Nigel Dolman
Reporter, BBC Shropshire

The Royal British Legion's poppy appeal has launched today and people in Shropshire have been talking about their reasons for wearing them.

One shopper in Telford said: "I always get one every year, just think it's right. We're paying respects to people that have looked after us, made the country what it is."

The man went on to say: "I know it's the 100th anniversary [of the end of World War One] this year so I put one on, I don't like walking around without one."

Lisa, the owner of the Little Card and Gift Company in Newport, said a lot of people seemed to be buying them due to the centenary.

And it's both young and old buying them. A 19-year-old told us: "Everyone should wear a poppy because it shows that they have respect for what people gave their lives for and they remember."

He said his generation "can relate quite easily" to the appeal because of more recent conflicts like Afghanistan and Iraq.

Are you wearing a poppy or choosing not to? Whether it's red, white or even purple, tell us why you wear one.

A review of the hotel that pointed out fire safety failings was removed for not being "travel-related".

The government's been urged to "wake up" and give police forces the funding they need, after MPs warned a huge numbers of crimes are going unsolved.

A report by the Home Affairs Committee said forces in England and Wales were "struggling to cope" amid falling staff numbers and rising crime.

Image source, EPA

West Midlands Police and Crime Commissioner, David Jamieson, says there could be "dire consequences" if ministers don't give them the money they need.

Responding to today's news, he says, external West Midlands Police force needs £17m "just to stand still" but a further £25.2m to raise officer numbers by 500.

The Home Office said it was engaging with police to ensure they get the resources they need.

The force, the second largest in the country, has fewer staff than ever before in its history and yesterday concerns over staffing were raised during Prime Minister's Questions.

James Bond
Sports Producer, BBC Shropshire

Champion jockey Richard Johnson is back at Ludlow Racecourse today.

There's a six-race card, starting at 14:10, and Johnson is be looking to extend his lead at the top of this season's jockeys' table.

Johnson has two horses - the first is aboard Bryn Pauling’s runner Whin Park in the three-mile handicap chase, and then on Ludlow trainer Henry Daly's Pique Rock.

Pique Rock was a convincing winner at Bangor last time out, in what's proving a good season so far for Daly.

Facebook

You've been having your say on the news that Debenhams is to close up to 50 stores, putting 4,000 jobs at risk.

The retailer has not yet released a list of the stores earmarked for closure, but has 16 stores in the West Midlands.

Image source, Getty Images

On the BBC Midlands Facebook page, Ellen Kay Tunnicliffe posted, external: "If retailers give better discounts for shopping online this will keep happening. If you have to pay full price for something on the high street why would you?"

Emma Wright added, external: "Debenhams give better and bigger discount if you shop online with them. I've stood in the shop and ordered something online because it was half the shop price. They're killing their own shops!"

While Maxine Louise wrote about the news, external: "Gutted - love the Telford one and shop there often."

Stoke-on-Trent Live

Some of the stories making the headlines on the Stoke-on-Trent Live website this morning:

• Mum's anger as hospital contractor scrawls 'no parking' in pen on bonnet, external
• Pervert pensioner caught with abuse images featuring children as young as three, external
• Delays after lorry hits central reservation on M6, external

Lee Thomas
Newsreader, BBC Radio Stoke

Reopening the M6 in Cheshire could take a couple of hours, police say, after a lorry ended up on top of part of the central barrier.

Image source, Highways England

The crash happened earlier this morning, external on the northbound side between J18 and J19 and has caused several miles of tailbacks.

Lanes have stayed shut past the scene so the lorry can be lifted off the barrier.

Cheshire Police says around 100m (109 yds) of the barrier's been damaged so needs cutting away and replacing.

A man has been charged with 14 counts relating to sexual offences allegedly committed in one day.

The 29-year-old from Smethwick is due to appear at Kidderminster Magistrates' Court today.

Image source, Google

The charges relate to two incidents in Redditch and one in the West Midlands Police force area on Monday.

Allen Cook
BBC News

A second man's been charged with the murder of a father-of-four who was stabbed to death in Wolverhampton.

Image source, West Midlands Police

Richard Helm, 37, was pronounced dead after police were called to Raven Crescent, in Ashmore Park, on 12 October.

Danny Cooper, 31, of Coneyford Road in Shard End, Birmingham, has been already been charged with murder, appeared before magistrates yesterday and was remanded into custody.

Today, West Midlands Police says Ashley Wilson, 27, of Guernsey Drive, Solihull, has also been charged with murder. , external

He is also accused of two counts of criminal damage and arson and is due to appear at Walsall Magistrates' Court this morning.

Allen Cook
BBC News

A main road from Congleton to Macclesfield's closed this morning after a serious crash between a motorbike and a lorry., external

Image source, Google

Cheshire Police says the collision happened on the A536 at around 07:40, near to Macclesfield College.

The force says several roads have been shut including the Congleton Road and they're expected to be closed "for several hours".

Traffic has been delayed on the M6 after a lorry crashed into the central reservation near Knutsford.

Image source, North West Motorway Police

It happened northbound between junction 18 for Holmes Chapel, and junction 19 for Knutsford at about 07:25.

Specialist recovery equipment will be needed and "long delays" are expected, Highways England said. It is not yet known if anyone has been injured.

One lane is currently open but Cheshire Police have advised motorists to avoid the area if possible.

BBC Midlands Today

While many students are getting used to university life, one teenager from Shropshire has deferred his place so he can run two businesses.

Jack Willepotte, from Middleton Priors, near Bridgnorth, works around the clock running a creperie and making a sauce he says his grandad first sold in France in the 1960s.

The 18-year-old is part of a growing number of a number of young entrepreneurs and says he's keen to make his venture successful.

Lee Thomas
Newsreader, BBC Radio Stoke

A man's been arrested in connection with two armed robberies in Crewe.

Last Thursday, a Subway store on Market Street was robbed by someone wearing a wolf mask who threatened staff with a gun., external

Image source, Google

Then yesterday, police said staff at the Game store on the same road were forced at gunpoint to empty a safe. , external

Officers say they've arrested a 35-year-old man on suspicion of robbery.

2016 BBC Get Inspired Unsung Hero Marcellus Baz meets Naseem Akhtar a volunteer coach getting women active and involved in their local community.

Traffic has been halted on the M6 northbound to allow for recovery work to take place after an earlier lorry crash.

There have been long delays this morning between Junction 18 and 19 after the lorry hit the central reservation.

An elderly couple have been threatened with a screwdriver and a knife during a burglary., external

Police say three men managed to get into the house on Prospect Road, Lower Gornal, Dudley on Tuesday evening.

After threatening the couple, both in their 70s, officers say they made off with jewellery, cash and other items without hurting the pair.

There are long tailbacks on the M6 northbound this morning after a lorry hit the central reservation earlier.

Police say traffic is now moving past the incident between Junction 18 and 19 - but there are long tailbacks to Junction 18 and as a result, the entry slip road there is still closed.

BBC News Travel

Trains between Kidderminster and Worcester are delayed this morning due to a signalling fault., external

West Midlands Railway says trains are having to run at slower speeds on the line towards Worcester.

BBC Hereford and Worcester

Hereford Cathedral has been given a National Lottery grant of £866,700 to carry out much needed repairs to the historic cloisters., external

The project aims to open the 500-year-old site to the public.

The cathedral says renovations will include putting in better lighting, improved walkways and fitting a modern fire alarm system.

Express and Star

A few of the early headlines on the Express and Star website this morning:

• Cat killer locked up after torturing pet to ‘teach it a lesson’, external
• Warning over roadworks for railway bridge revamp, external
• Conwoman who preyed on cancer patient given suspended jail sentence, external