Health Secretary Matt Hancock said there had been an "enthusiastic response" to the government's request for factories to aid in the production of additional ventilators.

Jaguar Land Rover and construction equipment firm JCB are among the manufacturers to be contacted.

Labour MP Jess Phillips said a "couple" of the factories in her Birmingham Yardley constituency had been "in touch to offer help"

However, BBC business editor Simon Jack said that manufacturers were far from ready to switch production. There is also no accepted design nor guarantee components can be sourced quickly for what are complex pieces of equipment.

Darren Round, 48, who was found with significant facial injuries, was a frequent canal walker.

The use of e-scooters is to be trialled across the West Midlands as the UK faces what what Transport Secretary Grant Shapps described as a "transport revolution".

The electric scooters are currently banned on public roads, pavements and cycle lanes but the Department for Transport is consulting on what rules are required for them to be used safely.

Image source, Getty Images

The consultation is set to consider issues such as a minimum age for riders, speed limits, licensing, insurance and helmets.

E-scooters have become a familiar sight in US and European cities where companies including Lime, Bird and Uber offer the vehicles to hire via a smartphone app.

Local authorities are to contract firms to provide e-scooters available for hire.

A man has been charged with sexual offences against women and girls.

Wesley Streete, of no fixed address, appeared at the North Staffordshire Justice Centre on Saturday charged with the rape of a child, rape of a woman, sexual activity with a girl and three counts of sexual assault.

He's next due to appear at Stafford Crown Court on 17 April.

Express and Star

These are some of the Express and Star headlines:

• Wolverhampton and Dudley patients die as UK coronavirus death toll reaches 35, external
• Coronavirus cases confirmed at Halesowen College and West Bromwich primary school, external
• Crooked Cannock accountant jailed after stealing £86,000, external

BBC News Travel

A signalling fault is delaying rail services between Worcester and Droitwich Spa.

Officers continue to question two people arrested in connection with a drive-by shooting in Coventry.

Image source, West Midlands Police

Abdul Wahid Xasan, of Foleshill, Coventry, was shot as he walked along Harnall Lane and into Adelaide Street in Hillfields at about 14:30 on Friday, West Midlands Police said.

He died later that day in hospital from gunshot wounds to his back.

Officers have been granted extra time to question a 15-year-old boy and a man, 19, arrested on suspicion of murder.

University Centre Shrewsbury is one of a number around the country that have now closed until the end of term.

Image source, Google

Provost Anna Sutton says it's highly likely that a non-residential member of the university community has contracted the illness.

Students from the UK are being told to go home immediately and those who live abroad and want to stay, are being given help.

Priorslee Academy in Telford has reopened after undergoing a deep clean following a suspected coronavirus case.

Hodnet Primary is also having a deep clean and is likewise planning to reopen.

Online community groups have been set up across the West Midlands to help look after the vulnerable and those self-isolating because of coronavirus.

Image source, AFP

People who contact the group will be put in contact with someone who can help with food shopping, picking up prescriptions, or even take a dog for a walk.

Anna Vickerstaff, one of the coordinators of the national network said: “Groups are being set up and run entirely by volunteers - and our hope is that they can help to make sure people who need support get it."

"We want to make sure that no one in our communities is being left to face this crisis alone, and because we want to try and redress some of the serious inequalities this outbreak will expose."

A full list of groups can be found here. , external

Worcester Wolves basketball club say a number of its players have left the country.

Amir Williams, Mark Hughes, Cortez Edwards and Julius Van Sauers have been helped with their arrangements to return home, the club said.

"We are communicating with the BBL and will make an announcement regarding the remainder of the season, when further information becomes available."

At least five people have died from coronavirus at hospitals in the West Midlands over the weekend.

Image source, Google

A woman in her 60s and a man in his 80s were patients at New Cross Hospital in Wolverhampton.

City Hospital in Birmingham said a man in his 80s had died.

A woman in her 70s died at George Eliot in Nuneaton and a patient in their 80s died in Dudley.

Hospitals across the region are limiting visitors to try to stop the spread of coronavirus.

Flood barriers put up in Bewdley last month have been taken down.

Image source, Environment Agency

Image source, Environment Agency

The River Severn overtopped defences during last months bad weather, flooding homes in the town.

Image source, Environment Agency

The government has announced plans to double funding for flood defences in England over the next five years.

This year was the wettest February in the UK since records began in 1862, with more than three times the average rainfall - as three successive storms left rivers bursting their banks.

Halesowen College is being deep cleaned after a person tested positive for Covid-19.

The nursery is the area affected, said the college.

"Should students wish to study at home it will not impact on their attendance at this time", the college posted. , external

The University of Birmingham said it was moving teaching provision online, but remained open to students.

About 2,000 runners took part in the Shrewsbury 10k race on Sunday, cheered on by large crowds.

Organisers say about 300 entrants who didn't use their places will be offered the chance to send in proof of an alternative run to receive their t-shirt and medal.

Sara Blizzard
BBC Weather

It will be a fine and dry day with light winds and highs of 12C (54F).

Vanessa Pearce
BBC News

Welcome to our live service for Monday.

We'll be bringing you all the news, sport, travel and weather for the West Midlands.

We love to hear from you so share your news, thoughts and photos of the area with us via email, Twitter, external and Facebook., external