Ex-Birmingham left-back Paige Williams explains why she is leaving top-level football for a new career as a firefighter.

Charity staff say they are hurt by the actions of a few and will be tightening up procedures.

Vanessa Pearce
BBC News

Live updates have now finished for the West Midlands.

We'll be back from 08:00 on Tuesday with all the latest news for you.

BBC Shropshire

A care home's been inundated with cards, letters, drawings and paintings after appealing for people to make contact with their residents.

Image source, Doddington Lodge

Back when lockdown was just starting, staff at the Doddington Lodge Care Home, between Clee Hill and Cleobury Mortimer, in Shropshire, wanted to stop people there getting lonely.

However, manager Scott Stevens told BBC Shropshire staff only expected a few responses, but instead have had more and more each day.

"We want it to really carry on because it is making the residents smile so much and lifting their moods," he added.

Image source, Doddington Lodge

Allen Cook
BBC News

A man tried to escape from police by running through a pig sty and swimming through a canal before he was finally found hiding in a wheelie bin.

Image source, Staffordshire Police

Staffordshire Police , externalwas first called to reports of a suspicious vehicle yesterday morning at Muckley Corner service station on Walsall Road, Lichfield.

When officers arrived, the vehicle drove off the wrong way around Muckley Corner roundabout and hit a road sign, leading to the man getting out.

The chase through a sty and the canal ended when officers and police dog Kaylaigh found him in the bin about an hour later on Great Charles Street, Brownhills and made an arrest.

BBC CWR

A freemasonary organisation in Warwickshire has donated £34,000 to the University Hospitals Birmingham Charity.

The Provincial Grand Lodge of Warwickshire has made the "incredible" donation in response to the charity’s urgent Covid-19 appeal.

The money will be used to fund tablets "in order to help patients speak to their loved ones,” said the charity.

Nonny James presented a number of shows on stations across the West Midlands.

Saturday markets are set to reopen in Wolverhampton, with the waste and recycling centre to open in a "phased approach" over the next couple of weeks, said the city council.

Both services will open "with restrictions and social distancing measures in place," it said, "following government advice".

Markets at Bilston, Wednesfield and the city centre are expected to open for fresh food produce sales from this weekend.

Image source, Google

BBC Weather

After the sunny day, there'll be cloud around this evening and tonight but mostly it'll stay dry. Low: 5C (41F).

Image source, Elle Niño

Then tomorrow, mainly cloudy and breezy with the odd patch of rain around before we get some sunny spells later in the day. High: 15C (59F).

You can get latest forecasts for your area at any time from the BBC Weather website.

Firefighters across the West Midlands have marked Firefighters Memorial Day with a minute's silence.

The day is to remember officers who have lost their lives as well as acknowledging the dedication of firefighters.

These officers in Rugby, Warwickshire, are currently helping the county council put together food parcels for those in need.

Image source, Warwickshire Fire and Rescue Service

BBC Shropshire

A group of musicians have released an album to raise money for NHS charities during the pandemic.

Image source, Mark Fielden

Organised by Mark Fielden, from Shrewsbury, most of the songwriters are from Shropshire.

"Music means a lot to many, many people so it seemed the obvious route to go down and so the CD was born," he said.

The group's decided to make the album, named Together, available to download, but also as a CD so people can have and, in the future, "remember what we did".

Stuart George
Presenter, BBC Radio Stoke

People who have been given nappies, baby food and equipment for their babies have been found selling the items online, a charity's said.

Image source, The Nappy Project

The Nappy Project, in Stoke-on-Trent, supplies nappies, wipes and baby food to families living in poverty.

But founder Hayley Jones told BBC Radio Stoke their volunteers had found some people were then putting the items up for sale on Facebook.

"It's not a nice feeling because not only are these items given to us by people but also volunteers deliver them out to these families," she added.

The charity is now writing its name over every item it gives away, external including milk and nappies to try and stop the sales.

BBC Hereford and Worcester

There are fears jobs could be lost and firms go out out of business in the West Midlands if the coronavirus lockdown isn't lifted soon, a manufacturing group has warned.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson is to reveal a "roadmap" out of lockdown on Sunday but has warned the UK must not lift restrictions too soon.

Image source, Manufacturing Assembly Network

Adam Cunningham runs machining company Muller Holdings, which has bases in Kidderminster and Redditch, and he's also chairman of the Manufacturing Assembly Network, a group of 10 firms employing 1,300.

He told BBC Hereford and Worcester it was become a battle to survive: "I'm sure there'll be a lot of businesses that will be right up against it.

"There could be redundancies, loss of jobs which is absolutely tragic considering how well we were all doing."

Mr Johnson said ending lockdown too soon risked "a second spike" in the pandemic, which "would really do economic damage".

BBC Entertainment and Arts

The BBC's orchestras and singers are asking the public to join them for a mass rendition of Candi Staton's gospel classic You Got The Love.

People across the UK are being invited to dust off their instruments and film themselves playing along to the track.

Those without musical skills can submit paintings, videos and photos showing their creativity during the lockdown.

The results will be edited into a "massive, awe-inspiring" performance, premiering on TV and radio on 14 May.

"You don't have to be a virtuoso, just join in and have a go, and be part of something really special," said BBC Radio 3's Katie Derham.

"I may dust off my violin... though maybe humming along would be kinder for everyone."

Listeners to BBC Local Radio stations across the West Midlands are being encouraged to make and display bunting to mark the 75th anniversary of VE Day.

Due to the coronavirus restrictions most events and street parties have had to be cancelled or postponed.

You can make your own special "Great British Bunting" to display in your window at home.

An emergency appeal has been launched by a Birmingham homeless charity as the coronavirus outbreak has badly affected its funds.

Sifa Fireside, in Digbeth said it has a shortfall of nearly £250,000 because much of its funding has dried up during the pandemic.

It's asking people to raise funds by building a den at home as part of the Big Brummie Camp Out on Friday.

We told you last week about Highbury Hall in Moseley, Birmingham, being sealed off for essential repair work during the lockdown.

Image source, Chamberlain Highbury Trust

Well now the Chamberlain Highbury Trust, which manages the grounds, has emailed us this photo of the internal restorations.

It said work on the Grade II listed building was focussing on the roof and teams were also carrying out repairs to water damage on the inside.

The hall was built in 1878 for Birmingham politician and former mayor Joseph Chamberlain, who lived there until he died in 1914.

Mark Irish is to leave his role at Bristol Bears scrum coach to take a similar position at Worcester Warriors next season.

BBC CWR

Pupils at Stockingford Academy in Nuneaton are aiming to collectively run 200 miles, raising money for NHS Charities Together.

The umbrella organisation supports more than 140 member health service charities, which are typically linked to specific hospitals or NHS trusts.

New student police officers have started their careers with the West Midlands force without leaving their homes.

Image source, West Midlands Police

The 24 were joined by the force's chief constable, Dave Thompson, as they undertook online training after joining the service on Thursday.

The online training course is being delivered in partnership with Staffordshire University.

Chief Constable Dave Thompson welcomed the students saying: “When you all thought about joining I’m sure you didn’t think your first day would be like this."

“It is a really strange start for you all, because in policing teamwork and camaraderie are both very important.

"So, I am sorry that you won’t have this in a traditional sense at the start of your careers, but this won’t be forever and you will get back to a more traditional policing experience before long."