Vanessa Pearce
BBC News

A woman said she'd been left feeling "a bit shocked" after finding a hand gun whilst out litter picking alongside a Coventry road.

Image source, Kay Rainsley

Kay Rainsley regularly spends her spare time helping tidy up the city with husband Les.

"We were merrily picking litter along the Allesley bypass when I saw a load of cans and bottles and then something metal sticking out of the ground," she said.

"I put my hand under it and pulled it out, and saw immediately it was a gun.

"I thought to myself 'now I've got a gun' - 'what am I going to do with a gun'?"

After dialing 999 police officers arrived on the scene "very quickly," she added.

The firearm, discovered on 29 April, will now be assessed for forensic recovery, said West Midlands Police.

"It's certainly the most unusual thing I've found when out picking," added Mrs Rainsley.

A man was later arrested on suspicion of dangerous driving and failing to stop, police say.

A Public Spaces Protection Order (PSPO) has been introduced at a Solihull lake in a bid to crack down on anti social-behaviour.

Image source, Warwickshire Police

A number of criminal and anti-social incidents had taken place at Earlswood lakes, causing residents concern, said the Canal and River Trust.

The order introduced on 1 May applies to anyone using the public space.

It bans possessing or consuming psychoactive substances, along with car cruising and consumption of alcohol.

Officers can issue a fixed penalty charge or up to £100, and a serious breach could result in a court summons with a maximum fine of £1,000.

Stoke-on-Trent Live

Here's what's on the Stoke-on-Trent website today:

• Stoke-on-Trent road closed as man seen on tower block roof , external
• Cancer-hit Joan, 77, forced to move out after car crashes into home of 30 years, external
• Murderer Lewis Crofts to be sentenced today after stabbing Kim Deakin to death, external

A vehicle recovery worker has suffered serious leg injuries after he was hit by a car in Coventry, police said.

Image source, Google

It happened at about 18:45 BST on Monday after he had been called to assist with the recovery of another vehicle which had overturned.

West Midlands Police said the injuries he suffered when he was hit by a Jaguar XJ on A45 Dunchurch Highway are potentially life changing and he remains in hospital for treatment.

The force is appealing for anyone who was on the dual carriageway at the time to come forward with information.

A man has been remanded in custody after being charged with murdering 17-year-old Derlarno Samuels.

Image source, Family handout

Derlarno died from a stab wound after being found in a car that crashed in Heath Street, Smethwick on Saturday, police said.

Camron Dunn, 18, of Sketchley Close, Smethwick, was charged with his murder at Wolverhampton Magistrates' Court and will appear before the city's crown court on Wednesday.

In a family tribute, Derlarno was described as "ambitious, inquisitive and full of life".

"He was a generous young man who is much loved and missed by his family and friends," their statement added.

A fourth man arrested over a double stabbing at a house in Warwickshire at the weekend has been released on police bail.

Two men in their 40s were found with life-changing injuries at the property in Stratford-upon-Avon at about 01:30 BST on Saturday.

The 27-year-old from Sutton Coldfield was arrested on suspicion of aggravated burglary on Sunday and released on bail until 30 May, Warwickshire Police said.

Three other men from London, Gloucestershire and Stratford-upon-Avon arrested on suspicion of assault on Saturday have been released under police investigation and bailed, the force added.

Police believe the victims knew the suspects.

Demolition work has begun at an abandoned recycling plant near Telford, a week after a fire broke out.

At its height 70 firefighters were on site at the former Greenway Polymers plant, in Ketley.

The blaze involving plastic waste bales is one of the biggest Shropshire Fire and Rescue Service has ever had to deal with.

Air and water quality around the warehouse is currently being monotored by the Environment Agency.

Police are appealing for information after a kitchen knife was pulled during a robbery outside the Co-op in Great Wyrley, Staffordshire, on Monday.

Image source, Google

Staffordshire Police said the victim was approached by three men near Wardles Lane between 16:00-16:30 BST.

He was unhurt, the force added, as it appealed for witnesses.

The suspects are believed to have fled the scene in the direction of Lingfield Drive, towards Quinton Ave.

Aston Villa said it hopes a boycott of social media over the weekend sent a "powerful and united message" against online abuse.

Clubs, players and governing bodies stayed off social media across the weekend in an attempt to tackle abuse and discrimination on social media platforms.

Image source, Getty Images

"We have sent a powerful and united message," the club tweeted after the boycott ended at 23:59 BST on Monday.

"We sincerely hope the message is heard, understood and positive changes are made."

Birmingham Live

Here are some of the stories on the Birmingham Live website today:

• Family pay tribute to teen Derlarno Samuels who was fatally stabbed in Smethwick, external
• Phoenix Netts killer to be sentenced after dismembered body found in suitcases, external
• Pride of Birmingham 2021 - Meet the Imam and front line cop fighting to stop gang violence, external

A public garden in Shrewsbury is to remain closed today due to high winds.

Image source, Shrewsbury Town Council

The Dingle Garden in Quarry Park will be closed for health and safety reasons, said the town council.

A teenager has suffered serious injuries after being hit by a van in Bedworth.

Image source, Google

Paramedics were called to the scene on Goodyers End Lane shortly before 08:40 BST.

The boy was given specialist trauma care before being taken to Birmingham Children's Hospital, said the ambulance service.

The Environment Agency has been taking samples from the River Tern to see if there has been any environmental impact from last week's huge industrial fire in Ketley, Telford.

The blaze broke out in plastic waste at Greenway Polymers on Rock Road over a week ago and fire crews are still maintaining a presence at the scene until it's deemed safe.

Image source, Sam Bagnall

The Environment Agency has been using tankers to remove contaminated fire water from the abandoned site.

At its height more than 70 firefighters were tackling the blaze and six schools and a nursery had to be closed due to air quality concerns.

A fallen tree is blocking a road in Staffordshire.

Drivers are advised not to use Sugar Loaf Lane in Iverley while removal work is carried out.

BBC Weather Watchers

It felt more like the 'Wet Midlands' this weekend, but here's a bonus for those grey skies - lots of our Weather Watchers captured stunning rainbows across the region.

Image source, Karen/ BBC Weather Watchers

Image source, Brith/ BBC Weather Watchers

Image source, J at Severn Ridge/ BBC Weather Watchers

Image source, Danish Milo/ BBC Weather Watchers

Thanks to our Weather Watchers for their stunning photos.

If you want to see more or get involved yourself, visit our website.

An 18-month-old baby is in urgent need of a bone-marrow transplant if he's to recover from a rare genetic disorder.

Gunner, from Bridgnorth, is being treated at the Birmingham Children's Hospital and his parents have been told there currently isn't a match for him in the UK.

Image source, Family

"He needs this transplant before he's two for it to be successful so we're restricted with the timescale we have," Gunner's mum, Holly Lewis-Vale said.

"It's a 10/10 match that we need so the main thing we're asking people to do is, if you're able to, to sign up to one of the stem cell registers."

The family is appealing to people aged 16 to 30 to register with the charity The Anthony Nolan Trust.

Three people are taking a stand in their communities to deter young people from making bad choices.

There are significant delays on the M6 this morning due to debris on the road.

BBC Radio WM reports there are queues stretching for up to 10 miles from junction 7 for Great Barr to Spaghetti Junction with delays of up to 90 minutes.

Traffic officers are currently on the scene working to clear the carriageway.

A man is charged with murdering Derlarno Samuels, 17, who was fatally stabbed in the West Midlands.