Crafters in Hereford have joined a worldwide effort to create items for animals injured or orphaned in Australia's bushfires.

Hereford Etsy Team organised a "charity craftathon" at Hobbycraft on Tuesday.

It followed a plea from Australian charities for items such as "pouches" for possums and baby kangaroos and makeshift nests.

Sara Miles of the group said: "It's just devastating and because we are all animal lovers we just wanted to help.

"We are sending money as well but just being able to actually physically do something and make something and feel like you are helping - it means a lot."

It is estimated almost half a billion (480 million) animals have been killed by the fires.

WWF Australia says thousands of animals have also been injured or left homeless.

A man has been flown to hospital after falling eight feet down a manhole in Oswestry this morning.

West Midlands Ambulance Service said it was called out at to Middleton Road at 09:33.

Image source, Google

Firefighters and the police were also called, but the man had been rescued by the time they arrived.

BBC Sport

Former England and Birmingham City striker Eniola Aluko, who won more than 100 caps playing for her country, has retired.

Image source, Getty Images

Aluko, 32, left Juventus in December after nearly 18 months with the Serie A champions and had been tipped to return to the Women's Super League.

She was also part of the Great Britain team at the London 2012 Olympics during a playing career which began with Birmingham City in 2001.

"Thank you football for everything you've given and taught me," said Aluko on Twitter. , external"Thanks for the full circle moments and crazy unexpected journey."

Cheshire Live - Crewe

A few of the stories making the headlines on Cheshire Live:

• Plea to stop Cheshire East Council charging grieving families to reclaim ashes, external
• Bypass could get southern route M6 connection, external
• Crewe lorry crash leaves pedestrian in critical condition, external

Police are interested in sightings of a damaged car following the crash in Walsall.

BBC Radio Stoke

A plan for up to 2,000 new homes in Stafford has been passed by a single vote, with opponents voicing concerns about its impact on flooding.

The proposals are part of a masterplan for the north of the town and would also include two schools, two centres for shops, restaurants and takeaways and space for a health centre.

As well as flooding worries, councillors also heard concerns the proposals would put a strain on roads in the area.

But councillors passed the plans by five votes to four, with two abstaining.

Lee Thomas
Newsreader, BBC Radio Stoke

A woman's in hospital after being badly hurt in a crash involving two cars.

Image source, Cheshire Fire and Rescue Service

She was driving one of the vehicles when they collided at the junction of the A525 and Shropshire Lane near Whitchurch, Shropshire, external, the ambulance service said.

Paramedics said her injuries were not thought to be life-threatening.

The man driving the other car was treated for minor injuries.

Image source, Cheshire Fire and Rescue Service

BBC WM Sport

Wolves head coach Nuno Espirito Santo's expected to take a reasonably strong squad to Old Trafford this evening for their FA Cup third-round replay with Manchester United.

Image source, PA Media

However, he's confirmed it will be too soon for injured striker Diogo Jota and they'll also be without Bruno Jordao and Wily Boly.

The winners will play away at either Premier League Watford or League One Tranmere.

This will be Wolves' 38th of the season and Nuno said he's been pleased with how his squad have handled the extra workload.

"It's about the way they prepare themselves on a daily basis with the way they recover and compete, credit to all the players," he said.

BBC Midlands Today

Campaigners trying to save a community motor sports park say their fight to keep it open will continue despite it being earmarked for closure.

Image source, Motor Racing Live

Birmingham city councillors voted last night to evict tenants from Birmingham Wheels by the end of the month.

The local authority said £800,000 rent to lease the sports park had not been paid by the charity responsible, Birmingham Wheels Ltd, and it would work with companies affected to relocate.

But several businesses based the site who run events like karting and stock car racing told the Local Democracy Reporting Service their futures were in doubt if the park closed.

BBC Shropshire

The Telford MP, Lucy Allan, has said it's time the health secretary makes a statement in the House of Commons about Shropshire maternity services.

Matt Hancock has so far avoided commenting on the avoidable deaths highlighted in leaked interim findings of the Ockenden report, on the grounds he can't comment on leaks.

Lucy Allan has arranged a Commons debate on the maternity failings today and said: "You cannot learn lessons if you don't know what went wrong, so I think now this information must now be put into the public domain officially.

"Actions should be being taken by the hospital that is responsible and I think heads should roll."

Stoke-on-Trent Live

A few of the early headlines on Stoke-on-Trent Live today:

• Stoke-on-Trent parking charges to increase on 30 car parks and in 50 streets, external
• Teen girl seriously injured and two more hurt as BMW smashes into traffic lights, external
• Warning to parents as white van man approaches young girls with cakes after school, external

Local Democracy Reporting Service

Herefordshire Council is considering spending £39m on electric buses.

The plan is being suggested as a way to improve transport links in the county in an environmentally friendly way.

Image source, Getty Images

The proposals are being discussed next month and the council will also look at spending £35.7m on superfast broadband and £5.5m on city centre improvements in Hereford.

BBC Midlands Today

Hundreds of people have sent in complaints about West Midlands Trains in the past 48 hours, the West Midlands Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC) said.

David Jamieson says he plans to go ahead with a public hearing about problems with the operator, having previously cited concerns over public safety due to overcrowding.

Since appealing for passengers to send in their experiences online,, external his office says it's received 650 complaints.

West Midlands Trains has acknowledged issues with services but says commuters will start to see the benefits of a £1bn investment programme which includes new trains and increased compensation for delays and cancellation.

BBC News UK

HS2 risks dividing and destroying "huge swathes" of "irreplaceable" natural habitats, including 108 ancient woodlands, a report has warned.

Image source, PA Media

The Wildlife Trusts said the high-speed rail line linking London via Birmingham to northern England could wipe out rare species.

The organisation says if the project, currently on hold, goes ahead, a "greener" approach will be needed.

HS2 Ltd said its railway would respect the environment through the creation of a "green corridor" along the route.

The government commissioned a review into HS2 in August and is set to decide in the coming weeks whether to proceed.

Lee Thomas
Newsreader, BBC Radio Stoke

A woman's in a critical condition after being hit by a lorry.

Image source, Google

It happened on the Haslington Bypass near the Crewe Green roundabout, Crewe, in the early hours of Tuesday morning.

Police said the pedestrian in her 30s suffered serious injuries and remains at the Royal Stoke University Hospital.

Officers said they were keen to hear from witnesses, particularly anyone with dashcam footage.

Birmingham Live

From Birmingham Live:

• Devastating pub fire was accident, says West Midlands Fire Service, external
• Man killed in Walsall hit-and-run horror, external
• Jess Phillips vows to lead Labour with 'courage, bravery and clarity', external

West Midlands Fire Service says investigations into the Perry Barr blaze will continue on Wednesday.

BBC Radio 4

A cosmetic surgeon who botched operations and had inadequate medical insurance showed a lack of professional integrity, and dishonesty, a medical tribunal has said.

Dr Arnaldo Paganelli was found to have breached his patients' trust - and some are still waiting for compensation.

He worked privately for The Hospital Group in Birmingham and the small print of the contract given to patients told them to check their doctor's insurance.

But his policy did not cover UK work.

The tribunal meets in March to consider if Dr Paganelli is fit to practice.

The Hospital Group now has new owners who stopped employing Dr Paganelli in 2016. It says it now takes full responsibility for all surgeons that work there, which includes ensuring they have a UK-based insurance policy in place. And it offers a multi-year aftercare package.

Allen Cook
BBC News

People in four areas of the West Midlands are being warned to expect more flooding today.

Image source, Chilli3

After the heavy rain this week, the Environment Agency has a local focus on:

• River Teme at Stanford Bridge, Worcestershire
• River Leam at Marton, Warwickshire
• River Leam at Grandborough and Kites Hardwick, Warwickshire
• River Dene at Walton, near Stratford-upon-Avon

The agency says it expects river levels to stay high through the morning.

Allen Cook
BBC News

A man's died in a hit-and-run crash in Walsall.

Image source, Google

The 57-year-old was hit by a car on Wallows Lane, Bescott, yesterday evening, West Midlands Police said. , external

The force said the small vehicle was possibly silver or grey and is appealing for sightings of such a car which has suffered damage.