An outbreak of bird flu has been confirmed on a chicken farm near Leominster.

The government said a cull of affected birds was under way and a 10km control zone was in place around the affected site.

Image source, Getty Images

The move follows cases elsewhere in the country.

Yesterday it was confirmed that three wild geese found dead at Slimbridge in Gloucestershire tested positive for the same strain recorded in Herefordshire.

BBC Weather

It's going to remain cool today, with temperatures no higher than 12C (54F), but it should be dry, with light cloud.

We might also have some sunshine this morning.

Image source, Miss Healthy

Andy Giddings
BBC News

Welcome to our live service for Thursday.

We’ll be bringing you all the latest updates for the West Midlands.

You can let us know about stories in your area via email,Twitter , externaland Facebook, external.

BBC Children in Need cash supports 14-year-old Ana who enjoys respite activities at a YMCA.

The national zone aims to stop the spread after cases are identified at a Herefordshire farm.

Lucy Letby was arrested in 2018 and 2019 as part of a probe into deaths at a Chester hospital.

Kitten Boris is being cared for by his family after his Bonfire Night ordeal.

Andy Giddings
BBC News

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

Local Democracy Reporting Service

The number of Avanti train services between Coventry and London is going to drop to two an hour from Saturday, because of coronavirus.

Avanti currently runs three trains an hour to Euston but says passenger demand has fallen and there have also been problems with staff shortages.

Image source, Avanti West Coast

It says the altered timetable will continue into the new year and has not confirmed when the third service will return.

Theresa Stewart has been remembered as "amazing, inspirational and compassionate".

Local Democracy Reporting Service

An international scientific equipment manufacturer wants to move to a new, downsized, headquarters in Coventry.

Bruker UK Ltd has been based at Banner Lane in Tile Hill, Coventry, since 1989, but says the site is too big nowadays, because manufacturing is done elsewhere.

Image source, Bruker UK

It has said its committed to staying in the area and the new offices would also be on Banner Lane.

The company employs 7,200 people in 90 locations around the world and has 114 staff in the Coventry site.

BBC Weather

We're forecast rain, some of it heavy, and a moderate breeze for most of the West Midlands tonight.

Tomorrow should be better, though, with light cloud and some sunshine.

Image source, Shaun

Next year marks 100 years of the town's commemorations and organisers did not want to miss one out.

Local Democracy Reporting Service

The redevelopment of West Smethwick Park has been scaled back, but it will still go ahead despite a major contractor going into administration.

Sandwell Council’s cabinet is being asked to put up an extra £673,777 to ensure the £5.2m lottery-funded project will be realised.

Image source, Sandwell Council

Specialist contractor Stone Edge went into administration in January, meaning delays to the work and an increase in the cost.

The redevelopment is now set to be completed by 2022 to coincide with the Commonwealth Games being held in Birmingham.

BBC Weather Watchers

The BBC Weather Watchers have shared some photos of Armistice Day around the West Midlands.

These were taken in Kinver, Worcester and Bedworth

Image source, Winter Peach

Image source, Storyteller K

Image source, Deano G60

A judge says Jaydon James's killers showed a "distorted and immoral code" in their machete attack.

Police are looking to trace the family of a man who died in a crash on the A5 near Gailey yesterday.

Paul Atkins, who was 59 and from Essington, Wolverhampton, was the driver of a car which collided head-on with a cement mixer, but his direct family are believed to have died some years ago.

Image source, Google

Staffordshire Police says it is continuing to investigate the cause of the crash.

Birmingham Live

From Birmingham Mail's website today:

• Tributes for Birmingham's 'iconic' first and only female council leader, external
• University staff suffer record 23 Covid cases in one week, external
• Sandwell health chief's urgent warning, external

BBC Radio Stoke Sport

Crewe fans have been told their club will survive, despite the lack of supporters in the stadium this year.

Vice chair Charles Grant admitted: "If we don't sell any players and we don't have a cup run then the year might be a bit tricky." But he added: "We'll get through it."

Image source, Getty Images

And Grant said that if the cup run did materialise or the club had "a bit of luck", then "the finances look quite good".

Theresa Stewart, the first female leader of Birmingham City Council, has died aged 90.

She died on Wednesday after a "long illness", her son Henry posted on Twitter.

He added his mother's illness was not coronavirus-related.

Theresa Stewart represented the Labour Party. The city's current council leader, also Labour, had this to say: