BBC Radio Shropshire

Workers in Shropshire are being urged not to share cigarette lighters and cups during breaks, to stop the spread of Covid-19.

Shropshire Council said, external it had seen outbreaks in many workplaces and, with cases increasing, the county was at a "critical point" in trying to avoid tougher restrictions.

Other items staff are being told not to share during their breaks include mobile phones, cutlery and plates.

People are also being told by the council not to car share if they can avoid it.

The rate of new cases of coronavirus in the area has increased from 75.5 per 100,000 people in the seven days to 8 October to 84.8 the following week.

Rob Mayor
Political reporter, BBC Radio WM

Dudley could find out today if it will face tougher Covid-19 rules, the leader of the council has told BBC Radio WM.

Image source, PA Media

The borough is the only one in the West Midlands not to have tier two rules which ban households from mixing including inside bars or restaurants.

New cases of coronavirus have been increasing in Dudley with 135.9 per 100,000 people in the week up to 16 October, compared with 95.8 for the previous seven days.

Council leader Patrick Harley told me if a decision to move them to tier two is not taken today, it is pretty much inevitable in the next week.

Several thousand tonnes of straw and hay has gone up in smoke in a huge barn fire.

Image source, Hereford and Worcester Fire and Rescue Service

Dozens of firefighters were called last night to a farm in Munsley, near Ledbury, Herefordshire, the fire service said. , external

The blaze covered about 1,600 sq m and involved about 3,500 tonnes of hay and straw.

The service said three fire engines had remained at the farm this morning to keep hosing the area down.

Image source, Hereford and Worcester Fire and Rescue Service

Richard Hammond has been given the go-ahead, but with a number of restrictions in place.

Express and Star

The Express and Star is covering these stories today:

• Hundreds of fines for breaching coronavirus restriction rules, external
• Warning of stricter rules if cases continue to rise in Stafford, external
• Dudley Council spends £100,000 in a year removing graffiti, external

Caroline Gall
BBC News

A wildlife charity is hoping to buy more than 100 acres of land to return it to a network of heath-land habitat.

Dropping Well Farm, in Worcestershire, has been intensively farmed for decades, but a £1.4m project aims to create the county's largest block of heath-land.

Worcestershire Wildlife Trust said up to 85% had been lost across the UK over the past 150 years.

Heath-land habitat must be restored so "wildlife can thrive once again", its chief executive Colin Raven said.

There are currently no plans for the West Midlands to move into tier three of the coronavirus restrictions, the West Midlands mayor says.

People in Birmingham, Sandwell, Solihull and Wolverhampton are currently under tier two restrictions, which prevents mixed households of six gathering anywhere except outdoors or in private gardens.

In a post on Twitter, external, Andy Street said the region must "maintain" this position for as long as possible "to help protect people's lives and livelihoods".

"However our case number are rising," he said.

"And if they continue to rise in the coming weeks then naturally we will have to begin the dialogue with the government about whether a move into the very high level of restrictions is appropriate".

While the region remains in tier two, Mr Street added, he will continue to lobby the government for extra support for businesses.

The BBC will broadcast the 2022 Commonwealth Games as the decision to have more women's than men's medal events is described as "phenomenal".

School pupils are being given the chance to "bring colour" to a Covid-19 test site and make it less daunting for children.

Image source, Cheshire East Council

The new centre for walk-through appointments opened recently on Chester Street car park, Crewe.

Cheshire East Council said it wanted it to look "less clinical" and schools could get involved with creating pictures to fill the walls.

The authority added there would be no end date for the submission of pictures and it would need to refresh the displays frequently.

Plans for key events as part of Coventry UK City of Culture 2021 are set to be revealed today.

The coronavirus pandemic has seen the launch of the year of the arts postponed until May 2021.

But organisers say they’re determined to give the city an unforgettable year of events.

Image source, PA Media

BBC Weather

Mainly cloudy with rain spreading in from the south this morning before turning more showery this afternoon. Windy as the day goes on with a high of 15C/59F.

Image source, BBC Weather Watcher Dawn Treader

Then cloudy this evening with a few showers before they ease overnight with clear spells developing. Low: 9C/48F.

Keep up-to-date on your local forecast by going to the BBC Weather website.

Conservationists want to create a "huge, green heart" of natural habitat in Worcestershire.

Hospitality venues adapt yet again to changes brought about by Covid-19 guidelines.

Midfielder Matty Lund returns to haunt his former club as his second goal of the season secures Rochdale's first away win as they beat Burton.

Norwich City strike late through Mario Vrancic to beat 10-man visitors Birmingham City in the Championship.

Billy Clarke earns Bradford a 1-1 draw against Walsall with a second-half penalty.

Jordan Shipley's classy finish is cancelled out by a sweet strike on the counter from Andre Ayew as Coventry City and Swansea City share the points at St Andrew's.

Sunderland extend their unbeaten start to the League One season courtesy of a 1-0 win over Crewe at the Stadium of Light.

Paul Mullin continues his sensational early-season form with a hat-trick as league leaders Cambridge United beat Port Vale.

Brandon Hanlan's first-half goal secures a third win in four League One games for Bristol Rovers with a 1-0 victory at Shrewsbury.