BBC Midlands Today

Conservative councillors who won seats and control of councils in Staffordshire in this month's elections need to deliver on their promises, the leader of county council said.

The Tories took control of Cannock Chase District Council for the first time and increased their majorities on Tamworth Borough Council and the county council.

Alan White, leader of the county council, said the results had taken them by surprise but they now had to work on their pledges.

"The state of the roads is something we need to be addressing, we need to be making sure our social services are being run efficiently, our children's services are being run efficiently," he said.

Alan Pearson, a former Labour councillor, was one of those swept away by the Tory success, losing his Hednesford North seat.

He said his party had to be clearer on their policies: "If you put 'vote Tory' and a blue badge on anybody who walks by, they would have got in."

BBC Weather

After a largely dry start showers will develop for many areas, with some potentially thundery at times.

The showers will eventually die away leaving a dry evening with highs of 15°C (59°F).

A union criticised the firm for a "cynical and shocking stunt" and urged it to deliver the bonus.

Ex-footballer Dalian Atkinson died after PC Benjamin Monk deployed his Taser, a trial hears.

The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge are to visit the West Midlands later this week as part of a week-long campaign highlighting mental health awareness.

Image source, PA Media

They'll visit local organisations that support children and young people, Kensington Palace has announcd.

The duchess has spoken about her wish to "break the stigma" around the topic.

This year’s theme is about nature and the important role it can play to help improve mental wellbeing, as well as its power to prevent or aid recovery from poor mental health.

John Campion receives 55% of the votes, securing him another term in the post.

Mayor Andy Street says the project will deliver "hundreds if not nearly a thousand jobs".

Mr Seccombe says there is "plenty more work to be done" after being re-elected for a second term.

The victim is in a serious condition in hospital, Staffordshire Police says.

The Conservative police and crime commissioner for Warwickshire has been re-elected.

Philip Seccombe was elected with a turnout of 38%.

He was congratulated on Twitter by local Conservative MPs Nadhim Zahawi and Craig Tracey.

A gang who stole from Beeston Castle and Roche Abbey are ordered to give up their metal detectors.

Police believe the remains, found under a Birmingham footpath, have been there "for some time".

Lucy Letby is accused of killing eight infants while working at the Countess of Chester Hospital.

A rare woodpecker has been spotted in woodland on the Staffordshire/Worcestershire border.

Image source, Mathew Lissimore

Image source, Matthew Lissimore

The Lesser Spotted Woodpecker, the least common of the species in Britain, was captured by photographer Matthew Lissimore at the Kinver Edge woodland, cared for by the National Trust.

Ewan Chapman, National Trust lead ranger at the site said: "This species of Woodpecker has been in decline in Britain since the 1970s.

"The loss of ancient woodland habitat, removal of deadwood and competition from other species have all contributed.

"The way we’re managing the woodland at Kinver Edge is helping to support these rare birds," he added.

A third protest is being held outside the site of a landfill in Staffordshire, as it begins taking waste again.

Walleys Quarry in Silverdale, which has been the focus of community anger over many years, put some of its work on hold voluntarily because of the thousands of complaints about the smell.

It says the capping, gas management and engineering works will carry on to try and reduce the odour.

The site's owner, Red Industries, says the waste part of its work has been planned in full consultation with the Environment Agency and the volumes it will take are within the permit conditions.

Read more on the story here:

• The landfill smell uniting a community in anger

BBC Weather

Widespread showers will develop throughout the day with highs of 8°C (46°F).

The results of the two remaining police and crime commissioner elections for the West Midlands are due today.

Votes in the contest for the posts in West Mercia and Warwickshire will be counted this morning.

It comes after Labour's Simon Foster won the vote for the West Midlands force and Conservative Ben Adams was elected in Staffordshire.

The Conservatives also regained the Cheshire PCC role.

The latest news and updates from across the West Midlands and south Cheshire.

A new book explores the naturalist's lost childhood garden at The Mount in Shrewsbury.

Neighbours tried to rescue the three people inside the property, firefighters say.