Local Democracy Reporting Service
David Irwin

Concerns have been raised about how to keep on top of the increasing numbers of children who are being home-schooled in Solihull.

Image source, Google

The number of borough youngsters being taught at home is understood to have increased by almost 90% over the course of three years, mirroring the national trend.

Mental health issues, religious background or an attempt to avoid a pupil being excluded are some of the reasons cited for the increase.

At a meeting, Councillor Ken Meeson said the local authority could prove support but acknowledged that there were concerns about the action that could be taken in the event that education was deemed inadequate.

Allen Cook
BBC News

People living near the site of a huge fire at a timber yard, external in Staffordshire can now open their windows and doors, the fire service says.

Five crews have been battling the blaze at the site on Power Station Road, Rugeley which involved cars, caravan and pallets of timber.

Just before 13:30, the fire service tweeted that their crews were now, external "damping down" at the yard.

Lee Thomas
Newsreader, BBC Radio Stoke

A road near Nantwich has been shut after police say a hole's appeared in the carriageway., external

Image source, Cheshire Police

They say it happened on Wybunbury Road, Willaston, between the junctions of Eastern Road and Green Lane.

Police say the council's coming to inspect it, but they think the road may be shut "for some time".

Some pubs are unable to order in big name beers because of a gas shortage.

Eight people have been charged with conspiracy to supply crack cocaine and heroin in Leamington and Warwick, Police said., external

The eight, aged between 17 and 46, were all arrested following a series of warrants in Warwickshire and the West Midlands.

Simon Gilbert
Political Reporter, BBC Coventry & Warwickshire

Wasps' financial auditor has officially resigned over, external "serious" issues relating to "falsified" evidence presented to them during an audit of the company's financial statements.

Image source, Getty Images

The letter of resignation from PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC), published on the Companies House website, said given the seriousness of events it does not consider it "appropriate" to continue as auditors.

The matter relates to the financial statements of Wasps Holdings Ltd, for the year ended 30 June 2017, it said.

The club confirmed that Mazars LLP would be its new auditors and declined to comment further.

A inquest hears how engineer David Chandler would have suffered "respiratory arrest".

Allen Cook
BBC News

A man has been jailed for at least 33 years after being found guilty of the murder of a woman in her bungalow.

Image source, West Mercia Police

Julie Fox, 51, was found on 27 December at her home on Carnforth Drive, Worcester, after a neighbour reported a smell of gas.

Adrian Jenkins, 44, of Carnforth Drive, had pleaded not guilty to murder but was convicted after a three-week trial.

Ms Fox, who had restricted mobility, was well known in Worcester for travelling on her electric mobility scooter, often with her dog in the basket on the front.

Streets across England are being decorated in flags as the national football team progresses in the World Cup.

Worcester News

The Worcester News has these top stories today:

• Pupil did not intend suicide, says dad, external
• Surge in donations to clothing project, external
• Hundreds gather for Worcestershire Education Awards, external

Marian McNamee
BBC Coventry and Warwickshire

About 100 taxi drivers have left Coventry for Wolverhampton to protest against taxi licensing policies.

They claim drivers for the taxi app company Uber, who are licensed in Wolverhampton, but work in the city, are impacting their livelihoods.

BBC News Travel

Part of the eastbound A50's likely to stay shut for several hours this afternoon after a huge fuel spill.

A crash left the fuel across 800m (875yds) of the carriageway between the A520 in Meir and the A521.

Highways England says it's brought in specialist equipment, but it's likely it'll need resurfacing, meaning the route will be shut for several hours., external

Some of the seven huts in Coventry, which are all listed buildings, date back to the 1700s.

A reward for information about the murder of a pensioner who was beaten and robbed in his own home has been increased to £40,000. , external

Arthur "Bob" Gumbley, 87, died three weeks after being found on the floor of his home in Endwood Drive, Sutton Coldfield last November.

Image source, Staffordshire Police

Three men have been arrested by police in connection with the incident but released under investigation.

Today, the force made a fresh appeal for more help on BBC One's Crimewatch Roadshow and showed pictures of jewellery and other items taken from Mr Gumbley's home.

His two daughters also spoke about the impact his murder has had on the family.

Sophie Calvert
Political Reporter, BBC Radio Stoke

Stoke-on-Trent has the chance to show the city off to Channel 4 today.

Representatives from the broadcaster are visiting to see what the city is offering in its bid to be a new creative hub.

Image source, Getty Images

The company wants to move 300 of its 800 staff out of London to a national headquarters and two "creative hubs".

The final locations will be chosen in October.

Stoke-on-Trent's bid has got the backing of local screenwriter and actress Rachel Shenton, who won an Oscar in March for her short film.

Shropshire Star

These are among the top stories for the Shropshire Star:

• Settlement awarded to girl 'groomed by Telford martial arts trainer', external
• 150 jobs up for grabs at two new special schools in Shropshire, external
• Last boat recovered from collapsed Shropshire Union Canal, external

Nicola Goodwin
Reporter, BBC Hereford & Worcester

The start of Herefordshire Council’s cabinet meeting was delayed this morning to allow a large crowd of protesters to get into the Shire Hall.

Campaigners are objecting to the authority’s plans to look at outsourcing the library and museum services to a not-for-profit company. , external

There are fears that could mean reduced access especially for people who want to view archives.

But the council says the plans will help save £250,000 a year and protect services for the future.

Allen Cook
BBC News

A road's been shut in both direction due to the huge fire at a timber yard in Staffordshire.

The fire service says the blaze on Power Station Road, Rugeley, involves cars, caravan and pallets of timber , externalwhich are "well alight".

Earlier, they warned that, as the fire's near to railway lines, train services could be affected.

Image source, Shropshire Fire Service

The large barn fire in Oswestry is being brought under control, , externalthe fire service says.

Crews were called this morning to Gobowen Road , externaland nearby residents were told to keep their doors and windows shut.

Image source, Shropshire Fire Service

Allen Cook
BBC News

The weather's got so hot this week that several roads in Worcestershire appear to have melted.

The county council says about 20 routes are, external "fatting up" due to the high temperatures in the upper 20s.

"Fatting up" means bitumen, part of the mixture used in roads, is forced to the surface, making the roads more slippery.

The council says the worst affected road has been the A449 at Mitre Oak and it's having to use gritters to dust the routes to improve traction.