The Justice Secretary David Gauke has said he'll continue to monitor changes to remand courts in Shropshire.

In April, the number of courts in the West Mercia area was reduced from five to just one - in Kidderminster.

Shaun Davies, the Labour leader on Telford and Wrekin Council, raised the issue with David Gauke yesterday.

Mr Gauke said the reforms were made after considerable consultation but "we will continue to monitor these things".

A group of solicitors in the county have written an open letter to magistrates, hitting out at remand court arrangements.

They claim the new system is resulting in prisoners being held in cells too long, extra costs in transporting defendants to Kidderminster and issues over mental health access.

BBC Radio Stoke

A company providing free solar panels across Stoke-on-Trent for the city council has blamed "teething problems" for the frustrations some customers have experienced.

Solarplicity is installing them for council tenants to save them money on their bills, and says initial complaints have now been resolved.

The regulator Ofgem says it's aware of the ongoing customer service issues.

About 1,500 tenants in the city have signed up so far.

The city council has apologised for delays in the service.

Local Democracy Reporting Service
David Irwin

An extra £11.1m is going to be ploughed into Coventry's City of Culture scheme, in order to “maximise the benefits” of the initiative.

Image source, PA

The city council's cabinet's approved a one-off sum of £5m and, subject to approval through the formal budget process, another £6.1m.

The authority says the extra spending, on top of £5.05m to meet the costs of hosting in 2021, will be key to reaping economic benefits of the UK City of Culture title.

At the same meeting, the cabinet heard the council's facing a £2m overspend in this financial year.

However, the councillor in charge of finance, John Mutton, told his colleagues he was confident they would still come in under budget.

BBC News Travel

An overturned car is causing congestion on the M6 northbound, at J16 for Stoke-on-Trent.

Image source, West Midlands Ambulance Service

Recovery has now been completed and the A500 slip road reopened.

No-one was seriously injured in the crash, said the ambulance service.

Express and Star

Here are some of the stories making the early headlines on the Express & Star website:

• Experts back plans for controversial rail depot near Wolverhampton, external
• Jailed: Driver hit cyclists near New Cross Hospital while on video call, external
• Walsall Tennis Club forced to move after 106 years amid homes plan, external

Five new ePassport gates have been installed at Birmingham Airport, allowing passengers to pass through customs without seeing a border guard.

It will help passengers get through arrivals more swiftly and efficiently, the airport said.

It takes the number now in operation there from 10 to 15.

The equivalent of one child in every classroom in the Midlands has been sent a naked, or semi-naked image online from an adult, a survey has found., external

In a survey of nearly 40,000 children, the NSPCC asked young people aged seven to 16 about the risks they face when using the internet, with one in 25 children being targeted in the region.

The charity is launching a petition, external calling on the government to introduce tougher regulations around social media to protect children.

The survey found that in the 12 months from April last year, 25 cases were reported to police in the West Midlands, while in Staffordshire there were 61 incidents logged.

A new ward could be built at the Princess Royal Hospital in Telford this winter to help cope with an expected influx of patients.

The trust that runs the hospital has applied for £3m funding to pay for a new 30-bed ward, to try and to stop the problem of patients being treated in corridors.

The Care Quality Commission raised concerns about the issue during an unannounced visit to Shrewsbury and Telford Hospitals NHS Trust recently.

Local Democracy Reporting Service

A fire that's been burning for 13 years is finally going to be put out.

Image source, Google

The blaze is underground on land in Keele, Staffordshire, which was mined for iron and then coal.

It's an old spoil heap which is burning and the county council's closing Hollywood Lane for seven months to allow it to be extinguished.

It comes as there are plans to build 100 homes nearby - Newcastle under Lyme Borough Council won't allow building work to start until the blaze is out.

Skips could be placed on the streets of Walsall in a bid to tackle the problem of fly-tipping in the area, the council has announced.

Cleaning up illegally dumped rubbish is costing the authority more than £400,000 a year, it said.

The council says it fears waste on the road could lead to a serious accident.

There will also be trials of longer tip opening hours and free bulky waste collections.

The public has been thanked for a "huge outpouring of support" for an officer after bystanders filmed him being knocked off his bike instead of helping the rider.

The officer was pursuing a stolen bike in Coventry when he was knocked over on Stoney Stanton Road.

The officer was taken to hospital but discharged with "bumps, bruises and a bit of shock".

West Midlands Police Road Harm Reduction Team tweeted he has "no lasting injuries" and now recovering at home.

Rich Davis
BBC Weather presenter

After a chilly start it should be a dry sunny day with the chance of isolated showers and highs of 19C (66F).

Vanessa Pearce
BBC News

Welcome to our live service for Thursday.

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 and Facebook, external.

Janbaz Tarin is wanted in connection with the deaths of his ex-partner and her mother in Solihull.

Holly the wallaby jumped over a zoo fence and has evaded capture two weeks.

Aston Villa midfielder Andre Green joins League One side Portsmouth on loan until the end of the season.

We'll be back with our usual mix of news, sport, travel and weather from 07:00 tomorrow, but keep an eye out here for more updates this evening and into the morning.

Allen Cook
BBC News

A man in his 60s has been robbed at knifepoint on the outskirts of Telford., external

Image source, Google

The 68-year-old was on an underpass between Columbine Way, Donnington, and Woodbine Way, Muxton, when it happened, police say.

Two men came up and threatened him, demanding money and the victim handed over his phone.

Local Democracy Reporting Service

Plans have been put forward to turn a former massage parlour linked to prostitution to nine bedsits.

Sandwell Council's planning committee is being recommended to approve the plan on 5 September to convert the building on Hagley Road, despite police objections that it would cause crime or the fear of crime.

Image source, Google

The building was previously owned by Carl Pritchett who was convicted of running a brothel from an adjoining property in 2006 and jailed for two years.

The parlour reopened in 2009 as Bunny's but moved next door, before both buildings were seized under the Proceeds of Crime Act to recover £2m in illegal earnings.

The parlour eventually closed in 2012 after the council withdrew its licence.

Allen Cook
BBC News

A house has been ransacked by thieves who've taken cash and jewellery., external

Image source, Google

Police say the burglary happened between 18 and 23 August on Mill Lane, Corbrook, near Audlem, Cheshire, but only came to light when the owners came back from holiday.

As well as the thefts, officers say the criminals also damaged several personal possessions "of great sentimental value".