Colin North is described as a "loyal sponsor and friend" with a "non-stop enthusiasm" for speedway racing.

One impact of the flooding in Worcestershire had been the large number of fields under water as rivers burst their banks.

The Environment Agency's Dave Throup tweeted this photo, external over the weekend of the "sad sight" of marrows in Bransford which he thought had been washed out of fields:

Image source, Environment Agency

Image source, Environment Agency

Allen Cook
BBC News

Drivers are being urged to avoid part of the A5 today in south Staffordshire as it's going to be closed for several hours for a police investigation.

Staffordshire Police says its connection to a serious incident in the early hours of Saturday, external but haven't released further details.

The closure's in both directions between Muckley Corner and Wall Island, south of Lichfield., external

Stoke-on-Trent Live

The headlines from the Stoke-on-Trent Live website today:

• Council shuts down shop for repeatedly selling fake fags and it's back open across the road, external
• Shopper discovers live insect wriggling around his unopened £1.15 packet of couscous, external
• Pub landlady hit by complaints about loud music, cocaine sales and urinating customers stripped of licence, external

Local Democracy Reporting Service
Tom Davis

Plans for a student block featuring buildings up to six storeys, external in Coventry have been recommended for approval by council officers.

Image source, Cassidy Group

Cassidy Group’s plans for the former Spencer Sports and Social Club on Albany Road, Earlsdon, will be taken to a committee on 20 November.

It is the second application to be submitted, after the first, which attracted 171 signatures on petitions opposing the scheme, was withdrawn earlier in the year.

Revised plans see the number of beds drop from 570 to 436, while the maximum height has dropped from eight storeys to six.

If approved, it could be operational for 2021.

Michael O'Neill insists he will be able to juggle his new Stoke City role with Northern Ireland's Euro 2020 play-off in March.

BBC Sport

Northern Ireland boss Michael O'Neill insists he will be able to juggle his new Stoke City post with the Euro 2020 play-off in March.

Image source, Getty Images

An agreement between Stoke and the Irish FA means O'Neill stays in charge until the play-off, which Northern Ireland guaranteed with Saturday's draw against the Netherlands.

"It's dead easy," said O'Neill.

"We're going to turn up on a Sunday and play on a Thursday. I can pick my squad now - I could name it tomorrow."

There has been speculation that O'Neill's ability to fulfil his Northern Ireland role in March could be in jeopardy if Stoke - now second from bottom in the Championship - remain in a relegation fight come the spring.

However, O'Neill was insistent after Saturday's 0-0 draw against the Dutch that he would be able to undertake both roles.

While river levels are starting to fall across the West Midlands, the focus is still on the River Severn which is still covered by nine flood warnings., external

Image source, Environment Agency

There are three in and around Worcester with the Environment Agency saying flooding is still possible.

Over the weekend, more barriers were put up, including Ironbridge, in Shropshire.

Image source, Environment Agency

BBC Hereford and Worcester

Two men from London have been charged with fraud offences, external after police said several elderly people have been targeted in Hereford.

The pair, aged 23 and 22, are each facing a count of conspiracy to commit fraud and one of possession of cannabis and are due to appear before magistrates today.

While West Mercia Police haven't released more details of the incidents, they have said people should be on their guard to bogus callers and telephone scams.

More than £1m has been seized over the last year from travellers passing through Birmingham Airport.

They're suspected of using the airport as a gateway to send money abroad for criminal gain.

The money was seized under the Proceeds of Crime Act, said West Midlands Police.

Anyone travelling with large amounts of cash is advised to have the correct supporting documentation.

Birmingham Live

These are some of the Birmingham Live headlines this morning:

• Man stabbed to death in Lozells as murder investigation launched, external
• Exciting plans for Digbeth unveiled , external
• Lucky escape for driver after car wrecked in crash near West Brom ground, external

A crash has closed two lanes of the M42 near Curdworth in Warwickshire.

It is causing congestion around J9 said Highways England.

The Environment Agency's director of flood risk management says he is "alarmed" by the prospect of further flooding across England this winter., external

John Curtin said there had been so much rain this autumn, the land was saturated in many places.

He is concerned that floods are going to "get worse, more frequently, more often".

The three months from September have seen near-record levels of rain with 900 properties flooded across England.

Flood warnings remain in place across Worcestershire and Shropshire.

A man has died after being hit by a recovery truck at an off-road stock car race event in Birmingham.

Image source, Jeff Davies

The man, named by the Save Coventry Speedway group as Colin North, from Banbury, was struck at Birmingham Wheels Raceway on Saturday night.

The group described Mr North, in his 60s, as a "hugely valued" sponsor and supporter.

"Colin’s passing is a tragic loss to all the sports he was involved in, but most of all to his family and friends," it said., external

West Midlands Police said it would be assisting Birmingham City Council’s investigation into the circumstances.

The dispute, over guards on trains, will see union members walk out on Saturdays before Christmas.

BBC News Travel

A faulty train between Stafford and Stoke-on-Trent is blocking rail lines, delaying services.

Disruption is expected until 09:30, said National Rail.

A police officer hit by a car is still in hospital in a serious but stable condition, a week after the incident.

Image source, Google

Special Constable Resham Nahal, 52, was struck while attending the scene of a separate collision on Wolverhampton Road, Oldbury, on 8 November.

The officer, who has been a special constable for more than 15 years, suffered multiple fractures to his leg.

A 59-year-old woman was arrested on suspicion of dangerous driving but has been released while inquiries continue.

Special Chief Officer Mike Rogers said: "This incident does clearly illustrate the risks we, and all the policing family, face in our role of protecting the public we serve.

"Our thoughts and best wishes go to him and his family who are helping support him in his recovery."

Express and Star

Some of the Express and Star headlines today include:

• Murder probe after man stabbed to death in street, external
• Man threatened pub barmaids with Taser at Waterfront Inn pub, external
• Hospital blunders put patients at risk, external

BBC News Travel

There's three miles of queuing traffic on the M6 southbound in Staffordshire after a crash.

Two lanes are closed from J10A M54 to J10 Wolverhampton Road.

Residents have been warned to "remain vigilant" as more than a dozen flood warnings are in place and many roads still affected.

Image source, Environment Agency

There are 13 warnings affecting Worcestershire, external, along the River Severn and Avon, and five in Shropshire., external

Flood defences were put up in Ironbridge on Saturday evening.

The Environment Agency (EA) said river levels are dropping quickly on the Avon and Teme and falling slowly on the Severn upstream of Bewdley.