BBC Shropshire

A Shropshire charity is encouraging neighbours to compete by growing their own sunflowers.

Transition Telford says it hopes people will share their sunflower seeds to "grow their own sunshine" and post photos of their flowers on social media.

"I don’t know anybody who doesn’t enjoy the beauty of sunflowers and in these stressful times we need some simple joys," the charity said.

For more information, visit the charity website here, external.

BBC WM

A headteacher recovering from Covid-19 and who ran a marathon in his garage to raise money for the NHS got a surprise call at the end of his endeavour.

Paul Hyde, from Kidderminster, took to his treadmill after the coronavirus outbreak stopped him taking part in the London Marathon on Sunday.

At the end of his effort he spoke to BBC WM and told them he feeling achey, having only recently recovered from having Covid-19 himself, but had raised over £2,200 for the NHS.

To his surprise he was then connected to Paula Radcliffe, a three-time winner of the London Marathon, who congratulated him.

"It's an amazing achievement. I think you've made a huge difference to a lot of people," she added.

Colleagues say Mahadaye Jagroop "served relentlessly" until contracting Covid-19.

Allen Cook
BBC News

For many university students, handing in their dissertation is often their last visit to campus and a final chance to get some farewell photos.

But then came lockdown.

However, the University of Birmingham's come to its students' aid, external by asking them where'd they like to be and then Photoshopping them onto their favourite spots:

Image source, University of Birmingham

Image source, University of Birmingham

No evidence of social distancing as swarm of bees discovered in Shropshire village.

The kitchen was set up in January and is now expanding to make more meals each week.

Kidderminster Shuttle

Headlines from the Kidderminster Shuttle:

• Worcestershire dentists frustrated by lack of PPE, external
• Smoke billows after large fire at Hartlebury Trading Estate, external
• Kidderminster salon offers free haircuts to frontline staff, external

Cath Mackie
BBC News

With household tips closed by local authorities to curb the spread of coronavirus, some people have been looking to private firms to clear their rubbish.

For Junk Monkeys, in Droitwich, Worcestershire, it has meant extra-long days for staff, with bookings now running a week in advance.

Officers are talking to a man who is possibly armed and inside a flat on Birmingham Road.

A freelance photographer's raised more than £1,500 by completing a marathon in his own back garden.

Image source, Richard Harris

Richard Harris, from Boldmere, Sutton Coldfield, was among many due to take part in the London Marathon on Sunday before the coronavirus outbreak.

Instead, he ran round his 10m (32.8m) lawn an estimated 2,600 times to complete the distance.

Richard finished in three hours and 52 minutes, raising money for Activity Alliance, a charity which works to help disabled people be active.

The 31-year-old suffered knife injuries and died before he could be taken to hospital by air ambulance.

Sophie Madden
BBC News

"To be told, thanks for the all pay-as-you-earn for the last 30 years, we are not going to give you anything as a new start-up business, it is a kick in the teeth."

While the government has announced a number of support packages for employees and businesses during the coronavirus pandemic, some new start-ups, and newly self-employed people say they are ineligible for financial help.

Image source, Sarah Knott

Among them is Sarah Knott (pictured), a driving instructor from Shrewsbury who has taken up a job in a care home in order to keep some income while she is unable to run her business.

They also include Laura Baxter-Smith, a self-employed hairdresser and mother-of-one from Shawbury in Shropshire, who has no staff and no premises.

Read their stories and more here on the BBC website.

A Bhangra dancing and drumming group is showing its support for the NHS with weekly pavement drumming sessions.

Members of Eternal Taal, whose members range in age from six to 57, usually play at weddings and festivals under the leadership of Parv Kaur, from Coventry.

But for now, due to the lockdown measures, they are developing their skills outside their homes every Thursday evening.

Riyah Collins
BBC News

A horse has been spotted social distancing outside a Co-op after an on-the-hoof drink stop for its rider.

Image source, Chris Wharton

Chris Wharton was outside the shop in Chasetown, Staffordshire, when he said the horse "saddled up to me" before joining the queue on Saturday evening.

It respected social distancing but proved the mane attraction and was "getting some fuss at the door," Mr Wharton said.

It horsed around outside while the rider bought a drink, he added.

A police dog's been named after the 99-year-old war veteran who has raised £29m for the NHS by walking laps of his garden.

West Midlands Police held a public vote to name their new litter and said calling one Captain Tom Moore was the "absolutely overwhelming majority winner".

World War Two veteran Capt Tom, from Marston Moretaine in Bedfordshire, has raised more than £29m for the NHS by completing 100 laps of his garden before his 100th birthday.

BBC Sport

Wolves and Portugal forward Diogo Jota believes the Premier League will be completed despite the cancellation of some other European leagues because of coronavirus.

Image source, Getty Images

The Dutch Eredivisie season was abandoned on Friday and Belgium’s top flight is set to follow suit.

But the UK government is setting up meetings in a bid to help elite sport resume as quickly as possible.

“I believe the Premier League can finish,” Jota told BBC Sport.

Express and Star

From the Express and Star today:

• Pubs in battle to survive the summer in coronavirus lockdown, external
• University ‘financially stable’ and committed to coronavirus fight, external
• Appeal to save St John's Church as events cancelled during lockdown, external

MPs call for a government strategy to cope with the "surge" in violence during lockdown and after.

BBC Hereford and Worcester

Warehouses have been left badly damaged after a fire at an industrial estate.

Image source, Hereford and Worcester Fire Service

Five fire crews battled the blaze last night on Oak Drive, Hartlebury, near Stourport, Worcestershire.

The fire service said crews would check the site again today and hasn't revealed what caused the fire.

Image source, Hereford and Worcester Fire Service

Birmingham's NHS Nightingale hospital was opened by Prince William on 16 April.