Express and Star

The Express and Star has these top stories today:

• University of Wolverhampton scraps ‘insulting’ billboard after complaints, external
• Wolverhampton ready to host this year's Grand Slam of Darts at new venue, external
• Young woman was 'failed by mental health system', external

Gavin Kermack
Reporter, BBC Hereford & Worcester

The Supreme Court is expected to rule today on the case of a Worcestershire couple and their decision could have implications for unhappily married people seeking divorce.

Image source, PA

Tini Owens, 68, from Broadway, wants a court's refusal to grant her a divorce overruled.

She says her marriage of four decades to Hugh Owens, 80, has broken down, but he claims they still have a "few years" to enjoy.

Lawyers say she should not have to prove "unreasonable" behaviour by Mr Owens, but she should not "reasonably be expected" to stay with him.

BBC Sport

Worcestershire have it all to do today to avoid a fifth defeat in the County Championship Division One this season.

Image source, ALLSPORT/Getty Images

Their visitors Somerset declared yesterday on 362-9 in their second innings, setting the Pears a daunting 443 to win.

In reply, Jamie Overton bowled Moeen Ali for six with the final ball of the day to leave the home side 50-2, needing another 393.

You can follow coverage of day four of the game on BBC local radio or via the BBC Cricket website.

Victoria Derbyshire

A victim of a burglary in the West Midlands which saw his late wife's wedding rings stolen says it's left him "very, very bitter".

It comes as figures show burglary reports in England and Wales rose by 6% in three years while the number of criminal charges faced by offenders dropped by 33%.

The Freedom of Information request was made by the Victoria Derbyshire programme. The government said police resources were a priority.

Colin Bennett (pictured) was burgled by two men at his home in Streetly, Walsall, last year and said the rings would have gone to his two granddaughters.

West Midlands Police said they put out an appeal in Mr Bennett's case, but neither his belongings nor the perpetrators were ever found.

Alex Hamilton
BBC Weather

There was some rain around for parts of the West Midlands yesterday, but today here's how it's looking:

You can also get a latest forecast for your part of the West Midlands at any other time by heading to the BBC Weather website.

BBC News England

Five men have been charged with conspiracy to commit grievous bodily harm following a suspected acid attack on a three-year-old boy.

Image source, SWNS

Three men from London, aged 22, 25 and 26, and two from Wolverhampton, aged 39 and 41, are due in court later.

The boy suffered serious burns to his face and an arm at the Home Bargains store in Worcester on Saturday.

West Mercia Police said it would not be releasing the identities of the men who have been charged.

They are due to appear at Kidderminster Magistrates' Court today.

Allen Cook
BBC News

Welcome to our live service for Wednesday.

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
• Facebook, external.

Five men are charged with conspiracy to commit grievous bodily harm after a three-year-old was injured.

Freedom of Information figures show a drop in reports leading to a criminal charge from 10.8% to 6.9%.

Writer Helen Monks found the impact of the inquiry was deep and led to widening community divisions.

The victim suffers serious injuries to her face when a substance is thrown from a bike or moped.

The animal rescue charity says it had used the yard in Worcestershire "to foster some of our horses".

Stephanie Barnard
BBC News

We'll be back with our usual mix of news, sport, travel and weather from 07:00 on Wednesday, but keep an eye out here for more updates before then.

Birmingham actor Duane Henry, who played Clayton Reeves in NCIS, has told BBC Radio 5 Live it's "quite humbling" to hear the prime minister watches the show.

Debutant Azhar Ali hits 125 as Somerset set Worcestershire a daunting 443 to win and reduce them to 50-2 at stumps.

A Roman brooch found on farmland near Wem, in Shropshire, has been declared treasure by a coroner today.

The British Museum's Portable Antiquities Scheme says it believes it dates from the 1st or 2nd Century AD and contains a large amount of silver.

Image source, British Museum's Portable Antiquities Scheme

It went on to say only two silver brooches of this type have been found in Shrophire before and both are now on display in museums.

Shropshire Museums have expressed an interest in acquiring the find.

A village road closure in Worcestershire, which is forcing motorists into a 24-mile round trip, is angering residents who are saying they weren't warned in advance.

Pound Lane in Clifton-Upon-Teme has been shut for 19 days to allow Lovell Homes, which is building 48 homes in the area, to install some pipes.

Worcestershire County Council says it realises "there is a long diversion" and has asked for patience. Lovell Homes says the closure is "unfortunately unavoidable" and the firm will do its best to minimise disruption.

Residents also say they're worried storm water from the new estate could cause flooding problems.

Ben Godfrey
BBC Midlands Today

The Prince of Wales took a trip to a Staffordshire woodland today, where scientists are at the forefront of efforts to predict climate change.

A research centre run by the University of Birmingham is pumping CO2 into the forest - to see how oak trees would cope with an increase in greenhouse gases in the atmosphere.

A man who handed himself into police after a 46-year-old man died in what police believe to be a deliberate hit-and-run has been released on bail.

Steven Day, from Olton, Solihull, died when a VW Golf struck him as he walked along pavement on Warwick Road, Solihull, last week.

Image source, Family handout

West Midlands Police say a 19-year-old man from Alum Rock, who was arrested on Friday morning on suspicion of dangerous driving and murder, has been bailed to live and sleep at a specified address.

He is due to be questioned further next month.

Alex Hamilton
BBC Weather

This evening will be fine and warm for most of us, though we could see the odd shower.

Tonight will be dry with temperatures slowly falling away and it will certainly feel fresher than last night.