A man is accused of writing a racist Facebook message after England lost in the Euro 2020 final.

Local Democracy Reporting Service

The average wait for an ambulance in the West Midlands continued to surge last month as the number of 999 calls hit a record high.

Image source, Reuters

Figures show the average response time for the most serious 999 calls in the region was seven minutes and 46 seconds in July - missing the seven-minute target.

West Midlands Ambulance Service (WMAS) was on target for meeting 90% of the most life-threatening 'category one' calls within 15 minutes. But it missed targets for 'category two' calls - which include emergencies such as strokes, heart attacks and major burns - recording a 30-minute average response in July and above the 18-minute target.

The service took 162,574 calls and figures show 17 of its 20 busiest days ever took place last month - with warmer weather, Euro 2020 and an increase in Covid cases to blame for the rise in 999 calls.

WMAS said it "continued to treat patients who needed our help" and like colleagues in hospitals and other parts of the NHS, its crews were working "flat out with many offering to work additional shifts".

A spokesman stated: "We are working with each hospital to reduce handover delays so that our crews can respond to the next incident as quickly as possible, but all patients continue to receive clinical care until they are handed over."

Hereford Times

Here are some of the stories on the Hereford Times website:

• Artists to open studios to Herefordshire residents, external
• Fish pass idea for River Teme ditched, external
• Archaeologists reveal Herefordshire Stone Age monument's origins, external

A 63-year-old man and his dog were killed in the crash in Alvechurch, Worcestershire.

Miles Routledge, from Birmingham, claims he visited Kabul because he enjoys "extreme tourism".

Local Democracy Reporting Service

One part of Worcestershire has seen the number of new coronavirus cases rise by more than 60% in the past week.

Public Health England said 170 new cases were recorded in Malvern Hills in the week up to 11 August - a rise of 62% compared to the week before.

The number of new Covid cases recorded has continued to rise throughout most of the county in the past week - particularly in the north. A total of 1,585 cases were recorded in Worcestershire in the week - a rise of 13% compared to the previous seven days.

Image source, Google

The biggest surge in new cases was seen in Kempsey and Ryall with 30 cases recorded in the week - rising by 650%.

The most cases recorded in the week up to 11 August were in Bromsgrove (pictured above) at 309.

The 200 tonnes of sandstone is being dug from a new drainage tunnel through Chester city centre.

Jomaa Jerrare's body was found burnt in a lay-by in Perton, near Wolverhampton.

BBC Weather

It should be largely overcast but dry today but the odd spot of light rain or drizzle is likely in areas where the cloud is thickest. A moderate westerly breeze. High: 18C (64F).

It should stay overcast for many throughout the night, remaining largely dry, but spots of light rain are likely to drift through at times. A few patches of mist or fog may form. Low 14C (57F).

You can stay up-to-date on the latest forecast for your area by going to the BBC Weather website.

Mark Chilman set his victim's car on fire in a bid to make it look like suicide, the court hears.

Nobel peace laureate, Malala Yousafzai was shot in the head by the Taliban in 2012.

One man was knocked unconscious in an attack which began with abuse being shouted from inside a car.

Two people are arrested by police on suspicion of causing death by dangerous driving.

Dawid Kurdziel died after allegedly being attacked in a park in Telford, police say.

Bacca was given the award after suffering slash wounds while bringing an armed man to the ground.

BBC Weather

It should be cloudy and mainly dry today with just the odd spot of rain around mixed with an occasional brighter spell. High: 17C (63F).

It should stay cloudy and largely dry tonight with a few brief spells of rain at times. Low: 13C (55F).

You can stay up-to-date on the latest forecast for your area at any time by going to the BBC Weather website.

People tell the BBC they were housed next to criminals and attacked in poor and unsafe rooms.

The latest news, sport, travel and weather from across the West Midlands and south Cheshire.

People can get jabbed while they shop at the world's largest Primark store in Birmingham.

Police say they believe Jomaa Jerrare was killed and driven to a lay-by where she was set alight.