Mark Wood returns for Durham but is outshone by Ben Raine's superb bowling on a dominant first day against Warwickshire.

That's all for our live coverage today

We'll be back with more news, sport, travel and weather updates from 08:00 on Friday.

Alastair Cook's polished century - and an unbeaten 75 from Tom Westley - help Essex take control against Worcestershire.

Aston Villa left-back Matt Targett signs a contract extension committing him to the club until 2025.

Mark Masefield murdered Marie Gladders before his sentence for another killing expired, court hears.

A decision over a multi-million-pound regeneration of Birmingham's creative quarter has been deferred over concerns from councillors about a lack of detail in the plans and the impact on local businesses.

Developers Oval Estate wants to demolish 59 buildings in Digbeth to make space for apartments, nightclubs, student accommodation and a "sky park" as a way of getting Digbeth "back in business".

However, councillors raised issues about the "monumental" 15-year plan and its consultation process.

Image source, Broken Fingaz

Councillor Simon Morall said if a wider consultation had taken place, more objections would have been made.

"And in a period of Covid, when we’re coming out of the pandemic, most of the businesses – not just the nightclubs but the small businesses – are on their knees at the moment," he said.

"And for them to suddenly go back to work to find out that Birmingham City Council has approved a huge, 15-year programme of regeneration – what they'll probably call gentrification – doesn't sit right with me at all."

An officer for the council said an appropriate consultation had taken place, and Oval Estate had gone "above and beyond" what was expected of a consultation.

Councillors voted to defer the application pending a site visit by the planning committee.

Jasbinder Gahir was angry after his ex-wife tried to get control of the family home, a court heard.

A man and a woman were pushed into a canal after an altercation with a fisherman, police say.

It is thought a disagreement broke out between the couple and the man who was fishing at Stourport-on-Severn, West Mercia Police said.

Officers were called to the canal near York Street just before 08:00 BST on Wednesday.

"Obviously this was a very distressing incident for the couple and we would like to appeal to anyone who may have seen the man fishing or recognise him from the description to get in touch with us," PC Chris Hillman said.

Image source, Google

The man is described as being between 30 and 40 years old, of slim build, and wearing baggy tracksuit bottoms and a dark-coloured hooded top. He was carrying a yellow bag.

Anyone who saw the incident or has any information is asked to contact the force.

The men were arrested following a raid at the site near Redditch on Tuesday.

Birmingham Live

Some of the Birmingham Live headlines today include:

• Two men 'seriously' injured after stabbing in Sheldon, external
• Warning as hidden Solihull pool turns bright red, external
• Stroke shock for Solihull man after Covid battle, external

A man has been charged with assault after a police officer was bitten as she attempted to arrest a suspect.

The officer was detaining a man on suspicion of breaching a sexual offences prevention order in Leamington Spa on Wednesday, Warwickshire Police said.

A 23-year-old man from Leamington Spa has been charged with three counts of assaulting a constable in the execution of their duty and breaching a sexual harm prevention order.

He will appear at Coventry Magistrates’ Court later today, the force added.

Worcester Warriors sign Wales Under-20 winger Harri Doel for the 2021-22 season following a successful trial.

The baby, known as George, was only a few hours old when he was found by a dog walker.

Police are appealing for witnesses after reports a man exposed himself to a teenage girl in Nuneaton.

Warwickshire Police said it had stepped up patrols in Riverley Park after the incident on 20 April, which happened at about 08:40.

"We believe he may have exposed himself to someone else and we’re keen to identify this person," Insp Gareth Unett said.

"These types of offences can be extremely distressing for victims and we will be carrying out a thorough investigation to identify the person responsible."

The number of people visiting Stoke-on-Trent highstreets has quadrupled since lockdown restrictions eased, according to the city council.

Image source, Gavin Dickson

The local authority recorded 24,592 people visited the city centre's main retail areas on 12 April, compared to 6,406 visitors the week before.

“It is really encouraging to see footfall increasing in such a measured way, with the safety of shoppers and workers in mind," said council leader, Abi Brown.

“The figures can only be used as a guide, but what they do show is the impact of the coronavirus over the past 12 months, how well the lockdown restrictions have been observed, and how well prepared our city is to bounce back yet again from this virus."

Simon Silwood is charged with sending a grossly offensive message to Romaine Sawyers in January.

A Dudley park had to close suddenly this morning after about 250 sheep baa-rged their way in.

Image source, Dudley Metropolitan Borough Council

Dudley Council said the electric fence in a neighbouring field broke down, leading the sheep to explore Himley Hall Park, tempted by "the recently blooming bluebells".

They were rounded up and the park reopened to visitors at about 09:00.

"It wasn’t quite what we were expecting when we turned up for work this morning, but then again, every day here is different," said site manager Tracey Reece.

"The sheep seemed to enjoy their time grazing on the lawn and returned home with good grace."

A driver from Coventry has been ordered to do 260 hours of unpaid work after hiding 35,000 illicit cigarettes and tobacco down an embankment after a motorway crash.

Image source, HMRC/ PA Media

Ayub Said, 41, was caught following a crash involving his car and an HGV on the M74 near Abington, South Lanarkshire, in September 2018.

HMRC said Said had climbed out of the driver's side window of his car while emergency services rushed to the scene and carried laundry bags and cardboard boxes down the embankment.

He pleaded guilty to excise duty fraud on 10 March at Lanark Sheriff Court and was sentenced on Wednesday. He was also subjected to a restriction of liberty order which requires him to stay at home between 19:00 and 07:00 for four months.

A new pilot giving young Muslims the chance to play sport during Ramadan.

Rose Marouk, from Solihull, says the coronavirus situation in India is "very wrong".