A breakaway group at the front of the peloton has now increased its lead as the first cyclists pass through Long Lawford.

The staff at Heaphys Menswear got a pretty good view of the start to today's race in Warwick.

And Tony Worth caught the pack, still all together, passing through Berkswell.

Councils say they are "desperate" to protect services but funding cuts forced "difficult decisions".

People living downstream near the River Severn are being warned there could be "serious amounts of water" on the way.

Image source, Environment Agency

The Environment Agency said the water was being temporarily stored in the Severn Vyrnwy catchment in north Shropshire., external

It added that the flood plain there was "vital" in reducing the impact of flooding further down the river.

A rowing regatta has been cancelled this weekend because the rain's made the river too fast for the event to be safe.

Stratford-upon-Avon Boat Club said the Avon was expected to rise significantly tomorrow., external

It said it had cancelled Saturday's Junior Sprint Regatta and would refund all entry fees.

With the river levels rising across the West Midlands, the Environment Agency said it was working to clear its "'weed screens" on waterways of any debris.

It's tweeted that it has teams working in Herefordshire, Shropshire and Worcestershire today:, external

Image source, Environment Agency

There's plenty of support for the Women's Tour cyclists, despite the rain.

These were the scenes in Kenilworth.

Allen Cook
BBC News

This driver needed help after getting stuck in flood water in Stafford this morning, according to witnesses.

Peter Curry took this photo of the incident on Sandon Road:

Image source, Peter Curry

Homes have been evacuated, motorists stranded and trains cancelled as flooding has hit the North West and other parts of England.

Image source, Warwickshire Fire and Rescure Service

The Environment Agency has issued 25 flood warnings and 64 alerts , externalacross the country.

The majority are across the Midlands and North West, although warnings are also in place near Whitby and in south-east London.

The Met Office has given yellow warnings for rain , externalacross Manchester, Liverpool and the North East.

Sarah Roy with Australian team Mitchelton-Scott has opened up a lead of over a minute, as the peloton passes through Nuneaton.

The riders are now heading towards Bulkington.

Image source, SWPix

BBC Shropshire

Shropshire has received some of the most rain in England over the last week, the Environment Agency has said.

Dave Throup from the organisation's said between four and six inches fell in some parts of the county this week.

Yesterday, Pennerley was the wettest place in the UK.

Thousands are expected to cheer on the Women's Tour cyclists, with more than 100,000 attending last year's race.

The tour brought in about £860,000 to the local economy in 2018, the county council said.

Jodie Looker
Newsreader, BBC Radio Stoke

Plans to revamp taxi licensing by a council have been watered down after pressure from drivers over the cost.

Image source, Newcastle-under-Lyme Borough Council

Among the changes wanted by Newcastle-under-Lyme Borough Council were for all new taxis to be electric, to help reduce emissions, and only allowing vehicles under four years old to be registered for use as taxis.

But firms said the changes could increase costs for customers and lead to a mass exodus of operators looking for "friendlier" boroughs.

This week, the council agreed to abandon the requirement that all new vehicles must be electric and will allow them to be up to seven years old, external.

It also scrapped a proposed penalty points system for driver indiscretions.

Roads have been flooded in Coleshill, Warwickshire, this morning and there's a warning houses could be affected as river levels keep rising.

Image source, Environment Agency

The Environment Agency has a flood warning in place on the River Cole in the area., external

It said no properties had flooded so far, but the water level's staying high and Lichfield Road is blocked., external

Image source, Environment Agency

Stage Two winner Jolien D'Hoore can be seen here in the pink jersey next to Great Britain Olympic cyclist Lizzie Armitstead-Deignan, Lisa Brennauer of Germany and Christine Majerus of Luxembourg during the start of Stage Four of the Women's Tour.

Image source, Getty Images

Image source, Getty

Image source, Getty Images

Riders have started the Women's Tour in Warwick, and are now heading for Kenilworth.

Image source, Warwickshire Police

BBC Weather Watchers

Park benches under water and rivers bursting or near to bursting their banks - our local BBC Weather Watchers are busy sending us their photos this morning.

These three are from users Z70 and Jeff in Stafford and Ken M in Lydbury North, Shropshire:

Image source, Z70

Image source, Ken M

Image source, Jeff

The peloton has passed the historic Kenilworth Castle and the University of Warwick, with riders now heading for Meriden taking them alongside the National Cycling Memorial.

Image source, SWPix.com

A police force is seeking volunteers willing to sift through distressing and indecent images.

BBC News Travel

A car park's been shut in Stafford due to flooding: