Sophie Madden
BBC News

A seven-year-old with a rare form of epilepsy has made an "amazing" recovery after beginning a medicinal cannabis oil treatment, her family said.

Image source, Lucy Richardson

Sienna Richardson, from Telford, was diagnosed with Landau Kleffner syndrome, external.

The family secured a prescription from a private practice for her - which her mother said had been a "miracle".

They are now campaigning with other families to ensure the treatment is more widely available on the NHS.

Express and Star

Headlines from the Express & Star:

• Black Country MPs would back third lockdown to curb mutant strain as Tier 4 looms, external
• More than 870 Covid patients being cared for in region's hospitals, external
• Work under way on £3.4 million medical centre, external

BBC Radio Shropshire

Aaron Pierre's header secured a third straight win for Shrewsbury as they beat Doncaster Rovers to climb out of the League One relegation zone.

Doncaster, who missed the chance to take top spot in the division, dominated the first half but failed to make the pressure count.

Shrewsbury boss Steve Cotterill changed his side's shape at the break and it paid off as the visitors took the lead after 53 minutes when Pierre headed in a Shaun Whalley free-kick.

Sophie Madden
BBC News

Rough sleepers staying in a hotel during the pandemic will be given a "really special" Christmas Day.

Image source, Mike Matthews

Mike Matthews, manager of the Prince Rupert Hotel in Shrewsbury, Shropshire, said the 28 people staying with them were now "family".

Each will have a Christmas dinner at the hotel and receive gifts donated by local businesses.

"They have become family, so we will be doing exactly as you do at home," Mr Matthews said.

BBC Weather

A dull start with outbreaks of rain which will become more widespread and heavy through the morning and into the afternoon. High: 8C/46F.

Image source, BBC Weather Watcher A Scottish Soldier

Turning more showery this evening before the rain clears away to the south leaving mainly clear skies which will make the temperature chillier. Low: 2C/36F.

You can stay up-to-date on your local forecast by going to the BBC Weather website.

Welcome to our live service for Wednesday.

We'll be bringing you all the news, sport, travel and weather for the West Midlands.

We love to hear from you so share your news, thoughts and photos of the area with us via email, Twitter, external and Facebook., external

The people who have been staying throughout the pandemic have "become family", the manager says.

The family of Sienna Richardson are joining calls for drugs to be more accessible.

Ross Ball was killed in a "revenge attack" by a gang of "violent criminals" in Sutton-in-Ashfield.

They have met up amid the Covid-19 pandemic in a special pod that allows them to interact safely.

Our live coverage has ended for the day.

We'll be back with you from 08:00 on Wednesday with the usual mix of news, travel, sport and weather.

Special messages have been written on baubles to remember a boy who died from an aggressive type of brain tumour.

Ben Parton, from Cannock in Staffordshire, died eight months after being diagnosed with glioblastoma multiforme, and weeks before his twin, Jack, was found to have leukaemia.

To mark the first year since Ben's death, friends and family have decorated ornaments for an outdoor tree of remembrance.

Image source, Julie Parton

Julie Parton, Ben's mother, said it had been an "emotional time".

Image source, Julie Parton

Jack has finished high-intensity chemotherapy treatment and is now cancer free and on a maintenance programme.

Mrs Parton said he is "going in the right direction".

More than 2,500 Shropshire residents have incorrectly received a threatening letter from bailiffs working on behalf of the council.

Image source, Google

The company, Bristow and Sutor, has apologised after telling 2,622 residents they would be attending their homes to remove goods within seven days in payment for unpaid council tax.

The letters should have informed residents that the council had obtained a liability order to collect outstanding council tax - the first stage in the reclaim process, with bailiffs only the very last resort.

Calling it a "serious oversight", the leader of Shropshire Council, Peter Nutting, said the authority had asked the company to suspend activities while an investigation was carried out.

“This kind of mistake is unacceptable at any time, but during a pandemic and at Christmas, when families have been hit hard in so many ways, it is beyond belief," Mr Nutting said.

A theatre company pulls out of a season about "Black Joy" after the venue becomes a temporary court.

Firefighters have been dealing with a blaze at a factory unit in Sheldon, Birmingham, this afternoon.

The severe fire started within an industrial oven, said the fire service, which was called to the Crossfield Road site shortly after midday.

Nearby residents and businesses were advised to keep windows closed due to the amount of smoke.

Further flood defences are being deployed across parts of the West Midlands as a yellow warning for rain, external is extended.

Image source, Environment Agency

Barriers are being erected at Beales Corner and Severnside South in Bewdley, Worcestershire, says the Enivonment Agency.

Temporary defences will be put up in Ironbridge, Shropshire, from tomorrow.

The Met Office warning for rain is in place from 06:00 Wednesday until 06:00 Thursday (Christmas Eve) and is set to affect parts of Herefordshire, Shropshire, Worcestershire and Warwickshire.

An unknown substance has been thrown at people at a bus stop at Merry Hill shopping centre in Brierley Hill, police say.

Image source, Google

West Midlands Police and other emergency services were called to the site just before midday.

"Fortunately, there are no reported injuries and inquiries are now under way to find out what the substance was," police said.

Ellie Wain has been sentenced to life in prison over Kieran Brown's death.

The Football Association contacts Wolves boss Nuno Espirito Santo to ask him to explain his comments criticising referee Lee Mason.

Sikh groups, including Coventry-based Langar Aid, have arrived in Dover to help deliver food and water to stranded lorry drivers in Kent.

Two vans of snacks and bottled water have arrived at the scene, said Ravinder Singh from the charity Khalsa Aid.

"We are working with the local Sikh community to prepare 800 hot meals for the drivers which will be distributed later," he said.