BBC News Travel

Major disruption on the line between Leamington Spa and Banbury is now expected to last until 14:00, the Network Rail website, external reports.

A fault with the signalling system is causing the disruption although trains can now run between the stations at reduced speed.

Delays of up to 60 minutes, cancellations and alterations can be expected on Chiltern, CrossCountry and Great Western Railway services.

A victim of a Polish gang, jailed for slavery and trafficking, said being locked in a prison was better than conditions he was forced to endure.

Miroslaw Lehmann, 38, was brought to the UK from Poland after being approached by gang members at a bus stop.

Mr Lehmann had just been released from jail and - like dozens of the gang's other victims - had "nowhere to go".

When asked about the accommodation he was put in, Mr Lehmann said: "I would say some homeless people here in the UK live better than I lived after I arrived over here.

"There was no heating, no secure windows, cold water, sleeping on the floor on some mattresses, covering yourself with your own clothing."

He added: "In Poland, when I was in prison, it was better than being in this house."

Miroslaw Lehmann was tricked into coming to the UK from Poland in 2014 with the promise of a job.

Employers are urged to be vigilant after the UK's largest modern day slavery network is exposed.

A "callous" Polish gang, jailed for slavery, trafficking and money laundering, targeted desperate people from their homeland and were part of the "largest conspiracy of it's type convicted in the UK", police said.

Image source, West Midlands Police

Eight traffickers, members and associates of two Polish crime families, have been convicted for slavery, trafficking and money laundering during two trials which can only now be reported after a judge lifted restrictions.

The senior investigating officer in the case said the victims were "trapped" and then "systematically coerced" into working for the gang.

Image source, West Midlands Police

Det Ch Insp Nick Dale said: "We identified 92 victims - we think there were a number more."

He added: "There were, at its height, a total of 12 suspects in the case, so it has been a really long journey to get to where we are now".

Sima Kotecha
Midlands Correspondent, BBC News

Eight people from Poland have been found guilty of modern slavery offences.

Together they ran the UK’s largest modern slavery ring which forced hundreds of people of Polish heritage to live in squalor and work for a pittance, while their masters cashed in millions of pounds.

A three-year police investigation uncovered a well-organised criminal gang led by the Brzezinski family which preyed on the homeless, ex-prisoners and alcoholics.

The victims lived in the West Midlands and were forced to carry out manual labour on farms and in factories while most of their earnings went to their masters.

BBC News Travel

A fault with the signalling system between Leamington Spa and Banbury is continuing to cause disruption to trains between these stations, the Network Rail website reports, external.

Services are able to run slowly on the line but Network Rail anticipates major disruption will continue until 12:00.

Chiltern, CrossCountry and Great Western Rail services are affected.

Shropshire Star

These stories are among those featured in the Shropshire Star today:

• Next to close its store at shopping centre, external
• Parking signs bid deferred over cameras row, external
• Cash stolen from church collection box, external

A contractor whose Wembley-worthy pitch for children went viral is invited to the stadium.

A crash involving two cars and a van is blocking Marsh Lane in the Erdington area of Birmingham.

Image source, West Midlands Fire Service

Image source, West Midlands

Drivers are being advised to avoid the area around Chudleigh Road.

Two patients are being assessed at the scene, said the ambulance service.

Health commissioners have apologised for not ensuring patients knew of a GP surgery closure, before it was made public.

The Whitehall Surgery in Shrewsbury is due to shut at the end of September because nobody can be found to run it when the contract with the current provider ends.

Image source, Getty Images

The Lib Dem councillor for Underdale, David Vasmer said the way it was announced left many patients worried.

Shropshire's Clinical Commissioning Group said it tried to ensure patients and the press were told at the same time, but letters to patients were sent out late.

The Staffordshire Hoard exhibition in Stoke-on-Trent is getting bigger today, with a number of extra objects being added.

They include some items which haven't been on display for several years, such as fragments of the "hoard helmet".

Image source, Birmingham Museum

The revamp of the display at the Potteries Museum, external is part of celebrations to mark 10 years since the Anglo-Saxon treasure, dating back to 450 AD, was found.

BBC Radio Stoke Sport

Crewe manager David Artell says his players only have themselves to blame if they're not fit enough to start games.

The squad began pre-season training this week and Artell added: "The players know better than any of the staff whether they are fit or in tip-top shape."

Image source, Getty Images

Crewe are due to play a friendly away at Nantwich tomorrow and Artell suggested that out-of-shape players might find themselves on the bench.

A no-deal Brexit is a "frightening" prospect for Midlands sheep farmers.

Thousands of pounds have been raised to support the family of a student paramedic who died after an ambulance and a car were involved in a collision in Burton-on-Trent on Wednesday.

Tammy Minshall, who was 31, was in her first year of studies at Staffordshire University and had been on a placement with West Midlands Ambulance Service, at their Lichfield base, since May.

Image source, Staffordshire Police

She was in the back of the ambulance travelling to treat a patient who was having difficultly breathing, when the crash happened.

A driver suffered serious leg injuries as their car hit a tree in Birmingham.

Image source, West Midlands Fire Service

Image source, West Midlands Fire Service

The vehicle was "well alight" when fire crews arrived at Vicarage Road, Kings Heath at about 04:30, said the fire service.

Jaguar Land Rover's move to build a range of electric cars in the UK is a "fantastic boost" to the UK car industry, said union leaders.

Image source, Getty Images

Unite the union said workers at Castle Bromwich have agreed to move to working a "condensed week", involving a move to a new 37-hour four day shift pattern with the potential of extra Friday shifts for additional volumes.

Currently they work a five day shift pattern with extra Saturday working.

About 120,000 people are expected to visit Coventry's Godiva Festival over the weekend, organisers say.

It's the first time people have been charged for attending the event with the city council saying the £2 fee has been introduced to cover administration costs.

Just over 52,000 tickets have been sold so far, said the council, which is encouraging people to buy in advance.

The Levellers headline the festival at the War Memorial Park tonight with Feeder and Busted also playing over the weekend.

Express and Star

Some of the early headlines on the Express and Star website are:

• Jaguar Land Rover announce major electric car investment in West Midlands, external
• Uncle swung crook lock after nephew's car crash, external
• Bescot sleeper factory plans to be finally submitted, external

BBC News Travel

Trains between Leamington Spa and Banbury are now running at a reduced speed, following earlier signalling problems.

Disruption is expected to continue until 10:00.