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.

The large-scale operation was found by police, firefighters and a chemicals expert.

The National Crime Agency releases footage showing inside the lab which was raided on Tuesday.

Warwickshire's County Championship match against Nottinghamshire, from 27-30 May, can be played in front of a crowd.

The family of Thomas Lee Rhodes, 21, says he was always there for anyone who needed him.

After Covid halted clinical trials, £50,000 was raised to pay for Carol Player's cancer treatment.

Former counter-terror investigator Mark Roberts has taken the helm at Cheshire Constabulary.

Ian Rivers, who escaped across Syria in 2013, plans to row across the North Atlantic alone in May.

Delays to speech and language skills are a top concern for primary schools, researchers say.

The child was found at a house in Coventry in 2018 and died two days later in hospital.

More than £2,000 was taken from Eric Armitt's account after he died with Covid-19, his family say.

Owen Murray, who had a daughter while battling stage four bowel cancer, will also marry in weeks.