If parts of the West Midlands go into the highest level of coronavirus restrictions, then the Metro mayor is confident a funding agreement can be reached.

Leaders of West Midlands local authorities met this morning to discuss what they would do if tier three restrictions were imposed.

The main subject of the discussions was the need for a funding package to support local businesses and Andy Street said: "Do I think we will reach an agreement with government – yes I do."

But he also said the process of applying for that money hadn't started yet.

Police handed out a £10,000 fine, saying people were mixing and dancing without masks.

The watchdog is looking at three incidents at Queen Elizabeth Hospital and Good Hope Hospital.

Leonard Sandel may have died on the day he was filmed at a cash machine, police say.

Nigel Foley admitted possessing a banned weapon and damaging property.

Movie-goers cannot cross the Welsh border to use toilet facilities at the drive-in cinema.

Birmingham City Council has announced it will run out of graves at one of its cemeteries within a fortnight, partially due to the pressures of Covid-19.

Image source, Google

The local authority said it had just 15 Muslim graves available at Handsworth Cemetery and fewer than 70 for other religions.

“The impact of Covid-19 has meant that burial space at Handsworth Cemetery has been used at a faster rate than we would have previously anticipated," Councillor Sharon Thompson, cabinet member for homes and neighbourhoods, said.

However, the council said it had also made improvements to a cemetery at Sutton New Hall, which it said had been designed with "extensive flood lighting available which means burials can continue to take place with greater flexibility during the darker winter months".

Detectives believe someone is "harbouring" the person detectives want to speak to.

Stoke's decision to ask for tier two restrictions was not a "unilateral decision" by the city council, the West Midlands Mayor has said.

Andy Street said it was "much more complicated than that" and added "I am absolutely certain there was a dialogue on this" in the week leading up to the announcement.

Image source, Getty Images

Stoke-on-Trent City Council announced yesterday that it had gone to the government and asked to be upgraded to a "high" risk area, to slow the accelerating rate of infection.

But Department of Health regional convenor Clive Wright said: "We had been working with that local authority for about a week before."

He said the council had "expressed an interest" in the status change and the Department of Health was "able to help them accelerate that process".

Mr Wright said also said: "Some councils may want to go early as a preventative measure. Others have very good reasons to protect their local economies."

Back-rower Ellis Robson signs a new two-year deal at Warrington, after Ottawa Aces agree to waive his 2021 contract.

The nearest town to Tracey Jones's pub is Chirk, over the border in Wales.

Police from Manchester have launched an appeal in Birmingham to help trace a man they believe was involved in a fatal shooting in Manchester in June.

Abayomi Ajose, 36, and Cheriff Tall, 21, (pictured left to right) were shot in the head at a "spontaneous" party attended by up to 400 people in Moss Side in the early hours of 21 June.

Image source, Family handout

Police have not named the suspect, but said "it's well known in the community who we are looking for".

"I'm pretty sure someone will be harbouring him," Det Ch Insp Stuart Wilkinson, from Greater Manchester Police, said.

"We firmly believe that the culprit of these cold-blooded murders is from the Birmingham area."

Michele Paduano
Health correspondent, BBC Midlands Today

A man who is trialling a Covid-19 vaccine says he saw it as an "opportunity to swipe back" at the virus after the toll it's taken on his business, as well as "something to mark the occasion" for his approaching 60th birthday.

Ian Bradford is the owner of Lymestone Brewery in Stone and said his business had been hit hard by the pandemic.

He signed up to trial a vaccine, but does not know if he was given that or a placebo on Sunday.

"I suppose there's a bit of a risk," he said.

"I'm assured there has been no long-term issues with other people who have taken part in the trial but I suppose it has to be stressed we are rushing through this medical research but I'm comfortable with the risk."

He will continue to see medical experts for the trial over the next 13 months.

There have been two instances of fireworks hitting people in West Bromwich, including a police officer.

Stoke-on-Trent and Coventry will be moving up to tier two, or "high alert", from midnight tonight as coronavirus cases increase in the areas.

The move bans all social mixing between households indoors - be that in homes, pubs or restaurants.

There are exemptions for things like childcare and you're also still allowed to meet up with people in your support bubble.

Mixing outdoors is still allowed, but this will be limited to groups of no more than six people.

To find out the rules where you live, use our postcode look-up tool.

A CCTV image is released as part of the investigation into events involving Coventry City fans.

League One club Shrewsbury Town sign former Bournemouth defender Charlie Daniels on a short-term deal until January.

Birmingham City Council is going to offer food vouchers to children who receive free school meals over half term.

It is believed it could benefit 61,000 children in the city.

The leader of the local authority, councillor Ian Ward, said the scheme would be similar to the one it ran at Easter and complained about the lack of warning that the government would not be providing the meals.

Mr Ward also said he wanted the government to put a plan in place for Christmas and beyond and said the "current chaotic approach is unsustainable".

Dudley Council has said it is still considering whether to do something similar, but deputy leader David Vickers said: "It's got to be financed. We've got to work it all out."

Earlier, Telford and Wrekin Council said it would be putting together parcels for those on free school meals who need them.

Coventry Live

Today's top stories from Coventry Live include:

• 11-year-old girl fighting for her life after Coventry crash, external
• Girl who only ate chicken nuggets 'cured' by Coventry hypnotherapist, external
• Problem parking to be tackled outside Coventry school after claims issues sparked "abuse", external

The dog's owner wants police or council patrols along beach in Edinburgh where the incident happened.