BBC News Travel

A fault with the signalling system at Alsager is causing disruption to journeys, with the service between Stoke-on-Trent and Crewe suspended.

Buses are currently operating between these stations.

Disruption is expected until 10:30, said National Rail.

Rail enthusiasts are putting their lives in "grave danger" attempting to view and take photographs of the Flying Scotsman, British Transport Police said.

Image source, British Transport Police

The force is appealing for information after train enthusiasts trespassed on the line during the iconic engine's journey across parts of Staffordshire this week.

Its latest journey saw 56 services disrupted, as people illegally accessed the tracks near Burton-upon-Trent and Tamworth, trying get a better view.

Officers have released a photograph of two people they wish to speak with in connection to a trespass incident near Elford.

BBC News Travel

Animals on the line are delaying rail services between Worcester Foregate Street and Droitwich Spa, said West Midlands Railway.

Local Democracy Reporting Service

People living close to the fire station in Hanley say they're worried about an increase in noise, if Staffordshire police officers move into the building too.

The county's Commissioner for Police, Fire and Crime, Matthew Ellis, has suggested making the building an "emergency services hub", to save money and because some of the existing police buildings are "outdated".

Image source, Google

But some residents say they're worried about the extra noise from police vehicles and sirens.

And Staffordshire’s Police Federation chairman, Keith Jervis, said officers "don’t think Hanley Fire Station as it currently stands is fit for purpose”.

eBay is to open a "concept store" as part of a partnership with businesses in Wolverhampton, in a bid to grow trade.

The company has been working with small businesses in the city and hopes the pop-up store will offer them the chance to "showcase" their products.

Around 40 small companies will be involved in the month-long scheme in what is being described as a retail experiment.

Rob Hattrell, vice president of eBay in the UK, said: "They have achieved more than £2m in sales as of March and many have employed more staff as a direct result of the partnership.

"This pop-up store aims to take that growth, and the value of this programme, to the next level."

Organisers of a 100-mile cycle ride in the West Midlands say plans are in place to avoid a repeat of disruption caused two years ago.

A total of 17,000 people have entered Vélo Birmingham and Midlands, which raised more than £2m for charity when it launched in 2017.

Image source, RB Create Ltd

CSM Active says it's worked hard with local councils and emergency services to minimise inconvenience caused by road closures, which they say are necessary for the safe passage of participants.

Richard Relton, managing director of the Vélo Series, said Sunday would be a "truly special day" for the Midlands.

"We can't wait to see thousands of local residents out on the route cheering on the riders who are literally going the extra mile to raise funds for local and national charities close to their heart."

However, widespread road closures , externalalong the route on Sunday have once more raised concerns of people being "trapped".

Alex Hamilton
BBC Weather

It will be a mostly cloudy day with some patchy rain and highs of 14C (57F).

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

Vélo Birmingham and Midlands gets under way on Sunday with 17,000 people due to take part.

Severn Trent says all customers' water supplies have now been fully restored.

Joseph McCann, who faces 21 charges including eight rapes, has refused to appear in court.

Peter Davies claims he created the club's wolf's head motif as a teenager and has made a copyright complaint.

The man was wanted for five offences and was driving a stolen car when he asked police for help.

A self-defence instructor is visiting schools to teach teens how to spot scenarios before they escalate.

Andy Giddings
BBC News

We'll be back with the news, sport, travel and weather from 07:00 tomorrow.

Plans to turn a derelict an 18th century industrial building in Shrewsbury into a spa, coffee shop, offices and apartments have been approved.

The Stew, as it's known locally, is thought by some to have links to Shrewsbury's historic river trade.

The approved design will retain three quarters of the existing building in Frankwell, and adds another floor above and an extension to the site.

Image source, Base Architecture & Design Limited

Shefali Oza
BBC Midlands Today

It will be a cloudy night with some showers but turning drier with lows of 5C (41F).

BBC Hereford and Worcester

Plans to demolish a derelict nightclub in the centre of Worcester and turn it into accommodation for 100 students have been drawn up.

The eight-storey building would be built on the site of the former Images club on The Butts, which has been empty for more than seven years.

The plans will now be considered by city councillors.

The 23-year-old man shot dead in a residential street in Birmingham has been named as Dante Mullings.

Worcester News

Here are three headlines from the Worcester News today:

• Children left 'heartbroken' after thieves take primary school chicks, external
• Charity trains prisoners as health champions, external
• Councillor says higher car parking charges wouldn't cut congestion, external