Birmingham Live

These are some of the main stories on the Birmingham Live website today:

• Sutton Coldfield diversions after teen murder, external
• Birmingham set for mini-heatwave, external
• Fire crews battle supermarket kitchen blaze, external

Two more Hereford FC players have agreed deals to stay at Edgar Street next season - Bill Murphy and Jamie Bird.

Murphy, who signed for the Bulls in December, has made 22 appearances for the club.

Image source, Getty Images

Jamie Bird, who's made 26 appearances since he joined last summer, has scored nine goals so far.

Local Democracy Reporting Service
George Makin

Fast food giant McDonald's has objected to a council proposal to ban takeaways and fast food shops from being built near schools.

Wolverhampton City Council has launched a consultation into the idea of changing planning rules to prevent the outlets appearing within 400m (1310 ft) of schools in the city.

Image source, Google

The authority claims the "density" of takeaways is linked to childhood obesity.

But in its response, McDonald's claims there are studies showing newsagents are as influential on obesity and a lack of evidence to show the link between fast food, school proximity, and obesity.

The council's Health Scrutiny Panel's due to examine the responses next week., external

A man has decided to remove a fake speed camera he set up in his driveway, because of the negative comments he was getting on Facebook.

James Dyke from Clows Top, in Worcestershire, says some people online threatened to tear it down or even burn his house down.

Built out of guttering and wood, and also a functional bird box, Mr Dyke said he had set it up to encourage drivers to think about their speed through the village.

He said it was prompted by a fatal crash in the area a few weeks ago and was intended to be for "the good of the community".

BBC News Travel

Cows on the line between Leominster and Ludlow are delaying rail services.

The former Police and Crime Commisioner (PCC) for West Mercia Police has died at the age of 79.

Bill Longmore passed away peacefully at home in Shrewsbury yesterday, following a long battle with cancer, his family said.

He was the first PCC for the West Mercia area and stood as an independent.

John Campion, who succeeded him said he was "committed to making life better for the community around him".

Military personnel from across the UK are hoping to break the world record for a long-distance relay.

They will gather at RAF Cosford, home to the RAF School of Physical Training, next week to run a 100 x 10km relay.

The current record, set by a USA team in 2015, stands at 69 hours, 6 minutes and 52 seconds.

Image source, Getty Images

The first leg in the 1,000km relay will start at 13:00 on Monday 21 May and each athlete will take the baton 25 times around the 400m track at the base, before handing it on to the next runner.

Group Captain John Lawlor said setting a world record in the RAF's centenary year would be a moment to "cherish forever".

Express and Star

Among the Express and Star's stories today:

• Murder investigation launched after schoolboy stabbed to death, external
• 'Disgraceful' start to New Year ends in jail for drunk thug, external
• Halesowen machete attack suspects released by police, external

A campaign's under way to raise £1m to fund a new veteran orthopaedic centre in Shropshire.

The centre, earmarked for The Robert Jones and Agnes Hunt hospital in Gobowen, would be the first of its kind in the UK.

The fundraising campaign is being supported by Dame Vera Lynne and the double Olympic champion Dame Kelly Holmes.

BBC Sport

Darren Moore is set to be confirmed as relegated West Brom's new manager.

Image source, Getty Images

The former Baggies defender, 44, led them on an unbeaten run in April as caretaker manager after replacing Alan Pardew, with three wins and two draws.

But he was unable to save Albion, who were bottom of the Premier League and 10 points adrift when he took over.

Owner Guochuan Lai, chief executive Mark Jenkins and technical director Giuliano Terraneo agreed the appointment at a meeting this week.

Bus services are unable to serve parts of Sutton Coldfield town centre as the scene of a fatal stabbing remains cordoned off.

Lower Parade - a man bus interchange - is expected to remain closed until midday while police carry out their murder investigation.

A retreat for veterans and service families set up in memory of murdered soldier Lee Rigby is to be expanded.

The soldier's mother Lyn created the centre in Oakamoor, Staffordshire, after her sonwas killed outside his barracks in Woolwich in May 2013.

It was built to provide respite care for families who have lost children and for army veterans who need a break.

A main route through the centre of Sutton Coldfield remains cordoned off this morning following the fatal stabbing of a 16-year-old boy.

The teenager was confirmed dead at the scene yesterday afternoon in Lower Parade - site of the main public transport hub for buses.

Patrols have been stepped up in the town centre, according to West Midlands Police which says there have been no arrests and no weapon found.

Local councillor David Pears described the stabbing as "appalling".

Police said there'd been disorder and officers found the victim at about 15:30.

BBC Coventry & Warwickshire Sport

Coventry City will attempt to make it through to the League Two play-off final tonight.

Image source, Getty Images

The Sky Blues drew 1-1 with Notts County in the first leg at the Ricoh Arena on Saturday.

If the teams can't be separated after 90 minutes this evening, it'll take extra time and possibly penalties to decide it.

The winner of the tie will face either Exeter City or Lincoln in the final at Wembley on Monday, 28 May.

Murder detectives investigating the fatal stabbing of a 16-year-old boy in Sutton Coldfield are trying to trace several people seen fleeing the scene.

Police were called to Lower Parade in the town where the teenager was found injured at about 15:30 on Thursday.

Police said there'd been disorder and several people were seen fleeing the scene where the boy was confirmed dead.

Det Ch Insp Foster from the West Midlands force said he believed a number of people may have vital information and appealed for witnesses to make contact.

Sara Blizzard
BBC Weather

Following a chilly start it will be a dry and fine day today with spells of sunshine and highs of 19C (66F).

Vanessa Pearce
BBC News

Welcome to our live service for Friday.

We'll be bringing you all the news, sport, travel and weather for the West Midlands.

We love to hear from you so share your news, thoughts and photos of the area with us via email, Twitter, external and Facebook, external.

The BBC meets couples across the UK sharing their big day with Harry and Meghan.

Reece Platt-May, whose sons were killed by a speeding driver, was found dead in a Greek hotel.

A murder investigation begins after the teenager was found injured in Sutton Coldfield, Birmingham.