Local Democracy Reporting Service
Tom Dare

Legendary Brummie comedian Jasper Carrott joked that local organisations had "run out of things to name after Black Sabbath" after it was announced that a tram would be named after him.

Mr Carrott was speaking following the news that he will be honoured by Transport for West Midlands (TfWM) next week as it unveils a brand new tram bearing his name.

The event, which will take place at the site of a future tram stop outside Birmingham Town Hall in Victoria Square, will also showcase the work on the Westside extension of West Midlands Metro.

Image source, West Midlands Combined Authority

“Because this is my home and I think the world of Birmingham and its people, and let’s face it I wouldn’t be anywhere without them.

"So it’s a great honour."

Allen Cook
BBC News

The annual Children in Need Rickshaw Challenge is under way today and will be heading through parts of the West Midlands and south Cheshire over the next few days.

Matt Baker, from The One Show, and a team of young volunteers are aiming to ride 400 miles, over eight days, having started in Holyhead, Wales, today. , external

On Sunday, they're due to head to Oswestry, Shropshire, before setting off from there on Monday to Crewe, Cheshire.

From there, on Tuesday they'll head to Matlock by travelling through Flash, Staffordshire, the highest village in the UK.

Amos Price is wanted over the death of Cleo, eight, after she was mauled in a "sickening" fatal attack.

Liverpool beat Manchester City to strike a major blow in their bid for a first top-flight title in 30 years.

BBC Weather Watchers

We've had some beautiful autumn photos from the BBC Weather Watchers today.

Here's a little collection:

BBC Business News

Mamas & Papas has collapsed into administration with six store closures.

Image source, Google

The retailer has made 73 staff redundant, with 54 further jobs at risk at head office.

The firm said its unprofitable stores including one in Leamington Spa closed on Friday.

It had 27 stores in total plus three concessions.

The remaining stores, including one at Birmingham's Gallagher retail park, will continue to trade as normal as will online sales and concessions.

Good news for drivers in Stoke-on-Trent - it's been closed since July, but the A53 Etruria fly-over has reopened to traffic this afternoon.

The city council said , externalit had carried out "the most intensive" repairs and improvements since the bridge was built in 1988.

Image source, Google

The Hollywood star heard about Ellesmere College during rehearsals for an Oklahoma! performance.

Local Democracy Reporting Service
Tom Dare

The West Midlands Mayor Andy Street says he is "actively seeking" sites for a gigafactory in the West Midlands, after his plan was accused of not having any substance behind it.

Birmingham City Council debated a motion, introduced by the Conservative group, which if passed would have given support to the mayor’s proposals for the construction of a gigafactory in the West Midlands.

However the motion was amended by the ruling Labour group to instead support their party's plans for gigafactories in the UK, with the party planning sites in Stoke-on-Trent, South Wales and Swindon.

The Labour group has been accused by the opposition of not caring about the future of the car industry in the region, while the ruling council say that a lack of details behind the mayor’s plans was the main reason that the motion was not supported.

Speaking after the decision, the mayor said he was pleased that the council had "recognised the need for gigafactories" with its decision, adding that he will continue to search for both investment and sites for the new factory, stating that the West Midlands would be its "rightful home".

Allen Cook
BBC News

Work to restore a Grade II listed building and turn it into a council customer service centre is expected to finish next week.

Image source, Stoke-on-Trent City Council

Nearly £2m has been spent by Stoke-on-Trent City Council on Longton Town Hall and the nearby Victorian market, including a new entrance for the market.

The city's Lord Mayor will open the new-look building next week and the council says 25 staff will move in before Christmas, external to handle inquiries such as about council tax and benefits.

Image source, Stoke-on-Trent City Council

Mark Lawrenson takes on 'The Irishman' star Stephen Graham to make predictions for the latest round of Premier League fixtures.

BBC Shropshire

No action will be taken against two Shropshire councillors at the centre of a row over the resurfacing of a minor road near Oswestry.

The lane outside the home of Councillor Vince Hunt in Trefonen wasn't on a priority list but last December it was resurfaced at a cost of £80,000.

It later emerged fellow Conservative Councillor Joyce Barrow had emailed highways bosses to ask if the work on what she called "Vince Hunt's Road" would be carried out.

But an investigation by Shropshire Council concluded the pair didn't act inappropriately.

Officials said the middle of the road had needed resurfacing and Mr Hunt raised the issue with his local councillor, who passed it on to the highways department.

Work to clear a blockage at Hereford's Old Wye Bridge will continue today.

Image source, Environment Agency

Boat crews have used chain saws to cut a path through the downstream side, the Environment Agency said.

Worcester Bridge will be closed to eastbound traffic on Monday from 09:30 to allow the removal of river flood debris there too.

Image source, Environment Agency

Knowles Sports in Worcester dates back to 1884, but says online competition is the main problem.

Police vehicles in the West Midlands are to feature poppies in a campaign organised by an officer injured when he was run over by a police car during an arrest.

Image source, West Midlands Police

PC Gareth "Gaz" Phillips, 42, suffered a head injury and broken pelvis after stopping a suspected stolen car in Birmingham.

He was hit as one of the suspects attempted to make off in an unmarked police car. Mubashar Hussain was jailed for 12 years last month.

Whilst PC Phillips continuing his long road to recovery at home he has secured 100 poppies to go on the cars of his fellow Central Motorway Police Group officers, said the West Midlands force.

PC Phillips volunteered to arrange for the commemorative stickers for the second year running, which were supplied free of charge by a local sign company in Aston, it added.

Image source, West Midlands Police

The BBC talks to constituents in two Midlands towns as Labour MPs Ian Austin and Tom Watson step down.

Express and Star

Some of today's Express and Star headlines include:

• Van driver killed in rush-hour crash with bus, external
• Woman left with permanent scarring after glass attack, external
• Wolverhampton nightclub loses its licence after knife attack, external

You don't have to show ID when you vote so what's to stop you pretending to be someone else?

Slots at Gatwick, Bristol, Manchester, Birmingham and Stansted are bought as the travel firm is dismantled.

BBC Shropshire

A Grade II listed railway station footbridge has reopened after nearly a year's worth of repairs and refurbishments.

Image source, Network Rail

Network Rail's been renovating the steelwork , externalon the Dana crossing which connects Howard Street with the town's railway station.

It's also repaired and replaced timber panels on the bridge along with supporting beams and brickwork.