A vehicle is deliberately driven at a group of people in Burton-upon-Trent, police say.

While thousands object to the north west relief road proposals, others say it has huge benefits.

West Mercia Police says it will speak to the offices of local MPs about their safety.

Two police officers who rescued a vulnerable man from a fast-flowing river have been recognised for their bravery.

Image source, West Mercia Police

West Mercia PCs Lee Phillips and Christopher Donovan attended a reception at Downing Street last Tuesday ahead of the Police Bravery Awards ceremony in London.

The officers saved the life of a man who had fallen into the River Severn in Shrewsbury in 2019.

PC Phillips, a response officer at Shrewsbury, said afterwards: “I think it’s important to recognise the bravery and sacrifices that police officers across the country make day in and day out.

PC Donovan, based at Bridgnorth, said: I would do it all again if I was called on, without hesitation and I'm sure colleagues across the country would do the same.”

Covid cases in the UK are higher now than they were this time last year when parts of England were under local lockdowns.

Thanks to the vaccine, though, there are fewer cases of serious illness with people needing to be treated in hospital.

But soaring infections - which are outstripping some European nations - are still proving a cause for concern.

Prof Mike Tildesley from the University of Warwick said some basic levels of restrictions, like mask wearing, could be necessary to keep levels down.

BBC Midlands Today

Stratford Town will attempt to book a home FA Cup tie against Shrewsbury Town on later.

The Bards, who have never reached the first round of the tournament, entertain Boston United in their fourth qualifying round replay later.

Tamworth are also in replay action tonight, at Notts County, with the winners travelling to Rochdale in the next round.

Kick-off in both games is at 19:45 BST.

Local Democracy Reporting Service

Six new assisted living flats are due to be built in Telford following the approval of plans.

Oliver Hardy Homes Ltd applied to build the homes on 800 square metres of land on the south side of Holyhead Road, in Oakengates.

Ward councillor Stephen Reynolds objected to the proposal, saying the three-storey block would “overdevelop” the site and affect car parking in the area.

Telford and Wrekin Council’s planning department approved the project.

Image source, Google

BBC Midlands Today

Birmingham City Council has approved plans to provide more than 70,000 supermarket vouchers to feed children during next week's half-term holiday.

The vouchers will be given to families whose children are eligible for free school meals.

The money comes from an allocation of more than £12m to the council from the government's Household Support Fund.

Sara Blizzard
BBC Weather

Today, any showers will end early as things turn drier with a few sunny spells likely. It's mild for the time of year - but windy. Highs of 14C (63F).

Tonight will become cloudy with rain developing from the southwest.

Coldstream Guardsman Mathew Talbot tried to escape up a tree while on an anti-poaching patrol.

Ex-interpreter Jamal Barak had feared his father, who also worked for British forces, was at risk.

West Midlands Police has released an image of a woman officers want to trace as part of their investigation into a sexual assault..

Those backing the scheme point to the environmental benefits of the project amid critics' complaints.

Police officers in Dudley have taught more than 50 bar and club staff how to use specialist bleed control kits to treat stabbing victims.

The kits were developed for venues by the Daniel Baird Foundation, which was set up in the name of a 26-year-old who was fatally stabbed in 2017.

Image source, West Midlands Police

Sgt Daniel Fox, of Dudley Partnerships Team, said: “There’s been a real positive community spirit throughout training.

“It’s so important these kits are used correctly, and local business owners and managers have been fantastic in getting involved and understanding the need to be trained."

He says the kits, which include tourniquets and trauma dressings, can "add vital minutes to someone's life" while waiting for emergency services.

Solihull Observer

From the Solihull Observer:

• Reservoir works at Earlswood Lakes near completion says Trust, external
• Get back to Nature at the Oaks and Yorks open day in Solihull, external
• It's cleaner and greener by train as community rail week starts, external

Walsall Football Club have signed Otis Khan on a short-term deal.

The 26-year-old midfielder spent last season at Tranmere Rovers where he helped them reach the play-offs.

Image source, Getty Images

“I am really happy to be here,” Khan told the club, external.

“Walsall is a massive club and this is a great opportunity for me and I can’t wait to get going," he said.

Police have released CCTV images of two people they want to trace in connection with a burglary in Wolverhampton.

It happened on Stafford Road between 00:30 and 05:00 BST on 8 July.

Offenders climbed through a window and stole bank cards and the keys to a Ford Fiesta before leaving in the vehicle, West Midlands Police said.

The footage comes from a petrol station where the stolen bank cards were used.

Image source, West Midlands Police

James Ankrett "abused his position of trust for sexual purposes", the police watchdog says.

A woman has been taken to hospital following a house fire.

Staffordshire Fire and Rescue Service said it was called to Scott Lidgett Road, Longport, at about 19:00 on Sunday.

A woman was rescued from the property and was treated by ambulance crews at the scene before being transported to hospital for further treatment.

The blaze was out just before 20:00, the fire service said, and was believed to be an accidental ignition caused by burning food on a hob.

Local Democracy Reporting Service

The number of new coronavirus cases recorded in Worcester has increased by more than 50% in the last week, latest figures show.

A total of 296 new cases were recorded in the city in the week up to 10 October, according to Public Health England, pointing to a rise of 56% compared to the week before.

In the wider county, there's been a rise of 23% in the number of new cases compared to the previous seven days - the highest number of cases was recorded in Bromsgrove at 619 for the week.

The only district to see a decrease was Malvern Hills where 175 cases were recorded in the week – a fall of 12%.

NHS figures show that as of 1 October, a total of 1,419 people in Worcestershire have died from Covid-19.