Dozens of new staff have started work today answering emergency calls for West Midlands Ambulance Service.

Image source, WMAS

The organisation has said it was substantially increasing staff numbers, external in the light of the coronavirus outbreak.

The service, which has three call centres based in Brierley Hill and Stafford, external, said 60 new call assessors had started work today. , external

Five maintenance staff have also been recruited to make sure ambulances and other vehicles are kept in roadworthy condition.

Bus services across Staffordshire and Worcestershire are being scaled back.

Operator First said it's due to the government urging people to stay at home and avoid unnecessary journeys.

In both counties from Monday, First said most services would be hourly only and certain routes would be suspended.

A full list of affected service can be found here., external

Allen Cook
BBC News

A virtual prayer wall's been set up by Lichfield Cathedral , externalto help and support people during the coronavirus outbreak.

Image source, Matthew Wells

It is important to give people a place to offer their prayers while they were being urged to stay at home, the cathedral said.

The virtual wall works through people submitting a prayer on the cathedral's website, external which is then posted online by staff.

Shropshire Star

From the Shropshire Star:

• Shropshire coronavirus death toll reaches 11, external
• Countryside is no playground, say authorities, external
• Consultation over road restrictions in Oswestry, external

The budget airline says it cannot currently give a date for when it will restart commercial flights.

The organisers of one of the biggest cycling events in the country, cancelled in the wake of coronavirus, aknowleged riders had been left "frustrated and angry" at the lack of a refund or the option to transfer to a future Velo.

Image source, Ian Baker photography

About 18,000 cyclists were expected to join the Vélo Birmingham and Midlands on 21 June, taking but the event was cancelled due to coronavirus.

Entry fees, which can cost more than £80, will not be refunded with organisers saying they had already paid out "unrecoverable" costs.

It posted "more context" as to why it had taken the decision on the event's Facebook page , externalsaying "we are simply not able to make any refunds or to allow us to guarantee an event in 2021, which we very much regret."

Allen Cook
BBC News

Digger firm JCB is set to restart one of its plants to produce components for new ventilators.

Image source, JCB

The Staffordshire-based firm halted work at all its UK sites earlier due to the coronavirus outbreak.

On Monday, the firm said it was poised to start production for steel housings for the new Dyson-designed ventilators.

The ventilators still have to undergo medical testing but once official approval has been given about 50 staff will return to work in Uttoxeter, the firm said.

BBC News Education

Universities in England could face fixed limits on how many students they each recruit, in a bid to create more stability and reduce financial threats.

Image source, Alamy

There are concerns that the uncertainty caused by the coronavirus could leave some universities with too few applicants to stay financially viable.

It is understood that emergency controls are being considered to stop a free-for-all in student recruitment.

But Universities UK said any "stability measures" had not yet been decided.

In a video posted online, the prime minister says the UK can get through the pandemic "together".

Birmingham Live

These are some of Birmingham Live's headlines:

• Aston Villa’s Jack Grealish is photographed at scene of car crash, external
• Covid-19 claims life of respected Walsall grandfather just one week after falling ill, external
• City charities 'on the edge' as funds dry up under lockdown, external

A lighting and sound company put on a show to light up the sky in a bid to cheer residents.

Image source, Ann Donaldson

Clearsound Productions in Shipston on Stour, Warwickshire, put on the show after being inspired by the mass clapping for NHS workers and carers.

"These are really dark times," said director Dan Ridd, "so we thought we'd try and do something to stay positive."

He also encouraged people to put up Christmas lights to show support for NHS workers.

Image source, Chloe Barnes

Resident Ann Donaldson was one of those who shared images of the Sunday night show on social media.

"I think what the company are doing is amazing as it unites us as a town and allows us to remember all of the people affected by what's been happening," she said.

BBC Sport

Birmingham City's head coach Pep Clotet says he "understands" why the Championship club have asked some players to defer 50% of their salaries during the the coronavirus pandemic.

Image source, Getty Images

Those earning more than £6,000 per week have been asked to accept a 50% cut for the next four months by the club - the first to do so in the Championship.

The squad will be paid back in stages once the league campaign resumes.

Clotet told BBC Radio 5 Live that his squad are still discussing the issue.

"It's not easy for clubs. They don't want to get into a bad position and clubs will only take measures like that when they are very aware of the future of the club financially," he said.

Thirty seven deaths related to Covid-19 were recorded in the West Midlands on Sunday.

Seven of those were in Birmingham.

Image source, Family handout

The city has seen the highest number of fatalities of any area of the UK outside of London.

The number of people in the UK to have died with coronavirus reached 1,228.

Among those to have died with the virus is Amged El-Hawrani, a 55-year-old doctor and ear, nose and throat trainer at Queen's Hospital Burton.

Police in north Devon have stopped a man who was driving a motorhome - and told him to return to Birmingham.

Officers say the driver's actions weren't in the spirit of fighting the virus.

Cabin crew from Virgin Atlantic and Easyjet have been offered work in the new NHS hospitals being opened in London, Birmingham and Manchester.

The airline staff have been approached because many are trained in first aid.

A temporary hospital at the National Exhibition Centre in Birmingham, with a capacity for 5,000 beds, will open in mid-April.

Virgin Atlantic said it had written to about 4,000 employees, while EasyJet said it had contacted 9,000 of its UK-based staff - half of whom were first aid trained, the airline said.

Hundreds of volunteers for the St John Ambulance will also help staff the NHS Nightingale Hospital.

Vanessa Pearce
BBC News

Welcome to our live service for Monday.

We'll be bringing you all the latest news 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