An elderly man has been seriously hurt in a doorstep robbery.

Image source, Google

The victim, aged in his 70s, opened his door on Kelvin Road, Leamington, to a man asking for directions on Wednesday afternoon, Warwickshire Police said, external.

As he was writing down directions, he was attacked and forced to hand over his wallet and keys to his car, a red Ford C Max, which was then stolen.

The victim suffered serious injuries to his head and face but officers said they are not thought to be life-threatening.

BBC Weather Watchers

There are plenty of autumn leaves on the ground now across the West Midlands and our local BBC Weather Watchers have been busy snapping photographs.

These three are from users Tillymint in Rugby, Warwickshire, JazzyDee in Sheriff Hales, Shropshire and Mr Twister in Leek, Staffordshire:

Image source, Tillymint

Image source, JazzyDee

Image source, Mr Twister

Local Democracy Reporting Service
Alex Moore

A council is facing a funding shortfall of £11.7m due to Covid-19 but has managed to cut it from £18.6m earlier this year.

In a report for Telford and Wrekin Council's cabinet, the finance director said the reduction was down in part to more money from the government.

The report said unexpected costs due to the pandemic stood at about £26.9m and income from its theatre and leisure centres remains down.

So far it has received around £15m in extra cash from the government’s emergency response fund.

A reminder what restrictions are in place for those living in tier two areas.

• No mixing between households indoors, including in pubs and restaurants.
• Mixing outdoors, including in gardens and parks, is ok, but only up to a maximum of six people.
• Work from home if possible.
• Reduce unnecessary travelling.

Telford, Dudley and the whole of Staffordshire are set to move into tier two from 00:01 on Saturday, the government has confirmed.

Some councils had started releasing the details on social media earlier, and news that Telford would be joining neighbouring Staffordshire in tier two emerged yesterday.

It means an extra 1.5 million more people in the West Midlands will be joining tier two, with those in Birmingham, Sandwell, Solihull, Wolverhampton, Walsall and Coventry already living under those restrictions.

BBC Radio Hereford and Worcester

Twenty Covid-19 marshals or advisors will be deployed in high streets and town centres in Worcestershire in the next few weeks.

Image source, EPA

The government said earlier this month it was giving councils £30m towards funding them.

The county's local authorities have pooled their cash and said the 20 roles,, external now being advertised, will be sent "where support is needed most".

They added they will only be able to advise people and businesses and not have powers to enforce any of the coronavirus regulations.

Murder detectives probing the deaths of a mother and son have found a third body - and suspect the same man in relation to all three discoveries.

Image source, West Midlands Police

The body of Julie Williams, 58, was found at her Coventry home on Sunday. Her son David Williams was found at a nearby property on Monday night.

At about noon today, officers found a woman's body near Leamington.

Police have named Anthony Rusell, 38, as a suspect, and say he is to be considered dangerous.

The leader of the city's council says he expects stricter Covid-19 restrictions "at some stage".

Parts of Shropshire could see flooding and transport disruption today and tomorrow due to heavy rain.

The Met Office has, external a yellow weather warning in place until 23:59 on Friday.

Image source, Met Office

Local Democracy Reporting Service
Ethan Davies

Work to replace a retirement complex destroyed in a fire could begin soon, according to developers.

Image source, Cheshire Fire and Rescue Service

The apartments at Beechmere, Crewe, were destroyed in a blaze which swept through the building in August 2019.

Plans for its replacement, to sit on the same site with the same number of bedrooms, have been approved this week by Cheshire East Council.

Image source, Cheshire Fire and Rescue Service

The proposals include several fire safety improvements such as an integrated sprinkler system, wider corridors and more masonry in the construction.

Juno Planning’s Nigel Murray, representing developers Avantage, said they could start building soon.

"We have a contract ready to start and a price agreed with contractors. We want to get those residents back in their homes and want to put them back where they belong.”

The Police and Crime Commissioner for the West Midlands has said he "cannot see" how trick or treating "can possibly take place safely" given the backdrop of Covid-19.

David Jamieson also asked parents to use "good sense" in planning their Halloween activities.

Tier two restrictions in force in Birmingham, Sandwell, Solihull, Wolverhampton and Coventry mean households can't mix indoors, but can outdoors, up to the rule of six.

Despite measures introduced in those place (other than Coventry) a fortnight ago, rates have continued to rise.

Mr Jamieson described the two weeks covering Halloween and bonfire night as "mischief fortnight" and said it was "always a challenge for police".

Police discover guests from as far as London at the event at a home in Wolverhampton.

Birmingham City Council promised meal vouchers but now admits they won't arrive until after half term.

A local radio legend is hanging up his microphone tonight after more than 30 years in the industry.

Graham Torrington has been a fixture on air in the West Midlands for much of the last four decades.

He started his career during the 1980s, cutting his teeth in hospital radio in the region.

Graham memorably spent 12 years talking about relationships on his Late Night Love show on commercial radio.

He announced in August he would be retiring at the end of October , externaland his final show is tonight from 22:00 on BBC Radio WM.

BBC Sport

Worcester Warriors' Ollie Lawrence (pictured) could make his debut for England in Saturday's Six Nations match against Italy in Rome.

Image source, Reuters

The back is named among the substitutes along with Wasps scrum-half Dan Robson, who could win his third cap off the bench.

But Wasps fly-half Jacob Umaga has been overlooked along with flanker Jack Willis.

England could seal the Six Nations title with a win if the result of France v Ireland goes their way.

BBC News UK

The BBC has a huge amount of information about the coronavirus pandemic and its impact on the country here on the website.

Image source, Reuters

We've also picked out some of the web pages in particular which we think you might find useful:

• How many coronavirus cases are there in your area?
• Coronavirus vaccine: When will we have one?
• What Covid tier is my area in?
• Covid: Can I go to the cinema with my family? And other questions
• Halloween and coronavirus: Can we go trick or treating?
• Covid symptoms: Is it a cold, flu or coronavirus?

Dudley News

A few of the stories from the Dudley News today:

• Elderly Dudley woman conned out of more than £8,000, external
• Huge battle over 'toxic' Dudley housing plan, external
• Councillors clash over free school meals in Dudley, external

Social distancing has ended fundraising activities like jumble sales, the Scout Association says.

A man's died in a car crash in Staffordshire.

A silver Volkswagon Golf came off the A38 in Barton under Needwood, near Burton upon Trent, last night, police said. , external

The man was confirmed dead at the scene.

Allen Cook
BBC News

With all the talk of parts of the West Midlands expecting to move into higher tiers in terms of Covid restrictions, we thought we'd just remind you of how the tier areas stand as of right now.

At the moment there are no areas in tier three.

In tier two - also referred to as "high" alert level - on Thursday morning there are:

• Birmingham
• Coventry
• Sandwell
• Solihull
• Stoke-on-Trent
• Walsall
• Wolverhampton

While in tier one - or "medium" alert level:

• Dudley
• Herefordshire
• Shropshire
• Staffordshire
• Telford and Wrekin
• Warwickshire
• Worcestershire

This is a fast-changing situation though so in future, to find out what the rules are in your area, you can go to this BBC webpage and enter your postcode.