Striking care workers have been taking part in a demonstration in Birmingham city centre as councillors meet to discuss budget cuts.

The union Unison said more than 250 workers were taking part in the industrial action as workers faced losing their jobs, with many more forced to go part-time.

Fourteen days of industrial action have been announced.

Birmingham City Council said the cuts would make services work more efficiently and bring "more consistency".

You can stream today's meeting here. , external

Lee Blakeman
BBC Radio Stoke

Stoke City manager Gary Rowett hasn't ruled out a move for his former striker Matej Vydra from Derby County.

Image source, Reuters

Vydra (pictured, right) scored 22 goals for Derby last season when Rowett was managing the Rams - and yesterday saw a potential move to Leeds collapse.

Earlier this month, new Derby manager Frank Lampard said he expected him to stay.

Local Democracy Reporting Service
Carl Jackson

A council worker was mistakenly paid for several months after leaving the job, local authority papers show., external

The documents also point to nearly £300,000 in compensation being handed to two former council bosses despite the fact they took the decision to retire.

Members of Birmingham City Council’s audit committee probed the "loss of office" payments in particular but authority chiefs stated the matter was confidential.

At yesterday's meeting, concerns were also raised over the undisclosed sums of money paid to an employee who'd resigned. The funds are yet to be recovered, almost six months on from the discovery of the error.

Details were discussed at a private session.

She loves the adrenaline rush of a thunderstorm - and takes a bit of Oz along for the ride.

Jennie Aitken
Reporter, BBC Radio Stoke

Families living in an area of Stoke-on-Trent say it's become a "hotbed for racism, drug-dealing and anti-social behaviour".

They've formed a residents association, representing people in Longton’s Stockwell Grove and Kendrick Street (pictured).

Image source, Google

Chairman Amanda Hewitt says crime has risen, with people having to take their cars off the road due to vandalism and joy-riding.

The group's criticised housing association Midland Heart, saying it's failed to vet new tenants, and accused the police of not doing enough to solve problems.

Midland Heart says legal action is being taken against three tenants and is working on getting a "more balanced community".

Staffordshire Police says it's aware of issues and is tackling them.

Coventry Live
Coventry Live

On the Coventry Live website:

• Man arrested by police investigating Coventry moped flasher, external
• New opening date for The Botanist at Cathedral Lanes, external
• Why Bedworth's new-look market will not be plagued by pigeons, external

Allen Cook
BBC News

A man's died in a crash between two cars. , external

It happened yesterday afternoon on the A454 in Worfield, Bridgnorth, Shropshire, the ambulance service said.

Image source, Google

When workers arrived, it said, the man was in cardiac arrest and was already getting CPR but he could not be saved and died at the scene.

Seven other people were hurt and taken to hospitals across the region.

Well, as firefighters themselves tweeted, external, it's not quite a cat up a tree....

But with "no job ever the same", there's nothing wrong with a variation on a theme - on Monday, a Coventry fire crew rescued kittens that had become trapped behind a brick wall.

Here are the cute pics:

Image source, West Midlands Fire Service

Image source, West Midlands Fire Service

A 26-year-old man is arrested on suspicion of inciting a child to commit a sexual act.

James Pearson
Political reporter, BBC Hereford & Worcester

City councillors have unanimously agreed that proposals for a new stadium for Worcester City close to the M5 are "unrealistic".

The football club has been ground-sharing in the north of the county since leaving St George's Lane more than five years ago.

At last night's meeting, a move to Parsonage Way was ruled out.

Labour councillors are now calling for the club and its supporters to review the idea of a move to Perdiswell.

Plans for a stadium there are currently being considered by a planning inspector, having been rejected earlier in July.

Highways staff worked through the night to resurface part of the northbound carriageway.

Stoke-on-Trent Live

Stoke-on-Trent Live has these headlines today:

• Armed police called to man with gun in Stoke-on-Trent garden, external
• Former Stoke City boss accused of disrespecting his players over handling of Xherdan Shaqiri, external
• Cabbies: 'Beggars are making £20 to £30-a-day outside Stoke Station', external

Victoria Royce-Pagett is a storm chaser in the Midlands.

She uses technology to follow weather across counties, always taking a bit of Oz footwear with her - after all, in blustery conditions, there's "no place like home".

The broadcasting regulator Ofcom has scrapped the roll-out of further local TV channels across the UK.

Image source, Getty Images

More than 30 local TV stations have been set up since 2013, but some have faced financial difficulties and have struggled to attract an audience.

Ofcom has now halted plans to seek people to run new channels in 13 areas.

They include Bromsgrove, Kidderminster, Stoke-on-Trent and Stratford-upon-Avon.

A West Midlands Police officer is due to appear in court later charged in connection with allegations he neglected police work to pursue a sexual relationship.

Image source, Getty Images

PC Colin Noble is accused of misconduct in public office.

He is due before Birmingham Magistrates Court.

Express and Star

Among the Express and Star headlines today:

• One dead, several injured after A454 horror crash, external
• Toys R Us facing demolition to pave way for new shops, external
• Driver smashes up own car after getting parking ticket, external

BBC News Travel

A crash involving a lorry and two cars has closed part of the M6 southbound in Staffordshire.

Image source, Highways England

Traffic officers are at the scene working to remove a car stranded the wrong way across two lanes of the motorway between junctions 13 and 14.

Traffic is being temporarily held, Highways England says.

Former Mid Worcestershire MP Sir Peter Luff said it took a "long, long time" to get a diagnosis for Parkinson's disease, as his physiotherapist, dentist and occupational health doctor did not recognise his symptoms.

The 63-year-old, now chairman of the Heritage Lottery Fund, was eventually diagnosed after displaying symptoms including problems with walking and talking.

He said he wanted the public to know about his condition after first being diagnosed three years ago.

BBC Midlands Today

A trial has begun on the M6 Toll road to cap prices for local drivers.

Operator Midland Expressway said the trial was part of its plan to support West Midlands businesses and reduce congestion along the A5 and A38.

On Monday, price hikes for other cars and heavy goods vehicles were introduced.

A taxi driver has been injured in a "vicious" attempted robbery by two passengers.

Warwickshire Police said , externalthe 50-year-old was set upon by two men after he dropped them in Exham Close, Warwick, at about 04:00 on Monday.

The offenders fled empty handed and the driver was left needing hospital treatment.