A pregnant mare has been released after getting stuck up to its neck in a Staffordshire slurry pit.

Fire crews used heavy lifting equipment to free the 11-year-old animal at a farm in Codsall after first being called shortly before 05:30.

A vet was on site along with the animal's owner.

Image source, Staffordshire Fire and Rescue Service

Vanessa Pearce
BBC News

The hot weather may bring more thunderstorms across the West Midlands, the Met Office is warning., external

A yellow severe warning is in place from 15:00 today until 04:00 on Friday.

Image source, Mia McCann

Don't forget to send us your images, like this incredible shot taken by Mia McCann in Coventry.

You can upload them to our BBC Weather Watchers site or share them with us via email, Twitter, external and Facebook., external

Crews tackled a fire involving agricultural buildings near Oswestry last night.

Image source, Shropshire Fire and Rescue Service

Image source, Shropshire Fire and Rescue Service

The fire was prevented from spreading to livestock and farm equipment at Hindford Grange, near Whittington, said the fire service.

Crews were sent from Baschurch, Ellesmere, Oswestry, Shrewsbury and as far as Bridgnorth.

Is the sunshine scuppering your commute?

It might be if you're taking the train today - temperatures on the tracks could top 50C in direct sunlight, which could cause them to buckle.

Network Rail says train speeds will have to be reduced on the West Coast main line, Chiltern line and other services.

Rich Davis
BBC Weather presenter

It will be a hot day today with the threat of afternoon thunderstorms and highs of 34C (93F).

Vanessa Pearce
BBC News

Welcome to our live service for Thursday.

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, external and Facebook., external

How a charity championed by the Duchess of Sussex helped two women get new jobs.

Sussex Sharks, Birmingham Bears and Notts Outlaws all enjoy victories in the latest round of T20 Blast matches.

Crewe Alexandra striker Shaun Miller rejoins his former club Morecambe on a season-long loan.

Andy Giddings
BBC News

We'll be back with the news, sport, travel and weather from 07:00 tomorrow.

Rich Davis
BBC Weather presenter

Staying dry tonight with some long clear spells across the West Midlands, here's the full forecast:

Get a latest forecast for your part of the region at any other time by heading to the BBC Weather website.

Birmingham City sign defender Jake Clarke-Salter on loan from Chelsea, while striker Lukas Jutkiewicz agrees a new deal.

Network Rail says trains could be running slower this week due to the high temperatures.

It said tracks could reach up to 50C (122F) - increasing the chances of buckling.

The organisation said speed restrictions were being brought in.

Image source, Network Rail

Network Rail also says the track was designed to expand in the heat and that it replaces weak sections in the winter.

Operators including West Midlands Railway is advising passengers to check timetables for changes.

The Bromsgrove MP, Sajid Javid, has been given the Chancellor's job in Boris Johnson's new-look cabinet.

The former Home Secretary was one of Johnson's rivals in the Conservative leadership election, but decided to back him when he was eliminated.

Image source, Getty Images

A motorist has been clocked driving at 100mph during police speed checks in Stoke-on-Trent., external

Image source, Staffordshire Police

Officers were checking speeds in the Meir Park area on Sunday evening over nearly four hours.

The highest speed limit in the area is 50mph on the A50.

The driver was reported for a summons while two others were also stopped for speeding.

Gloucestershire boost their promotion chances with a thrilling 13-run win against Worcestershire at Cheltenham.

Coventry Live

Here are three of the top stories from the Coventry Live website:

• More warnings of thunderstorms, external
• Pervert pensioner spared jail, external
• Council pledge after ‘penis pothole’ complaints, external

The archaeologists digging in the grounds of Shrewsbury Castle say they structure they've found isn't the remains of a building as scans had suggested, but is instead a road.

They're spending two weeks investigating the site, which hasn't been excavated before, and have made a number of interesting smaller finds, including this glass seal.

Image source, Shropshire Council

Dr Nigel Baker, the man leading the dig, says the seal bears the crest of the Corbett family, who were associated with the castle in the 16th Century.

A Staffordshire zoo has lost two of its parrots and is asking for sightings., external

They went missing during a display at the Wild Zoological Park at Halfpenny Green Vinyards at midday and keepers say they got taken away by very high thermals.

Image source, WILD Zoological Park

Both birds are microchipped and the zoo is hoping they may have landed nearby.

Local Democracy Reporting Service
Carl Jackson

Part of one of Birmingham's busiest roads needs repairs expected to total £93m over almost five years, it's been revealed.

Image source, Google

A report by Birmingham City Council states that the "load carrying capacity" for the Tame Valley Viaduct stretch of the Aston Expressway is "rated zero".

It warns that the 678yd (620m) structure at the north end of the A38(M), near Spaghetti Junction, would need weight and/or width restrictions or even be closed if nothing was done.

On Tuesday, the council's cabinet , externalwill be asked to agree to major strengthening works, starting in 2021, with the Department for Transport paying £72m towards the scheme.