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".

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.

BBC Radio Shropshire

Two Shropshire Conservative MPs have questioned the way the prime minister is responding to the coronavirus threat.

Telford MP Lucy Allan tweeted "disagree that the collective health of the nation is at risk" and said the response should be targeted, because "we know a very small group of vulnerable people are at risk from Covid-19".

She said: "Shutting down society causes massive damage to health, lives, and livelihoods of the whole population."

And she accused the Boris Johnson's scientific advisers, Sir Patrick Vallance and Chris Whitty, of using a "sensationalist worst case scenario graph" which she said "diminished their credibility."

The MP for Shrewsbury and Atcham, Daniel Kawczynski, said further lockdowns would be "unsustainable" and damaging to jobs.

And he said he wanted assurances "the government does not have unrestricted power in imposing lockdown and it has to justify these actions in front of parliament".

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.

BBC Radio Stoke

Performances at the Regent Theatre and the Victoria Hall in Hanley have been suspended until 27 November.

The Ambassador Theatre Group, which runs the venues, said the decision was made due to the ongoing social distancing restrictions.

Image source, Google

The group said it's also having to look at staff contracts, because of the government's decision not to continue with its Job Retention Scheme.

BBC Radio Stoke Sport

Stoke City captain Ryan Shawcross has suffered another setback in his comeback from injury.

He's not expected to feature for the next few weeks because of a calf problem picked up in the friendly against Leeds.

Image source, Getty Images

Manager Michael O'Neill has said again that it's important that he's not rushed back.

Police, firefighters, and highways officers are at the scene of a gas leak in Stoke-on-Trent.

Diversions are in place and there is a warning of congestion around the area in Church Street.

BBC Weather

We've got used to sunny September but it's all change with most of us forecast a rainy day.

Temperatures will take a drop too, with the maximum around 13C (55F).

The wet weather is expected to continue tomorrow.

Image source, Morning Amble

Andy Giddings
BBC News

Welcome to our live service for Wednesday.

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

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Chris Gorman captured unique images of empty shopping malls and theme parks.

The ballet world is competitive and the pressure on young dancers to achieve the "perfect physique" is high.

Andy Giddings
BBC News

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