BBC Radio Shropshire

Telford and Wrekin Council is set to buy 13 disused properties and turn them into homes for rough sleepers.

With the help of a government grant it will also hire three staff to provide support.

Councillor David Wright, Telford and Wrekin Council’s cabinet member for Housing, said rough sleepers often had complex issues including mental health and clinical problems which made it difficult for them to find and keep hold of accommodation without assistance.

Three teenagers have been arrested in Nuneaton after reports of offences carried out by riders of stolen mopeds.

Police responded to an attempted robbery on Bucks Hill and the theft of a bag from a car on Lutterworth Road yesterday afternoon.

The suspects, from the Coventry and Warwickshire areas, are aged 15, 17 and 19.

Image source, Staffordshire Police

Sophie Calvert
Political Reporter, BBC Radio Stoke

A trial of the new "lateral flow" coronavirus tests in Stoke-on-Trent has gone "reasonably well", the leader of the city council says.

They've been used for just over two weeks now, to test nursing staff and council workers and should be expanded to schools and businesses from next week.

Image source, Getty Images

Between 23 October and 9 November, 927 tests were carried out and they offer a result quicker than the current tests.

The same tests are now being used for mass-testing in other parts of the country.

A 17-year-old boy has been arrested after police found a cannabis farm in Telford with produce thought to be worth up to £150,000.

West Mercia Police said officers raided an address on Hayes Road in Arleston on Tuesday and found 174 plants.

The teenager was arrested on suspicion of drug offences and is in custody.

BBC Weather Watchers

It's a good thing the West Midlands hasn't got a coastline, because superstitious sailors would have been seriously worried by the bright red skies this morning.

These photos were taken by BBC Weather Watchers in Whitnash and Longton.

Image source, 4Seasons

Image source, BobbyB

Stoke-on-Trent Live

From the Stoke Sentinel today:

• Family 'in pieces' as 'healthy' mum and son die from coronavirus, external
• Covid death toll doubles, external
• Rapid Covid-19 tests coming to Staffordshire, external

Local Democracy Reporting Service

Plans for an armed forces "sanctuary" garden in Solihull have been published.

The council plans to convert part of Hillfield Park and hopes work can start in January, so that the space can officially open in the summer.

Image source, Solihull Council

The aim is to provide a refuge for military veterans, but the plans have been delayed by the coronavirus pandemic.

The design includes a summer meadow, an orchard, a nuttery and community woodland.

The council received £20,000 from the Armed Forces Covenant Fund Trust in January, but the plans, which were drawn up with the Royal British Legion, haven't been revealed until now.

BBC Radio Stoke Sport

Crewe have sent their best wishes to former defender Nicky Hunt who suffered a serious head injury while playing for Darlington last night.

Darlington's game against Boston was abandoned after the 37-year-old, who made more than 50 appearances for Crewe was knocked unconscious.

Image source, Getty Images

Hunt needed treatment on the pitch for more than an hour and was taken to hospital, but is now back at home, recovering with his family.

Nearly 5,800 people sign a petition calling for Birmingham City Council to offer financial help.

Worcester News

From the Worcester News today:

• Worcester’s infection rate surges as weekly cases rise, external
• Council officer praised, external
• More money to be provided to feed hungry children, external

Sophie Calvert
Political Reporter, BBC Radio Stoke

Mass coronavirus testing in Staffordshire will start slowly, the county's director of health has said.

Dr Richard Harling said the county council would initially receive 10,000 of the tests, which can give results in under an hour.

It's up to local authorities where to use them, but the number is likely to increase over time and allow testing of asymptomatic people.

Image source, Getty Images

The local authority is working out not only where to use the quick result tests in the most effective way, but also how to resource the processing of them.

With no armed forces, as seen in Liverpool, the County Council is likely to have to use its own staff to turn round the tens of thousands of tests a week.

John Bray
BBC News

Bedworth's annual Armistice Day parade and service, which normally attracts about 5,000 people, has been cancelled because of the coronavirus.

Instead, organisers will mark the occasion with a smaller event that will be streamed online.

Image source, John Bray

In the town centre, despite fewer people, there are still tributes to those men and women who paid the ultimate sacrifice.

Image source, John Bray

Here's a reminder from organisers, external about the event's history and purpose, and where the 2020 version can be viewed online.

BBC Radio Stoke

A £166m regeneration plan for Kidsgrove is being submitted to the government, in the hope of attracting funding.

Newcastle-Under-Lyme Borough Council is looking for £25m through the Town Deal fund.

Image source, Google

The plan sets out what it sees as the problems for the town, including an "outdated train station", anti social behaviour and the lack of a leisure centre.

It suggests a new station, along with more investment in parks and canal paths.

The plan will go before borough councillors this afternoon.

BBC Radio Shropshire Sport

Shrewsbury Town's Shilow Tracey said he was "buzzing" after scoring his first ever hat-trick in the 4-3 win against Crewe last night.

The 22-year-old recently joined Shrewsbury on loan from Premier League Tottenham and said he hoped to now get the opportunity to play in the first team more.

Image source, Getty Images

Matt Millar scored the other goal for Shrewsbury in the EFL Trophy tie.

Shropshire Star

Here's a look at three of the headlines from the Shropshire Star today:

• £150,000 of cannabis seized in raid, external
• Shropshire doctors in warning on huge vaccine task, external
• Seven more deaths confirmed in Shropshire care homes, external

BBC Radio Stoke

A new cinema and restaurant complex in Crewe, external may not be ready for another four years.

It's due to be built on the site of the empty Royal Arcade shops, where demolition work began last month.

But the plans for the commercial parts of the scheme aren't expected to be finalised until 2022, so building work wouldn't be completed until March in 2025.

Image source, Google

The redevelopment plans also include a bowling alley, multi-storey car park and the rebuilding of the bus station next door.

The council now hopes the car park could be built within two years with plans submitted next April and construction starting in December.

Today is forecast to start overcast and it should remain dry, but later in the afternoon we could see some showers.

That rain is expected to become heavier through the evening.

Temperatures will be pretty similar to yesterday - up to about 13C (55F).

Image source, Karisskies

Andy Giddings
BBC News

Welcome to our live service for Wednesday.

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.

One volume from the private school's library is estimated to fetch up to £50,000 at auction.

Ellie and her sister Hannah are dealing with the devastating loss of their mum and dad.