All schools in England to close on Friday
Selfridges stores to shut after staff contract coronavirus
Three Counties Show cancelled
Marston's issues profit warning
Ex Aston Villa midfielder Peter Whittingham suffers head injury in fall
Keele University students offer to help out charities
Updates from Wednesday 18 March
Here are three of the stories from the Shropshire Star today:
A man is in a critical condition in hospital after being hit by a stolen car while he crossed the road in Coventry yesterday.
West Midlands Police said officers were called to London Road just before 18:00 and the 51-year-old is being treated for head, chest and leg injuries.
The force said the car, which was stolen in February, was found burnt out in a nearby road soon after the collision.
Nadir Ali stabbed his cousin Hashim Khan 11 times and injured other family members.
Read MoreDrayton Manor Theme Park has decided to close for the time being, because of coronavirus.
The park said it was in the interests of guests and its own staff, who need to be allowed to self-isolate if necessary.
Image source, Drayton ManorManaging director William Bryan said it was a difficult decision to take in its 70th anniversary year, and offered to rebook anyone with tickets, but couldn’t say when the park would reopen.
The police want to talk to drivers who were stuck in traffic around the time of a fatal crash in Staffordshire last month.
A 61-year-old woman died in the two-vehicle collision on Ashbourne Road at Bottomhouses on 26 February.
The investigators want to hear from anyone who was in stationary traffic by the Beaver Hall Equestrian Centre at the time of the collision.
Palethorpes in Market Drayton is recruiting temporary workers and says it will take on people who've been laid-off in the leisure and hospitality industries as a result of coronavirus.
The company says experience in food-manufacturing isn't essential, because full training will be provided.
Image source, GoogleWe've just heard that all schools in Wales and Scotland are to shut from Friday.
Some schools in England have already had to close or partially close due to staff shortages as teachers phone in ill or self-isolate as a precaution.
A teachers' leader has said many schools will not be able to remain open past the end of the week as more and more staff get sick.
During today's Prime Minister's Questions, Boris Johnson said a decision on school closures would be taken imminently in the UK - which the BBC's assistant political editor Norman Smith says is likely to mean within days.
From deliveries to leaving goods on tables, firms are changing while customers "socially distance".
Read MoreThe North Shropshire MP, Owen Paterson, is offering to co-ordinate help for people affected by coronavirus.
He's asking for people in his constituency to get in touch to highlight any help they may be able to offer individuals or groups.
There is a form to fill in on his website, external and details will be passed on to to the relevant organisations.
A number of schools are now closing, because of staff shortages caused by the coronavirus.
At the moment, only a handful of schools in each local authority area are affected and some are still partially open.
Shropshire Council has produced this online list, external of the affected schools.
And this is the list produced by Worcestershire County Council., external
We’ll bring you more announcements as we get them.
BBC Shropshire
Have you been struggling to get hold of repeat prescriptions?
We've been hearing about a huge increase in calls to the main numbers in Shropshire and Telford - with many people who rely on important medication left struggling to get through.
Let us know your experience, wherever you are in the West Midlands.
Image source, Getty ImagesThe Severn Valley Railway is cancelling all its services for the rest of this month and for April.
The heritage line, which runs from Kidderminster to Bridgnorth, is also closing all of its station tea rooms and the Engine House visitor centre at Highley.
Image source, Severn Valley RailwayIt is also cancelling a number of events including the Spring Steam Gala and it’s 50th anniversary event.
Members of Keele University's Students Union are offering to help out charities and community groups that need a bit of help.
The students say they can help to distribute items, if the groups are finding it hard to get out and about.
They're asking people to send them an email with their requests.
A £25,000 grant for small firms was announced and the suspension of business rates was extended.
Read More
Coventry Live
Here are three of the stories from the Coventry Telegraph’s website today:
Sophie Madden
BBC News
Selfridges has revealed that its workers have been hit by COVID-19.
In a statement, the retailer said: "We can confirm that three Selfridges team members have tested positive for coronavirus.
"Those impacted are in self-isolation and recovering well at home. All our teams are aware."
Four stores in Birmingham, London and Manchester are set to close from 19:00 this evening.
Image source, Getty ImagesThe firm said it was following Public Health England advice and its staff remained its "utmost priority".
it said it would not be closing all of its operations and would be focusing on its digital and social platforms.
The Crewe Alexandra manager David Artell wants the football season to be completed.
When the football league was suspended because of coronavirus, Crewe were top of League Two and would have hoped to win promotion to League One.
Image source, Getty ImagesYesterday, Championship clubs said they wanted to complete their league season.
The 47 clubs in Leagues One and Two told the EFL that they face an estimated combined loss of £50m if the campaign cannot restart before the summer.
Pub operator Marston's has issued a profit warning as people are warned to stay away from pubs and restaurants.
The Wolverhampton-based firm, which runs 1,400 pubs across the country and employs about 14,000 people, has seen its shares lose 80% of their value in less than a month.
Image source, Marston'sMarston's has suspended its dividend, which it said would save £20m.
The firm has welcomed measures announced by government on Tuesday, saying they represented "good progress towards the very significant commitment which the hospitality sector requires".
The Royal Three Counties Show in June has been cancelled because of the coronavirus.
The announcement from the showground in Malvern comes a day after the Royal Horticultural Society said he Spring Festival wouldn't be going ahead in May.
Next month's Countrytastic event is also being cancelled, along with the Championship Dog Show in June.
The Green Lane Mosque in the Small Heath area of Birmingham is closing until further notice.
It means the cancellation of five daily prayers and activities around the mosque.
Image source, Google