Liam Norwell extends his contract with Warwickshire, who also hand deals to George Garrett, Ethan Brookes and Manraj Johal.

More than 300 officers raided properties in Reading, Blackburn, Sunderland, Birmingham and London.

West Midlands Police describe the shooting on Sunday as an "outrageous act".

Three more men are charged with conspiracy to commit murder over the death of Mohammed Haroon Zeb.

Local Democracy Reporting Service

Council tax bills in Wolverhampton will go up almost 5% from April, the city authority officially ruled on Wednesday night.

Image source, Google

A meeting of full council, held to set the budget for 2021-22, saw members vote in favour of the proposed 4.99% increase, despite an amendment put forward by the Conservative opposition for a reduced 3.99% rise.

Leader of the opposition Wendy Thomson said: "We realise that many families are experiencing difficult times and therefore want to be as helpful as possible."

Wolverhampton’s overall budget for the coming year has been slashed by just over £15m to £225m to fund general services.

The council's deputy leader and cabinet member for resources, Labour's Louise Miles, said: "We’ve been able to set a balanced budget for the next financial year without the need to make significant cuts to services."

Driver Lee Smythe was jailed after the dramatic pursuit in Birmingham.

Natalie Queiroz remembers being stabbed five years ago and the moment she feared for her baby's life.

Natalie Queiroz recalls her partner's attack five years ago in which her unborn child was feared dead.

Kathryn Stanczyszyn
Political Reporter, BBC Radio WM

One of Birmingham's biggest mosques says it's hoping to have a new vaccination site on its premises in the coming days.

Green Lane Masjid in Small Heath says the move is part of its duty to save lives and it wants to make the idea of getting the vaccine less daunting for people.

There have been concerns that people in the Muslim community could be refusing the jab because they're worried their second jab will fall during Ramadan when they're fasting.

Saleem Ahmed, head of welfare at the mosque, said they had reassured people and it was important to keep encouraging people to get vaccinated.

"It's part of our religion to be fact-based and seek knowledge from the experts.. so we've got medical professionals, we've got the experts there who are telling us that the vaccine is safe and we're willing to trust them if it means saving lives," Mr Ahmed said.

The community had listened on the whole, he added, but admitted there had been a low uptake within the older members of the community, especially in Small Heath.

He said the mosque's support of the vaccine drive showed people it was safe and they should have the jab.

The mosque hopes to get the green light next week to offer vaccines between March and August.

Tributes have been paid to a former councillor and mayor.

Ken Stokes served as a Wyre Forest District Council councillor for 15 years and served as mayor from 2002 to 2003.

He set up the Kidderminster War Memorials Conservation Trust to repair, maintain and restore war memorials in the town.

He died on Monday.

Image source, Wyre Forest District Council

Chairman of Wyre Forest District Council, Councillor Shazu Miah said: “It is with great sadness that we learned of Ken Stokes’ passing.

"He lived in Broadwaters for more than 50 years and dedicated his time to improving the lives of everyone in the community."

David Mottram is accused of murdering Samantha Heap, whose body was found at a property on Tuesday.

BBC Weather Watchers

It might be a pretty drab day, but that's not stopped spring from trying to show us its signs.

BBC Weather Watchers have sent in the following pics: A lamb in a field in Stafford; some daffodils in Wolverhampton; and some cherry blossom in Warwickshire.

Send us your photos here.

Image source, Z70

Image source, Les at Large

Image source, SteveC

Tony Green is set to face trial over the death of Shkelzen Taka following a Boxing Day crash.

Listen to local BBC radio commentary of Bath v Exeter, Wasps v Gloucester, Worcester v Bristol & Coventry v Bedford.

Rob Mayor
Political reporter, BBC Radio WM

A taskforce to work on new methods of constructing homes in the UK will be based in Wolverhampton, the chancellor has announced.

The 'Modern Methods of Construction (MMC) Taskforce' will get £10m to carry out the work.

Image source, PA Media

Wolverhampton is becoming a construction hub, with a national brownfield institute also on it's way.

The taskforce will consist of world-leading experts from across government and industry to fast-track the adoption of modern methods of construction.

Coventry City are close to finalising a deal to return to the Ricoh Arena next season, BBC CWR reports.

Local Democracy Reporting Service

Birmingham Airport is set to receive an emergency loan of £5.7m from Coventry City Council, taking the total package from West Midlands authorities to £32.8m.

The airport says the aviation industry has taken a hit during the pandemic, with passenger volumes from April to December 2020 down by 91%.

Image source, Birmingham Airport

Coventry City Council along with six other local authorities is a shareholder of the airport holding company, BAH; with four of the seven providing financial support.

Birmingham City Council confirmed a loan of up to £18.5m in February, alongside one of up to £3.7m from Solihull Council and up to £4.9m from Walsall Council.

Ontario Teachers’ Pension Plan - a 48.25% shareholder - will also provide a loan.

Coventry’s cabinet will discuss the matter on Tuesday before a full council meeting on 16 March where approval is set to be given.

The loan would be made available as and when needed by the airport to ensure it could have the maximum impact on recovery.

Shropshire Star

From the Shropshire Star today:

• Funding to repair damaged roads in Shropshire, external cut
• Call for veteran support centre to become mental health 'hub', external
• Hilltop knife killer guilty of murdering 70-year-old, external

Bottom club Sheffield United survived for more than 30 minutes with 10 men to claim a rare win and dent Aston Villa's European ambitions.

A 39-year-old man and 44-year-old woman are being questioned over the death.