Workers have been telling the BBC how they have coped with burnout and stress during the pandemic.

It comes after dating app Bumble said it would close its offices for a week to allow its staff to recover from "collective burnout".

Image source, Sarah Windrum

Sarah Windrum runs an IT support business called the Emerald Group, which employs 20 people based in Leamington Spa, Warwickshire.

Since the pandemic started, shehas tried to encourage her employees to talk about their struggles and challenges.

She said she noticed she was continually returning to her laptop, whether it was after dinner or after putting the children to bed.

"I was aware of my behaviour and I just didn't have the energy. I had to be mindful of the pressures," she says.

She saw she needed some time away and started walking beside the Warwickshire canals to get away from work.

"The walks are so rejuvenating, I knew I needed to get outside in some proper space".

Express and Star

Some of the Express and Star headlines today include:

• West Brom threaten legal action over Matheus Pereira sale allegations, external
• £100 million masterplan to change face of town centre, external
• Instructors and learners left 'frustrated' by lack of driving tests

Footage of the attack outside Birmingham's city centre branch is viewed thousands of times.

Warwickshire and Birmingham Bears wicketkeeper Michael Burgess agrees a two-year contract extension.

A group of men hope a podcast can help encourage fellow fathers who have gone through the pain of losing a child.

It was set up by the Lily Mae Foundation, a charity founded by Ryan Jackson, from Solihull, following the death of his daughter in 2010.

The 39-year-old said like many men he boxed away his feelings and focussed on fundraising.

A year later he said the grief really hit and he now wanted to use the Still Parents podcast to help other fathers.

A motorcyclist has been killed in a three-vehicle crash involving a quad bike and a car.

Emergency services were called to Birmingham Road in West Bromwich at around 21:45 last night, close to the Screwfix store.

Paramedics arrived to find an off-duty A&E doctor carrying out resuscitation to the rider from the motorcycle, West Midlands Ambulance Service said.

Ambulance staff provided advanced life support, but the rider was pronounced dead at the scene.

Image source, Google

Phil Mackie
Midlands correspondent, BBC News

Harper-Lee Fanthorpe died in hospital in Stoke-on-Trent in May after swallowing a button battery from a remote control.

An inquest found acid from the battery burned through her food pipe and into a major artery.

Her mother says she didn't realise the dangers and wants to raise awareness to other parents.

As well as remote controls, button batteries are used in a huge range of products from watches to toys and kitchen scales.

A police community support officer has been treated for a suspected broken arm following a crash atan illegal rave.

A 20-year-old man from Redditch, Worcestershire, was arrested on suspicion of driving while under the influence of drink and drugs after the crash, which involved a police car.

In all, 11 people were arrested after thousands were thought to have gathered for the rave in West Sussex on Saturday night.

Sussex police said a large amount of music equipment was seized by officers.

Image source, Getty Images

A fire in a derelict building is thought to have been started deliberately.

Four fire crews battled the blaze on Monmouth Road, Bartley Green, Birmingham, from about 21:00 on Sunday.

West Midlands Fire Service said, external the fire was confined to the ground floor and out by 23:50.

A mother from Wolverhampton said she felt she had to ask for permission to hold her baby in hospital due to Covid restrictions.

Image source, Danielle Chirara

Thousands of parents with babies in neonatal care during the pandemic were unable to smell, touch or kiss their little ones due to the levels of PPE they had to wear.

BBC News Online has met some of them including Danielle and Takudzwa Chirara, from Wolverhampton, who had their third child Orion in September.

Danielle was able to hold Orion the following day - but only wearing full PPE.

"I felt like I had to ask for permission to hold my baby. I thought, 'It's my baby. Why do I need to do all this?'" she said.

Her baby was moved hospitals and the parents found the rules stricter: "There were times I would just sit there and not hold Orion because I was scared I would be told off."

Read more of their story here.

A police officer has been hurt by a brick thrown at their car.

Police said the brick was thrown as the officer went out to an emergency call.

Image source, West Midlands Police

West Midlands Police tweeted a photo, external of a smashed window on the vehicle.

The officer in in hospital but the extent of his injuries is not known.

BBC Weather

Overcast this morning with scattered showers but the rain should ease this afternoon. High: 17C/63F.

Image source, BBC Weather Watcher Fraser

Staying cloudy tonight with a few lingering showers but they should mostly clear away by the early hours of tomorrow. Low: 12C/54F.

You can keep up-to-date on your local forecast by going to the BBC Weather website.

Harper-Lee Fanthorpe died in Stoke-on-Trent in May after swallowing a battery from a remote control.

Ryan Jackson, who lost his daughter Lily Mae in 2010, says like many men he "boxed" away his grief.

Welcome to our live service for Monday.

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.