Performers from Circus Extreme say they feel ignored by the government and have warned their industry faces collapse without financial support.

Last week circus performers across the UK delivered a letter to Downing Street calling for inclusion in the recent arts rescue package or to be allowed to reopen.

Circus Extreme is currently staying in Stratford-upon-Avon, hoping to restart shows in time for the more lucrative summer period.

Quick-change artist Elaine Courtney said: "[The] circus started in England and we work very hard and all we want to do is start working and earn a wage."

A 38-year-old woman was found dead with neck injuries in Solihull on Sunday afternoon.

A 12-year-old boy arrested in connection with racist messages sent to a footballer has been released under investigation.

Crystal Palace forward Wilfried Zaha revealed he had received several abusive messages before the side's trip to Aston Villa at the weekend.

The boy from Solihull was arrested and taken into custody on Sunday.

The West Midlands force said: "Racism has no place in society and we're attempting to contact the footballer to obtain a statement."

A man has been arrested on suspicion of murder after the body of a woman was found in Solihull.

The 38-year-old was discovered with fatal injuries to her neck in a flat in Warwick Road on Sunday afternoon.

A 37-year-old man remains in police custody for questioning, said West Midlands Police.

Officers are urging anyone with information to come forward.

A postman has completed a 12-hour non-stop run up and down a Kidderminster hill.

Shaun Marshall, from Kidderminster in Worcestershire, took on the challenge on Sion Hill in aid of Kemp Hospice.

Image source, Shaun Marshall

He came up with the idea for the run after in a bid to boost funding for the charity as other events were being cancelled.

He has raised almost £3,000 online with two local businesses, Bepco and Hewitt Recruitment, both offering to match-fund money raised.

Mr Marshall said he “couldn’t thank everyone enough” for their support.

Allen Cook
BBC News

A driver has suffered serious injuries after apparently crashing into the wall of a pub, police said, external.

Image source, Google

The collision took place on Saturday morning in the car park of the New Road and Crown on New Road, Rubery, near Bromsgrove, Worcestershire.

The force said the 35-year-old from Birmingham remained in hospital.

Human rights campaigner Malala Yousafzai has said she is "ready for a quarter-life crisis" after celebrating her 23rd birthday.

Image source, @Malala

She and her family relocated to Birmingham after surviving a shot to the head by Taliban soldiers.

She recently finished her final exams at Oxford University after studying politics, philosophy and economics.

Tweeting on Sunday evening she thanked "everyone for all the good wishes."

A 15-year-old boy has suffered a slash wound to the head in Birmingham.

Image source, Google

West Midlands Police said the boy was found injured in Anglesey Street, Lozells just before 19:00 on Friday.

He was taken to hospital, the force said, but his injuries are not believed to be life-changing or life-threatening.

West Midlands Police said inquiries continue and asked anyone with information to come forward.

A dispute at traffic lights on an M5 motorway sliproad led to a car passenger being stabbed.

The knifing at the Weston-super-Mare junction happened after a row erupted between the occupants of two vehicles, on Friday at about 22:15.

Image source, Google

A 42-year-old man from Birmingham, arrested on suspicion of wounding with intent, has been released under investigation pending further inquiries, police said.

The 26-year-old victim was taken to hospital with non-life-threatening injuries, Avon and Somerset Police said.

Health officials in Herefordshire say there's no risk to the general public after 73 people working at a vegetable-picking and packing farm tested positive for coronavirus.

A S Green and Co has gone into lockdown after the test results, with up to 200 staff self-isolating there.

Herefordshire's director of public health, Karen Wright, says there are no concerns about the farm's food - mainly beans & broccoli - which is sold to supermarkets, and they're not expecting to shut down any shops or public sites.

Food and other essential supplies are being delivered to the farm, where the workers have been segregated into the mobile homes they live in. Herefordshire Council, which has organised the supply of deliveries, believes the outbreak is "contained" on the farm.

A student who began working for the NHS 111 call service after his aunt contracted coronavirus says it is a chance to "give something back".

Image source, West Midlands Ambulance Service

Ollie Farquharson, 18, from near Kidderminster, was due to sit his A-levels this summer, but they were cancelled due to the Covid-19 outbreak.

His aunt, Kate Fox, 56, died after contracting the virus and he said he wanted to do something "proactive".

He is being featured in Paramedics: Britain's Lifesavers on Channel 4.

Up to 200 vegetable pickers and packers will remain on the farm in Herefordshire while isolating.

A 12-year-old boy has been arrested by police investigating racist messages sent to Crystal Palace forward Wilfried Zaha.

Zaha revealed he had received several abusive messages on social media before Sunday's trip to Aston Villa,a game the London side lost 2-0.

His manager Roy Hodgson called the abuse "cowardly and despicable".

West Midlands Police tweeted Zaha to say they would look into the abuse and hours later confirmed an arrest.

BBC Weather

After a bright start it will be a cloudy afternoon with the odd spot of rain possible and highs of 19C (66F).

Image source, BBC Weather Watchers/Lois Belle

Vanessa Pearce
BBC News

Welcome to our live service for Monday.

We'll be bringing you all the news, sport, travel and weather for the West Midlands.

We love to hear from you so share your news, thoughts and photos of the area with us via email, Twitter, external and Facebook., external