More than 170 people have been caught speeding in three days during a crackdown by motorway police.

Central Motorway Police Group (CMPG) launched a month-long initiative last Friday, external on the M6 and A500 in Staffordshire following an increase in reports of speeders.

Since the operation began, 177 speeding offences have been clocked, including drivers travelling at about 90mph in the 50mph roadworks section on the M6.

Image source, Getty Images

Insp Sion Hathaway, of Staffordshire Police, said: "Since the lockdown began, traffic flow has dropped by over 50% on the networks we police.

"However, this has resulted in a large increase in the number of vehicles exceeding the speed limit by 15mph or more.

"Though the roads are quieter because of Covid-19, the law hasn't changed."

A council has urged people not to block pavements "chatting" after a town centre became busy on Monday.

Congleton Town Council posted safety advice on its Facebook site, external, reminding people to "keep your distance" as coronavirus had "not gone away".

Image source, Congleton Town Council

A man suffered serious head injuries when the moped he was riding crashed into a lamppost in Warwickshire.

Image source, Google

It happened on Golf Lane, Whitnash, shortly before 00:30 on Friday.

The man in his 30s remains in hospital in a stable but critical condition, says Warwickshire Police.

Bob Hockenhull
BBC Midlands Today

A fishing association in Warwickshire with 1,000 members says it’s delighted the current ban on angling will be lifted on Wednesday.

The news follows an intense campaign by the Angling Trust, which had been arguing for the sport’s return.

Anthony Simmons from the Leamington Angling Association said members had been "very keen to get out into the fresh air again".

He said: "We're pleased to see that from Wednesday we'll be able to reopen our fisheries - obviously with the correct restrictions."

Coventry Live

Some of the Coventry Live headlines today include:

• Country park bosses issue statement about plans for car park reopening, external
• Heartbroken family say killer's sentence makes "a total joke out of knife crime", external
• Major Jaguar Land Rover supplier collapses into administration, external

Wayne Smith, 27, assaulted a woman, took her child without her knowledge and sped down the M5.

A woman has been taken to hospital after her car left the carriageway of the M69 in Warwickshire and hit a tree.

Image source, Warwickshire Police

Image source, Warwickshire Police

The driver, a key worker, escaped with only minor injuries after the crash close to J1, said Warwickshire Police.

The crash happened on the southbound carriageway shortly before 08:15 on Sunday.

Shropshire Star

From the Shropshire Star:

• Johnson to detail plans to gradually ease the coronavirus lockdown to MPs, external
• One more death at Shropshire hospitals brings toll to 122, external
• Minor changes to lockdown restrictions in Wales to begin, external

A senior police officer who spent more than three weeks in hospital with coronavirus said he is "very disturbed" at some people's attitude to lockdown.

Ch Supt Phil Dolby, of West Midlands Police, was admitted to Worcester Royal Hospital on 29 March and later placed on a ventilator for 13 days.

In a post on Twitter, he criticised "increasingly blasé" behaviour.

Image source, West Midlands Police

His comments come as forces around England reported multiple instances of people ignoring lockdown rules.

Mr Dolby told the BBC he was prompted to speak out about people ignoring lockdown restrictions after his own experience of the virus which "nearly killed" him.

He has spoken to BBC Breakfast this morning imploring people to follow the government's guidelines.

BBC Weather Watchers

Plenty of pictures have been sent in by the BBC Weather Watchers, including this lovely leafy one taken in Bromyard by Mrs Baggins.

Image source, Mrs Baggins

In Wolston, Warwickshire, Carol snapped this photo of a field with some bright red flowers.

Image source, carol

You can become a BBC Weather Watcher here.

Police are appealing for witnesses after a man was injured when a shotgun was fired at a house

The victim, a 42-year-old man, sustained minor hand injuries in the attack in Radford, Coventry, at about 22:30 BST on Saturday.

West Midlands Police believe the offender fled the scene in Fowler Road, close to the junction of Brightmere Road, in a dark car.

Image source, Google

The 52-year-old ex-ambassador was last seen when he went for a run in Hampshire on Wednesday.

The National Police Air Service spotted this VE Day anniversary tribute while flying over Malvern with West Mercia Police earlier.

His injuries are not thought to be life-threatening following the incident in Birmingham on Sunday.

Clare Lissaman
BBC News

The director of a Staffordshire beauty spot has called for "clarity" over the latest lockdown measures after saying the site was "inundated" by people asking whether they could go boating and fishing there.

Ray Perry, director of Rudyard Lake in the Staffordshire Moorlands, said: "Our message is that until we have got clarity we are closed apart from for walking."

He said about 35 people had messaged him since Sunday evening, when initial measures to ease lockdown were unveiled by the prime minister.

Opposition leader Sir Keir Starmer has said the new guidelines pose as many questions as answers.

Image source, Rudyard Lake

Mr Perry said the five staff members who worked at the 168-acre site had been furloughed, and car parks, toilets and the café were all closed.

He said he was worried about the risk to staff helping with boats and collecting cash from anglers, and the broader issue of increased visitor numbers.

Arlington Automotive Group employ about 600 people across sites in England.

Police, tourism bosses and politicians say they fear some areas will see an influx of visitors.

The boy is in hospital with serious head injuries after coming off the vehicle while riding pillion.

Stoke-on-Trent Live

From Stoke-on-Trent Live:

• Grieving partner leads tributes to 'caring' Royal Stoke nurse after she loses cancer battle, external
• Man dies after being found in serious condition in Stoke-on-Trent, external
• 300,000 sign petition calling for 'opt-out' on sending children back to school, external

There continues to be congestion around Birmingham tips after four were re-opened last week.

The recycling sites are open at Lifford Lane in Kings Norton, Holford Drive in Perry Barr, Norris Way in Sutton Coldfield and James Road in Tyseley.

Birmingham City Council said residents should only visit the waste centres if it was "absolutely essential".