Former Crewe Alexandra defender Christian Mbulu, who died last month, will get a promotion medal, the club's confirmed.

Image source, Crewe Alexandra FC

The 23-year-old had moved to Morecambe in January following a short spell at Crewe which saw him make seven appearances this season.

With promotion from League Two confirmed after a formal vote on Tuesday, the club said they would award his family a medal "in honour of his memory".

Matthew Wain also wished death from coronavirus upon Birmingham City Hospital staff, a court hears.

The driver of a car which landed on its roof after hitting a wall ran away before police officers arrived, the force has said.

Earlier, we told you the ambulance service said, external four people were hurt in the crash on Lichfield Road, Walsall, with one of them thought to be the driver.

Now, West Midlands Police has appealed for information after saying the driver fled.

Local Democracy Reporting Service

Here are three of the stories covered by the Local Democracy Reporting Service in Worcester:

• A developer has put forward plans for 16 affordable homes on the former Tolladine golf club in Worcester.
• People living near a former working men's club have objected to plans to build two blocks of flats there, because of concerns it would be "overbearing" and add to parking problems.
• A new business park could be built next to Worcestershire Parkway railway station, as the first part of a planned 10-acre business park.

The RSPCA is worried about the effect a financial crash could have on horse welfare in the West Midlands.

The last recession saw the number of horses in its care around the UK double to 600 and the charity said it's received dozens of reports of horses suffering in the region during lockdown.

Image source, RSPCA

A spokesperson said "horse owners will struggle financially to keep their animals and cover vet bills".

Birmingham Live

The Birmingham Live website has these stories today:

• Four in hospital after horror Walsall crash sees car smash into garden wall, external
• Moseley dad brands test and trace firm 'disgraceful' after job offer axed, external
• Chairs 'placed on Small Heath road to reserve parking spaces', external

Facebook

More than 400 people have commented on the story about the Clive of India statue in Shrewsbury on the BBC Midlands Facebook page.

There are calls to have it removed, because of his activities with the East India Company, following the removal of the Edward Colston statue in Bristol.

But many of the comments have opposed this and Valerie Bradley wrote: "This is getting ridiculous. It's part of our heritage and history. The past is the past."

Image source, Google

And Zoe Durnin added: "You cannot just erase our history. No some parts of it we are not proud of because it was different times and some things that we did as humans were awful, but It should stay there to show how far we’ve come and we should learn from it."

And Ollie Good suggested: "Surely the best thing to do with these statues, and the most financially viable, is to re-plaque them. Let people know the good and bad traits whilst keeping the reason why the statue was erected in the first place."

Police officers put themselves between an angry crowd and two men at a street-celebration last night, to mark Coventry's promotion to the Championship.

West Midlands Police said the spontaneous gathering in Broadgate, which started at 17:00 appeared good-natured at first, but the mood changed when one of the two men was alleged to have pulled out a knife.

Image source, Getty Images

The force said some of the group chased the men and police officers intervened, to stop the situation escalating.

A knife was later found in a bin

They also reported bottles being thrown and windows broken in the city centre.

Yesterday's vote by League One clubs to bring an end to the season has brought Shrewsbury Town "closure", their chief executive has said.

Shrewsbury ended in 15th place and Brian Caldwell said it allowed them to look ahead and plan for next season.

Caldwell said the club had already been looking at recruitment and how the squad could be strengthened.

But he said the club had been "basically in the dark as to when next season would start and how it would look." and that there was still uncertainty over whether fans would be allowed into games next season.

Allen Cook
BBC News

People who "stuck their neck out" to help Dudley Zoo are being thanked as the government's expected to announce it can reopen from Monday.

Image source, Dudley Zoo

The zoo tweeted, external it was delighted at the prospect and added "when we know more we'll post here".

The site's been closed since 23 March and earlier this week said it was facing "crisis point" due to the lockdown, losing about £100,000 a week.

More than 150 people have commented on the news on the zoo's Facebook page , externalwith many saying they can't wait to visit.

Dudley South MP Mike Wood tweeted , externalthe attraction would need support from the local community as it reopened.

Parking charges across Cheshire East are to be reintroduced from 15 June.

They were suspended on 27 March but the authority said with lockdown measures being eased and high street stores planning to reopen the same week it now wants to charge for parking again.

The authority said the layouts of some car parks will be altered to allow social distancing.

West Midlands Safari Park has welcomed the government's expected announcement that zoos can reopen from Monday.

Outdoor attractions will have to follow social distancing rules, won't be allowed to open up indoor exhibits like reptile houses, while cafes will have to be takeaway only.

Image source, West Midlands Safari Park

West Midlands Safari Park said it would be "working hard to finalise plans and safety measures and an opening date will be announced soon".

BBC CWR

Coventry City fans are being promised a live, online promotion party to celebrate , externalafter the club were officially crowned champions of League One.

Image source, PA Media

The confirmation came after the season was ended early due to the pandemic with a formal vote by clubs on Tuesday.

The Sky Blues' position was settled on a points per game system and the news led to hundreds of fans gathering in Broadgate last night to celebrate:

The club says it will reveal the details soon of the online party for fans to join remotely.

Manager Mark Robins says the season ending this way doesn't take away from their achievement.

"We were hoping that we could come back and play. That didn't happen but the next best thing has happened and, regardless of what happened, nobody can take anything away from us," he said.

A man's been seriously hurt after the car he's thought to have been driving hit a wall and landed on its roof.

Image source, West Midlands Fire Service

He and three passengers were all hurt in the collision on Lichfield Road, Shelfield, Walsall, this morning, the ambulance service said. , external

All four were taken to hospital with the injuries to the three passengers not thought to be serious.

Image source, West Midlands Fire Service

A home was engulfed in flames in Claverley, Shropshire, this morning.

Image source, Staffordshire Fire and Rescue

Emergency services were called to the blaze on Long Common in the village, near Bobbington on the Staffordshire border, at 02:30.

Image source, Staffordshire Fire and Rescue

Staffordshire Fire and Rescue sent six crews to the scene and said all the residents got out of the house safely.

By 04:30 firefighters were dampening down, however they will remain on site while the fire is fully extinguished.

Express and Star

The Express and Star is covering these stories on its website today:

• Fundraising campaign to help food banks in Wolverhampton smashes target, external
• Dudley health bosses planned for pandemic one month before Covid-19, external
• Walsall sinkhole repair work 'ahead of schedule', external

BBC Sport

Stoke City manager Michael O'Neill has tested positive for Covid-19 after the latest round of testing on Monday.

Image source, Reuters

A planned practice match between Stoke and Manchester United was cancelled at short notice on Tuesday once the situation became apparent.

Stoke had arrived at United's Carrington training base and were in the academy building when they found out.

Stoke said the former Northern Ireland boss will now follow the relevant guidance and have a period of isolation.

BBC Weather

There will be more patches of rain , some of them heavy, and they could last into the afternoon, High: 16C/61F.

Image source, Dammo

Tonight is set to be cloudy with some scattered showers around from the east, especially after midnight, but some places will stay dry. Low: 10C/50F.

You can get a latest forecast for your area at any time by going to the BBC Weather website.

Local Democracy Reporting Service

A ban on "persistent" begging in Coventry city centre will be extended after backing from councillors, despite last-ditch opposition from a human rights group.

Image source, Google

Advocacy group Liberty wrote to the council to oppose the extension of its Public Space Protection Order (PSPO) ahead of a cabinet decision today.

The authority said the order aimed to create “a welcoming environment” for visitors, retailers and workers in the city by discouraging anti-social behaviour.

But Liberty claimed the extension wasn’t properly publicised or consulted on, leaving it “vulnerable to a legal challenge”.

Cabinet member for enforcement Abdul Khan said the PSPO had its benefits and was a stance supported by West Midlands Police and Coventry Business Improvement District in consultation.

Allen Cook
BBC News

Welcome to our live service for Wednesday.

We will be bringing you developing stories, analysis, weather and travel for the West Midlands.

You can let us know about stories in your area via email,Twitter , externaland Facebook, external