Balvinder Singh, 59, died of his injuries after the van he was driving was hit by Jason Bannister.

Darren Fletcher is being sentenced for being a member of banned neo-Nazi group National Action.

David Gregory-Kumar
Science correspondent, BBC Midlands Today

Traditional black plastic plant pots are being replaced with a new colour to allow them to be put directly into household recycling for the first time.

The switch is being driven by nurseries in the Midlands and Tipton company Aeroplas UK, which makes 100 million plant pots every year.

Alex Everett, from the company, said consumers would see a big change in garden centres next year, and very little black plastic would be seen by 2020.

You can see more on this on Sunday Politics Midlands on BBC One at 11:00.

Susie Goodall is still in shock after her rescue from the Pacific, according to the man in charge of the Chilean port where she landed earlier this afternoon.

The Bromsgrove yachtswoman was saved by a Chinese cargo ship which picked her up after her boat capsized in a storm while taking part in a round-the-world race.

Carlos Espejo said she would be checked over in a hospital before returning home and she plans to write a letter of appreciation to the captain who came to her aid after two days stranded at sea.

Local Democracy Reporting Service
Tom Davis

Council staff in Coventry are taking almost a dozen days off work every year due to illness, according to the latest figures.

The main reason for absence is stress, depression and anxiety - accounting for a third of all absences. But a council report said it was not clear the extent to which it was work related.

The average sick days per full-time employee has risen to 11.5 for the year ending September 2018, from 10.79 the year before.

Long-term sickness is a particular problem, said the report, with 68% of absences and a total of 545 council staff off for 30 calendar days or more.

According to the Office for National Statistics, the average UK employee took 4.1 sickness absence days in 2017.

Two men from Walsall who smuggled "high purity" heroin into the UK, hidden in industrial meat mincing machines and women's clothing have been jailed.

Image source, National Crime Agency

Asghar Khan, 48, of Eastbourne Street and Rashad Mahmood, 52, of Reedswood Lane were both found guilty of conspiracy to import Class A drugs.

Border Force officers discovered 20kg of heroin, with a potential street value of £2.5m, hidden in consignments from Pakistan, using a legitimate cargo company, according to the National Crime Agency.

They were each sentenced to 18 years in prison at Birmingham Crown Court today.

BBC Hereford and Worcester

Lock Michael Fatialofa will make his debut for Worcester Warriors in their European Challenge Cup Pool match against Pau at Sixways tomorrow.

He joined Warriors in late September, but has been recovering from knee surgery.

Image source, Getty Images

Marco Mama makes his first appearance since early October after injury as Warriors make 13 changes from the first meeting against Pau last Saturday.

Back-row forward Carl Kirwan could make his first senior appearance in two years after being named among the replacements.

A bus has hit the canopy of a shop on a city centre street in Coventry.

Image source, Alan Paterson

The National Express single decker bus, on the 16A route, mounted the pavement and hit the premises, which is currently empty on The Burges this afternoon.

National Express said it had removed the vehicle and taken it back to the garage.

It said a full investigation will now be carried out, and apologised to anyone who was disrupted.

It's thought no one was hurt in the incident.

Hereford Times

These are among the headlines in the Hereford Times today:

• Mum's battle to beat the bullies, external
• Decorations raise cash for Air Ambulance, external
• Princess Anne joins carol service, external

The British Dental Association says there should be a discussion with either the patient or "appropriate people involved" before a dental operation is carried out under general anaesthetic.

Two families of two men with learning difficulties have told the BBC they were surprised when the Worcestershire community dental service removed all their teeth, because they were expecting just a small number of extractions.

The Worcestershire Health and Care NHS Trust said sometimes decisions had to be made while a patient was under anaesthetic, because dentists do not want to risk patients being anaesthetised several times.

Image source, Getty Images

Dr Nigel Carter, the chief executive of the Oral Health Foundation, said it should be recognised that "all patients will have a variety of circumstances or disabilities and dental professionals must be able to accommodate these".

He added: "Those with additional needs and their families must be supported with greater communication, understanding and compassion.”

Cheshire’s police and crime commissioner (PCC) has been urged to release the full legal advice that was given to him before he launched gross misconduct proceedings against the county’s former chief constable last year.

Simon Byrne (pictured below) was cleared of bullying allegations this week and PCC David Keane has been facing questions from councillors today.

A special meeting will take place in February to question Mr Keane.

He’s defended launching disciplinary action, which has cost £450,000, and says he'd welcome financial help from the Home Office to pay for it.

Tafarwa Beckford shot Derek Myers dead in retaliation for an attack on his friend.

The owners of a former village pub at High Ercall in Shropshire have been told they have to reopen it within six months or leave.

The Cleveland Arms ceased trading in January 2016, but Telford and Wrekin Council says John Hickinbottom and Susan King have continued to live there.

Image source, Telford and Wrekin Council

It is listed as an "asset of community value" as it is the only pub in the village and the council served the couple with an enforcement notice over the "unauthorised change of use from public house to a residential dwelling" on 2 March this year.

The planning inspectorate has now upheld that decision., external

BBC Radio Stoke Sport

Stoke City manager Gary Rowett says their team-discipline and the lack of pressure from fans are reasons for their good away form in the Championship this season.

They haven't lost an away game in the Championship since 1 September and travel to promotion-rivals Aston Villa tomorrow.

Image source, Getty Images

Rowett also said they have had a "real focus" on their travels and they have probably played some of their best football away from home.

Unite members in Birmingham vote to work-to-rule in a row over council payments.

Local Democracy Reporting Service
Tom Davis

Eighty-one new homes have been granted approval on former green belt land in Coventry.

Image source, Bloor Homes

Bloor Homes now plans to demolish Chestnut and Hawkesmill Nurseries in Browns Lane, Allesley, and build the new development.

A roundabout at the entrance to the development, off Browns Lane was agreed, along with an "informal play area".

Viktorija Sokolova's head was "smashed in" by the 16-year-old, who was also convicted of raping her.

Traditional black plastic plant pots are being replaced with a new colour.

Today is the final chance to see a giant piece of artwork at Birmingham's New Street station.

The 20m (65ft) image is made up 3,724 selfies and other photos of women sent in from across the UK.

The project, titled Face of Suffrage, is the brainchild of artist Helen Marshall and marks 100 years since the first British women voted.

It's estimated to have been seen by 5.4 million people.

Marcus O'Dell was dismissed from West Midlands Police in November after his guilty plea.