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BBC News Travel
Drivers heading north on the M6 this morning into Cheshire are being warned of long delays after a lorry's hit the central reservation.
Image source, Highways EnglandHighways England says it's happened between J18, for Holmes Chapel, and J19 and Knutsford, and will need specialist equipment to remove it., external
They say to expect long delays on the motorway.
BBC Sport
West Bromwich Albion's hopes of topping the Championship were dashed by a Derby County side who thrashed them 4-1 at The Hawthorns last night.
Image source, PAFrank Lampard's Rams scored twice in each half - through Jack Marriott and Tom Lawrence in the first, then Harry Wilson (pictured) and Scott Malone in the second.
Jay Rodriguez pulled one back for Albion late on, but it was his awful early error with a loose backpass that set Derby on their way to an impressive win.
Already without suspended midfielder Jake Livermore, Albion lost joint-top scorer Dwight Gayle to injury at half-time, on a night when anything that could have gone wrong for them did.
Quote MessageDerby were clinical in their finishing but it was a bizarre game. They gave the ball away too at times but we just didn't capitalise, and it turned into a bad day at the office. The incident with Dwight Gayle changed it. He had a chance to score and he had his heel clipped in full flow. He had to come off because of that."
Darren Moore, West Bromwich Albion head coach
BBC Business News
Even currently profitable Debenhams stores could shut under the firm's restructuring plans.
The firm had previously said it would close 10 under-performing stores.
An additional 40 stores are "currently contributing positively" to the business, but the firm said it believed their performance was "likely to deteriorate" over the next 3-5 years.
Do you work for Debenhams or regularly shop in the stores?
Get in touch with us and tell us what you think of the latest news.
BBC Midlands Today
Children's hospitals in the UK, including the one in Birmingham, are in dangerously polluted areas, according to research.
The British Lung Foundation says one in four hospitals and one in three GP practices in England are located in areas that exceed safe levels.
Image source, GoogleIt claims the biggest cities, like London and Birmingham, are the worst affected with places such as Birmingham Children's Hospital in badly polluted locations.
The foundation is warning of the dangers of polluted air, which is linked to diseases such as asthma and coronary heart disease, and is calling on the government to take action.
In response, ministers say they recognise "there is more to do" to improve air quality and a future Environment Bill will set out their plans.
BBC Business News
Debenhams has just announced it is to close up to 50 stores, putting about 4,000 jobs at risk across the country.
Its boss Sergio Bucher said it had been a "tough year for retail" and the firm was taking "decisive steps to strengthen Debenhams in a market that remains volatile and challenging".
In the year to September it lost £491.5m, compared with profits of £59m the year before.
Image source, ReutersThere are 17 Debenhams stores in the West Midlands: Two in Birmingham, Wolverhampton, Walsall, Brierley Hill, Telford, Stoke-on-Trent, Coventry, Leamington Spa, Stratford upon Avon, Nuneaton, Rugby, Redditch, Lichfield, Hereford, Kidderminster and Worcester.
The firm has yet to reveal which stores will shut.
Debenhams' struggles follow the recent collapse of major retailers such as House of Fraser, BHS, Toys R Us and others.
BBC News Travel
A tram's had to be pulled out of service this morning in Birmingham, prompting apologies from West Midlands Metro., external
It says, as a result, trams will be running from every eight minutes at peak time this morning and that could lead to longer waiting times.
Alex Hamilton
BBC Weather
Some patches of fog around this morning but they should clear soon - here's how the rest of Thursday's weather in the West Midlands is looking:
Alex Hamilton
You can get a latest weather forecast for your area at any other time by going to the BBC Weather website.
Allen Cook
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.
Derby County win handsomely at The Hawthorns to deny West Bromwich Albion top spot in the Championship.
Read MoreThe model, made from silver and gold, cost about £70,000 to make and will be auctioned for charity.
Read More
Andy Giddings
BBC News
We'll be back with the news, sport, travel and weather from 07:00 tomorrow.
BBC Sport
The new Aston Villa boss Dean Smith says he's learning more every day about the squad he's inherited at Villa Park.
He suffered his first defeat against Norwich last night and play again on Friday, away to QPR.
Image source, Getty ImagesVilla have won just once in their last six matches and lost on-loan striker Tammy Abraham to a head injury mid-way through the second half.
Quote MessageIt's a talented squad there. They've took an awful lot on board already and certainly one result's not going to change my mind on the group of players that we've got."
Dean Smith, Aston Villa manager
Local Democracy Reporting Service
Kerry Ashdown
Dozens of villagers have hit out at plans for a new housing development which, they claim, could end up merging two villages into one.
Image source, GoogleThe proposals are for up to 97 homes on fields on the edge of Cheddleton, between Cheadle Road and Folly Lane, next to an existing residential development.
But Staffordshire Moorlands District Council's already had 85 objections from local residents with fears the countryside will be ruined and that it'll join up Cheddleton with Wetley Rocks.
The plans include 32 affordable homes and the application says the site has good access to bus routes - but it is being recommended for refusal at a meeting tomorrow., external
Here are three stories from the Hereford Times today:
A man's been arrested after an elderly man was left in a critical condition following a suspected hit-and-run crash in Birmingham., external
Image source, GoogleRosewelth Gordon, 79, from Moseley, was crossing Alcester Road South on Monday night, police say, when he was hit by a van.
Officers arrested a 30-year-old man on suspicion of causing serious injury by dangerous driving and failing to stop following a collision.
Shrewsbury's maternity unit has reopened after a £500,000 refurbishment, eight months after it had to close because heavy snow damaged the roof.
Maternity services had to be temporarily relocated to other parts of the Royal Shrewsbury Hospital during the closure and the hospital took the opportunity to improve the look of the building.
Families and staff helped choose the colour schemes, the names of the birthing rooms and the murals that went on the walls.
The future of Gourmet Burger Kitchen staff in the West Midlands is unclear, after the owners of the fast food chain announced plans to close 17 stores.
It currently employs 2,000 people at about 80 restaurants in the UK.
Image source, Gourmet Burger KitchenThe chain has outlets in Birmingham, Stoke-on-Trent, Leamington and Worcester.
Wasps release winger Christian Wade from his contract to allow him to pursue a career in American football.
Read MoreMatthew Powney was described as a "bystander" to the fight where he sustained serious head injuries.
Read More
Shefali Oza
BBC Midlands Today
It's been a mainly dry day for us today in the West Midlands - here's how tonight and tomorrow are looking:
Shefali Oza
To stay up-to-date with the latest forecast for your part of the West Midlands, head to the BBC Weather website at any other time.
