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.

Eight flood warnings, external are now in place across the West Midlands as the heavy rain pushes up river levels.

Image source, Shrewsbury Town Council

Five are along the River Severn and its tributaries in Shropshire with others on the River Wye in Hereford, the River Teme near Kidderminster and the River Blithe near Lichfield.

The Environment Agency has been putting up more flood barriers in Ironbridge, Bewdley and Hereford, following ones already installed in Shrewsbury.

With the river levels increasing and not expected to peak until tomorrow, the agency said it would put more barriers up in Shrewsbury at Coleham Head this evening., external

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.

BBC Weather Watchers

We've been sent more photos by our local BBC Weather Watchers reflecting the flooding across parts of the West Midlands today.

Shropshire Lass took this of the swollen River Teme in Ludlow, Shropshire.

Image source, Shropshire Lass

The River Avon has burst its banks near Pershore, Worcestershire, where Ladyday took this photo:

Image source, Ladyday

The River Sow has also risen significantly in Great Bridgeford, near Stafford, as snapped by Cactus:

Image source, Cactus

Dudley News

The Dudley News has these headlines today:

• Drive-by gunman opens fire on man sitting in car in Bilston, external
• Bright future awaits for Brierley Hill thanks to £10m grant, external
• New shops open at the Churchill Shopping Centre, Dudley, external

People in part of Shropshire are being warned ice could cause difficult travel conditions on Thursday.

Image source, Met Office

The Met Office has , externalput out a yellow warning which covers parts of the county including Clun and Oswestry and runs from 01:00 to 10:00.

A yellow alert for rain covers much of the West Midlands and ends at 06:00 tomorrow.

Local Democracy Reporting Service
George Makin

A library is set to be taken apart brick-by-brick and moved three miles down the road.

Image source, Dudley Council

The 19th Century former Woodside Libray, on Stourbridge Road, which shut in 2008 is being transported and then rebuilt at the Black Country Living Museum.

It's part of a £23m expansion which also includes the creation of a 1940s-60s town.

A planning application has been submitted to Dudley Council asking permission to take down the 19th Century building in February.

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

Six parked vehicles were badly damaged when a BMW car smashed into them, police said.

The crash happened on Calder Walk, Leamington Spa, on Saturday.

The BMWs driver suffered minor injuries to his head.

When officer searched his car,, external they found several bags of cannabis and about £2,000 in cash.

The 22-year-old, from Leamington Spa, was arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence of drugs and possession of a controlled Class B drug with intent to supply.

He was treated for his injuries and released under investigation.

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

Crewe Alexandra have dedicated their latest victory to their 12-year-old academy goalkeeper who is battling a rare type of bone cancer.

Image source, Crewe Alexandra FC

Ashton Hulme was diagnosed in December and has been having chemotherapy in Stoke-on-Trent., external

His friends launched a fundraising page to support him and have raised more than £22,000.

The Alex tweeted after they beat Bristol Rovers on Tuesday night: "That's for you Ashton."

His mum, Vicky Hulme, thanked the club on Twitter and said she and her son had watched from his hospital bed., external

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.

Shropshire Star

The Shropshire Star has been covering these stories today:

• Floods hits roads and trains as Shropshire river levels rise, external
• Preparations under way for mass vaccination site at Telford International Centre, external
• Shrewsbury play area could shut amid rise in Covid-19 cases, external

A flood warning has been issued for the River Wye in Hereford.

With rain continuing to fall, the Environment Agency said, external it expects flooding in and around the Hay and Hereford areas including several parts of the A438 between Letton and Willersley and Whitney on Wye.

Temporary flood barriers have been installed in the city.

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 Midlands Today

Aston Villa's first team return to action this evening for the first time since coronavirus swept through the squad.

Image source, PA Media

They have not played since they went to Old Trafford on New Year's Day, nearly three weeks ago.

After postponing two games in the Premier League, they face Manchester City.

Head coach Dean Smith (pictured) said his team selection would be affected by the impact of the Covid-19 outbreak.

"There is certainly a lot of coughing, spluttering and some players taking a lot longer to recover than others so it is going to affect how I pick the team," he said.