The rare first edition hardback copy of the novel had been valued at half the amount.

Birmingham is going to lobby for extra government money for the hospitality industry following the tightening of coronavirus restrictions in the city.

From Wednesday, different households mixing in indoor settings will be prohibited in Birmingham, meaning people can no longer visit restaurants and bars with friends, or relatives who live in another home.

The leader of Birmingham City Council, Ian Ward, said: "We tried to persuade government not to make extra restrictions on hospitality - we didn’t win."

Under the new rules for Birmingham, groups of up to - but no more than - six people from different households are still permitted to socialise in outdoor spaces, but Mr Ward says the council will continue to advise residents not to mix in gardens, because he believes "there is clear evidence" that household mixing of that type "is part of the issue in the city".

A new walk-through testing centre has opened at Fenton Manor Sports Complex car park in Stoke-on-Trent.

Testing will be available for people with coronavirus symptoms, including a high temperature, a new, continuous cough, or a loss or change to their sense of smell or taste.

Image source, ge

People with symptoms are being asked to book a test at nhs.uk/coronavirus, external or by calling 119.

A pilot test centre was set up there last month and there were complaints about the speed with which the slots filled up, and later about people not turning up for their appointments.

Armed police officers are responding to reports of a shooting in Telford this afternoon.

One man at the Bridges Business Park in Horsehay has been treated by paramedics for what police believe to be a gunshot wound.

Image source, Liam Ball

Supt Jim Baker said initial inquiries suggested the man had been shot at from a vehicle, for which police were searching.

The 19-year-old is being question by police in London following an arrest in Wednesbury.

Altrincham's next two National League fixtures are postponed after a number of their players test positive for Covid-19.

Yesterday's announcement of a new three-tier system of coronavirus restrictions -there's an explainer here- has led to many questions from you.

Image source, Reuters

The toughest restrictions for the West Midlands focus on Birmingham, Sandwell, Solihull, Walsall and Wolverhampton. These areas are in tier two and deemed on "high alert".

From Wednesday, people in those areas from different households will no longer be able to mix in indoor settings.

That was already the case for some of those places with regard to the home. But now different households from each of the areas are additionally prohibited, for example, from mixing in a pub or restaurant. When visiting such a venue, you will have to do so alone, or with members of your own household; sitting apart from anyone beyond that sphere.

But in response to our Facebook, external post about the changes yesterday, some of you are seeking further clarification on them, with a range of queries.

Among them is Samantha Jayne, who is one of many to ask whether it is permitted for tier two residents to mix with people from their support bubble.

The answer to that is yes. While pre-existing support bubbles are drawn from separate homes - as typically a network for single people to aid those cut off from friends and family - they amount to one household. That said, the forging of support bubbles is itself subject to strict rules. Once in one, you can't start over with another.

The government has also made it clear that support bubbles can be maintained even if the homes from which they're drawn are in areas of different alert status. But again, it's premised on the strict support bubble ground rules being observed.

We'll bring you more answers to your questions later on.

For now, here's a reminder of where things stand in the areas outlined above:

A moped rider died in a crash in Tipton last night.

West Midlands Ambulance Service said the man was found in a critical condition by the side of the road on High Street in Princes End at about 19:40 and paramedics were unable to save his life.

Image source, Google

Shropshire Star

From the Shropshire Star today:

• Emergency crews tackle late-night fires, external
• Benefit claimant figures drop across Shropshire, external
• Almost £3,000 raised for Market Drayton family, external

BBC Radio Hereford and Worcester

A £7.3m renovation of Hereford's first world war shell store is almost complete.

The new building uses the same steel frame as the original giant shed which was built at Rotherwas in just four months in 1916.

It contains pods for 25 new and growing businesses and aims to become a hub for defence, security and cyber technology firms.

The project has been paid for by the European Regional Development Fund, Herefordshire Council and a loan from the Marches Investment Fund.

BBC Radio Shropshire

There are plans to drill small boreholes into Ludlow's town wall to establish its thickness, ahead of long-awaited repairs.

In 2013, a section collapsed after heavy rain and there was a dispute over who should be responsible for carrying out the work.

The explorative work can only start once permission has been granted from the Church and Historic England.

The 13th Century scheduled monument is said to be among the most complete town walls in Europe.

Coventry Live

Here are three stories from the Coventry Telegraph's website:

• Jaguar Land Rover offers voluntary redundancy to some staff, external
• Universities reveal number of students and staff with coronavirus, external
• New walk-in testing site being prepared, external

Two more venues in the West Midlands have been handed £10,000 fines for flouting covid restrictions, police say.

According to the West Midlands force, officers found 250 people inside the Kasablanca Shisha Lounge in Birmingham over the weekend.

It added 100 people were found at a premises holding an illegal rave on Phoenix Business Park in Walsall last month.

BBC Sport meets volunteers who trained themselves during lockdown to maintain grass pitches for their communities.

A woman has suffered "life-changing injuries" after being hit by a bus in Birmingham yesterday.

West Midlands Ambulance Service said it was called to Bristol Road in Selly Oak at about 16:20 and found she was trapped underneath the bus, which had also struck a lamppost.

Several other vehicles were also damaged and the bus driver was taken to hospital for checks.

Disability Arts in Shropshire (DASH) has been granted £70,000 as part of the government's £1.57bn Cultural Recovery Fund.

The charity - which works with disabled artists - said it was "fantastic news" and the money would be used to employ more freelance mentors to better support its artists.

"Our team at DASH have barely stopped this year, responding to the challenges brought about by the pandemic and supporting disabled people who have been disproportionately affected," the charity's chair, Craig Ashley, said.

"This funding will enable us to reach more disabled artists.... [and] give us much needed breathing space to ensure our future."

BBC Radio Hereford and Worcester

Hereford Racecourse will stage its first meeting of the new winter jumps season, but no spectators will be allowed to attend.

Arena Racing, which operates the course, has made changes to the facilities to ensure they meet the Covid-19 rules introduced by the British Horseracing Authority.

Image source, Getty Images

The regional executive director at Hereford, Rebecca Davies, said the return of spectators should be possible eventually, with the right safety measures in place.

That is likely to mean all tickets being bought in advance and track and trace being introduced.

BBC Weather

We're likely to see some more showers today and temperatures reaching 11C (52F).

The rest of the week is forecast to be dry and cloudy.

Image source, Sutton Walker

Birmingham, Sandwell, Solihull, Walsall, and Wolverhampton are in the "high category".

The owner turned off music and closed shutters to "deter" officers when they arrived, police said.