Scott Sinclair scores the winner as Preston boost their play-off hopes with a narrow victory over Birmingham City.

More than 2,000 properties in Manchester are affected as police warn some occupants will have Covid.

Roads and rail lines are affected and river levels are likely to remain high with rain forecast.

Abdu Aden is given five years following a fire that broke out at a block of flats in Hillfields.

BBC Midlands Today

There could be a Peaky Blinders spin-off TV series inspired by and including characters from the hit BBC crime drama, its creator Steven Knight said.

Knight has confirmed there would be a film following the show's upcoming final sixth series.

He had previously planned for a seven-season run of the TV drama, which is set in post-World War One Birmingham, but said on Wednesday Covid-19 had "stolen a year from us".

Asked by BBC Midlands Today if we were talking about a one-off film or a series, he said: "It's so bizarre with Peaky. You never know because you never know what's gonna develop from it.

"But we're talking about, (I) don't like the word spin-offs, but TV series that are gonna be inspired by and include characters from Peaky.

"And as I'm sure it's been in the press quite a bit, I've been approached to do Peaky the ballet, which I'm really keen to do... to put together a story that is expressed through ballet.

"The musical, the opera, all sorts of things have been suggested and I never like to say no, unless there's a good reason."

The final BBC TV series has resumed filming after being hit by Covid-related production delays.

BBC Radio Hereford and Worcester

Hundreds of children in Herefordshire are going to keep getting free school meals over the February half-term and in the Easter break.

Image source, Reuters

The county council has said it will continue to support a scheme , externalintroduced last year to support vulnerable families over Christmas.

Families will get meal provision up to the value of £15 for the week of half-term and £33 for Easter.

Coventry Live

From the Coventry Live website today:

• Review into 'shambolic' Coventry Christmas bin collections promised, external
• Teenage boy tragically dies after police called to house in Hartshill, external
• Driver arrested after car crashes into six parked vehicles, external

Katie Tong, of Shrewsbury, said goodbye to her father via video call days after her mother died.

A pathologist found Darren Constantine's account of events did not match Julie Webb's injuries.

Three people claiming to be police officers handcuffed a couple and then stole jewellery, watches and cash.

The trio claimed to be carrying out intelligence checks and got into a house in Bordesley, Birmimgham, earlier, West Midlands Police said., external

Police later stopped a suspected stolen car on the M6 and found jewellery and a police uniform.

A 55-year-old man from Dagenham has been arrested on suspicion of aggravated burglary, car theft, dangerous driving, failing to stop for police and robbery.

A a man was attacked in a supermarket when he politely asked a woman not to touch items she was not going to buy, police said.

Image source, West Midlands Police

The 38-year-old was assaulted on 21 December at the Asda on Jack Hayward Way, Wolverhampton, by a man who West Midlands Police believe may be her friend or partner. , external

The victim suffered cuts and bruises to his face but did not need hospital treatment.

The force said they want to identify a man in CCTV images.

Birmingham City postpone Wednesday's Women's Super League game against Everton because of a waterlogged pitch.

BBC Midlands Today

A former youth club is going to be turned into a centre to help families in danger of becoming homeless.

The site in Erdington, Birmingham, will be run by the Malachi Community Trust, a not for profit, therapeutic family support organisation, and be able to host four families at a time.

The trust has been given £500,000 by Birmingham shopfitters A Edmonds and Co.

"The idea that you have got families with children who are basically homeless and associated with that a whole host of other problems, you can not just walk away from it," managing director David Edmonds said.

Doris Hobday's family say they are "totally heartbroken" to lose her in this way.

BBC News England

Two hospital trusts are among the first in the country to begin offering a 24/7 Covid vaccination programme.

Image source, Reuters

The University Hospitals of Birmingham and Nottinghamshire's Sherwood Forest Hospitals trusts have been chosen to pilot the round-the-clock jabs from Wednesday.

Currently the standard opening time for vaccination centres is 08:00 to 20:00.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson has previously said he aimed to extend the hours when supply allowed it.

The vaccines will be offered to existing high-priority groups and hospital staff on night shifts.

A hospital apologises to Rachael Foley after she underwent a hysterectomy following the error.

BBC Weather

A yellow weather warning for rain remains in place across the West Midlands with the Met Office warning of possible flooding and disruption to transport., external

Along with the outbreaks of rain there will be brisk southwesterly winds and it will feel mild with a high of 11C/52F.

More heavy rain is forecast tonight, increasing the risk of flooding but it should clear in the early hours leaving most places dry with clear spells. Low: 4C/39F.

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

Delays to smear tests in lockdown prompt cervical cancer charities to call for home-testing kits.

A small number of patients who have tested positive for coronavirus have been admitted to Solihull Hospital.

Image source, Google

The hospital had stopped taking Covid-19 cases in May so elective surgery could continue, but recently announced it was pausing elective activity as pressure mounted on wards across Birmingham.

The hospital is run by the same trust as Queen Elizabeth hospital in Birmingham.

"Managing capacity across the trust in ‘hot’ and ‘cold’ areas allows us to safely care for all patients in the most appropriate care setting," the trust said in a statement.