One toy firm says rising shipping costs and HGV driver shortages are making for "a perfect storm".

Joe Leach is to stand down as Worcestershire club captain after five seasons in the role.

The vision, which also includes a school, wins planning approval despite a knock-back weeks before.

BBC Radio Stoke

A long-serving speedway promoter in Staffordshire has died.

Tributes have been paid to Dave Tattum who was involved with the Stoke Potters at their Loomer Road stadium until it closed in 2019.

Image source, British Speedway Promoters

He had been involved in setting up a new speedway team, Newcastle Diamonds, before his death at the weekend, British Speedway Promoters Ltd confirmed, external.

Friend and former rider and promoter Graham Drury said the country's speedway sport had lost "an extremely passionate, hard-working man".

Co-promoter at Newcastle, Rob Grant, said, external he was "beyond devastated" at the news, adding Mr Tattum had been "like another father figure to me".

A man has suffered significant facial injuries after being hit by a pair of attackers, police say.

The West Mercia force said the victim was approached by two men outside Lloyds Bank on Pride Hill, Shrewsbury, at about 23:30 BST on Saturday and struck with a long object.

The pair, who left the scene in a car, are described as white, in their 20s or 30s, and between 5ft 6 and 5ft 11.

Both were wearing a t-shirt and tracksuit bottoms, police said.

Image source, Google

A woman whose baby died during childbirth in HMP Styal says "more could have been done" to save her.

A man who attacked a litter-picker is being sought by police who have today issued an appeal for information.

The victim, 51, was assaulted from behind at about 14:15 BST on 8 September near the Dank Juice shop on Tamworth Road in Amington, Tamworth.

He was taken to hospital for treatment.

The attacker is described as a white man, in his mid-30s, approximately 5ft 10ins tall, and of a slim build. He was seen running off towards Amington Gardens.

The Staffordshire force said a 37-year-old man was later arrested but had been released on conditional bail pending further inquiries.

Officers appealed for anyone with information to come forward.

Who plays who, who needs what and who's heading for the pavilion for the last time as the 2021 County Championship enters its final week.

Wolves become the first UK football club to own a record label as they partner with Warner Music UK.

Deena Evans says colleague Mick Hipgrave saved her life when they were attacked in Wolverhampton.

Lancashire Police will work with the Merseyside, Cheshire, Cumbria and North Wales forces.

The victim, found with a head injury, died in hospital on Sunday, police say.

A Worcestershire road is currently closed while police deal with a collision.

West Mercia Police officers are at the scene on Birmingham Road in Kidderminster.

Warrington prop Mike Cooper will miss Friday's Super League play-off eliminator against Hull KR after receiving a one-match ban.

Ross Whiteley will join Hampshire next season on a three-year white-ball contract after deciding to leave Worcestershire.

Dylan Price is believed to have been hit by a vehicle while walking along the road, police say.

Murder police are investigating what they say is thought to be a domestic incident.

Stoke-on-Trent Live

From the Stoke Sentinel:

• Stoke-on-Trent venue slams council over planned parking charges, external
• Mum's anger as no arrests made after son's 'brutal Euro 2020 attack', external
• Huge 29-bedroom Hanley property going up for auction with guide price of £610k, external

BBC Radio WM

A 5ft (1.5m) python that a shocked couple found in their bedroom may soon be going to its rightful home, according to a veterinary nurse.

Image source, West Midlands Police

Police were called to the couple's home in Quarry Bank, Dudley, after the reptile was discovered.

The couple speculated it may have arrived in a delivery, or slithered in through pipes, before it was spotted on Wednesday.

The python was taken to Manor Vets, Halesowen, and stayed overnight before being transferred to its exotic animals branch in Edgbaston and then a rescue centre.

Kirsty Humphries, a senior inpatient nurse with the vets, said she heard the potential owner saw the news and may have come forward to claim her.

She added: "[The snake] was so friendly, she just let us pick her up, she was no trouble at all."

BBC Radio WM

A man who had his lung cancer operation cancelled four times amid hospital Covid pressures suffered a cardiac arrest as he was finally undergoing surgery.

Noel Brown, 70, from Harborne, Birmingham, was diagnosed in May and told that removing part of his lung may mean he would not need chemotherapy.

His daughter Carly Ward said he was at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital on Friday and, as surgeons began to operate, her father's heart stopped.

She said staff managed to restart his heart within two minutes and her father was okay, but the operation could not go ahead until medics understood what had happened.

"They are trying to get to the bottom of that but obviously they are keen to do that as quickly as possible so we can get him straight back to surgery," she said.

Mrs Ward added her family were worried about her father who had been left "really upset", and they were hoping to get some answers from tests on Monday.