The commanding officer of a Birmingham soldier who was killed by an elephant in Malawi has described Guardsman Mathew Talbot as "a determined and big-hearted Coldstreamer who devoted his life to serving his country".

The 22-year-old had been on a counter-poaching operation when he died.

Image source, MoD

"It was typical of his character to volunteer for an important and challenging role in Malawi," Lieutenant Colonel Ed Launders MBE said.

"He was hugely proud too of his work as a Counter-Poaching Operator and tragically died doing great good."

A funeral for Guardsman Talbot has taken place today.

Lt Col Launders added: "Mathew was loved by his brothers in arms in the Coldstream Guards. We will sorely miss his humour, selflessness and unbeatable spirit."

Image source, MoD

Earlier, his family released their own tribute, highlighting his kindness and "infectious humour".

A contract worth £63m to maintain the Army's fleet of armoured vehicles has been awarded to a Coventry company.

Image source, Ministry of Defence

NP Aerospace has secured the contract for the upkeep, update and upgrade of more than 2,200 protected mobility vehicles based in the UK and on operations, said the Ministry of Defence.

Fifty jobs will be created at the company's headquarters in Foleshill supporting the 100 staff at the centre and 250 jobs across the UK supply chain.

Defence Minister Stuart Andrew, said: “This vital contract demonstrates how the MoD benefits every region of the UK by providing hundreds of skilled jobs and multimillion-pound investment to the West Midlands.”

Worcester News

Here are three stories from the Worcester News:

• 'Canister leak' leads to police closing Malvern road, external
• Thieves steal from volunteers at hospice charity shop, external
• State-of-the-art hockey centre set to be built in city, external

The college is warned it faces industrial action for its "heavy-handed response" to David Muritu's actions.

Ged Scott
BBC Sport

At a time when bat dominates ball, switch-hits and scoop-shots are commonplace and teams regularly rack up eye-watering totals, there is one 25-year-old record that has stood the test of time.

On Tuesday, 6 June 1994, Brian Lara struck the highest score ever made in first-class cricket for Warwickshire against Durham at Edgbaston.

It is a record that has remained ever since and will most likely last a lot longer than that, possibly forever.

You can read more here.

The Stafford house where four children were killed in a fire is due to be demolished from 10 June.

People in Warwickshire are being encouraged to apply for HS2 jobs at pop-up roadshows across the county.

Bosses of the project say they will need 30,000 people to help deliver the high speed train network.

The event is in Leamingston Spa today, and other towns in the county this month.

Birmingham City Council admits there is a "very serious problem" with the service.

A road in Malvern has reopened after an earlier chemical leak.

People have been told they can return to their properties and open their doors and windows again.

Firefighters were clearing up what's thought to have been a small leak of chlorine from a canister.

Birmingham City Council has admitted up to 900 bin collections are being missed every day.

BBC Weather Watchers

It's hard to believe we're forecast heavy rain tomorrow, with blue skies all over the West Midlands.

These photos were taken by BBC Weather Watchers in Gnosall, Alsager and Oswestry.

Image source, SPJ

Image source, Mustnt

Image source, Desmondo

There's no sign of it today, but the Met Office is forecasting heavy rain in parts of Worcestershire and Warwickshire tomorrow afternoon.

It's issued a yellow weather warning, external, to say there could be difficult driving conditions and some flooding.

Image source, Met Office

It's not just the main services at the National memorial Arboretum, in Portsmouth and in northern France - hundreds of smaller events are taking place in towns and cities across the UK to mark the 75th anniversary of D-Day.

People in the Spring Lane area of Malvern are being told to keep their windows and doors shut as the emergency services deal with a hazardous incident.

A number of properties have been evacuated while Hereford and Worcester Fire Service says is a small amount of chlorine that has leaked from a cannister.

Image source, Google

A number of road closures are in place and drivers are advised to avoid the area.

Local Democracy Reporting Service

A former college building that has stood empty for more than 20 years can be bulldozed, to make way for flats, Stafford Borough Council has agreed.

It's granted outline planning permission for a three-storey apartment block on the Stafford College annex on North Walls.

Image source, Google

A report to councillors described the building as an "eyesore" and said: “The site has been vacant for over 20 years.

"It is constantly being broken into and being used by drug addicts despite the applicant boarding up the existing openings."

The funeral takes place today for a British soldier killed by an elephant during a counter-poaching operation in Malawi.

Image source, PA

Mathew Talbot, 22, of the 1st Battalion Coldstream Guards, was in Liwonde National Park on 5 May when he was charged by the animal.

Guardsman Talbot, who was from Birmingham, was serving in his first operational deployment.

Paying tribute his family said: “Mathew was a dearly loved son, brother and boyfriend.

"He was exceptionally kind and friendly. He was passionate about wildlife and incredibly proud to serve in the Coldstream Guards where he made many close friends who were always kept amused by his infectious humour.

"We miss Mathew so much and will always remember him.”

The Duke of Cambridge has delivered a speech at the National Memorial Arboretum this morning, as part of commemorations to mark the 75th anniversary of D-Day.

He delivered the D-Day address made by his great-grandfather King George VI in 1944.

Image source, AFP

This is the address he read out to the veterans, children and dignitaries:

"Four years ago our nation and empire stood alone against an overwhelming enemy, with our backs to the wall. Now once more a supreme test has to be faced.

"This time the challenge is not to fight to survive, but to fight to win the final victory for the good cause.

"At this historic moment surely not one of us is too busy, too young, or too old to play a part in a nationwide, perchance a world-wide vigil of prayer as the great crusade sets forth."

Image source, AFP

Image source, AFP

A man found in an alleyway with serious head injuries in West Bromwich has died, police say.

The 42-year-old was taken to hospital in a critical condition after being discovered off Heath Lane, Hill Top at about 05:15 on Wednesday.

He died later in hospital.

Police have been given extra time to question a 42-year-old man, initially arrested on suspicion of attempted murder.

Coventry Live

Some of the headlines on the Coventry Live website today are:

• Coventry marks the 75th anniversary of the D-Day landings, external
• These are the vehicles which would fall under proposed congestion charge, external
• Water leak could lead to Nuneaton road closure, external

BBC Midlands Today

The Duke of Cambridge is attending a service at the National Memorial Arboretum in Staffordshire, to mark the 75th anniversary of D-Day.

He is joined there by veterans, other dignitaries and school children, as well as the French Honorary Consul for Birmingham.

A service has been led by the Rev Tim Flowers and afterwards a wreath will be laid at the Normandy Campaign Memorial.