BBC Shropshire

A type of steam engine in use about 100 years ago will go on show for the first time this weekend after being recreated from scratch.

The huge Talisman machines once carried loads in excess of 100 tonnes, including parts for the Titanic, although just five were made - and only one remains.

After a six-year project, sponsored by Shrewsbury-based Morris Lubricants, a Talisman has built from the ground up in Cumbria.

The public will get to see it from this weekend when it gets its first unveiling at Shrewsbury Steam Rally., external

Malcolm Turner died in the fire at his flat after his mobility scooter was torched outside.

Dudley News

Here are some of the headlines from The Dudley News:

• Sandwell Council set to approve spending for more school places, external
• Black Country mum calls for more help for families struggling to find a home, external
• Dudley dalmatian owner issues toaster safety warning after house fire, external

Detectives suspect the blaze is linked to a second fire reported 20 minutes later in Foleshill Road where a dumped mattress was torched and flames spread to nearby properties.

The investigation will now also look at a series of bin and rubbish fires that have been reported to West Midlands Fire Service in recent weeks to determine if they are also connected, police said.

A 43-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of murder, after the death of a man in a Coventry flat fire.

Fire crews were called to the property in Jenner Street, Foleshill, early on Tuesday.

Resident Malcolm Turner, 69, was found collapsed and pronounced dead at the scene. A post-mortem examination found he died from smoke inhalation.

A 45-year-old man was detained for criminal damage.

The IFS concludes per pupil spending in England's schools is falling and has not been protected.

Allen Cook
BBC News

Nearly 100 drivers have been caught speeding near a pedestrian crossing with one motorist recorded at nearly three times the speed limit, police said.

Image source, Google

Officers caught 97 people speeding near the site, external on James Watt Queensway, Birmingham, yesterday, with the highest speed clocked in the 20mph zone being 51mph.

They're targeting the crossings as 26 pedestrians died last year either on or near one., external

The force said drivers who broke the limit near the crossings could now be charged with driving without due care and attention and face getting seven points on their licence.

Facebook

Praise has poured in on the BBC Midlands Facebook page for identical twins Laura and Anna Callwood after they shared their story of overcoming challenges to land their dream jobs in dairy farming.

Diagnosed with autism at 10 years old, they were told by a teacher "there's more to life than farming" but went on to work at farms across the Midlands.

On the BBC Midlands Facebook page, Alistair McMinn posted, external: "I've known these girls for a few years now through young farmers. They just show how much you can achieve if you are determined. A true inspiration to the future of farming."

Mel Butler added, external: "My son can absolutely relate to this. He often can’t and sometimes simply wont engage with people but will happily sit making noises to animals."

Brenda Dolphin wrote, external: "You go girls. Andy and Sarah will be very proud of you. And stuff the teachers who put you down. You've shown them the exact opposite."

Allen Cook
BBC News

Roadworks on the M6 in Staffordshire turning it into a smart motorway can't be lifted for the bank holiday because of safety reasons, Highways England has said.

Image source, Google

Most works have been lifted by the agency with congestion expected to build today and throughout the weekend.

But Highways England says it can't remove the 18 miles on the M6 near Stafford, between J13 and J15, because they're essential and it wouldn't be safe to take them away., external

Stoke-on-Trent Live

Here are some of the headlines appearing on the Stoke-on-Trent Live website today:

• Cordon in place after man dies on Stoke-on-Trent street, external
• Shock at sudden death of Stoke-on-Trent paramedic, external
• Benefit cheat mum claimed she was too ill to work - despite having full-time job, external

Victoria Derbyshire

Hospitals across the country are being invited to Shropshire to find out how one hospital manages to make its food award-winning.

Image source, Robert Jones and Agnes Hunt Orthopaedic Hospital

It comes as Bake Off judge Prue Leith has been recruited by the government in its quest to improve the food patients eat.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson said better food would aid patients' recovery and "fuel" carers and family.

Robert Jones and Agnes Hunt Orthopaedic Hospital in Oswestry prepares food on-site and says its internal caterers have come top of the Care Quality Commission’s patient survey for 13 of the last 14 years., external

A fourth man's been charged with murdering a man who was stabbed to death in Coventry.

Image source, Family handout

Emmanuel Lukenga was found wounded on Franklin Grove, Tile Hill, on 12 June and pronounced dead at the scene.

The 23-year-old has also been charged with arson and West Midlands Police says he is due to appear at Birmingham Crown Court today., external

BBC Weather Watchers

Who wants to see a field? Our local BBC Weather Watchers appear to have hit on the theme today for many of their photos.

These three are from users Suttonwalker in Sutton Coldfield, Step Counter in Bodenham, Herefordshire and Peter Steggles in Rushbury, Shropshire:

Image source, Suttonwalker

Image source, Step Counter

Image source, Peter Steggles

Birmingham Live

The Birmingham Live website's headlines today include:

• Mugger snatches mobile phone from two-year-old girl as mum uses cash machine in Great Barr, external
• Test drive crook stole car for sale before 70mph police chase through Birmingham, external
• Readers praise mum who fought off thugs trying to steal car with child inside, external

Allen Cook
BBC News

A man's died after being found collapsed on a street in Stoke-on-Trent.

Image source, Google

Paramedics found the 20-year-old had suffered a leg injury when they arrived at the junction of Cavendish Street and Josiah Wedgwood Street, Etruria, police said., external

He died at the scene and officers, including forensics teams, are investigating as they don't yet know the reasons behind his death.

Louise Hancock
Newsreader, BBC WM

A plaque in honour of the Irish rock star, Phil Lynott, is going to be unveiled today at the place of his birth.

The former Thin Lizzy frontman was born in West Bromwich's Sandwell Hospital in August 1949 before being brought up in Dublin.

Seventy years on and after a campaign to honour the rock star, the hospital's NHS trust says it will hold a ceremony today with a plaque unveiled. , external

The singer will also be honoured today with a bust in the centre of West Bromwich.

BBC Sport

Aston Villa host ninth-placed Everton this evening as the hunt continues for their first points on their return to the Premier League.

Image source, Getty Images

Two games have seen two defeats and Villa haven't now won in the division since February 2016.

Defender Kortney Hause is fit again, leaving Jonathan Kodjia and James Chester as the only absentees.

Midfielder Marvelous Nakamba and full-backs Frederic Guilbert and Matt Targett await their debuts.

You can follow the game via BBC WM commentary or the BBC Sport website.

BBC Shropshire

A new waiting area for patients being treated for cancer has been opened at hospital in memory of a former patient who helped create it.

Image source, Shrewsbury and Telford Hospital NHS Trust

The Shrewsbury and Telford Hospital NHS Trust says Bernadette Roberts from Shifnal was diagnosed with cancer in 2008., external

The 69-year-old was so grateful for the treatment she received until her death almost four years ago, she left over £235,000 to the haematology unit at the Royal Shrewsbury Hospital.

A plaque in her memory was unveiled as the area was officially opened.

A West Midlands police officer's been charged with grooming offences involving a child.

He's been charged with attempting to cause/incite a female child under 13 to engage in sexual activity and attempting to engage in sexual communication with a child.

The officer's been remanded into custody to appear before magistrates today.

Coventry Live

A few of the stories making the headlines on the Coventry Live website today:

• Firefighters called to 'dangerous' and deliberate blaze at electrical substation, external
• Redevelopment of city centre site given 18 month extension, external
• Driver flees as car crashes into Coventry home, external