The Royal Shakespeare Company (RSC) has confirmed more details in its plans to build a new open-air theatre in Stratford-upon-Avon.

Image source, RSC

The Lydia and Manfred Gorvy theatre will host a production of The Comedy of Errors this summer, as the company begins its recovery from the impact of Covid-19.

The specially constructed space will be located in the Swan Theatre Gardens, flanked by the River Avon, said the RSC.

Artistic director Gregory Doran said he hoped audiences would feel safe to return to the theatre with confidence.

A man, aged 26, is discovered with a serious injury in Birmingham and pronounced dead at the scene.

BBC Business News

Britain's jobs growth is being led by cities and towns in the North and Midlands, according to a report.

Image source, Getty Images

Hiring has gathered pace since lockdown started to ease, but the growth is unevenly spread, joint research by the Centre of Cities think-tank and jobs site Indeed found.

Stoke-on-Trent, Birmingham and Coventry are among places to have seen rises in job vacancies. , external

The study said the improving picture in the North and Midlands was partly driven by the mix of available jobs.

Recoveries have been strongest in areas with a greater pre-pandemic share of postings in occupations related to the production and distribution of goods, such as manufacturing, driving and stocking, as well as essential services like healthcare, social care and education.

The suspect, in her 50s, is questioned by police after the death of an off-duty ambulance worker.

A prison chaplain has admitted he may have been "conned" by a convicted terrorist who seemingly showed remorse for his actions.

Usman Khan, from Stafford, was freed in December 2018 after serving a jail term over a plot to blow up the London Stock Exchange.

Image source, Met Police

Less than a year later, he killed Saskia Jones, 23, from Stratford-upon-Avon, and Jack Merritt, 25, from Cambridge and at Fishmongers' Hall near London Bridge.

The Rev Paul Foster has been giving evidence at the inquests into their deaths at London's Guildhall.

Read more.

Local Democracy Reporting Service

A long-awaited £100m transformation of derelict contaminated land in Walsall, which will create more than 1,000 jobs, looks set to clear another hurdle later today.

Walsall Council's planning committee is expected to grant full permission for the demolition of existing buildings and structures, as well as carrying out more clean-up operations on the Phoenix 10 site.

The project will see the 620,000 sq ft of employment space created on the 44-acre site.

The land has lain empty for more than 20 years.

Image source, LDRS

There have been some objections from residents concerned about traffic and parking issues, dust pollution and Birmingham and Black Country Wildlife Trust over habitat loss.

But planners have said conditions could be put in place to address these concerns.

A planning report stated: "The proposal creates the potential for a derelict and degraded site of strategic importance to be transformed into a new gateway to the Black Country from Junction 10 of the M6 motorway."

Margaret Keenan, 91, became the first person in the world to receive the Pfizer vaccine last year.

BBC Weather Watchers

Plenty of flowers and trees are in bloom across the West Midlands, at least from the look of the photos coming in from our BBC Weather Watchers.

These three are from users Peter Steggles in Condover, Shropshire, Tippytoes in Walsall and Z70 in Ranton, Staffordshire...

Image source, Peter Steggles

Image source, Tippytoes

Image source, Z70

Unarmed Sean Fitzgerald was shot during a planned police raid at a house in Coventry in 2019.

BBC Midlands Today

West Brom head coach Sam Allardyce says he wants his side to make it three wins out of three tonight to boost their hopes of survival in the Premier League.

Image source, EPA

The Baggies beat Chelsea and Southampton in their last two games and face third-placed Leicester City at the King Power Stadium.

Heading into the match, West Brom are still nine points from safety.

Allardyce said: "We can probably ill afford to lose more than one of our last seven games and if we are lucky maybe two but we would have to win all the others."

John Smith, 26, suffered catastrophic injuries in the unprovoked attack, police say.

Stoke-on-Trent Live

The Stoke-on-Trent Live website has these headlines today:

• Windows smashed at pub where landlord refused to allow barred drinkers back in, external
• Temporary traffic lights cause big delays on Stoke-on-Trent road after 'gas smell', external
• Man arrested on suspicion of arson after Stoke-on-Trent flat fire, external

Residents living in Birmingham's Alum Rock, Glebe Farm and Tile Cross areas are being encouraged to take a coronavirus test after another case of the South Africa variant was found.

Last week a case was discovered within the Ladywood and Soho & Jewellery Quarter wards.

People in parts of Smethwick were also urged to get tested for coronavirus, after a case of the South Africa variant was detected.

It's thought the latest case is not connected, said the Department of Health and Social Care.

West Midlands Ambulance Service has added more electric vehicles to its fleet as it works towards targets to cut emissions by 80%.

Image source, West Midlands Ambulance Service

In October last year, the trust's first electric ambulance was revealed, followed by two electric response vehicles in March.

The latest additions to its fleet includes four electric vans for the IT support team, with a range of more than 60 miles.

"[We] are continually assessing our support fleet to make changes where possible," Tony Page, from WMAS, said.

A developer from Rugby has been fined after four protected trees were damaged while building an access route to properties on Hillmorton Road.

Rugby Borough Council said it had raised concerns about the route because of the trees' status, however last summer received information a man was digging dangerously close to them.

The developer admitted using a small mechanical digger near the trees, but believed he had caused no damage to the roots. However five trees, including four protected ones, had to be cut down as their roots had been severed.

"Tree Preservation Orders protect mature trees and residents need to be aware even basic maintenance of a protected tree requires prior approval from the council, including pruning, lopping or topping," Dan Green, from the council, said.

"I'd encourage residents to contact us rather than risk breaking the law and facing an expensive day in court."

The London Eye was lit up on Wednesday night in support of a baby girl with an aggressive form of leukaemia.

Image source, The Lastminute.com London Eye

Ex-Coventry City player Ashley Cain and partner Safiyya Vorajee from Nuneaton have been told eight-month old baby daughter Azaylia's brain tumour cannot be treated.

The attraction was lit orange to raise awareness of acute myeloid leukaemia (AML).

A spokesperson for The lastminute.com London Eye said: "We hope our light change to orange helps recognise the important and moving story of Azaylia Cain’s battle with AML, which has inspired so many people and landmarks around the world.

"As she continues fighting our thoughts are with Azaylia, her family and friends."

BBC Weather

It will be a dry and fine day with clear skies and highs of 15°C (59°F).

This was the scene earlier in Solihull as captured by BBC Weather Watcher BC1981.

Image source, BC1981

A man's been charged after a teenager was hit in the face with an air rifle pellet near a Staffordshire beauty spot.

Image source, Handout

A pellet was lodged less than 2mm from 14-year-old Faith Tatton's eye socket after she was hit in the face whilst walking near Tittesworth Reservoir in Leek last June, police said.

A 36-year-old from Leek, has been charged with grievous bodily harm and perverting the course of justice. He's due to appear in court next month.

Welcome to our live service for Thursday.

We'll be bringing you all the news, sport, travel and weather for the West Midlands.

We love to hear from you so share your news, thoughts and photos of the area with us via email, Twitter , externaland Facebook., external

The Acorns Hospice, in Walsall, set up a £2m appeal after a lack of funds almost caused it to close.