Phil McCann
Cheshire Political Reporter, BBC News

Schools in part of Cheshire will start to reopen next month but two weeks later than the government had targeted.

Image source, AFP/Getty Images

Under a programme from Cheshire East Council, external, nursery pupils can go back from 15 June, Year One a week later and then all Year Six pupils from 29 June.

The local authority said returning wouldn't be compulsory and there would be no fines for parents whose children don't attend.

The government had put forward 1 June as a date for primary schools to start to reopen to some year groups but has faced opposition from dozens of councils

Two people have been arrested after drugs were seized in Rugby on Wednesday.

Class A drugs were found in an alleyway off Deepmore Road after officers were made aware of a suspected drug deal.

Other were discovered following a search of a nearby property, said Warwickshire Police.

A 36-year-old woman from Rugby and 15-year-old boy from Leicester - both arrested on suspicion of possession of class A drugs with intent to supply - have been released under investigation.

Up to 915 jobs could be safeguarded at digger maker JCB after the firm said it had reached an agreement over a new working pattern.

Image source, JCB

The company said talks with the GMB union would help hourly-paid shop floor workers at its factories in Staffordshire, Derbyshire and Wrexham.

But it said the news didn't affect the planned 950 staff redundancies announced last week which are currently being consulted on.

GMB members will now hold a ballot next week on the new temporary agreement.

BBC Shropshire

Tributes are being paid to the Shropshire woman who became the first female president of the Lawn Tennis Association (LTA).

Image source, Lawn Tennis Association

Tennis Shropshire said Cathie Sabin, external, from Much Wenlock, had been battling cancer for some time and died at Shrewsbury Hospice.

The 73-year-old, who was a former PE teacher at Idsall School and played Shropshire county tennis, took the role in 2013, the LTA's 125th year.

The association said, external its former president would be "sorely missed by all of us in tennis in Britain and beyond".

Andy Murray's mum Judy tweeted Mrs Sabin, external was an "incredibly warm, down to earth, special woman -- and an absolute tennis gem".

Local Democracy Reporting Service
David Irwin

Staff at Birmingham Airport are “very fearful” the coronavirus crisis will trigger the collapse of many firms wholly dependent on the embattled aviation industry.

Image source, Reuters

A trade union said huge numbers of workers had been furloughed and there was widespread anxiety over jobs – given the sector is expected to endure a lengthy period of reduced and restricted travel.

The GMB told the Local Democracy Reporting Service 95% of some 770 employees at Swissport, which provides ground services at the Solihull-based site, had been furloughed.

Ian Edwards, organiser with the trade union, said: “Workers are very fearful of firms not making it through the lockdown, as airline sector firms collapse, corporate debts are going unpaid, leading to a domino effect.

“Workers want to know what happens when furlough scheme ends, what support will they be given after the lockdown ends?

Just two people at a time will be allowed to use public lifts in Lichfield under plans to keep people safe as lockdown eases.

Image source, Getty Images

The city council's drawn up 10 proposals, external to keep people safe as coronavirus restrictions are gradually eased.

They include limiting use of public lifts (generic image above) at any one time to two people or one family group including children.

Others include ground markings for social distancing, queuing systems at toilets and cafes in parks and extra cleaning shifts for public toilets and street furniture.

BBC Shropshire

People are being urged to respect social distancing guidelines at and around a popular Shropshire beauty spot as the National Trust reopens its car park today., external

Image source, Google

Just a third of the car parking spaces will be available at Carding Mill Valley out of a normal total of 140 while the tea room and shop are staying closed.

Other parts of the country have seen gridlock with people flocking to them in the warm weather and the mayor of nearby Church Stretton's said they're worried visitors might cause issues if they spill into the town.

Bob Welch told BBC Shropshire: "We will respect your requirement to social distance, please respect the residents' desire to follow instructions to the letter."

A politician says it "looks like a meteor has hit" Stafford Street in Walsall.

Ukrainians living in Coventry have been celebrating their national Vyshyvanka Day in coronavirus lockdown.

Image source, Association of Ukrainians in Coventry

Ukrainians all over the world celebrate the day of the national embroidered shirt - or vyshyvanka - on the third Thursday in May.

It is an "opportunity for us to get dressed in our national costume." said Dr Mario Kosmirak, head of community in the city, "and is a way of connecting Ukrainians throughout the world".

The community normally gathers in the city centre, but "unfortunately this year due to coronavirus we're unable to do that, but we will have a virtual gathering tonight," he added.

Image source, Association of Ukrainians in Coventry

Image source, Association of Ukrainians in Coventry

"Vyshyvanka is our history, our pride and national identity. There was a time when Ukrainians were not allowed to wear vyshyvanka by the Soviet system," said said Iryna King (pictured above) of the Association of Ukrainians in Coventry.

There are currently about 300 member of the association which was started about 72 years ago.

"You could be taken to prison or killed for this. Our grandparents could not wear vyshyvankas freely, that’s why it is so close to our hearts."

Image source, Association of Ukrainians in Coventry

"One of the oldest member of our community is 90-year-old Natalia Staschuk", Ms King added.

"She lives on her own but she still puts on her vyshyvanka on this day," she added.

Shropshire Star

The Shropshire Star's top stories today include:

• Shropshire schools given a choice on return, external
• A-boards: New Shropshire charges not to be introduced until after pandemic, external
• Newport swan family reunited after 'horror scene' violence, external

Premiership clubs will not return to training for at least two weeks, making it unlikely the season will resume before August.

EasyJet has said it will resume some flights on 15 June, with all passengers and cabin crew told to wear face masks amid the coronavirus pandemic.

Image source, Reuters

UK airports to be served include Birmingham, Gatwick, Bristol, Liverpool, Newcastle, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Inverness and Belfast.

The airline announced that it would restart a "small number" of routes where there was enough customer demand.

Wolves players have returned to "small group" training while maintaining social distancing.

Contact training is not yet permitted, the club said.

Image source, Wolverhampton Wanderers

Image source, Wolverhampton Wanderers

The club tweeted pictures, external of players having temperature tests, having previously said it would become the first Premier League club to install a drive-through coronavirus testing station at the training ground.

The Premier League is hoping to resume the season on 12 June, but a number of club doctors have raised concerns with league bosses.

It is understood players will be tested for coronavirus twice a week and would be screened for symptoms every day.

A Walsall road has been closed after a sinkhole appeared.

Image source, Walsall Council

It's thought the void on Stafford Street is believed to have been caused by a collapsed sewer, said the council.

Engineers from Severn Trent Water are expected at the site later, it added.

Traffic is being diverted via Leamore Lane, Green Lane and Court Way and turnings from the Ring Road onto Stafford Street will be closed to north bound traffic.

Drivers are also being asked avoid Hospital Street to prevent congestion and delays.

BBC Hereford and Worcester

A quarter of the jobs at a tomato growing firm have been cut since lockdown began and the owner's admitted it's facing an uncertain future.

Image source, Reuters

Westlands Tomato Nursery has three sites in and around Evesham and 25 posts have been cut since the pandemic began.

Owner Peter Taylor said sales were down by 85% because of the number of restaurants that are shut and the cancellation of corporate events like the British Grand Prix and Wimbledon.

"There'll be a number of businesses that we supply such as as restaurants that won't open again," he said.

"There'll be a number of businesses that will find it very hard to be viable to open under the social distancing rules."

Police in Ceredigion have penalised a motorist from Coventry who drove 140 miles to west Wales to purchase a Slush Puppie machine.

Birmingham Live

Some of Birmingham Live's headlines today include:

• Dramatic moment car explodes in flames inside A38 Queensway Tunnel, external
• EasyJet announces Birmingham Airport flights will resume from June 15, external
• Man arrested at Birmingham Airport cleared over sexually assaulting teen girl on bus

The airline will restart a "small number" of routes in June and flyers must use masks.

BBC News

From nurses to shopkeepers, doctors to bus drivers, coronavirus has taken tens of thousands of lives across the UK. People who were dearly loved, people who may have had many more years ahead of them had the pandemic not engulfed the world.

BBC News has gathered tributes from family, friends and colleagues to some of those who have died across the UK, including Rugby nurse Leilani Dayrit and Worcestershire's Wally Hames.

Promotion and relegation will remain in the English Football League if seasons are ended amid the coronavirus crisis.