Environment Secretary George Eustice claims issues with drainage caused flooding in Northwich.

More than 30 staff members at Perry Manor nursing home have also tested positive for coronavirus.

Two people are rescued from a building as water levels rise and towns and villages flood.

Shrewsbury Town's former Wolves and Wales midfielder Dave Edwards admits he may retire at the end of the season..

Injections are to be delivered at Black Country Living Museum where the series has in part been filmed.

The West Midlands region has the highest rate of coronavirus hospital admissions in England.

Allen Cook
BBC News

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There are no plans for a new flood defence scheme in Bridgnorth despite residents calling for one, the Environment Agency (EA) says.

Image source, @Woodgy

We told you earlier how people in the town said they felt forgotten and overlooked for flood defences compared to places such as Bewdley and Ironbridge.

The EA responded to say after the floods in February 2020, it reviewed options for Bridgnorth but none met feasibility and economic viability standards.

It added it would work with other groups to explore alternative solutions and ways of funding them.

Recycling bin collections are going to be paused next week in Sandwell due to workers being off amid Covid-related pressures.

Image source, Sandwell Council

The council says, external 40% of frontline staff with private firm Serco, which handles refuse, are off work, with most of them self-isolating or shielding.

Deputy leader Maria Crompton said recycling crews would collect grey household waste bins as a priority.

“Although we are planning a one-week pause in recycling bin collections, the situation is continually changing, which means we will be reviewing the situation on a daily basis."

Dozens of flood warnings are in place along much of the River Severn, external.

Water levels have peaked in Shrewsbury and attention has shifted to areas further downstream, including Ironbridge, Bridgnorth and Bewdley, the Environment Agency said., external

Image source, Environment Agency

Defensive barriers have been put in place and the river is expected to peak over the weekend.

Image source, Environment Agency

In Shrewsbury, Shropshire Council said focus had moved to pumping out flood waters and cleaning up:, external

Image source, Shropshire Council

One business affected is Chase Cars on Smithfield Road which has been underwater today.

General manager Mark Edwards said: "I'm getting messages to come down and help clean up and it is lovely to know our customers are there for us but I have to decline with Covid restrictions."

A man has died after the van he was driving hit a wall.

The crash happened on Friday morning on Coventry Road, Warwick, Warwickshire Police said.

The driver, in his late 30s, was pronounced dead at the scene.

Fewer people have had their first vaccine dose in Shropshire than anywhere else in England.

Flood barriers have been put up to their fullest height in Bewdley where the Environment Agency (EA) is now expecting river levels similar to those last February.

Image source, Environment Agency

In 2020, the River Severn became so swollen with water it poured over the top of Bewdley defences.

The EA's Dave Throup tweeted , externalthey had put up the "really big barriers" in the expectation of water peaking on Saturday, albeit at a level slightly lower than February's height.

BBC Weather Watchers

The flooding in Shropshire today has been reflected by our local BBC Weather Watchers.

Liam Ball snapped this car nearly submerged in Coalport, in the Ironbridge Gorge:

Image source, Liam Ball

Shrewsbury has suffered flooding overnight and user Abs took this photo of swans as the River Severn burst its banks:

Image source, Abs

While further in the north of the county, user Colanda took this photo of flood waters slowly receding in Whixall:

Image source, Colanda

A 14-year-old boy is suspected of murder over "inconceivable violence" before Keon Lincoln's death.

Volunteers have been using a boat and wading through water to help care workers get to elderly people in flooded parts of Shrewsbury.

Several roads in the town remain cut off this afternoon after the River Severn rose and burst its banks, although Shropshire Council said water levels at Welsh Bridge had begun to drop, external.

Jim Eaton was one of the volunteers and said they have helped care staff get to older clients at a care home.

"A few were a little bit nervous. We have not had anyone fall out of [the boat] yet, it is all good," he said.

BBC Radio Shropshire

Residents in Shrewsbury have been describing the impact of this week's floods as the town waits for water levels to drop.

Roads around Coleham and St Julian's Friars have flooded and four people have been rescued from their homes by fire crews.

Jane Cuthbert-Brown said she had 20 inches of water in her home in Pentre.

"We have spent a lot of time and effort preparing. All our furniture has been elevated. Last year was our first experience of flooding.

"We have also put door defences in but it did not stop the water which came up through the floor and the walls because they are a bit like a sieve being a 300-year-old sandstone property."

Stoke-on-Trent Live

Stoke-on-Trent Live has these headlines today:

• Family-run hotel set to close after nearly 40 years due to 'devastating' impact of coronavirus, external
• Police appeal after man hit by car in Stoke-on-Trent, external
• Outpouring of support for homeless couple shivering in snow-covered tent, external

BBC News Travel

More roads have been closed in Shropshire, Herefordshire and Worcestershire.

Local councils have been updating residents via their Twitter pages:

Volunteers have been ferrying care staff through floods to elderly clients in Shrewsbury.