Summary

  • Live updates from Monday 30 July to Sunday 5 August

  • Click on related stories for updates from your area

Live Reporting

  1. Man charged over flat murder

    Darren Barnes is accused of killing Edwin Bradley, 65, who died from a head injury.

    Read More

  2. 'Limited transport restricts GP access'

    More than five million people across England are unable to book an appointment with a GP outside of working hours, according to BBC data.

    In Herefordshire, though, there is full, extended access.

    Christine Price from Healthwatch Herefordshire, the independent champion for people who use health services in the county, said though people wanted convenience of care, how to get to services for those living in rural communities was an issue.

    GP taking blood from a patient

    BBC analysis shows 10% of registered patients live in areas where there is no access to GPs in evenings and at weekends

    With limited transport between market towns and rural areas, the reality is not everyone can access services. If all patients wanted to use it, it wouldn't have the capacity for them to use it. People without money, friends and family nearby struggle to access services outside of their immediate area. It's not there for everyone in reality."

    Christine Price, Healthwatch Herefordshire

  3. European Championships under way this week

    Three West Midlands gymnasts are preparing for the European Championships which start in Glasgow this week.

    Sutton Coldfield's Alice Kinsella, who competes for the Park Wrekin club in Shropshire, is hoping to add to her Commonwealth beam gold medal earlier this year.

    Alice KinsellaGetty Images

    She's joined by the City of Birmingham pair Joe Fraser and Dominick Cunningham, who won gold and bronze at the Commonwealth Games.

    Joe Fraser and Dominick CunninghamGetty Images

    Follow coverage on BBC Sport.

  4. Illegal tobacco seizures rise

    BBC Shropshire

    There's been a large increase in seizures of illegal tobacco in Shropshire and Telford and Wrekin, our investigation shows.

    Illegal tobacco products

    Cigarettes and hand rolling tobacco worth £11,000 were confiscated by Trading Standards in 2016.

    By 2017, that had risen to £90,000.

    Both unitary authorities say the increase is due to intelligence-lead operations targeting suppliers.

  7. 'Unfinished' roads and pavements talk of the town

    Sophie Calvert
    Political Reporter, BBC Radio Stoke

    Homeowners on two new housing estates in Staffordshire say they want to know when repairs will be completed.

    Taylor Wimpey is accused of leaving roads and pavements unfinished on Bluebell Croft and Mitchell Gardens in Talke.

    Ruth Smeeth, Labour MP for Stoke North, raised the issue in the House of Commons last week.

    One resident, complaining to the company since she moved in last December, told me she had been fobbed off every single time.

    Unfinifhsed roads and pavements in Talke

    We understand the frustration of residents at Mitchell Gardens and would like to assure them we're committed to completing the necessary works as soon as possible. Staffordshire County Council’s Highways department is currently testing the road surface and subject to the council’s approval, we plan to carry out the surfacing works on the roads and footpaths as soon as these tests are complete."

    Taylor Wimpey, Spokesperson

  9. M6 Toll price rise kicks in today

    Drivers using the M6 Toll will be charged more from today.

    The operator of the road, Midland Expressway Limited, is increasing the prices for cars by up to 50p.

    Depending on the journey made, the increase for light goods vehicles will be between 10p and 30p, and for HGVs between 20p and 50p.

    M6 TollPA

    In June, the director of the RAC Foundation called for ownership to be brought under the control of government-owned Highways England.

    As part of the price hike, the company is running a four-month trial giving 100 local people a new weekly maximum price of £20 for unlimited eligible journeys.

  10. Wi-fi scheme expected to be approved

    A scheme to offer free wi-fi in Worcester city centre is expected to get the backing of councillors tonight.

    Worcester council houseWorcestershire County Council

    Worcester City Council has drawn up proposals to allow shoppers to access free internet on their mobile phones for the next three years.

    Councillors who sit on the policy and resources committee are being asked to approve a £130,000 budget.

  12. Missing out on seven-day GP access

    Stoke-on-Trent and Solihull are among the areas with the most patients unable to see a GP outside of working hours, according to BBC analysis.

    The data shows 10% of registered patients in England live in areas where there is no access to GPs in evenings and at weekends.

    Graph showing areas with the most patients without access to GPs outside of working hours

  13. Inquiries continue into girl's road death

    The six-year-old girl died after being hit as she crossed the road with her father in Smethwick.

    Read More

  14. Coventry City: Robins looks to strengthen squad

    BBC Coventry & Warwickshire Sport

    Sky Blues manager Mark Robins says his players will be worked hard this week ahead of the new season.

    Mark RobinsCoventry City Football Club

    City begin life back in League One at home to Scunthorpe on Saturday.

    Speaking after Saturday's 5-2 defeat by West Brom, Robins said he was hopeful of adding to his squad.

    There were one or two positives to take out of the game, but now we've got to bring one or two people in, it's as simple as that."

    Mark Robins, Coventry City manager

  16. Man charged with Walsall flat murder

    A man has been charged with murdering a 65-year-old man who was found dead at his Walsall flat.

    Edwin BradleyFamily handout

    Edwin Bradley's body was discovered at his home in St Thomas Close in Coalpool on 6 July.

    Police believe he may have been dead for several days before being found.

    Darren Barnes, 47, of no fixed address, is due before magistrates this morning, police say.

  17. MP 'wont resign' over anti-Semitism row

    BBC WM

    Dudley North MP Ian Austin says he won't resign from Labour over an investigation into his behaviour during a row about the party's anti-Semitism code.

    Ian Austin denies "screaming" abuse in an argument with the party's chairman.

    Mr Austin, the adopted child of a Jewish refugee, has said the party's new code doesn't deal with the issue "properly".

    Dudley North MP Ian Austinparliament.uk

    I think this is a disgrace. I think it's completely unacceptable in a mainstream political party. I think the party has completely lost the confidence of Britain's Jewish community, I think we've got to sort this out. We've got to take this much more seriously and it's got to be dealt with properly and I'm going to carry on saying that."

    Ian Austin, Dudley North MP

  18. Listed status bid for lost memorials

    Hundreds of forgotten, secret and little-known shrines across England are nominated for listed status.

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  19. Two released after girl killed by car

    Two people arrested after a girl was killed by a car while crossing the road have been released pending further investigation.

    Scene of crashSnappersSK

    The six-year-old was struck on Oldbury Road in Smethwick at about 22:50 on Saturday, West Midlands Police said.

    A 27-year-old man and a 26-year-old woman were arrested on suspicion of causing death by dangerous driving.

  20. Crews tackle large fire at farm

    Fire crews are still at the scene of a large barn fire in Shropshire.

    barn fireShropshire Fire Service

    The fire service was called to the agricultural building at Hatton, near Child's Ercall, shortly before 02:00.

    FireShropshire Fire Service