Stoke-on-Trent Live

The Stoke-on-Trent Live website is covering these stories today:

• Police hunt for 'motorhome flasher' who exposed himself at Staffordshire petrol station, external
• CCTV captures out-of-control car crashing into cabbie's Stoke-on-Trent home, external
• Firm's £6k bill after teenage yob raided city centre business in 'drunken escapade', external

The Jolly Potters' neighbours in Stoke-on-Trent are pursuing legal action over anti-social behaviour.

BBC Sport

Warwickshire will be hoping to build a commanding lead over reigning champions Surrey on day three of their County Championship Division One game.

The Bears' captain Jeetan Patel took 4-53 to give them a first innings lead of 105 and they then ended the day 26-0.

Image source, Getty Images

While in Division Two, Worcestershire need quick wickets to give them any hope of avoiding defeat in their match with Middlesex.

Having been bowled out for 156, the visitors ended day two 195-2 giving them a lead of 260 runs over the Pears.

You can follow both games via BBC local radio coverage or the BBC Cricket website.

BBC News UK

A postbox in Birmingham has been painted blue to mark the Cricket World Cup which starts on Thursday.

The box on New Street is one of 10 across England and Wales, close to host venues, which have been rebranded by Royal Mail for the duration of the tournament.

The blue postboxes, which initially caused some bemusement, have been decorated with local facts about the game and players.

The International Cricket Council (ICC), said the promotion would "help bring the tournament to life".

BBC News UK

The number of physically disabled people affected by homelessness in England increased by three quarters during an almost 10-year period, according to official statistics.

Now new government figures show thousands of vulnerable people are struggling amid a shortage of suitable accommodation – with many living on the streets.

The Ministry for Housing, Communities and Local Government says it's "providing councils with almost £1 billion over the next two years to adapt properties for disabled people."

The BBC 's disability news correspondent, Nikki Fox, has been to meet three homeless disabled people in Birmingham to hear their stories.

Express and Star

The Express and Star's top stories today include:

• Gang members who killed my boy now boast about it online, says mum, external
• Postcode gangs bringing chaos and tragedy to Wolverhampton streets, external
• Councillor key row erupts over Sandwell community centre, external

Local Democracy Reporting Service

Plans to buy 16 gull-proof bins have been backed by Worcester councillors after a trial last summer.

The 10 for litter and six for recycling will be installed between Foregate Street and Cathedral Square in the city centre.

The council has set aside £144,000 to buy the bins designed to keep away aggressive birds and the mess they make by picking at litter in conventional receptacles.

It plans to get another 12 if the set of 16 proves to be effective.

Jayde Hall, 26, has been named as the woman stabbed to death in Stoke-on-Trent on Friday.

BBC News England

Stoke-on-Trent City Council is among several local authorities in England which have been warned they risk running out of cash reserves if recent spending continues.

Analysis by the BBC has identified 11 authorities the Chartered Institute of Public Finance and Accountancy (Cipfa) said would have "fully exhausted" reserves within four years unless they topped them up.

The warning was based on the latest data available, comparing reserves as of March 2018 with March 2015, and showed Stoke-on-Trent City Council recorded a 55% drop in reserves.

In response, the authority said auditors had "no concerns to raise" over its accounts and it was budgeting to increase reserves.

BBC Shropshire

Drawing pins are regularly being found scattered on a popular cycle route in Shropshire.

Terry Lipscombe (pictured below), the chair of Badger Parish Council, said the items usually appeared before weekends when cyclists passed through.

The drawing pins have also been seen in other villages in the county.

It's not known who is spreading them, but Mr Lipscombe believes it is people unhappy with the number of bicycles passing through.

Similar tactics have been used by people trying to disrupt cycle races including the Tour de France.

Businesses have welcomed Aston Villa's return to the Premier League, saying it will bring economic benefits to the area.

The West Midlands Growth Company, external, which was set up by the West Midlands Combined Authority to help companies in the region, said more away fans would be encouraged to come and spend their money as a result of the Wembley win.

Image source, Getty Images

Local Democracy Reporting Service

A two-year project to create a new link road for Stafford is due to start in July, Staffordshire Council says.

The Stafford Western Access Route will link the A518 at Newport Road with the A34 at Foregate Street and the authority has said it will reduce congestion in the town centre.

Image source, Staffordshire Council

Image source, Staffordshire Council

The council has warned residents and businesses this is likely to mean road closures, traffic lights and diversions.

It's putting the plans on show at the Conservative Association in Castle Street, Stafford, on Monday 3 June.

Alex Hamilton
BBC Weather

A cloudy start to the morning and there's rain expected later on, here's the full weather forecast for the West Midlands:

You can keep up-to-date with the weather where you are by heading to the BBC Weather website at any other time.

Allen Cook
BBC News

Welcome to our live service for Wednesday.

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 , externaland Facebook, external.

The Gruffalo author says unless authors have star power, books risk going out of print.

Ten boxes were repainted and adorned with facts in towns and cities hosting the Cricket World Cup in England and Wales.

Stories from the streets of Birmingham of disabled and homeless men struggling to find a permanent home.

Eleven authorities spent so much that they could run out within four years if they do not top them up.

Aston Villa boss Dean Smith promises his side will still play to win in the Premier League - even at Anfield and the Etihad.

Caribbean police say they are not treating Briton Dannie Lea's death as a homicide.