John Blake, 61, targeted his victims with the help of his partner Emmalene Jones, 31, police say.

A fire at a derelict building in Coventry may have been started deliberately, West Midlands Fire Service has said.

Image source, West Midlands Fire Service

The blaze broke out at the derelict pub on Fynford Road earlier this afternoon, affecting the ground and first floors.

Investigators said it had now been fully extinguished but there was evidence of multiple seats of the blaze, indicating arson.

West Midlands Fire Service said a full search will be carried out and officers will remain at the scene for some time.

People in the West Midlands will head to the polls on 6 May to elect a regional mayor.

BBC Midlands Today's Political Editor Elizabeth Glinka explains the role of the West Midlands mayor.

Peggy Wright, 83, sustained serious injuries jumping from a window to escape the fire at her home.

Deena Evans and Michael Hipgrave were attacked by Martyn Smith, 52, while they attended a call-out.

Sandwell Council has opened more drop-off points for people living in Smethwick and Cape Hill as surge testing is carried out in the area.

Residents aged over 16 are all being urged to get tested after a positive case of the South Africa coronavirus variant was discovered recently.

Image source, Getty Images

Dr Lisa McNally, the authority's director of public health, said council workers were going door-to-door to deliver testing kits.

"We are doing absolutely everything we can to make it as easy as possible to get tested," she said.

"If you’ve received a testing kit from our drop and collect team, please return it when our team calls back to collect it or take it to one of the collection points now available."

The trust which runs Shropshire's two main hospitals will no longer be able to admit any new patients under 18, who have acute mental health needs and no other condition.

It comes after an inspection of Children and Young People's services in February by the Care Quality Commission found a child was twice given double the "safe" dose of a rapid tranquilizer at Telford's Princess Royal Hospital.

The watchdog has now downgraded the trust from 'requires improvement' to 'inadequate'.

A spokesperson for the Shrewsbury and Telford Hospital NHS Trust, said they are "accelerating the actions needed to improve the care they provide to children and young people".

The family of William Burns, who died on Sunday, say they have "lost our legend".

Telford's hospital must halt new admissions of under 18s with acute needs as it is rated inadequate.

BBC Weather

It is set to be a mild day with some sunny spells and highs of 16°C (61°F).

Gavin Parry, 31, was found dead at an industrial site in Birmingham on 13 April.

Offending items were found at three stores in Birmingham between 2016 and 2017.

Professor David Loughton CBE has been chief executive at Royal Wolverhampton NHS Trust for 17 years.

Pop-up coronavirus testing centres will be placed around Staffordshire, in a push to encourage people to get tested regularly.

Staffordshire County Council said, as restrictions continue to be relaxed, it is urging people to get tested twice a week, even if they don't have symptoms and is hosting outdoor pop-up testing sites, to help make it easier.

Image source, Getty Images

Chasewater Country Park, Cannock Chase Visitor Centre and a local car boot held pop-up testing over the weekend.

This week Tutbury Castle and various supermarkets a will see rapid testing available for the first time.

Director for health and care at the council, Dr Richard Harling, said: "The move to setting up outdoors where people already visit makes it even more convenient - people can get a supervised test whilst they are out doing their shopping or enjoying the fresh air and warmer weather."

The officer is dismissed for gross misconduct, after he "tried it on" with four abuse victims.

Worcester News

Here are some of the stories on the Worcester News website today:

• Worcester students university president: 'Students have behaved well throughout the pandemic', external
• Extinction Rebellion Worcestershire holds Climate Crime Scene protest, external
• Worcester man placed on sex offender's register, external

Benjamin Hunt restrained Christopher Walters after an attack on a car, police say.

Local Democracy Reporting Service

Calls for a pedestrian crossing into Coventry's War Memorial Park are to be investigated by the council after a petition received over 400 signatures.

Residents are calling for a safe crossing on Leamington Road, opposite Humphrey Burtons Road, in Cheylesmore.

Dad-of-two Gurch Nat said he launched the petition at the end of last year after witnessing "several near misses" involving children.

Image source, Google

A spokesman from Coventry City Council said: "A count of traffic flow and the number of pedestrians crossing near the requested location will be undertaken during the summer school term to assess whether the location meets the criteria for a crossing facility."

Shropshire Star

Here are some of the headlines from the Shropshire Star website today:

• 'Huge step forward': Nine in 10 care home staff across Shropshire have had Covid jab, external
• Emergency services called after vehicle crashes into building in Telford, external
• Call for free Shropshire bus trial to aid recovery of town centres, external