Allen Cook
BBC News

A dog walking dinosaur has proved so popular during the coronavirus movement restrictions she was asked to perform for a birthday.

Ellie Oliver, 27, said she donned the costume to walk around the Comberton Estate in Kidderminster to "brighten people's days" while they're staying inside.

Image source, Roisin Murrihy

She said the response was brilliant with people cheering her and led to a follow-up appearance.

"A lady messaged me to go and sing happy birthday to her daughter outside her window and the daughter was overwhelmed when I did," she added.

BBC WM

Communities across the West Midlands are pulling together during the coronavirus pandemic and in Walsall, one organisation has been providing meals for the homeless and those in need.

Walsall Outreach has started a delivery service of free grocery packs and is picking up referrals from the council, Age Concern and Age Matters.

Image source, AFP/GETTY IMAGES

Families with children, elderly people, NHS workers and those who have lost their jobs are all benefiting and the service is also looking for people who can donate food for them to distribute.

If you can help, or need their help, you can get in touch with Walsall Outreach on Facebook , externaland Twitter., external

The lead singer of heavy metal band Judas Priest has said he cannot thank police officers enough for their work during the pandemic.

Rob Halford recorded a message of support thanking West Midlands Police for being on the front line during the pandemic.

Judas Priest formed in West Bromwich in the early 70s.

"We'll overcome this, we always do," he said.

"Keep blasting some metal."

Birmingham Live

These stories are from the Birmingham Live website today:

• Support for senior police officer as he fights for his life with coronavirus, external
• Tears and heartache as city nurse reveals what it's like inside hospital fighting coronavirus, external
• Birmingham backpacker slams 'jealous' locals for shutting down lockdown party, external

Allen Cook
BBC News

Ring and Ride minibuses in the West Midlands are going to be used to run a free shuttle service for NHS hospital staff and key workers during the pandemic., external

Image source, Transport for West Midlands

Transport for West Midlands (TfWM) said most of its regular elderly and vulnerable users are now on a strict lockdown due to the coronavirus outbreak.

They're going to use the minibuses to ferry NHS staff from car parks and Metro stops to major hospitals in the region.

These include the Queen Elizabeth, Birmingham, Wolverhampton New Cross and Russells Hall, Dudley.

TfWM said each bus would carry a maximum of two passengers to maintain social distancing and work from 07:00 to 22:00 for five days a week, starting today.

Security staff are going to monitor council cemeteries in Solihull from today during the pandemic, the local council's said., external

Image source, Getty Images

They're currently closed to everyone except mourners and the authority's said only a maximum of six people from immediate family will be allowed to attend funerals.

It added families could instead consider a celebration of life or a memorial after the outbreak ends.

Following the success of the applause for NHS staff last week, people in Telford are being encouraged to do something similar tomorrow night.

At 20:00 Telford and Wrekin Council is suggesting everyone breaks out into song, in support of healthcare workers and other people in key jobs.

Image source, Getty Images

The song they've chosen is You'll Never Walk Alone and the council says that if people don't want to sing, they can play the song, play a musical instrument, clap, shout or dance and added "we honestly do not mind, just take part".

Sophie Madden
BBC News

Several credit reference agencies have confirmed consumer credit scores will be protected when people have agreed 'payment holidays' as a result of the pandemic.

Image source, UK Parliament

It comes after former Crewe and Nantwich MP Laura Smith (pictured) asked the government to stop people's scores being affected by deferred payments due to the crisis.

Out of work since losing her seat, Ms Smith had wanted to reduce loan payments, but found this could affect her credit score.

Credit reference agency Experian, Equifax and TransUnion have said they are implementing a special measure called an "emergency payment freeze” to ensure an individual's current credit score is maintained or frozen for the duration of an agreed payment holiday.

BBC Radio Shropshire Sport

The indefinite suspension of the National League season is costing AFC Telford United to miss out on revenue from four home games, but the club is also losing off-field income.

Operations manager Luke Shelley said they'd had to cancel soccer schools, community events and room bookings too.

The club had hoped to get a big payday from one of the home games due to be played at the Bucks Head - the big local derby against Hereford United.

To make up some of the lost revenue it has set up an online fundraising page and has so far raised £1,000.

Food gifted by a wholesaler has been delivered to a Coventry retirement home by community support officers who had been on patrol in the city.

West Midlands Police said PCSOs Alex Insull and Lauren Galloway were offered the food by Charlie's Multi Foods at the weekend, but thought it would be better to give it to the home on Berry Street.

Image source, West Midlands Police

The force said its officers "are reporting some lovely goodwill gestures and great community spirit while they’re out and about in our communities."

Cyclists are being asked not to use their bikes unless they have to during the coronavirus outbreak.

Image source, Staffordshire Police

The government has urged people not to make unnecessary journeys and to only leave home for exercise once a day.

Chief Insp Mark Thorley tweeted, external cyclists in the Staffordshire Moorlands "still seem to be travelling into our rural communities and areas".

BBC WM

New parents are being supported through the coronavirus crisis by the Brum Baby Bank, who are delivering vital baby supplies.

Image source, Getty Images

Volunteers are taking orders from isolated and ill mums for nappies, baby milk and other essentials.

They can be contacted by calling BVSC - The Centre for Voluntary Action, on 0121 643 4343.

Work to repair a road in Symonds Yat, which has been closed for nearly two years, has had to be put on hold again because of coronavirus.

C1257 shut in June 2018 after a landslide and hasn't been repaired because of a legal dispute over who was responsible for it.

A solution had been reached to allow the works to begin in March, but they have now been postponed until after the outbreak.

Allen Cook
BBC News

Refuse collectors have been feeling the love from grateful residents.

Image source, Birmingham City Council

Notes have started appearing in the windows of houses and taped to bins, thanking staff in Birmingham for continuing to pick up the rubbish.

Councillor John O'Shea said: "The positive words are having a great effect on morale."

He also added they were continuing to give protective equipment to workers and the items worn as standard by bin crews "is adequate".

While you're stuck at home you might see some of these questionaires being shared, asking for "fun facts" about yourself.

But West Mercia Police are urging you to be cautious, because they might not all be as innocent as they seem

And the can give away information which could be used by criminals, such as commonly-used passwords.

Allen Cook
BBC News

A terraced house has been badly damaged in a fire., external

Image source, West Midlands Fire Service

A woman inside the home on Inverness Road, Northfield, Birmingham, managed to get out before fire crews arrived, the brigade said.

The first-floor blaze was put out within 20 minutes and the service said the cause wasn't yet known.

A former Wolves and England footballer has been giving tips on how to self-isolate, after having to do that himself when he was diagnosed with leukaemia.

Image source, Birmingham City University

Midfielder Geoff Thomas, who played for other clubs including Crystal Palace and Nottingham Forest, was given three months to live.

But after being diagnosed in 2003, he overcame the disease two years later.

Thomas set himself "little goals" and advised "doing little jobs you've been putting off for probably years".

Ludlow's Mayfair has been called off, because of the expectation that gatherings of people will still be forbidden then.

The event can trace its history back to 1461 and the mayor of Ludlow, Tim Gill, said it will "be deeply missed by the local community".

Ludlow Town Council said the fair will return "when the current crisis has passed."

It was due to take place between 30 April and 4 May.

Allen Cook
BBC News

If you are stayin at home due to the coronavirus outbreak, you're being praised by West Midlands Police.

Tjhis was the centre of Birmingham earlier with police saying rush hour, as a result, "has a different feel to it".

Image source, West Midlands Police

While their colleagues in Brownhills , externalsaid they were seeing parks and open areas clear of people such as around High Heath park, Shelfield:

Image source, West Midlands Police

Local Democracy Reporting Service

Coronavirus beds could be set up in care homes around Shropshire, to help recovering patients after they've left hospital.

Shropshire Council said it wanted them to take pressure off hospital beds and expected they would remain in place until at least the end of July.

Image source, Getty Images

The council hasn't said how many are needed, but has invited the homes to register their interest in the scheme as soon as possible.