A boy with his finger stuck in a seatbelt buckle had to be helped by the fire service's technical rescue crew.

Image source, West Midlands Fire Service

The six-year-old was "very brave and patient" during the rescue on Thursday, Binley Fire Station in Coventry tweeted., external

"All was well after the incident," it added.

It follows another unusual rescue in the early hours of the morning when fire and ambulance crews joined forces to free an elderly patient, external trapped in an "extremely packed" loft in Staffordshire.

BBC News Travel

A fault with the signalling system is delaying rail services through Longbridge.

Allen Cook
BBC News

Beekeepers are being put on alert in Staffordshire after a bee-killing Asian hornet was spotted in the county.

Image source, States of Jersey

The government said it was confirmed in the Tamworth area on 2 September , external and is the second report in the UK this year, following one in Hampshire in July.

The invasive predators are able to eat up to 50 honey bees in a day.

The British Beekeepers Association said it wanted people in county to be vigilant , externalin looking out for the hornets as summer winds down.

The cynics are already asking if this morning's Town's Fund announcement could be a pre-election giveaway for voters in marginal seats, but is that fair?

Looking at the 16 towns in the region in the running for millions of pounds from the Towns Fund, five are found, at least partly, in parliamentary constituencies with Conservative majorities of 5,000 or less.

Another six towns are found in constituencies with Labour majorities of 5,000 or less, including three won by 50 votes or fewer at the 2017 election.

Of the remaining five towns, three feature seats which were won by 10,000 or more votes at the last general election.

The other two, Redditch and Rowley Regis were in constituencies won by the Conservatives by 7,363 and 5,253 respectively.

The government said the 100 places chosen nationwide often had "proud industrial and economic heritage" but had "not always benefitted from economic growth in the same way as more prosperous areas".

Communities Secretary Robert Jenrick said it was important that "prosperity and opportunities are available to everyone in this country, not just those in London or our biggest cities".

Local Democracy Reporting Service
Joe Burn

An urgent review's going to be held into the loss of a breastfeeding support service.

More than 5,000 people signed a petition urging Stoke-on-Trent City Council not to cut the Community Breastfeeding Team, provided by the local NHS.

The local authority's looking to save £600,000 each year by not renewing the contract and instead replace it by extending the city's existing breastfeeding peer support programme, made up currently of two volunteers.

But, after being lobbied by mothers and opposition councillors at its full council meeting, the local authority agreed to send the decision for an urgent review and scrutiny.

Stoke-on-Trent Live

The Stoke-on-Trent Live website's top stories today include:

• Staffie attacked five other victims before mauling defenceless passerby, external
• Police called as 'gang of youths' seen lurking in garden of Stoke-on-Trent home, external
• Off-duty police officer riding motorbike with friends when he smashed through fence and died, external

More than 20 schools in Birmingham will join others across the UK in closing early today in a bid to save money.

Campaign group Save Our Schools (SOS) said across the country there were about 250 schools closing early on Fridays, with 27 in Birmingham.

Labour MP for Birmingham Yardley said her son's school had been affected by the closure.

The Department for Education (DfE) previously said it did not hold figures on how many schools had changed their hours.

A spokesman said: "We know schools face budgeting challenges and schools are being asked to do more.

"However, Birmingham receives per pupil funding significantly above the national average: in 2019-20, an average of £5,080 per pupil; well above the national average of £4,689."

On Wednesday, Chancellor Sajid Javid announced an extra £2.6bn for schools in England from next year.

The announcement followed last week's unveiling of a three-year plan to boost school funding by £7.1bn by 2022-23.

Police have thanked staff at a nightclub who alerted them after an imitation gun was produced during a row on the streets of Birmingham.

Firearms officers were directed to Smallbrook Queensway in the early hours of yesterday morning after security staff at Snobs reported a man producing a pistol from his back pocket.

The West Midlands force said the club had nothing to do with the incident, as previously reported.

A 19-year-old man and 17-year-old male who were arrested on suspicion of possession of an imitation firearm with intent to cause fear of violence have been released under investigation.

Police say the injured pair tried to drive away after the assault but crashed due to their burns.

Further tests are required on a 10-year-old found dead in a caravan in Birmingham after a post-mortem proved inconclusive, police have said.

Image source, SnapperSK

The boy was found at an address in Blossomville Way, Acocks Green, on 22 August.

He was taken to hospital where "nothing could be done to save him" and he was pronounced dead, said West Midlands Police.

His mother, 44, arrested on suspicion of child neglect, has been released on bail whilst investigations continue, the force added.

The government has invited 16 towns in the region to apply for regeneration funding of up to £25m

They're among 100 towns around the country to be told they're eligible for money from the £3.6bn Towns Fund, external.

Image source, Getty Images

The towns in the West Midlands are: Redditch, Bloxwich, Burton upon Trent, Crewe, Dudley, Hereford, Kidsgrove, Nuneaton, Newcastle-under-Lyme, Rowley Regis, Smethwick, Telford, Walsall, West Bromwich, Wolverhampton and Worcester.

They're being asked to submit proposals to "transform their town’s economic growth prospects with a focus on improved transport, broadband connectivity, skills and culture".

A passenger has been punched in the face after police say she challenged a group reported to be making racist comments on a train.

A CCTV image has been released of a woman officers want to speak to in connection to the incident (below).

Image source, British Transport Police

Officers said the victim asked the large group of men and women, who had been at a festival in Worcester, to stop making the comments before being threatened, said British Transport Police (BTP).

After leaving the train at Stourbridge she was assaulted by a woman from the group, leaving her with two black eyes.

The incident happened at 20:20 on Saturday 10 August between Worcester and Stourbridge Junction stations, said BTP.

Birmingham Live

The early headlines on the Birmingham Live website include:

• Hit-and-run probe after man struck by van in Tamworth, external
• Woman fights for life after horror collision on Constitution Hill, external
• Jacob Rees-Mogg issues apology to Birmingham doctor over Brexit insult, external

A man has been arrested after two men suffered serious burns when a substance was thrown at them, police said.

Image source, Black Country Radio

The substance was thrown on Sunday while the men were waiting in a van in traffic on Wollaston Road in Stourbridge.

The two drove off in a bid to escape, but crashed nearby due to their injuries, said West Midlands Police.

Both have been discharged from hospital after being treated for burns.

A 34-year-old man arrested on suspicion of assault has been released on bail while enquiries continue.

BBC News Travel

A crash is partially blocking Bridgnorth Road at the junction of Poolhouse Road in Wombourne, Staffordshire.

Image source, South Staffordshire Police

Drivers are being advised to approach the area with caution.

BBC News Travel

A broken-down train is delaying rail services between Water Orton and Birmingham New Street.

Birmingham City Women's England Under-21 goalkeeper Hannah Hampton has signed a new two-year contract.

A man has been arrested on suspicion of possessing a firearm and drugs after explosives experts were called to a property in Nuneaton.

An area of Alexandra Road was cordoned off on Thursday following the discovery of a suspicious item.

An imitation firearm, cash and drugs were found.

A 22-year-old man from the town is being questioned.

Express and Star

Some of the early headlines on the Express and Star today include:

• Fraudster stole £53k from dying grandmother savings, external
• Midland Metropolitan Hospital work 'may re-start before end of the year', external
• Business leaders warnings over risk of another Carillion

The Conservative party has held a seat on Coventry City Council after a by-election was called following the sudden death of former Lord Mayor Gary Crookes.

Mattie Heaven was elected with 1,560 votes.

Image source, Coventry Conservatives

The Liberal Democrats came second, with a 16% increase in their vote.

Image source, Coventry City Council