Live updates from Monday 29 July to Sunday 4 August
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Remember the heat of last week?
Well it's official, Thursday was indeed the hottest day ever recorded in the UK.
Cambridge University Botanic Garden measured 38.7C (101.7F), beating the previous UK record of 38.5C (101.3F), set in Kent in 2003.
A Met Office official was sent to check the equipment before verifying the new record today.
Image source, CUBGHere are a couple of tranquil photographs of Birmingham this morning, captured by BBC Weather Watcher Di's Walk.
The second, from Kingstanding made one of the Editor's Picks.
Image source, Di's Walk
Image source, Di's Walk
Birmingham Live
Here are some of the stories making the headlines on the Birmingham Live website:
BBC Business News
Hammerson has been in the news a fair bit today.
Earlier the owner of the Bullring and Grand Central revealed a £319m fall in profits, but also garnered investors' confidence by reporting a generally successful bid to dispose of £500m of properties to reduce debts.
It has also submitted plans for a major redevelopment of the Martineau Galleries site in Birmingham.
But the firm has also revealed that it has started a trial using facial recognition software.
Image source, Deep NorthAt the moment it's only being used at its Westquay centre in Southampton.
The technology from retail tech firm Deep North can see where customers are going and which shops are the most popular.
But perhaps worrying for some, the system can identify, age, gender and repeat customers.
It also claims to be able to recognise the emotions of shoppers.
One man remains in hospital following disorder in Stoke-on-Trent city centre last week.
A number of properties have been searched following the incident which left five people needing hospital treatment.
The disorder on Thursday 25 July "was initially spread over a number of streets" - Sun Street, Milton Street and Etruria Vale Road, said the ambulance service.
Six people arrested, aged between 15 and 24, have all been released on police bail while inquiries continue.
Local patrols have been increased following the "distressing" incident, said Staffordshire Police.
BBC Sport
Birmingham City have signed Spanish midfielders Agustin Medina and Ivan Guzman on two-year contracts.
Medina, 24, has been with Pep Clotet's side since the start of pre-season, joining from "sister club" UE Cornella.
Image source, Getty ImagesThe former Celta Vigo man came through Valencia's youth system and scored four goals in 38 appearances last season.
Guzman, 28, has arrived from Catalan club UE Olot and has been sent straight out on loan to third-tier side Cornella.
Two men are arrested following the incident outside the Wren's Nest pub, police say.
Read MoreSome of the main stories on the Shropshire Star today include:
James Pearson
Political reporter, BBC Hereford & Worcester
Children's social care in Worcestershire has improved, according to a new report by the watchdog Ofsted, external, but more work is still needed.
It's the first inspection of the county's children's services since they were rated inadequate in 2017.
Outcomes for many children and their families are much better, social workers caseloads have fallen, and leaders have managed to make the workforce more stable, the report found.
Inspectors still rated the services as "requires improvement" - they say a small number of children are still struggling to get timely help, and some aged over 18 are living in B&Bs and sofa surfing.
The Fox Inn is the "heart" of the Loxley village community, an action group aimed at saving it says.
Read More
Rebecca Wood
BBC Midlands Today
We brought you the news earlier today that comedian Joe Lycett would be giving the Lord Mayor of Birmingham's Charity more than £3,000.
Well, here he is presenting a cheque outside the city council offices this afternoon.
It comes after the then Lord Mayor, Yvonne Mosquito, officially opened Lycett's new kitchen extension.
Proceeds from a raffle allowing people to attend the event have been given to the mayor's charities.
Items of jewellery have been taken during a distraction burglary in Hereford.
Image source, West Mercia PoliceThe Hoarwithy Road property was targeted by two men on Friday morning, police say.
A couple in their 70s lost jewellery and a bag, said West Mercia Police.
A flood warning for the River Anker at Mancetter, Witherley and Atherstone in Warwickshire remains in place, with others downgraded.
Flooding alerts are still in place for:
Heavy rain and thunderstorms may bring further flooding and disruption on Tuesday and Wednesday the Met Office is warning.
Walsall director Leigh Pomlett takes over the League Two club from long-standing chairman Jeff Bonser.
Read MoreThe owners of the Bullring and Grand Central say they now want to redevelop the Square Shopping Centre and the Dale End car park in Birmingham city centre.
Known as the Martineau Galleries site, Hammerson has submitted an application to the city council to regenerate a 7.5-acre site.
The firm says the plans would see up to 2,400 people living on the site in up to 1,300 new homes, a new public square and boulevard and "a signature gateway" to Birmingham adjacent to Curzon Street station.
Image source, Google mapsGuy Wells, assistant director of Hammerson, commented: “We are delighted to have submitted our application for this exciting project in the heart of Birmingham. The response we have had to our consultation has been overwhelmingly positive."
The driver of a lorry who died following a collision on the M6 in Staffordshire last week has been named.Johannes Jacobus Provence, from the Maryport area in Cumbria, died after his HGV left the southbound carriageway between junctions 13 and 12 near Cannock.
The family of the 49-year-old have been informed about his death which occurred at about 13:00 on 22 July, Staffordshire Police said.
The BBC Weather Watchers have been out and about capturing images in the sunshine today.
These photos feature Stone, in Staffordshire, Southam, Warwickshire, and Longnor, in Shropshire.
Image source, Sarahlou86
Image source, Littleacorns
Image source, Peter Steggles
Local Democracy Reporting Service
Some of stories reported by the Local Democracy Reporting Service today include:
A £78m upgrade of junction 10 of the M6 motorway in Walsall is one step closer after contractors were appointed to carry out the work.
As part of the plans, a new junction will be built replacing the bridge over the motorway.
Image source, Google mapsHighways England says the changes will ease congestion and speed up journeys for the thousands of drivers who use it every day.
The work is due to start in autumn.
Some of the Hereford Times headlines today include:
