Nigel Farage is to launch his new Brexit Party's European election campaign in Coventry today.

Image source, Reuters

The ex-UKIP leader confirmed in March that he was returning to politics by establishing the party with Catherine Blaiklock, who later quit as leader over comments on Twitter about Islam.

The organisation, now with Mr Farage at the helm, said it would be fighting "for the Elections that should have never happened".

Mr Farage led UKIP three times over the course of 20 years but quit the party earlier this year, saying he didn't recognise the party anymore.

Officers investigating a stabbing in Wolverhampton have issued a fresh appeal.

A 16-year-old boy suffered stab wounds to his back, arm, leg and face in the incident on Cannock Road just after 18:20 on 7 April, police said.

He was taken to hospital to be treated for his injuries and has since been discharged.

BBC News

Local authorities in the West Midlands are paying for places for children in settings that are not even registered, Ofsted is warning.

Image source, Getty Images

England's education watchdog has called for tougher rules on tackling illegal "schools" with risks of poor conditions and a lack of safeguarding.

Ofsted inspectors suggest 6,000 children are taught in such unregulated settings.

The watchdog said councils were subsidising these unregistered alternatives with the biggest numbers of children being taught in the West Midlands and London.

You can read more here.

Alex Hamilton
BBC Weather

It should be a dry day with sunny spells and highs of 9C (48F).

Vanessa Pearce
BBC News

Welcome to our live service for Friday.

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.

Wasps scrum-half Dan Robson is set to be out for three months - but may be fit for England's World Cup preparations.

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.

Kent dominate the opening day of their County Championship Division One meeting with fellow promoted side Warwickshire.

BBC Coventry & Warwickshire

Wasps have been dealt a triple injury blow with the news that Jack Willis, Dan Robson (pictured) and Thomas Young will miss the rest of the season.

Image source, Getty Images

Director of Rugby Dai Young says they're all facing several months out for different injuries although he stressed Young and Robson should still be available for the World Cup later this year., external

Wasps are currently eighth in the Gallagher Premiership, 13 points above bottom side Newcastle Falcon with four games left in the season

Shropshire Star

A few of the day's headlines from the Shropshire Star:

• Midwives found guilty of misconduct over Telford hospital baby death, external
• Jobs safe as two Shropshire garden centres taken over, external
• Retrial over Shrewsbury student's diet pill death as convictions overturned, external

BBC Weather Watchers

We're especially spoilt for choice from our local BBC Weather Watchers today as they all appear to have been out enjoying the sunshine today.

Here are three from users Postman Les in Bromyard, Herefordshire, Littleacorns in Southam, Warwickshire and Snaphappy in Lickey End, Worcestershire:

Image source, Postman Les

Image source, Littleacorns

Image source, Snaphappy

Ex-Worcestershire skipper Daryl Mitchell and New Zealand Test batsman Hamish Rutherford make centuries at Leicester.

Lee Thomas
Newsreader, BBC Radio Stoke

These photos show the damage to a house in Newcastle-under-Lyme after a large fire in the roof this afternoon.

Image source, @ConnerBarlow1

Staffordshire Fire Service sent five crews to Walley's Drive just after 13:00 and says it was well alight when they arrived.

No-one is thought to have been hurt., external

Image source, @ConnerBarlow1

Local Democracy Reporting Service
George Makin

A Black Country building is to be converted into homes after councillors backed plans this week.

Image source, Google

The Tipton and Unionist Conservative Club – which started life as a flour mill in 1840 – will be converted into 14 apartments after Sandwell’s planning committee, external approved the scheme.

The building on Union Street has stood empty for the past four years but the plans will now convert it into seven one-bedroom properties and seven two-bedroom properties.

The plans also allow for the demolition of the rear of the building and the creation of a roof garden with screening to prevent overlooking of a neighbouring property.

A 16-year-old is targeting a career as a racing driver after winning the first round of the Fiesta Junior Championships at Silverstone.

Olly Turner, from Evesham, was nearly left blind after a driving accident in 2017 - but is now more determined than ever to become a professional rally driver.

The family of Leneto Kellengbeck appeal to the public as a murder investigation continues.

BBC Weather

It will be a dry night with clear periods and lows of 0C (32F).

You can find a full forecast for your area on the BBC Weather page.

BBC Shropshire

A woman whose daughter died after taking toxic slimming pills says it will be hard hearing the details of her death for a second time.

Image source, Family Handout

Eloise Parry, 21, a bulimic student from Shrewsbury, took eight tablets containing dinitrophenol (DNP) in 2015.

Today, Bernard Rebelo was told he would face a retrial over the death after his convictions on two counts of manslaughter in connection with her death were overturned on appeal.

Court of Appeal judges ruled Rebelo, 31, from Gosport, would face a single count of manslaughter at a retrial.

Local Democracy Reporting Service

A scheme to tackle a rise in rough sleepers in part of Warwickshire has been awarded £150,000 of government funding.

Councillor John Beaumont, in charge of housing, health and communities on Nuneaton and Bedworth Borough Council, said the area had seen a four-fold increase in rough sleepers in the last year.

The local authority said the grant funding would be used to provide extra accommodation and support services.

The redevelopment of Perry Park and areas around a new stadium for the Commonwealth Games in Birmingham could include running trails and a promenade, the council has announced.

Image source, Birmingham City Council

In a meeting with local allotment-holders today the council leader Ian Ward confirmed the Walsall Road Allotments would not need to be relocated.

More than £70m is to be invested in the regeneration of Alexander Stadium to host the athletics and opening and closing ceremonies of the Birmingham 2022 games.

The final masterplan is set to be submitted to the city council's cabinet later this year.