Middlesex post their highest-ever first-class total while there is an innings victory for Essex in the County Championship.

The motorcyclist is also seriously injured in the crash in Kington, Herefordshire, paramedics say.

Police name the missing man as David Boswell who will be sorely missed, his parents say.

Aaron O'Halloran causes eight-hour passenger delays with his half-mile car ride between stations.

Police say the act has resulted in damage to the railway totalling more than £23,000.

The ex-Brighton GP used his "professional distinction" to lure victims, who were as young as eight.

A man has been stabbed in the leg in Walsall, West Midlands Police said.

The victim, aged 25, was hospitalised after the incident on Midland Road at about 10:00 on Monday, the force said.

Image source, Google

His injuries are not thought to be serious.

Police asked for anyone who many have information to come forward.

Neighbours of the towering rubbish mound demand action after two years of complaints.

Express and Star

Today's headlines in the Express and Star include:

• Community leader who escaped the Taliban pledges to help new refugees, external
• Ambulance staff working with care home patients will need to be fully vaccinated, external

• More than 900 stores close in region in first half of the year, external

Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games organisers say they are confident of hosting capacity crowds at a "Covid-friendly games".

Travel across the West Midlands is likely to be disrupted on Thursday due to heavy showers and thunderstorms.

Image source, Met Office

The Met Office has issued a yellow warning, external and said there is a chance homes and businesses could be flooded.

Lightning could cause delays with some cancellations to train and bus services.

The warning is in place from 11:00 until 20:00.

Tina Ince, Alex Britton and Tom Watson died in the four-vehicle crash near Andover.

BBC Weather Watchers

With the West Midlands set to bask in temperatures up to 29C (84F) today the BBC Weather Watchers have been out capturing some sunny scenes across the region.

This cloudless view was taken in Leek, Staffordshire, by Videoman.

Image source, Videoman

This was the scene earlier in Sutton Coldfield as captured by Suttonwalker.

Image source, Suttonwalker

Peter Steggles took this in Rushbury, Shropshire.

Image source, Peter Steggles

And this image of Dudley was taken by Laura and Glenn.

Image source, Laura and Glenn

David Venables faces trial following the discovery of wife Brenda's remains 37 years after disappearing.

The 32-year-old suspect is also treated for a stab wound to his arm, police say.

Staff at County Hospital in Stafford remember Veronica Guy as an "advocate for patients".

Herefordshire actor John Challis' tour is cancelled due to ill health, promoters say.

Worcestershire legend Daryl Mitchell is to retire at the end of the season - after 19 years' service.

BBC CWR

A Warwickshire delivery firm says it is struggling to fulfil orders because of a lack of HGV drivers.

Adam Shuter, MD of Exact Logistics in Dunchurch, said a mix of drivers retiring, a lack of HGV tests, Brexit and the pandemic had all affected the industry.

Image source, Google

"The driver shortage is impacting us in not being able to meet delivery times, not being able to meet the requirements on site and we are beginning to get a small backlog," he said.

"These days transport is becoming almost when it is going to happen, not when you expect it to happen and that is a problem for lots of people.

"We are now having to say we'll deliver when we have got a driver or a vehicle, not on the day that you want it, and that is a big problem."

Kathryn Stanczyszyn
Political Reporter, BBC Radio WM

A trial of e-scooters in Birmingham is set to be extended into next year.

Image source, AFP

Senior councillors will vote on a report today that describes the pilot as a "relatively low cost and low risk method of trialling a new alternative to private cars".

The report says more than 550,000 journeys have been made on the scooters - owned and maintained by Voi - between September 2020 and July 2021.

In that time, there were 11 serious and 107 minor injuries - all but one to the rider of the scooter.

The report also revealed 58% of e-scooter users were under 34, 76% were male and 24% were students.

But charity the National Federation of the Blind of the UK says it "vehemently disagrees" with the extension of the trial.

It claims the safety of the scooters and the risk to vulnerable pedestrians is not being properly assessed.