BBC Shropshire

The leader of Telford and Wrekin Council has urged the government to take "immediate action" over the maternity scandal at Shropshire's hospitals.

An independent review into maternity care at the Shrewsbury and Telford Hospital NHS Trust is now looking into nearly 1,900 cases, with the vast majority in the last 20 years.

Councillor Shaun Davies said the latest developments go "to the heart of the toxic culture at the highest levels of the organisation".

BBC Hereford and Worcester

The Worcester Warriors scrum-half Luke Baldwin has extended his loan spell with Pro-14 club Dragons for a second season.

He joined Dragons on an initial season-long loan last summer and played against Warriors in the European Challenge Cup pool match at Sixways in December.

Image source, Getty Images

West Midlands Police might have to lose 36 officers to pay for the government's proposed pay increases, its Police and Crime Commissioner has warned.

David Jamieson said that the 2.5% increase couldn't be afforded from the existing budget for his force.

Almost 900,000 public sector workers are to get an above-inflation pay rise, including doctors and teachers.

But the Treasury said the money for the pay increases of up to 3.1% would come from existing departmental budgets.

Another man, 20, will appear before magistrates charged with conspiring to commit robbery.

Express and Star

The Express and Star's covering these stories today:

• Hate crimes against Chinese people rocket due to 'absurd' Covid-19 notions, external
• Concerns over drop in mental health referrals during Covid-19 lockdown, external
• Walsall burglar broke into four homes in a single day, external

BBC Radio Stoke

A man's been found stabbed and police have been investigating reports that he was chased by a group of men.

Image source, Google

Officers were called to Victoria Street, Basford, Stoke-on-Trent, , externalon Tuesday morning.

They found the 21-year-old with a stab wound to his stomach and he was taken to hospital before later being discharged.

BBC Radio's Asian Network

From 24 July, face masks are to become compulsory in shops in England where masks on public transport have been required since mid-June.

The shops and supermarket mandate brings England into line with Scotland, and NHS sites across the UK.

But as mask-wearers are finding out, one size does not fit all. For instance, what do men with turbans or long beards do?

Sunnie Delilah, a designer from Birmingham, has been working on the problem after seeing her Sikh father-in-law struggle.

After posting her creation on social media, she has been receiving international orders.

BBC Sport

Aston Villa's players must prepare for a "cup final" after showing "courage" to secure a priceless win over Arsenal and move out of the Premier League relegation zone with one game to go, says boss Dean Smith.

Image source, Reuters

Trezeguet beat Emiliano Martinez with a powerful first-time finish after Tyrone Mings had diverted a corner into the Egypt international's path to lift Villa out of the bottom three for the first time since 28 February.

Villa moved above managerless Watford, who had started the day 17th before a heavy 4-0 home defeat by Manchester City, on goal difference.

The Midlanders' second win in three games sets up a dramatic final day at the bottom of the table on Sunday, which Villa will begin level on points with Watford and three points ahead of Bournemouth - with two of those three teams likely to go down.

BBC Weather

Dry and fine today with sunny spells but it will turn more cloudy as the day goes on. Feeling warm with a high of 22C/72F.

Image source, Bobwalking

Then dry with clear spells to start tonight before turning more cloudy in the early hours with a few outbreaks of rain by dawn. Low: 12C/54F.

You can keep up-to-date with the latest weather for your area by going to the BBC Weather website.

Local Democracy Reporting Service

A quarry near Shrewsbury could be expanded to allow another three million tonnes of sand and gravel to be extracted over the next 15 years.

Hanson Quarry Products Europe Ltd, which operates Condover Quarry, has applied to dig up a 22-hectare field to the south of the existing site and Shropshire councillors will discuss the proposals next Tuesday.

Image source, Google

The company says if it is turned down, one of its dormant sites at Sleap Airfield or Cound Quarry may have to be reactivated instead.

Allen Cook
BBC News

Welcome to the start of our live service for Wednesday.

We'll be bringing you all the latest updates for the West Midlands.

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

A designer has created PPE for men who wear turbans or have long beards.

Aston Villa move out of the Premier League relegation zone with one game to go after Trezeguet hits a superb winner against Arsenal.

Anna found her friends' sexually violent online chat - and saw she was mentioned hundreds of times.

Wesley Streete is accused of murdering Keeley Bunker whose body was found in a park in Tamworth.

Andy Giddings
BBC News

We'll be back with the news, sport, travel and weather from 08:00 tomorrow.

Coventry's Ricoh Arena has been chosen to host a Rugby League World Cup game next year.

Image source, Getty Images

Organisers anticipate that the tournament will be the biggest ever staged in the event's 67-year history.

Coventry is set to host the current men's World Cup holders, Australia, in a match against Scotland planned for October 2021.

The council says it'll be a great opportunity to showcase the city.

BBC Shropshire

For the first time since March, Shropshire's four community hospitals have said they're not treating a single Covid-19 patient.

The hospitals in Bridgnorth, Bishop's Castle, Ludlow and Whitchurch described it as a "positive step".

Image source, Google

The hospitals have warned, however, that they don't expect it to last and they're likely to see Covid-19 patients again in the weeks ahead.

Express and Star

From the Express and Star:

• Sandwell health boss warns buildings will be shut where Covid-19 is a threat, external
• Drink-drive arrests doubled on weekend pubs reopened, external
• 'School keep clear' painted on Wolverhampton road 10 years after school moved site, external

BBC Radio Stoke Sport

David Artell has told Crewe trialist Joe Malkin "the ball is firmly in his court" and he will join the squad when it returns to training tomorrow.

The striker has joined from Nantwich Town and extending the metaphor, coach Artell said: "He's been given an opportunity, a tennis ball and a racquet and lets see what he's got."

Image source, Getty Images

Artell said a number of other trialists could join the squad over the next couple of weeks, but that he was in no rush to make signings ahead of the return to League One.