A handwritten letter by children's author Roald Dahl which reveals his secrets to good storytelling is set to go on sale at auction.

The letter, dated 2 August 1989, showcases the writer's opinion of his own work and his determination to get children reading.

It was sent to librarian Christine Wotton, who said she had written to Mr Dahl "speculatively" as a 20-year-old student as she was studying for a degree in literature and linguistics in the late 1980s.

Image source, Hanson's Auctioneers

The item has been given a guide price of £500-800 by Hansons Auctioneers and is set to go under the hammer on 15 June in its specialist library auction at Bishton Hall, in Staffordshire.

Jim Spencer, head of books and works on paper at Hansons, said: "Most autograph letters that come up for sale are typed, brief, almost generic responses.

"This is quite different, it gives us an insight into Dahl's creativity and craft, his passion for making reading fun, encouraging children to pick up books and take a love of literature with them throughout the rest of their lives."

Image source, Getty Images

Eleanor, 14, is taking part in the BBC's Make a Difference Happy Heads campaign.

Worcester's new mayor has been selected.

Councillor Stephen Hodgson was voted in at Worcester City Council's annual meeting.

Councillor Adrian Gregson was voted in as deputy mayor.

Image source, Worcester City Council

Mr Hodgson (pictured) said: “It’s a great privilege to be chosen as mayor of Worcester, having lived in the city for over 30 years.

“It’s now time for us to come together and celebrate our great city, as we move forward and recover from the pandemic."

Signs have been put up in Shropshire to raise awareness about why grass verges in part of the county are not being cut until late summer.

Image source, Shropshire Council

The areas in the south of the county are being left to grow wild to benefit plants and wildlife.

Shropshire Council said , externalvolunteers from the Restoring Shropshire’s Verges Project had put up signs which say: "Don’t mow, let it grow."

A Brierley Hill man has been recognised for his work helping youngsters stay out of trouble.

Kevin Dillon was named as a Hometown Hero by the organisers of the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games.

The head coach of Lions Amateur Boxing Club was one of 14 named across the region as “inspiring local champions of community sport”.

Image source, Dudley Council

Councillor Patrick Harley, leader of Dudley council, said: "I was delighted to hear that Kevin had been recognised and I could not think of a more deserving recipient of such a title.

"He gives so much to help others and asks for nothing in return. We need people like Kevin Dillon in our communities – he is a modern-day hero."

BBC Radio Shropshire

Coronavirus has created a backlog of more than 1,100 criminal cases in courts across Shropshire, Herefordshire and Worcestershire.

According to figures seen by the BBC, the caseload of Crown courts in West Mercia is now almost two thirds bigger than at the start of the pandemic, with some cases delayed by years.

A spokesperson from the Ministry of Justice said it had kept the justice system moving, with urgent cases such as domestic abuse being prioritised.

Dr Anushua Gupta describes saying final goodbyes to her family before being placed on life support.

Families with school-age children in Newport are being urged to get a Covid-19 test.

Proposals to redevelop the former Ironbridge power station site and build up to 1,000 homes have been given outline approval.

Telford and Wrekin councillors voted unanimously to give outline permission for the plans.

The power station's four cooling towers were demolished in 2019 with other structures taken down since.

The proposals also include plans for a retirement village, a primary and nursery school, allotments and commercial use.

They will go on to Shropshire Council for a final say at a later date.

A former West Midlands Police officer has been barred from returning to the force.

Oliver Banfield had previously been sentenced by magistrates after he admitted assaulting Emma Homer in Warwickshire last July while drunk.

At an accelerated misconduct hearing yesterday, Banfield, 35, who had subsequently resigned, was told he will be will be added to a College of Policing record to ensure he is unable to rejoin the police service.

Image source, Sally Homer

Following the hearing, the force's Deputy Chief Constable Vanessa Jardine said: “I recognise the distress Emma Homer – who was assaulted and verbally abused by Banfield – has suffered during this time; the actions of this former officer were completely unacceptable.

“I was as disgusted by the behaviour of Banfield as anyone. He is clearly not the kind of person who should ever have a role in policing.”

A fallen tree on the railway near Rowley Regis is causing delays.

Services are delayed between Stourbridge Junction and Birmingham stations.

In a post on Twitter, Birmingham New Street station said a team was on site and preparing to move the fallen tree.

The cases in Stafford, Tamworth and east of the county are linked to households, the council says.

Shefali Oza
BBC Midlands Today

Today might be a little drier than the past few days, with top temperatures of 17C.

A trust is given a warning notice over concerns around staffing and governance.

A government notice comes after a court ruled three children were "utterly failed".

A hearing finds "immature" Oliver Banfield committed gross misconduct when he assaulted Emma Homer.

Network Rail says there will be disruption until Wednesday evening due to debris on the line.

Two former soldiers succeed in getting a Cheshire Regiment memorial at the National Memorial Arboretum.

Sarah Ngaba is jailed for 14 years for the assault on her seven-week-old daughter.

Fast bowler Craig Miles signs a new deal which will keep him at Warwickshire until at least the end of the 2023 season.