The man in charge of Coventry's City of Culture planning has said adjustments will be made to make sure it goes ahead.

Martin Sutherland said "This is a hard fought-for title for the city, the economic boost that this is going bring is worth defending."

Image source, PA Media

The 12 months of events will now start in May 2021 and end the following May. Mr Sutherland said the plans wouldn't be "radically different" as a result of the limitations announced by the government this week.

He also said that a lot of work would be done over the next six months "to try and deliver against all those expectations".

Stoke-on-Trent Live

Here are three stories from the Stoke Sentinel's website today:

• 'Baby snatch gang try to rip tot out of pram', external
• Barber says 'coronavirus is not real', external
• Up to 15 Tesco staff in self-isolation, external

BBC Radio Hereford and Worcester

The owners of Worcester Warriors have warned "playing matches behind closed doors for another six months is clearly not sustainable".

Colin Goldring and Jason Whittingham said the announcement that no fans would be allowed into stadiums, possibly for up to six months, was a "huge disappointment." and puts "additional pressure on our fight for survival".

Image source, Getty Images

The Rugby Football Union and Premiership Rugby have asked the government for financial support, to help the sport survive.

Worcester said: "Until we have that clarity it is impossible for us to know what the future of professional rugby in England looks like."

A pedestrian has been seriously injured after he was hit by a lorry in Telford early this morning.

West Midlands Ambulance Service said it was called to the A442 Queensway in Stirchley at 01:00 and took him to hospital in Stoke-on-Trent.

The Archdeacon of Stoke-on-Trent, The Venerable Matthew Parker, is to become the next Bishop of Stafford.

The 57-year-old will succeed the Right Revd Geoff Annas, who retired last year.

Image source, Diocese of Lichfield

Not starting the new National League season on schedule would be "cataclysmic" for Solihull Moors, says chairman Darryl Eales.

A man and a woman have been seriously injured after being hit by a car while walking in Birmingham city centre in the early hours of this morning.

West Midlands Ambulance Service said it was called to Holloway Circus on the Queensway at 03:38 and took both to the Queen Elizabeth Hospital.

The man had head injuries and the woman had a leg injury.

Image source, Google

A 19-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of dangerous and drink driving and remains in custody for questioning.

The road has now reopened.

BBC Radio Shropshire

There's been a delay to plans to introduce 20mph speed limits outside Shropshire schools and to restrict the number of cars dropping off and picking up.

Shropshire Council voted to make the changes at 126 of its 150 schools back in July, but said coronavirus has delayed the implementation.

Image source, Getty Images

The authority said the associated work could cost up to £2.9m and a report advised money needed to be set aside to consult schools before this happened.

There were 11 accidents outside Shropshire schools in the last three years, resulting in 22 casualties, four of them children, according to West Mercia Police.

Staffordshire Police says it will be stepping up patrols in the county to ensure people stick to the new coronavirus restrictions.

Ch Const Gareth Morgan said so far "minimum enforcement" had been required, however "due to the infection rate rising, and some people continuing to flout the rules, we now need to take further measures to keep people safe".

Image source, Staffordshire Police

On Tuesday, prime minister Boris Johnson announced firmer restrictions in a bid to stem the spread of coronavirus, including closing pubs and restaurants by 22:00 and limiting them to table service only.

"If people choose to ignore the rules and break the law, we will take stricter enforcement action," Ch Const Morgan said.

Twenty-four employees at Jaguar Land Rover's plant in Solihull have tested positive for coronavirus.

The car manufacturer, which employs about 7,000 people at the site on Lode Lane, says all those affected are self-isolating.

A deep clean has been carried out at the factory and people who have been in close contact with the infected workers have also been told to self-isolate, the company adds.

BBC Weather

We're forecast a drier day today, but there could still be a few showers and a light breeze.

The temperatures are likely to be about 13C (55F) and it looks like we'll have more of the same tomorrow.

Image source, Angus and me

A crash has closed Holloway Circus in Birmingham this morning.

West Midlands Police urged people travelling into the city to avoid the major route. Diversions are in place and officers are at the scene.

Emergency services have not yet disclosed further details about the incident.

Andy Giddings
BBC News

Welcome to our live service for Thursday.

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 , externaland Facebook., external

Bartley Reds face a £400 fine if they do not play their next match despite a player testing positive.

Police who smelt cannabis searched a car following the collision near Corley services.

Andy Giddings
BBC News

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

BBC Weather

This brief rainy spell is coming to an end and most parts of the West Midlands should have dry weather by tomorrow afternoon.

But it's going to remain cool, with temperatures unlikely to be much higher than 13C (55F) tomorrow.

Image source, BarleyBoy

Droitwich Archery Society is looking for a new home and there are fears it might have to close.

The club has been running for more than 50 years, but has been told it can't use Droitwich High School any more, because of coronavirus safety concerns.

Image source, Getty Images

The chair of the group, Peter Sargent, said it was an important point of social contact and that members "constantly need to keep their skills up to date".

The new government restrictions don't prevent archery clubs from meeting, inside or outside, but a number of clubs are finding difficulty in returning to schools and other sites where they've practised in the past.

The former Worcestershire racehorse trainer Michael Oliver has died at the age of 70.

He trained at Elmley Lovett near Droitwich from 1973 to 1991 with his most famous victory coming in April 1986 when his horse, West Tip, won the Grand National.

Image source, Getty Images

West Brom manager Slaven Bilic is fined £8,000 for "improper conduct" during Saturday's defeat against Everton.