BBC News England

A police constable has shared his journey from being a teenager who slept rough to becoming a neighbourhood officer.

Image source, Stephen Croshaw

Thousands of people reacted to PC Stephen Croshaw's tweets about overcoming his difficult childhood.

The Warwickshire officer, 46, said he suffered abuse from an alcoholic mother, was locked in a coal shed and eventually slept rough.

He said his story showed "hope" and "determination" can surpass all else.

The police officer, now married and a stepfather, said he had experienced some "low lows" while growing up in Nuneaton.

Allen Cook
BBC News

Drivers and homeowners are being warned of potential flooding today from heavy rain in parts of the West Midlands.

Image source, Met Office

A yellow weather warning's been issued by the Met Office, from 08:00 until 22:00. , external

The alert covers parts of Herefordshire, Shropshire and Staffordshire and states there could be spray and flooding on roads and homes and businesses could also be affected.

BBC News Travel

Train passengers are facing disruption through the morning if they travel through Rugeley Trent Valley.

Overhead electric wires have been damaged in the area and National Rail Enquiries says that means fewer lines available for trains to run on., external

It's affecting services from London Northwestern, Virgin Trains and West Midlands Railway and is expected to last until at least midday.

Alex Hamilton
BBC Weather

It's going to be a wet one today with rain due to spread across the West Midlands throughout the day - here's the full forecast:

You can get a latest forecast for your area at any other time by going to the BBC Weather website.

Allen Cook
BBC News

Welcome to our live service for Friday.

We'll be bringing you all the news, sport, travel and weather for the West Midlands.

You can get in touch via email, Twitter, external and Facebook., external

The Nuneaton officer was once beaten and slept rough but now hopes his story will help others.

Campaigners fighting council cuts label the amount spent on outside law firms "ridiculous".

Wolves set up a Europa League play-off tie with Italian side Torino after beating Pyunik 4-0 at Molineux and 8-0 on aggregate.

Sussex Sharks lose their unbeaten run in this season's T20 Blast while Worcestershire and Leicestershire pick up crucial wins.

Councillors unanimously back the new-look scheme, which they said better protects city views.

Grimsby Town sign centre-back Luke Waterfall after he was released by League One side Shrewsbury Town.

Andy Giddings
BBC News

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

The Herefordshire Business Board is warning a delay to Hereford's planned western by-pass could cause long-term damage to the county's economy.

The coalition-led council has agreed to put the by-pass scheme and the proposed southern link road on hold, to allow a review to be carried out, and has questioned the impact they will have on congestion.

Image source, Herefordshire Council

The business group said the by-pass was a once-in-a-generation opportunity and scrapping it would cause long-term damage to the county's economy.

It's launched a crowdfunded campaign using adverts and social media to get its message across.

Alex Hamilton
BBC Weather

Dry and clear to start tonight but it's then going to soon turn cloudy - here's the full forecast for the West Midlands.

You can get a latest forecast at any other time for your area from the BBC Weather website.

A unicorn has been rescued from the track at Worcester's Foregate Street station.

West Midlands Railway staff said they've taken in the stuffed toy and that he (or she) is now resting with a cup of tea, while they try to find the owner.

Image source, West Midlands Railway

Image source, West Midlands Railway

Local Democracy Reporting Service

A mysterious tower in Kidsgrove is to undergo £1,000 repairs to fix masonry and clear plants from around it.

The Grade II listed tower on Mill Rise was given to Newcastle Borough Council in 1985, but it's unclear whether it was a windmill or something else.

Image source, Google

The structure is on the council’s at risk register, but a recent survey found cracks in the stonework had been there for some time, but no major problems.

BBC Sport Wales

Looking beyond tonight's Europa League tie, The New Saints start their Welsh Premier League season at home to Caernarfon Town this Sunday.

Former Wales international Malcolm Allen says they are once again the team to beat.

Image source, TNS

Allen has been previewing the season with fellow Welsh international Owain Tudur Jones and said they had the strongest squad in the league and have "got 18 to 20 players at the club that would walk into any Cymru Premier side".

But Tudur Jones said he thought they could be beaten to the title by Connah's Quay this season.

Hundreds of university staff and students are manning phones today, to help young people who didn't get the grades they wanted.

They're also helping students find accommodation for September.

And they've been sharing inspirational stories from past students who came to them through clearing and ended up having a really positive experience.

Conor Coady personally thanks those who made the 6,370-mile round trip for the Europa League game.

BBC Weather Watchers

It looks like the brambles are ready for picking, because this is the second photo of them we've had from the BBC Weather Watchers today.

We're also seeing lots of cloudy, but dry, skies around the West Midlands.

Image source, Mrs_Strivzy

Image source, Sue Snaps

Image source, WanderLass