John Donaghy's operation to help treat his mouth cancer was cancelled due to Covid pressures.

Sickness levels have risen at Shropshire's hospitals, with staff also shielding or self-isolating.

Military personnel are now assisting medical staff in a number of hospitals in the West Midlands, including in Shropshire and at the University Hospital North Midlands trust in Stoke-on-Trent.

Members of the military drafted in to work in Shropshire’s hospitals are covering for health care assistants after staff shortages meant roles across the Princess Royal, in Telford, and the Royal Shrewsbury were being left uncovered on the rota.

Army personnel are also expected to start work at NHS trusts in Birmingham and the Black Country.

At a regional Covid-19 update on Friday, Prof David Loughton, chief executive of The Royal Wolverhampton NHS Trust, confirmed the military would again be supporting the region's NHS, as they did with their "absolutely pivotal role" early in the pandemic.

He said: "There will be military personnel arriving next week within my organisation and they will be working under the supervision of senior clinicians and nursing teams and carrying out a variety of duties.

"I believe that is similar across the West Midlands conurbation."

Frankwell main and riverside car parks, in Shrewsbury, are closed this morning due to a risk of flooding from rainfall expected from Storm Christoph.

A yellow warning of rain has been issued for the whole of the West Midlands from midnight until Thursday morning.

Spells of prolonged and heavy rain are set to cause travel disruption across the West Midlands, the Met Office is warning., external

Image source, Met Office

Homes and businesses are also at risk of flooding, it said.

The wet weather is expected to affect the region from late on Tuesday into early Thursday as Storm Christoph affects the UK.

A yellow warning has been issued.

Graffiti has been daubed on rocks at a Staffordshire beauty spot.

Image source, Staffordshire Police

Rocks at The Roaches, near Leek, were damaged at some point between 17:00 GMT on Saturday and early Sunday morning, said Staffordshire Police.

The force is asking for anyone with information to come forward.

BBC Weather

It will be a mild and cloudy day with brisk southwesterly winds and a few showers before heavier rain moves in later, with highs of 11°C (52°F).

Warren Bridgen was diagnosed with depression after the pandemic forced the shop he works in to shut.

Days after the birth of his first child, Owen Murray was told the cancer he has is terminal.

Sandwell public health director Dr Lisa McNally also condemns vaccine sceptics amid social media abuse.

Police have described the killers of 15-year-old Keelan Wilson as a "pack of animals".

Aaron Wilson died in hospital days after he was trapped between cars in a crash in Coventry.

Usain Salt, Professor Chris Gritty and Snowbi-Gone Kenobi are three of the names of Warwickshire's new gritters.

Image source, Warwickshire County Council

Like many local authorities, the county council asked the public in October to pick names for its new vehicles., external

As well as the pun-heavy names, the council will also name two more vehicles after "particularly poignant" suggestions.

One will be Charlie Boy in memory of a boy who died from childhood cancer in 2017 and another, Grey13 Hero, after a former county council worker.

The pensioner is left with life-threatening injuries and a man is charged with attempted murder.

The £200 levies follow arrests in the city centre during a demonstration by about 150 people.

BBC Weather Watchers capture an incredibly colourful start to Monday.

Express and Star

From the Express and Star today:

• Domestic abuse services blow as police cash directed to hate crime, external
• More than 1,500 attacks on police in West Midlands during Covid-19 pandemic, external
• Tettenhall headteacher calls for clear plan to ensure level playing field for pupils, external

BBC Weather

It'll be bright at times this morning but will turn mainly cloudy for most parts of the West Midlands later on. It will be mostly dry and breezy with a high of 7C (45F).

Image source, BBC Weather Watcher Billington_Photo

This evening it should stay cloudy and breezy with some showers moving in from the south west. The rain will turn persistent in the first half of tonight before easing. Low: 6C (43F).

You can stay up-to-date with the latest weather forecast for your area by going to the BBC Weather website.

The latest news and updates from across the West Midlands and south Cheshire.

Police officers said the decision to drive from Walsall to Edgmond was "not so bright".