Updates from Monday 24 February to Sunday 1 March
There's wet weather on the way over the next 24 hours, starting with tonight when heavier, showery rain will push in from the south. Low: 7C/45F.
Image source, Elle NiñoThen tomorrow will be much colder than of late with spells of rain which could be heavy at times before easing later. High: 9C/48F.
Keep up-to-date with the BBC Weather website.
BBC News Education
BBC News Family & Education
It is in children's interests to return to school "as soon as possible", says the head of England's schools watchdog, Ofsted.
Image source, Getty ImagesAmanda Spielman told a panel of MPs home and online learning were "imperfect substitutes" for school.
But she acknowledged adult health and infection risk needed to be considered.
Ms Spielman also said she expected to see a rise in the number of children needing some form of social care in the wake of the Covid-19 pandemic.
Two men are aiming to finish running 100 miles around the streets of Wolverhampton this week in aid of the NHS while dressed as Peppa Pig and the Pink Panther.
Image source, Stuart BaileyStuart Bailey and Earl Edwards started their effort three weeks ago , externaland have been running every Monday and Thursday.
Stuart told the BBC, with days until the end of the month, they have 22 miles to go and have passed their original target of £200 with their fundraising nearing £5,000.
He added they had been given permission to "trot the remaining miles on Thursday at New Cross and finish in time to applaud the NHS staff at 20:00".
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Nelson Nelson also hit a police dog with a plank of wood when asked if his travel was essential.
Read MoreDespite the dull overall forecast our BBC Weather Watchers have been seeing some rays of sunshine around.
Here are a couple of photos capturing some sun, from users Littleacorns in Harbury, Warwickshire and Mrs Baggins in Bromyard, Herefordshire:
Image source, Littleacorns
Image source, Mrs Baggins
BBC Shropshire
People in Shropshire are being encouraged to make their own bunting to commemorate the 75th Victory in Europe (VE) Day.
The celebrations will take place from 8 to 10 May and everyone is being asked to create bunting be it out of cloth, paper or anything you can lay your hands on.
Craft writer Mary Jo Baxter said: “We’re commemorating 75 years since the end of war in Europe…it’s very poignant at the moment, we’re currently celebrating and thinking of the NHS workers making sacrifices on our behalf.
“Bunting goes back to the peace parties after the First World War – originally it was lots of flags and essentially people began joining them together to make bunting.”
To find out more and for tips on how to make your own bunting, visit the BBC Make A Difference page here.
Coventry Live
The Coventry Live website's covering these stories today:
A family-run clothing factory that diversified to produce personal protective equipment (PPE) wants other businesses to do the same.
Image source, Kiran DharniKiranjit Dharni's family have factories in Birmingham, Leicester and Bedford which are being used to create scrubs and gowns for NHS staff.
They have recruited about 800 volunteer sewers from across different communities and processed about 8,000 items.
Ms Dharni said she has had requests from all over the country and needs other factories to support the effort.
Image source, Kiran DharniThe family is not making any money from producing PPE, she said, in fact the business has "taken a hit".
They've designed an approved PPE garment pack which details measurements, patterns and health and safety guidelines which they want to share with other clothing factories.
BBC WM
Schools across the West Midlands are mostly closed at the moment, but many of them are using their spare time to make a difference in their areas.
Image source, GoogleSolihull School has been making use of new found time to deliver goody bags to NHS staff and health workers.
Sixty of the "NHS Staff Rock" bags were taken to the paediatric intensive care unit at Solihull Hospital while another 70 were taken for workers at Acorns Children’s Hospice.
The BBC is planning a 100th birthday salute to war veteran Capt Tom Moore who has raised £29m for the NHS by walking laps of his garden.
As part of the Make a Difference campaign, the corporation is asking for photos of people and their families saluting the captain - to be combined into a mosaic to present to him on his birthday on Thursday.
Capt Moore's grandson has explained more:
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BBC Shropshire
A virtual garden open day is taking place in Shropshire.
Ruthall Manor near Bridgnorth was due to take part in the National Garden Open Day event at the weekend, but the lockdown has meant organisers having to think outside the plant pot.
People can now visit virtually, with a video of the gardens posted on the National Open Garden scheme website here, external.
Image source, National Open Garden Day
BBC News Health
The BBC's Laura Foster explains measures you should take when caring for someone who has coronavirus in your home.
BBC Shropshire
Pressure's growing for recycling centres to be reopened to the public, a council has said.
Image source, Telford and Wrekin CouncilTelford and Wrekin's tips have been been closed for nearly five weeks due to the pandemic.
But it's said residents are struggling with storing up waste they would normally take to the two authority-run centres.
Council leader Shaun Davies said , externalhe was seeking "urgent clarification" from the government on the tips staying shut.
The latest guidance from ministers said “where possible key [waste] sites should be maintained” by councils, as long as social distancing rules can be followed., external
Allen Cook
BBC News
Superheroes and unicorns are adorning visors worn by nurses in Walsall so they can look less intimidating to children.
Image source, Walsall Healthcare NHS TrustAssistant play specialist Jo Plank customised the visors which need to be worn in clincal spaces, Walsall Healthcare NHS Trust said., external
They added the child-friendly visors have been a hit with children now making "requests for a particular super hero and we try and oblige".
Image source, Walsall Healthcare NHS TrustBBC WM
An NHS staff member had her bike stolen from outside the hospital where she was working.
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Phillippa Hentsch left her bicycle chained up by the main entrance of the Queen Elizabeth Hospital Birmingham but came back at the end of a 12-hour shift to find it had gone.
She took to social media to express her frustration and told BBC WM within hours she was being offered bikes from up and down the country and the "community spirit rallying around me was absolutely incredible".
Bike firm Halfords then contacted her to offer her a new bike which is due to be delivered today.
Counties face an £85m loss of revenue if "the very real possibility" of no cricket this summer becomes a reality, says a new report.
Read MoreBBC WM
Volunteers to help support people with balance and movement issues are being sought.
The PSP Association supports people living with progressive supranuclear palsy - a rare progressive condition that can also cause problems with vision, speech and swallowing.
Image source, Getty ImagesVolunteers are needed to help collect prescriptions, shopping or just to offer companionship.
Anyone interested in helping should email volunteering@pspassociation.org.uk.
BBC Shropshire
A Shropshire charity is encouraging neighbours to compete by growing their own sunflowers.
Transition Telford says it hopes people will share their sunflower seeds to "grow their own sunshine" and post photos of their flowers on social media.
"I don’t know anybody who doesn’t enjoy the beauty of sunflowers and in these stressful times we need some simple joys," the charity said.
For more information, visit the charity website here, external.
Dr Hamza Ansari was cared for by colleagues after contracting Covid-19 with his family trapped abroad.
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