BBC Radio Hereford and Worcester

One in six children aged between five and 16 in Herefordshire and Worcestershire are believed to be struggling with mental health problems - with concerns the pandemic has made things worse.

Increasing numbers of schools are trying to do something about it by calling in specialists to talk to children about their wellbeing.

Image source, Getty Images

Laura Bolon from Heads Up, a charity which offers support sessions in Worcestershire, said: "Over the last 18 months, Covid has had a huge impact, but even pre-Covid it was pretty prominent.

"A lot of people are struggling with the day-to-day, they have a lot more factors to deal with in their day-to-day life, they've got social media, they've got the stresses and strains of exams at school and the pressures... and you know what it's expected of them is a lot more."

The community-run Moseley Road Baths in Birmingham is awarded £100,000.

Around one in 55 people in England are estimated to have had Covid in the week ending 16 October, according to the Office for National Statistics, external, but figures for the West Midlands show a levelling off.

Image source, Getty Images

That's an increase on the week before, when the figure was one in 60.

The percentage of people testing positive is estimated to have increased in all regions except the West Midlands and the South East.

The percentage of people testing positive for Covid increased in all age groups except those aged 25 to 34.

Brenda Morris's hearse is flanked by stormtroopers in accordance with her wishes.

Two sites in Herefordshire have already begun the holiday to beat Covid transmissions.

One of Steven Bowkett's victims says she felt "paranoid and anxious" after receiving the messages.

The errors at a private coronavirus testing lab in Wolverhampton began six days earlier than previously stated, the UK Health Security Agency has said.

Image source, PA Media

It said everyone affected had been contacted individually.

Launching an investigation last week, head of NHS Test and Trace Dr Jenny Harries said it was "not clear yet" what had gone wrong at the lab run by Immensa Health Clinic.

The error may have meant that thousands of people were wrongly told to stop isolating and may have infected others.

It took more than a month to identify the failings that led to an estimated 43,000 people being given the wrong results from PCR tests.

Disruption is expected in Birmingham on Sunday while the Five Ways roundabout is closed for works on the Midland Metro.

Five Ways roundabout will be closed all day from Ladywood Middleway to Calthorpe Road to allow for the installtion of an electricity substation as part of the West Midlands Metro extension to Edgbaston.

Buses will be diverted, and more information can be found on the National Express West Midlands webpage, external.

Carren Monga is named as the second murderer of Abdul Wahid Xasan as a judge lifts restrictions.

Work will begin on a new cycle route in Coventry after receiving funding worth £8.6m.

Image source, Transport for West Midlands

The Binley Cycleway will run for 6km between the city centre and University Hospital Coventry and Warwickshire via the Binley Business Park on Harry Weston Road.

It's part of a wider scheme that will see a link-up with the Coundon Cycleway, which is currently under construction.

BBC Radio Hereford and Worcester

After children's services in Herefordshire were told it was not fit for purpose, the man charged with its improvement says he'll be listening closely to both children and members of staff.

A High Court judgement in May said Herefordshire Council's children's services department had "utterly failed" to support the public.

Image source, Google

Interim Director of Children and Families, Darryl Freeman, said the focus of the department needs to change.

He said: "I feel privileged to be in the role that I'm in and I've had some very full and frank conversations with our workforce.

"I welcome the feedback we get both from our own workforce, but also from the wider workforce, and indeed from families."

BBC Weather Watchers

Some parts of the West Midlands have been blessed with a gorgeous sunrise.

Raj's Range arguably had the best of the bunch with this view in Telford.

Image source, Raj's Range

Les at Large had a similarly lovely view in Wolverhampton.

Image source, Les at Large

And Dammo shared this snap in Knowle.

You can share your weather pictures here.

Image source, Dammo

Local Democracy Reporting Service

A Stoke-on-Trent city councillor has suspended their weekly advice surgeries due to safety concerns, following the killing of MP David Amess last week.

Image source, Local Democracy Reporting Service

Candi Chetwynd said she had taken the decision to cancel her weekly drop-in sessions, but will still be present at street surgeries with the local MP Jonathan Gullis and ward walks.

She stated: "In light of yet another death of an elected representative I am ensuring my safety."

The councillor stressed that she remains fully contactable by phone and email, but had to prioritise her safety following the events on 15 October and threats she has received since leaving the Labour Party earlier this year.

Since leaving Labour to join the Conservatives on the city council, Ms Chetwynd said she had suffered 'relentless' online abuse and harassment.

She stated: "I am subject to what seems like relentless online trolling."

The councillor said she would have to revert back to appoint-only meetings with residents.

BBC Radio Hereford and Worcester

Two Herefordshire schools have closed early for half term because of the rising number of coronavirus cases.

Lady Hawkins High School in Kington and Eardisley Primary School both broke up yesterday to allow for a 10-day "firebreak".

Image source, Google

Both schools are due to re-open on 1 November.

Leon Bailey is one of the most exciting young talents playing in Europe but his path from Jamaica to the Premier League was far from straightforward.

The 29-year-old suspect is arrested on suspicion of wounding with intent to cause grievous bodily harm,

The record-breaking Olympian gives the lowdown on a new kind of daily training.

Refugees shared their experiences with schoolchildren, who welcomed them to Birmingham.

Jasbir Singh Hayer was in hospital with the virus before dying on Tuesday, his family confirms.

Birmingham is spending £1.2m on free meals next week to help low-income families.