Local Democracy Reporting Service
Kerry Ashdown

A hospital trust which was more than £63m in the red last year is on course to break even next year.

The University Hospitals of North Midlands (UHNM) NHS Trust was placed in financial special measures in 2017 after struggling to meet savings targets.

But the NHS has given it a deficit target of £32m to work towards this year and, if it meets that, it'll receive the same amount back in funding, meaning it would break even in its accounts.

At its latest board meeting, the trust revealed it was currently £3.4m ahead of schedule based on the first three months of the year.

BBC Radio Shropshire Sport

Omar Beckles is warning his Shrewsbury Town team mates they face a test against his former side Accrington Stanley tonight.

Image source, Getty Images

Accrington are one of the Football League's smaller clubs and had the lowest average attendance in League One last season.

But Beckles said: "They tend to start really well, they're a good footballing side, it's a tight pitch and they play good football. They find space and they get in your faces, so it's going to be a tough game for sure."

And he predicted: "I won't see many teams going there and getting three points."

Allen Cook
BBC News

A man's been arrested and another man's set to be questioned after an attack involving a metal bar on a man with a walking stick at a bus stop.

Image source, Google

The victim was standing at a bus stop in Bordesley Green, Birmingham, on 28 July, police said, when he was approached by men demanding cash.

The man, in his 50s, fell to the floor and was struck with the bar, causing a cut to his head, West Midlands Police said.

Officers said a 24-year-old man was arrested this morning in Bordesley Green while they plan to question a second man about the case. , external

Both are in custody.

Allen Cook
BBC News

A new "bostin'" cup of tea's been launched in memory of Manchester United star Duncan Edwards.

Image source, PA Media

‘Brew Number 6’ has been launched in Dudley, where Edwards grew up before signing for United as a teenager, and is named after the shirt number he wore.

He died aged 22 from injuries sustained in the 1958 Munich Air Crash.

Dudley Borough Council said the Duncan Edwards Foundation worked with a firm in Warwickshire to make the tea with profits going to the foundation., external

Dudley News

The Dudley News is covering these stories today:

• West Midlands Ambulance Service to take over 111 NHS service, external
• Residents' delight as commuters stopped from parking in streets near train station all day, external
• Animal lovers invited to memorial walk at country park, external

Louise Hancock
Newsreader, BBC WM

Court rooms in Birmingham are sitting empty while criminal cases are being delayed, a lawyer's claimed on Twitter.

Image source, PA Media

Jonathan Dunne, a barrister in the East Midlands, asked other lawyers across the country on the social media site to provide updates.

He claimed thousands of cases were being held up while, yesterday morning, 127 rooms out of 260 in 34 courts "sat idle".

His list included seven out of the 17 in Birmingham., external

A Courts and Tribunals spokeswoman said there was a 12% reduction in crown court trial cases last year and waiting times for cases are the shortest since 2014.

Riki Wessels hits 84 not out and Moeen Ali 40 but Worcestershire are well beaten by 10 wickets by Northamptonshire.

Allen Cook
BBC News

JCB's started making its first ever electric diggers in Staffordshire.

Image source, JCB

The construction equipment giant is producing them from its factory in Cheadle.

It says 50 have already been delivered and it has had orders from across Europe and North America.

The new model is five-times quieter than a diesel digger, the firm claims.

Sarah Handley, 28, died after the car she was a passenger in crashed following a police pursuit.

Alex Hamilton
BBC Weather

A dry night ahead for the West Midlands with some clear spells, here's the full forecast including for the start of Wednesday:

You can keep up-to-date on the weather in your area at any other time by heading to the BBC Weather website.

Ginny Magrath had an emergency Caesarean after a crash left her and her partner in different hospitals.

BBC News Travel

Trains aren't stopping at Lichfield Trent Valley this afternoon due to a points failure.

National Rail Enquiries said services can't call at the station and they expect the issue to last until at least 15:00., external

There's also a speed restriction in place, forcing trains to travel at slower speeds through the Lichfield Trent Valley.

Facebook

Well wishes have flooded in on the BBC Midlands Facebook page after a police officer, seriously hurt when he was run over with his own car, had a hospital visit from his pet dog.

Diesel visited PC Gareth Phillips after he suffered a head injury and broken pelvis when stopping a suspected stolen car in Birmingham on 10 August.

Image source, West Midlands Police

On the Facebook page, Lima Alpha wrote, external: "What a lovely thing to do. Hope you are recovering although I imagine it’s not easy. Your beautiful dog is part of your family so only right that you get to see him."

Robert Hetherington added, external: "Get well soon Gareth. The bond between you and your dog is so special and the police family are all with you."

Paul and Melissa Ralph posted, external: "So lovely they let your fur baby visit you. Praying for a speedy recovery."

Barbara Fox typed, external: "Wonderful they have let Diesel in to see you, nothing quite like a dog's love and affection. Thank you for keeping our streets safe."

Crewe Alexandra sign Norwegian striker Chuma Anene: from Danish Superliga side FC Midtjylland on loan for the rest of the season.

Halesowen News

From the Halesowen News:

• Car crashes millimeters from home, external
• Police chief calls on residents to be 'eyes and ears' to tackle crime, external
• Thieves steal haul of knives and axes, external

BBC Sport

Worcestershire look certain to lose their county championship match against Northamptonshire and are trailing by five runs in their second innings at lunch, with just two wickets remaining.

Moeen Ali and Riki Wessels have attempted to hold the innings together with 40 and 52 not out respectively.

Image source, Getty Images

Warwickshire look set for a big first innings lead against Somerset, who are 263 for 7 at lunch on day three of their match.

BBC Shropshire

A Shropshire woman who was packing to move home with her two young children got a nasty surprise when lightning struck the house they were renting in Bicton Heath last Friday.

Victoria Ireland said she'd just cancelled her home contents insurance ahead of the move, so has been left out of pocket, but has thanked friends, family and neighbours for helping out.

A fire on a Nuneaton industrial estate which damaged three lorries was probably started deliberately, Warwickshire Police has said.

It said one or more people are believed to have broken into the site on Pool Road on Sunday night and an investigation is under way to find out how the fires were caused.

Windows were smashed in the attacks on five mosques across the north of the city during one day.

Matt Sandoz
Stoke City commentator, BBC Radio Stoke

Stoke City striker Scott Hogan thinks the club need to do all it can to hold on to Jack Butland.

Image source, Getty Images

The England goalkeeper has been consistently linked over the summer with a move away from the Potters.

Over the weekend, Butland posted on Instagram, external to dismiss rumours linking him with a move abroad.