Hollywood actor David Harewood travels back to his native Birmingham to look at his city's Blitz story. During the war, Birmingham's factories were crucial to war production, and although the city was heavily bombed, much of the destruction was kept secret. David uncovers this story and talks to victims of the Blitz. He also goes up in a small plane to recreate the German bombing raids - from the sky, he is able to see that the house where he grew up in Small Heath was sandwiched between two major targets.

Afshan Haque and her husband lose two relatives in one day as the country's Covid crisis deepens.

Local Democracy Reporting Service

Plans have been put forward to move and expand a county's A&E department.

The multi-million-pound work would see the relocation of the A&E department at Worcestershire Royal Hospital in Worcester and the creation of a new ‘emergency village’ on the site.

The plans, which have now been submitted to Worcester City Council for consideration, were drawn up after £15 million was made available to Worcestershire Acute Hospitals NHS Trust for improvements in urgent care facilities in the city.

Image source, Google

A dedicated children’s A&E department will also be built.

Public consultation on the plans ends on May 18.

Balvinder Gahir died from "catastrophic" injuries at her home in Leamington Spa on 24 August 2020.

The John Munroe Hospital in Leek, Staffordshire, is rated inadequate by the Care Quality Commission.

Francesca Scott, 33, denies perverting the course of justice after an alleged double murder.

Firefighters expect to be at the scene of the blaze for more than a week.

The Canal and River Trust says the man who died after being assaulted was a member of its team.

A second man is charged with murdering Bashir Mohamed who was "a strong pillar of the community".

A total of six schools have now been closed following a fire at a recycling plant.

It comes two days after a fire at the Greenway Polymers sent smoke into the air.

Telford & Wrekin Council said remote learning is being provided for pupils at Shortwood Primary School, The Linden Centre, Meadows Primary School, Newdale Primary School, Lawley Primary School and Lawley Village Academy.

Puddleducks nursery is also closed.

Image source, Sam Bagnall

Public Health England has advised people in the area to contact NHS 111 if they suffer any symptoms caused by the smoke, which can irritate airways, skin and eyes and cause coughing, wheezing breathlessness and chest pain.

Chemicals in smoke can also worsen health problems like asthma and heart conditions so people should carry their medication, it said.

Herefordshire Council pledges to make changes after a judge said it "utterly failed" three children.

BBC Midlands Today

Wolverhampton City Council is urging everyone in the city over the age of 42 to book an appointment to have their Covid-19 vaccine.

Latest figures show, as of 18 April, more than 120,000 doses have been administered in the city and tens of thousands of people have returned for their second jab.

The local authority says it is essential people in this age group take up the vaccine now it is being offered.

BBC Radio Stoke

A fire in the open that broke out on Monday was arson, firefighters say.

Crews from Staffordshire Fire and Rescue Service had to bring the fire on land off Park Lane in Cheadle under control and stop it spreading to homes.

Police are now investigating the blaze.

Image source, Staffordshire Fire and Rescue Service

Birmingham Live

Here are some of the headlines on the Birmingham Live website this morning:

• Watch dramatic police pursuit and gunman's arrest after loaded revolver thrown from Audi, external
• Birmingham woman arrested after man dies on Grand Union Canal with police launching murder probe, external
• Peaky Blinders' Steven Knight speaks out over Helen McCrory's death and shares Polly inspiration, external

Four schools in Telford remain closed today following a fire at the Greenway Polymers.

The fire, which broke out at midday on Monday, sent plumes of black smoke into the air.

Meadows Primary, Newdale Primary, Lawley Primary and The Linden Centre in the town have all remained closed to pupils today, due to ongoing concerns about the smoke.

A lane of the M54 eastbound will also remain closed.

Image source, Shropshire Fire and Rescue Service

Residents are still being asked to keep windows and doors closed.

The death of Karen Bloor is described as a "devastating loss" by chief constable Gareth Morgan.

Eight locations across the UK are testing ideas aimed at ensuring future access to cash for those who need it.

The sisters want West Midlands mayoral hopefuls to give practical business help to young people.

Megan Smith's family is fundraising to support the 26-year-old's cancer treatment in America.

Firefighters say they expect to be at the scene for the next seven to 10 days.