Local Democracy Reporting Service
Gurdip Thandi

Walsall has been more affected by coronavirus than other parts of the West Midlands, according to figures from the town's council.

Image source, Walsall Healthcare NHS Trust

They show the number of cases per 100,000 people is 385 in Walsall compared with 369 in Wolverhampton, 358 in Sandwell, 285 in Birmingham and 282 in Dudley.

The data was presented to the council's virtual cabinet meeting this week and showed there had been a total of 1,082 confirmed cases with 192 deaths at Manor Hospital.

But councillors were told the number of confirmed Covid inpatients at the hospital has fallen by almost two-thirds and testing of all the area's care homes should be finished by the end of this week.

Police have found a burglary suspect hiding in a loft.

Officers in Coventry made the discovery while responding to reports of a shop break-in on Cannon Hill Road at about 05:00 BST and traced their suspect to a block of flats.

A 39-year-old man was found in the attic and arrested on suspicion of burglary. He is being held for questioning.

Last week, another suspected burglar was found wrapped up in lagging in a loft in Wolverhampton.

BBC Midlands Today

Street markings are being unveiled across the West Midlands to help people follow social distancing guidelines.

Flower markers have been chosen to brighten up Leamington Spa, external and have been placed at two-metre intervals around the town centre.

In Birmingham, a 60-metre stretch of Broad Street has been marked out , externalfor when businesses in the area are allowed to reopen.

In both cases, the local Business Improvement Districts (BID) have been behind the schemes.

Image source, Westside BID

Flanker Thomas Young signs a new contract with the Premiership club which makes him ineligible for Wales.

We've been enjoying temperatures of up to 26C (79F) in parts of the West Midlands today.

And here are some of the photos shared by the BBC Weather Watchers, from Credenhill, Bromyard and Warwick, which you would normally expect to be busier on a day like this.

Image source, Ella Mentry

Image source, Mrs Baggins

Image source, John B

"Unemployment is rising"..."Oh no it isn't!"

Rob Mayor
Political reporter, BBC WM

It's "inevitable" school doors will open to more pupils on 1 June in Wolverhampton, the city council's said.

Image source, Getty Images

About 1,000 pupils in the city have continued to attend through the coronavirus crisis.

Councillor Dr Michael Hardacre, cabinet member for education and skills, said the council had had positive discussions with schools and teaching unions, but the "acid test will be whether or not parents send their children".

He said: "They will have to be certain their child is safe, it is their decision and we will respect it. There will be no penalties for those who choose to keep their children at home."

Ministers are facing pressure from some councils and teaching unions to reconsider plans to reopen primary schools in England to some pupils from 1 June.

People living near the England-Wales border can still cross the border for shopping and exercise.

Birmingham Live

The Birmingham Live website's headlines today include:

• Aunt of Phoenix Netts whose remains were found in suitcases shares horror at death, external
• Banned driver in 80mph police chase after rowing with wife in lockdown, external
• Masked men storm Kings Heath house and threaten occupants with knife in bid to steal car, external

BBC Weather Watchers

With today expected to be the warmest day of the year so far, here are some more of the hot weather images we've had sent to us by BBC Weather Watchers.

These three are from users Suttonwalker, in Sutton Coldfield; Paulus, in Knowle, Solihull; and Dammo, in Kingswood, Warwickshire.

Image source, Suttonwalker

Image source, Paulus

Image source, Dammo

The Jersey City hall was being refurbished when the Stoke-on-Trent-made Minton tiles were found.

Keelan Wilson was found badly injured following reports of a disorder in Merry Hill in May 2018

A 15-year-old boy is being treated after a robbery in Coleshill and a man who tried to help him was also injured.

Warwickshire Police said the boy had been threatened by two youths on a scrambler motorbike at 18:15 BST yesterday, while he was out on his bike in Packington Lane.

The pair told him they had a knife and knocked him to the floor, taking his bag, mobile phone and bicycle.

A passer-by in his 30s tried to stop them as they rode away, but was hit by the motorbike and suffered arm injuries and cuts to his ear.

Katherine Sellgren

Parents struggling with home schooling during lockdown are being urged to contact their school, by a head teacher.

Image source, PA Media

While some primary school year groups in England might go back before the summer holidays, secondary schools may mainly stay shut until September or even later.

Some parents have told the BBC of their struggles with coping at home and Carl Ward, head of Haywood Academy in Stoke-on-Trent, says they should never feel reluctant to contact the school in that case.

"Invoke your right as a parent and ask the school for more work, less work, better work or advice - they're there to help you."

He also says schools are sharing best practice and are working hard to improve the online delivery of lessons.

David Gomoh was fatally stabbed days before the funeral of his father who died with coronavirus.

Rolls-Royce has said it will cut 9,000 jobs and warned it will take "several years" for the airline industry to recover from the coronavirus pandemic.

Image source, Getty Images

The Derby-based firm, which makes plane engines, said the reduction of nearly a fifth of its workforce would mainly affect its civil aerospace division.

Rolls-Royce employs 52,000 people globally and the bulk of the job cuts are expected to be in the UK at its site in Derby.

The company also has a base in Birmingham, external which it says is used to support 300 customers in the aerospace, industrial and marine sectors.

Wendy Morse was found dead at her Staffordshire home in March.

Shropshire Star

Here are three of the stories from the Shropshire Star today:

• Tributes to 'lovely' 'hard-working' market trader, external
• Man admits driving into pedestrian near McDonald's, external
• Puppy rescued from paw-ful situation, external

Wayne Smith drove, with a child in his car, at speeds of up to 90mph through Somerset.

This year's Battle of Evesham Medieval Festival has been called off because of coronavirus.

The event, involving more than 700 battle re-enactors, was due to take place in Evesham’s Crown meadow at the start of August.

Image source, Getty Images

More than 20,000 people were expected to visit and the organisers have said the event will return next year.