A former pilot paralysed in an accident says he "wants to show disability in a positive light".

A boy with a terminal brain condition has been given a birthday surprise by two Disney princesses.

Kian Smith from Telford was two years old yesterday and his parents said they had been told he was unlikely to live that long, after he was diagnosed with Lissencephaly brain disease.

Image source, Pirates and Princesses

Kian's mum, Victoria, got in touch with the staff at the Pirates and Princesses soft play centre on Halesfield and asked for "some memories to keep" so they sent over Elsa and Anna here, to say happy birthday and sing his favourite song, Let it Go.

The actors said they were able to keep the appropriate social distance and that "it was very emotional, but rewarding".

A fundraising appeal has been set up to help Kian's family.

Cheshire East Council had refused to disclose the financial details of Peter Bates' departure.

Shropshire Star

Here are three stories from the Shropshire Star today:

• Hospital roof repairs halted by migrating birds, external
• Health boss warns of local lockdown, external
• Police mistake short-haired driver for a man, external

A once derelict patch of wasteland is now a safe space for young Muslim women to play football.

Stephanie Simpson and Simon Sayer say they plan to have a party when the virus is under control.

The northbound carriageway remains shut from J7 (for Worcester) to J6 (for Evesham).

Highways England said delays were still running at about an hour.

One lane southbound has now also been closed as the clean-up operation continues.

Here are the latest photos from the scene, showing the extent of the barrier damage.

Image source, Highways England

Image source, Highways England

Image source, Highways England

The NEC Group says it has been unable to access the funding earmarked for the cultural sector.

Local Democracy Reporting Service

Another bid is being made to build 1,200 homes in Hereford.

The applicants, Church Commissioners for England, had previously applied to build on land at Three Elms in 2016, but revised those plans after feedback from the council, residents and businesses.

Image source, Google

Among the objectors to these new plans is Heineken, because it fears the development could affect the ground water supplies that feed the ciders it produces locally.

The plans are due to be considered by Herefordshire councillors in January and would be built in two phases.

They also include the possibility of sports pitches, a health centre, primary school and shops.

The M5 is now fully open again southbound between junctions six and seven.

And West Mercia Police said it was slowly releasing traffic past the scene of the crash on the northbound carriageway.

At the same time contractors are in the process of recovering the tanker and clearing up the debris, but said there would still be "significant delays".

Highways England has said it expects the M5 to be cleared sometime after 13:00, allowing "normal traffic conditions" to resume.

In the meantime, traffic is being taken off the motorway at Worcester, via the A44 and A4440, heading north.

And the A4538, B4636 and B4084 heading south.

An NHS boss says staff anxiety is the highest he has seen in 30 years as Covid-19 cases rise again.

An overturned tanker has closed a section of the M5 in Worcestershire, between junctions seven and six, in both directions.

Highways England said the vehicle, which was carrying flammable liquids, has come to rest on its side and there was "significant damage" to the barrier.

A cordon has been set up around the scene for safety.

Image source, West Mercia Police

A tanker carrying flammable liquids is stranded as emergency services take on a big clear-up.

Ninth tier Hanley Town reach the FA Cup second qualifying round for the first time in their history thanks to a goal from a former Premier League striker.

Local Democracy Reporting Service

Teddy-bear shaped objects, moon-sized balloons and red and yellow stars were among 21 UFO sightings reported in Worcestershire and Herefordshire between 1997 and 2007.

Previously confidential government files have shown reports from Worcester, Kidderminster, Evesham, Bewdley, Droitwich and Malvern.

Image source, Getty Images

The black bear-shaped object was seen moving rapidly across the sky in Bewdley, Hereford and Worcester in 1998.

The Ministry of Defence said it stopped taking UFO reports after December 2009 stating “in more than 50 years, no sighting reported to the department has indicated the existence of any military threat to the UK.”

Wedding planners and photographers react to the latest blow to their industry.

Wolves sign Portugal right-back Nelson Semedo from Barcelona in a deal that could be worth £37m

Police have seized a haul of weapons from the home of a man in Warwick.

They include a number of swords, knives, knuckledusters and even an axe.

Image source, Warwickshire Police

Warwickshire Police said the man had been "suffering from deteriorating mental health" and the weapons were taken for "his safety and others'".

Officers said the man was "now getting the professional support he needs".

Coffee cup recycling bins are being installed at Birmingham's New Street station.

Network Rail is putting the orange bins in its 20 busiest stations and plans to have them all in place by the end of October.

Image source, Getty Images

A ban on retailers supplying plastic cutlery and cups will also be introduced by the end of the year.

The recycled cups will be turned into reusable cups and packaging.