Coventry Live

Here are some of the stories from the Coventry Live website:

• Why 'racist' gravestone will not be removed from Coombe Country Park, external
• Coventry machete attack - latest on police investigation, external
• Heartbroken family's warning to dog owners, external

Local Democracy Reporting Service

Hundreds of Solihull residents have backed a call to slow down traffic on a number of borough roads, amid fears for the safety of local wildlife.

Image source, Tina Clarke

Almost 700 have signed an online petition, after a Muntjac deer was struck by a car.

Tina Clarke, 32, who launched the petition, said she had heard “an almighty bang” on Damson Parkway last week and discovered the injured animal, which had suffered bad bruising to its face. The deer was taken to the vets and released later that day.

Ms Clarke said there was mounting concern locally that cut-throughs were being used as "racetracks" and hopes Solihull Council will consider traffic-calming measures such as speed bumps or warning signs.

Her petition is set to be submitted to the authority and once it has been received it will be passed to the highways team for consideration.

Clare Bedford, 31, of Rugby, died "as a result of a fall while competing" at a one-day event.

BBC Radio Stoke

People have been starting campfires and using barbeques on The Roaches in recent weeks, nearly a year after a camp fire caused devastation there.

Staffordshire Fire Service say they've had to warn people not to start campfires at the Staffordshire beauty spot.

Last August, 200 acres of moorland were destroyed (fire pictured below) and the Staffordshire Wildlife Trust says it has only just started to recover.

Detectives quiz four men in their 20s over the death of Dante Mullings, 23, in Birmingham in May.

Medics have been left "deflated and betrayed" by a review, a letter to the government says.

Police say budget cuts are making it more difficult to investigate. Find out how your force is doing.

The fire in a derelict factory in Smethwick is now well under control, West Midlands Fire Service has said.

It started on Rolfe Street at around 13:00 and the fire service also said it expected to remain at the scene for several hours to make sure it doesn't reignite.

Image source, West Midlands Fire Service

Road closures in the area are set to remain for the rest of the day and Smethwick Rolfe Street station is shut.

BBC News Travel

A trespasser on the railway in the Stone area is resulting in disruption to trains running between Stoke-on-Trent and Stafford, the National Rail website reports., external

CrossCountry, London Northwestern and Virgin Trains may be delayed by up to 40 minutes, cancelled or revised. Disruption is expected until 17:30.

And a broken down train in the Nuneaton area has led to trains being cancelled or delayed by up to 60 minutes. The line between Nuneaton and Birmingham New Street has reopened but disruption is expected until 18:00.

Smethwick Rolfe Street station is also closed due to a nearby fire.

The remains are undergoing forensic testing and police are following "many lines of inquiry".

Four men have been arrested in connection with the fatal shooting of Dante Mullings in Birmingham in May.

West Midlands Police said the four were arrested on suspicion of conspiracy to commit murder and remain in custody.

Image source, West Midlands Police

The force said the arrests were "a significant step forward as we try to establish exactly what happened to Dante."

A rider who died as a result of falling from her horse during a competition in Solihull was 31-year-old Clare Bedford from Rugby.

The British Riding Clubs said she came off her horse during the cross country phase of the event at the Solihull Riding Club on 13 July.

Image source, Google

The BRC is carrying out an investigation into her death.

A station in Smethwick has shut as crews continue to tackle a fire in a derelict factory.

Smethwick Rolfe Street is closed until further notice.

About 50 firefighters are at the scene and the smoke is visible from miles around.

Image source, WMFS

A van driver is being treated in hospital after gas canisters in his vehicle exploded in Herefordshire.

West Midlands Ambulance Service said the man in his 40s was able to get out before it burst into flames and that he'd had "an astonishing escape".

Image source, WMAS

The explosion happened on the A44 between Kington and Leominster at 07:40 this morning and the van was completely burnt out.

League Two side Forest Green Rovers sign full-back Dom Bernard on a one-year contract following his exit from Birmingham.

Two dozen people were arrested during a 24-hour operation in Stoke-on-Trent.

Staffordshire Police said nearly 100 officers were involved in carrying out warrants, traffic operations, and community engagement yesterday.

And a number of raids led to the discovery of stolen motorbikes, a machete, monkey dust and other drugs.

Image source, Staffordshire Police

Officers also discovered 34 motoring offences and took four vehicles off the road.

The operation has been given the name Operation Disrupt and the force said it was targeting serious and violent crime in the city.

The Metropolitan Police said officers "remain committed to securing justice for Suzy and her family".

A police custody sergeant has been charged with assaulting a man who was detained by officers last December.

The Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) said Sgt Nathan Legend will appear at Birmingham Magistrates' Court on Thursday charged with two counts of assault by beating.

The 31-year-old was charged by the CPS following an IOPC investigation which looked at the officer's use of force against a man detained at Birmingham's Perry Barr custody unit.

Some people on Facebook called for the Coventry City Council fines to be "outlawed".

A search near Pershore for the remains of the missing estate agent Suzy Lamplugh has been called off by the police.

They began the search on 3 July and excavated a number of areas, with the assistance of archaeologists, but found no evidence of her remains.

Scotland Yard said: "We remain committed to securing justice for Suzy and her family, and officers will continue to assess any new information received in connection with this case."