Crown Hotel on Earle Street last night and say the seriously injured man was taken to Leighton Hospital.

    A 47-year-old man was arrested nearby on suspicion of assault and remains in custody.

  11. Former teams pay tribute to Jlloyd Samuel

    Jlloyd Samuel's former clubs have been paying tribute to him this afternoon, after learning he died in a car crash this morning.

    They include Bolton Wanderers and Cardiff City.

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  12. Inmate sentenced over HMP Birmingham riot filming

    Allen Cook
    BBC News

    A prisoner who used a mobile phone to film rampaging inmates during a 15-hour riot at HMP Birmingham has been given a one-year jail sentence.

    Ricardo Davis-McCannWest Midlands Police

    The disorder at the G4S-run jail in 2016 spread to four wings and saw 500 prisoners being let out of their cells.

    Earlier this month, Ricardo Davis-McCann, 23, of no fixed address, was convicted of taking a photo or making a sound recording without authority.

    Davis-McCann, who is serving a 16-year jail term for robbery, was sentenced for the latest offence in his absence. It will run consecutively to the robbery sentence.

  13. RSPCA centre in pet blanket appeal

    The animal hospital posted a snap of empty shelves and launched a social media appeal for donations.

    Read More

  14. International sides pay tribute to Samuel

    The former Aston Villa defender Jlloyd Samuel represented both England and Trinidad and Tobago at international level.

    Both football associations have paid tribute to him this afternoon, after learning of his death in a car crash not far from his home in Cheshire.

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  15. Ice cream van cortege ahead of funeral

    Mac Leask was an ice cream van man for 46 years in part of Birmingham.

    Read More

  16. Villa to wear black armbands in memory of Jlloyd Samuel

    Aston Villa players will wear black armbands as a mark of respect for former player Jlloyd Samuel who died in a car crash this morning.

    And tributes have been paid on social media by former players and referees:

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  18. Jlloyd Samuel 'died after collision with van'

    The former Aston Villa footballer Jlloyd Samuel died following a collision between a van and his Range Rover in the village of High Legh in Cheshire, police have said.

    The crash happened at 07:55 and the 37-year-old from Lymm died at the scene, Cheshire Police added.

    The driver of the van, a 54-year-old man, sustained serious injuries and has been taken to hospital for treatment.

  19. Images of £80m town centre revamp revealed

    Ben Godfrey
    BBC Midlands Today

    Shops, restaurants, bars, a cinema and new homes are among more than £80m of plans to regenerate the centre of Dudley.

    Artist's impression of DudleyPortersfield

    Midlands Today has seen exclusive images of a major revamp of the town centre.

    Half of the money to pay for the regeneration will come through the West Midlands Combined Authority and half of it through private investors.

    Cavendish House, a large office block in Dudley, will also be demolished under the proposals with plans set to be submitted next month.

  20. Moeen Ali dropped by England for first Test

    Allen Cook
    BBC News

    Worcestershire's Moeen Ali has not been named in the England squad to face Pakistan next week in the first Test of the summer.

    Moeen AliGetty Images

    The all-rounder had a difficult winter and lost his place for the final Test against New Zealand to Somerset's Jack Leach.

    Warwickshire's Chris Woakes is included in the 12-man squad for the match at Lord's starting on 24 May.