Allen Cook
BBC News

An equine rescue centre's been badly damaged in a fire with the owners saying its entire yard has been wiped out.

Fire crews managed to rescue two dogs and a horse , externalfrom the volunteer funded Elverra Pony Rescue near Eccleshall and added all the horses were thought to be safe.

Image source, Staffordshire Fire Service

Dozens of firefighters were called to the Staffordshire site just before 09:30.

Image source, Staffordshire Fire Service

On Facebook, the centre said it had lost all stables, winter hay and bedding stores, among other items, with a mass clean up and rebuilding work to do.

It gave thanks to fire crews for their help.

A police officer who was run over in a hi-jacked police vehicle while trying to stop a car theft "faces a long battle to recover", his family have said.

PC Gareth Phillips was injured during the incident in Moseley, Birmingham, on Saturday and "is still very poorly", they said in a statement. The 42-year-old traffic officer remains in intensive care in hospital but his condition is said to be stable.

Image source, West Midlands Police

“We are grateful for all the messages of support that we’ve had from the police and members of the public," his family said.

"What happened on Saturday demonstrates the dangers that officers face every day."

The man charged with Mr Phillips' attempted murder - 29-year-old Mubashar Hussain - appeared at Birmingham Magistrates Court earlier and was remanded in custody until his next appearance in September.

A man has been charged in connection with the incident in Birmingham on Sunday.

Artists' impressions for a new music institute in Dudley have been revealed.

Image source, Resonance

'Resonance' is due to open in September 2020 at The Waterfront in Brierley Hill.

Image source, Resonance

Image source, Resonance

The £9.5m project will see a mixture of classrooms, lecture theatres, recording studios, practice rooms and radio studios being built, which will be used to offer degrees for students wanting careers in the music industry.

Co-director David Barnard said it will be "one of the best [music institutes] in the country.”

Firefighters who responded to a serious crash in Dudley on Saturday have taken charge of a man's dog after he was injured.

Image source, Dudley Fire Station

The dog was taken to a vet after the crash, Dudley Fire Station said, adding that she is in good health.

The man remains in a critical condition in hospital, and his pet will be looked after by one of the firefighters who attended the scene until he recovers.

Worcester News

From the Worcester News:

• Highways road markings done in 'error', say country council, external
• Thief targets supermarket twice in a week after 'relapsing into heroin', external
• 18th birthday joy for Worcester boy given a 1% chance of survival as a baby, external

Hereford FC boss Marc Richards has been sacked.

Club chairman Andrew Graham said the club's performance has "not been what we had hoped for" and "the Board and Marc’s thoughts differ greatly".

Image source, Hereford FC

The squad lost 3-1 to Kings Lynn Town on Saturday.

Mr Graham said after "just one win in the last eight games last season" the board hoped a change of management would help give the club a better chance of finishing towards the top of the National League North table.

Mr Richards' assistant Will Morford is also leaving the club and head of football Tim Harris will step up while a new coach is sought.

A man has appeared in court charged with attempted murder after a police officer was run over in Birmingham.

Mubashar Hussain is accused of the attempted killing of 42-year-old traffic officer PC Gareth Phillips in an incident in Moorcroft Road at about 16:45 on Saturday.

Image source, SnapperSK

The 29-year-old, previously of Sherwood Road, Hall Green, spoke only to confirm his name, age and address during the short appearance at Birmingham Magistrates Court.

He is charged with a total of 13 offences and is next due to appear at the city's crown court on 9 September.

Mr Phillips, 42, suffered a broken pelvis as well as head, abdominal and internal injuries and underwent surgery on Saturday and Sunday.

His injuries are potentially life-changing, West Midlands Police said.

BBC Weather Watchers

Bright, blue skies have been spotted across the West Midlands and snapped by our BBC Weather Watchers.

These three are from users Ryan Lewis in Clent, Worcestershire, OnTheCut in Nantwich, Cheshire and Steve in Darlaston, Walsall:

Image source, Ryan Lewis

Image source, OnTheCut

Image source, Steve in Darlaston

Drug crime has fallen significantly in Birmingham city centre.

Analysis by the BBC of police-recorded crime data has found that recorded drug crime has fallen significantly in city centres like Birmingham but is increasing in smaller towns and villages.

Three men have been charged with firearms offences after two handguns and a bag of ammunition were recovered following a vehicle stop.

Two Birmingham men are charged with conspiracy to supply a firearm and ammunition.

A third man has been charged with conspiracy to supply ammunition.

They are due to appear at Birmingham Magistrates Court later.

BBC Hereford and Worcester

Job losses can't be ruled out at struggling council, its leader's said, after admitting their finances are in a mess.

Image source, Google

Auditors have warned Redditch Borough Council it could "run out" of money in two years if it doesn't sort out its budget.

In a recent report, external, they said the authority had to take "urgent action" to safeguard its future as, at the moment, it's on course by 2021 to be spending £30,000 a week more than it receives in income.

The council's leader, Matthew Dormer, said he's in urgent talks about the situation and council tax may have to be increased.

He told BBC Hereford and Worcester the problem in front of them was "very, very large" and job losses would be an "absolute worst case scenario".

A busy route into Birmingham city centre will be closed for "up to a fortnight" after a sewer collapsed.

Two lanes are closed on Hagley Road West near Lightwoods Park in Bearwood, Smethwick.

Image source, Google

Sandwell Council said said Severn Trent Water was working to fix the problem which they estimate won't be repaired until 23 August.

The authority advised the lane closures "will cause delays, particularly during rush hour", so drivers should seek an alternative route where possible.

A food bank in Birmingham said it needs a bigger warehouse as demand increases in the area.

The Aston and Nechells food bank reported a 30% rise in users over the past year and said it is struggling to find somewhere big enough to store supplies.

Latest figures for the wider West Midlands region show almost 70,000 emergency supplies were distributed in the past year - an increase of almost 20% on the previous year.

Birmingham Live

Here's some of the headlines in the Birmingham Mail this morning:

• 'Controlling' stalker so obsessed with ex that he enrolled on her college course, external
• Chemicals thrown at West Midlands Police officers in second horrific attack in 24 hours, external
• Drink driving arrest as man flees after car overturns in Dudley smash, external

Allen Cook
BBC News

A police officer was injured when trying to stop a car which was being driven without insurance.

The car then hit a wall in Clun, near Craven Arms in Shropshire, on Saturday afternoon.

The injured officer was taken to hospital but has since been released and is back at work.

Image source, Google

A 22-year-old woman's been arrested and released under investigation.

In a separate incident, a man has been charged with attempted murder after a police officer was run over in Birmingham.

Two "leading" providers have gone into administration amid "a lack of Brexit clarity".

Leicestershire sign Worcestershire all-rounder George Rhodes, son of ex-Pears legend Steve Rhodes, on a three-year deal from 2020.

Lee Thomas
Newsreader, BBC Radio Stoke

Stoke City have sent their best wishes to Jimmy Greenhoff after the former player was taken to hospital

The forrmer forward, who also played for Manchester Utd, fell ill ahead of the game against Chelsea.

Image source, Getty Images

Greenhoff played more than 270 games for Stoke City before joining United and was part of the Potter's League Cup winning side in 1972.

League Two Forest Green Rovers sign teenage prospect Taylor Allen from non-league Nuneaton Borough for next season.