Summary

  • Killer under surveillance led police to body

  • Vicar with hundreds of child abuse images jailed

  • Three deaths in string of crashes

  • Man will serve at least 17 years for Kidderminster murder

  • Churchill's partially smoked cigar goes for £4,800

  • Polling stations open until 22:00

  • Updates from Thursday 12 December

Live Reporting

  1. Albion miss the chance to go top

    BBC WM Sport

    West Bromwich Albion failed to regain top spot in the Championship, as they drew 1-1 at Wigan.

    Charlie AustinPA Media

    The Latics went ahead through an own goal from the Baggies' goalkeeper Sam Johnstone before Charlie Austin [pictured] pulled things level for the visitors.

    The point means just goal difference keeps Albion behind leaders Leeds, who beat Hull on Tuesday.

    Baggies' head coach Slaven Bilic rotated some key players with half an eye on Saturday lunchtime's West Midlands derby at Birmingham City.

    I have to admit it, we were nowhere near what we were so far. I don't want to accept it but at the end of the day I told the guys to be disappointed but take this as a blessing because we didn't get big-time punished. We didn't match them in the majority of the game and to be fair we have to take this point as a good one

    Slaven Bilic, West Bromwich Albion head coach

  2. Hopes to send 85,000 gifts from Black Country to children

    BBC Midlands Today

    A charity campaign to spread Christmas cheer to disadvantaged children across the world hopes to send 85,000 gifts from the Black Country.

    Oldbury

    Operation Christmas Child has a warehouse based in Oldbury, where teams of volunteers have spent the past month processing shoeboxes filled with presents.

    There is something very raw about working with children who have nothing, seeing the sheer joy and generosity associated with the gifts. By the time the campaign is over, you realise there are still thousands of incredibly good, generous people

    Chris Roberts, Operation Christmas Child

  3. Polling stations open across the West Midlands

    People can vote from 07:00 until 22:00 GMT in polling stations across the region.

    Read More

  4. Watch: Weather forecast for the West Midlands

    Alex Hamilton
    BBC Weather

    It’s a bright and chilly start, but cloud will steadily build as rain moves into the area from the west, accompanied by freshening south west winds. A wet afternoon will follow, with winds easing slightly. Highs of 4C to 7C (39F to 45F).

    Weather forecast for the West Midlands

  5. Our live coverage for Thursday

    Andrew Dawkins
    BBC News

    Good morning from the BBC West Midlands newsroom.

    We'll be bringing you the latest news, sport, travel and weather for the region until 19:00.

    If you want to get in touch, you can find us on Facebook and Twitter.

  6. Could talking about football help combat dementia?

    Patients and their carers in Birmingham meet to reminisce about players and the game they love.

    Read More

  7. Impact of Christmas shoe boxes 'just incredible'

    Volunteers pack thousands of shoe boxes which are sent around the world.

    Read More

  8. What happens at the general election count?

    What happens at general election counts across the UK during the night time hours of suspense?

    Read More

  9. 'I've used my pension to save 62,000 animals'

    Geoff Grewcock set up the Nuneaton and Warwickshire Wildlife Sanctuary in his garden 18 years ago.

    Read More

  10. Election night timings: What? Where? When?

    What results to look out for, and when, on election night with BBC Electioncast's Adam Fleming.

    Read More

  11. Austin salvages Baggies draw at Wigan

    West Brom miss the chance to return to the top of the Championship but Charlie Austin's goal sees them salvage a draw at Wigan.

    Read More

  12. Osayi-Samuel scores stunner in QPR win

    Queens Park Rangers youngster Bright Osayi-Samuel scores a wonderful solo goal to seal victory against Birmingham City.

    Read More

  13. Our live coverage across the day

    Andy Giddings
    BBC News

    We'll be back with the news, sport, travel and weather from 07:00 tomorrow.

  15. Man arrested after death threats to election candidate

    A man's been arrested after the Conservative candidate for Warwick and Leamington, Jack Rankin, received death threats online.

    Warwickshire Police said officers arrested a 29-year-old from Leamington in relation to "threatening comments" made on social media.

  16. Teens jailed over fake Grindr date robberies

    Three men used the gay dating app to lure four victims on "dates" before attacking them.

    Read More

  17. Sherratt returns to Warriors as attack and backs coach

    BBC Hereford and Worcester

    Matt Sherratt is to re-join Worcester Warriors to become their attack and backs coach.

    He is currently backs coach of Pro-14 side Ospreys, but he began his coaching career in the academy at Sixways, and spent five years there.

    Matt SherrattGetty Images

  18. CSE inquiry chair expects it to take at least 21 months

    The chairman of the inquiry into child sexual abuse in Telford is refusing to say how many potential victims have come forward.

    Tom Crowther QC said it is because he doesn't want to risk witnesses being identified.

    He has been giving an update on the progress of the inquiry and said it is expected to take at least 21 months.

  19. Council agrees to help fund stadium redevelopment

    Councillors have approved a £750,000 loan to the Worcestershire Football Association, to help pay for a major revamp of a football ground, with a view to Worcester City FC playing at the ground in future.

    The Worcestershire FA said it needed the cash to complete the redevelopment of Claines Lane, which includes a new artificial pitch, a 100-seat stand and new floodlights.

    Claines LaneGoogle

    The Worcestershire FA said it would add several hundred pounds of its own money to help pay for the work on the ground, which is currently used by Worcester Raiders.

  20. Weather: Some rain forecast tomorrow

    Rich Davis
    BBC Weather presenter

    There could be some rain about tomorrow.

    Here's your forecast:

    Weather forecast for the West Midlands