Kidderminster Shuttle

The Kidderminster Shuttle has these stories today:

• Railway gets £397k to save historic viaduct, external
• Man 'rugby tackled to the floor' in Kidderminster street, external
• Man fitted with app-controlled heart monitor, external

Allen Cook
BBC News

Two men have been arrested after five mosques in Birmingham were targeted in a string of attacks this week.

West Midlands Police said a 34-year-old man from Perry Barr and a 38-year-old man from Yardley were both arrested on suspicion of racially aggravated criminal damage., external

Tom Gayle
BBC Radio Stoke

A private security firm's been hired to protect children who go to classes at a mosque in Stoke-on-Trent, following the attacks in New Zealand.

Two mosques were targeted in Christchurch with 50 people killed and dozens more wounded.

Earlier, a Staffordshire Police commander in Stoke-on-Trent addressed the City Centre Mosque to try to reassure worshippers. , external

But local councillor Amjid Wazir told BBC Radio Stoke the mosque had felt the need to bring in extra security.

A school at the centre of a row after teaching children about LGBT rights and same-sex relationships says it's continuing to work with parents and has a "reservoir of hope" about getting the community to work together.

Andrew Moffat, assistant head teacher at Parkfield Community School in Birmingham, says its "No Outsiders" programme is not simply "LGBT lessons", it's also about "community cohesion, British values; it's about people getting along and co-existing".

But outside the gates, families continue to protest over the issue, with about 250 people gathering on Thursday, despite the lessons being halted to allow the school "to re-engage with our parents".

Here's analysis from BBC News' Midlands Correspondent Sima Kotecha:

"The message is spreading, and a growing number of parents from various schools across the city are vocally taking part in the debate.

"This is not a one-faith row. Yes, Muslims in Birmingham are the dominant protesters, but people from the Christian and Jewish community have also travelled to the city from other parts of the country to give their support to the overriding message: that homosexuality does not form part of the traditional concept of marriage, and should not be introduced to children as young as four.

"The LGBT community is angry and hurt, and there is an overwhelming feeling from many that at the heart of this debate is prejudice and homophobia."

Matt Sandoz
Stoke City commentator, BBC Radio Stoke

Stoke City has described former striker Jonathan Walters as "a true Potters legend" after the 35-year-old announced his retirement from football this afternoon.

Image source, Getty Images

Walters tweeted, external that an Achilles heel injury had "finished me off".

He made more than 200 Premier League and cup appearances for Stoke City which tweeted , externalhe was "an adopted Stokie" and icon.

James Norton has been sentenced after admitting the manslaughter of Bradd Darby.

Birmingham Live

From Birmingham Live:

• Security increased for Friday prayers after Mosque attacks, external
• Final words of dying man Arthur Gumbley that helped catch brutal killer, external
• Neo-Nazi terror suspect 'wanted to use Jew's severed head as football', external

Birmingham City are deducted nine points by the EFL for breaching profitability and sustainability rules.

BBC News Travel

There aren't going to be any trains running between Birmingham Moor Street and Stratford-upon-Avon for the rest of today, external.

It's after a vehicle hit a bridge, blocking the line between Hall Green and Yardley Wood.

Just one in six councils in the UK still collect non-recyclable waste from the majority of homes in their area every week.

Image source, Alamy

At least 10 authorities, including Wolverhampton, switched to fortnightly rounds or announced plans to do so in the past year, research by the BBC has found.

Councillor Steve Evans from City of Wolverhampton Council said the authority switched to fortnightly collections in autumn 2018 to save money.

"I can't honestly say I did it for the environment," Mr Evans said. "We had to cut costs because our funding has been cut.

Oscar Saxelby-Lee is cleared for surgery after thousands volunteered to be a possible donor for him.

Allen Cook
BBC News

Two men armed with a knife have stolen designer clothing in a burglary in Little Aston.

Staffordshire Police said the pair forced their way through patio doors and into the home on Roman Road yesterday afternoon. , external

They demanded money and jewellery from an occupant before making off with the clothing.

Officers have released CCTV images of motorbike riders they wish to identify in connection with the investigation.

Image source, Staffordshire Police

MP Daniel Kawczynski said the road will unlock large amounts of economic growth for Shropshire.

BBC Hereford and Worcester

A boy with leukaemia who needs a transplant within three months of chemotherapy has been given the all-clear to have the operation, according to his mother.

Image source, Family Handout

Oscar Saxelby-Lee, from Worcester, has T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukaemia, an aggressive form of the illness, and it needs to be in remission before he can have the procedure.

His mother Olivia has told BBC Hereford and Worcester that doctors at Birmingham Children's Hospital say his body's finally responded to chemotherapy.

She says she's now waiting to see whether any of the thousands of people who have come forward as prospective stem cell donors prove a match.

BBC News Travel

Disruption to rail services between Birmingham Moor Street and Stratford-upon-Avon are expected to last until 18:00 after a vehicle struck a bridge.

Lines are blocked between Hall Green and Yardley Wood.

Buses are operating between Shirley and Stratford-upon-Avon calling at all stations, with tickets valid on Midland Metro Tram services.

Parents who have protested outside the Birmingham school say the lessons are "toxic" and "disgusting".

Martyn James Rees is also convicted of sexually assaulting a girl while she lay unconscious.

Sophie Madden
BBC News

Friday prayers have been taking place across Birmingham mosques amid strengthened security following a spate of vandalism.

After a string of attacks on Thursday in which windows were smashed, one of the sites - Witton Islamic Centre - was particularly busy.

So much so, mats were brought outside to allow worshippers to pray on the street.

Abu Ibraheem, the imam of the mosque, said he wanted to “spread love, spread understanding", adding “we will not allow hate to separate us".

Before the service, Rev Phillip Nott, vicar of neighbouring Aston Parish Church, visited with a member of his congregation to present flowers.

Mr Nott said he wanted to make a statement that he would not allow their communities to be divided “by hate".

He said he had been approached by a “wave” of people who wanted to show support to members of the Muslim community.

Local Democracy Reporting Service
Gurdip Thandi

Plans to tear down a former pub in Walsall to make way for luxury housing have been given the go-ahead by councillors, but will finally be determined by government.

Image source, Google

Members of Walsall Council’s planning committee went against their own officers' recommendations and approved the proposal to build seven five-bedroom homes in place of the former Three Crowns Inn on Sutton Road.

Planning officers said the application went against national policy for development on green belt land and the decision would now go to the secretary of state for review.

The majority of councillors on the committee were convinced by arguments that the building was in a poor condition and would continue to deteriorate if it was left as was.

Shropshire Star

The Shropshire Star's covering these stories today:

• Youths snatch handbag off 73-year-old woman in Telford park, external
• MoD sell-off date for barracks near Market Drayton postponed, external
• Beer festival will go ahead in old Shrewsbury church, external