Stephanie Miskin
BBC News

More than a year after a judge ruled blanket bans on renting properties to people receiving benefits were unlawful in a landmark case, many people say they are still facing discrimination by landlords.

Helen Williams has spent months trying to find a property for her daughter Rachel and two young grandsons, who have been told to leave their home by November after the landlord decided to sell up.

Helen, of Shirley, Solihull, said they'd been left feeling "really angry" after being rejected for more than 60 properties in a few months.

"I'm devastated in all honesty," she said.

"At the moment we don't even know where she will be at Christmas. She's got all her extended family nearby to help her at the moment. We don't know where she will end up."

Read more.

BBC Radio Shropshire

Pupils at a school in Shrewsbury are getting involved with an initiative to help learn the value of money.

Youngsters from Wilfred Owen School in Monkmoor joined up with Just Credit for the project as part of National Saving day on Tuesday. .

The children have been given £1 each, confiscated from illegal money lenders, and must come up with a way to grow it.

They will then follow their business ideas and see how much money they can make.

Image source, Getty Images

Teacher Hannah Fox said: "We feel it is really important to give the children a real-life context in terms of money, so showing them how we can save and how we can make money and encourage their entrepreneurial skills really."

Volunteers restoring the Montgomery Canal say it has been well used during the pandemic.

A CCTV image has been released of a man police would like to speak to in connection with a robbery in Wolverhampton city centre.

Image source, West Midlands Police

A bag of cash was stolen from a security driver as he was loading a van in Dudley Street.

The incident happened at about 10:10 on 22 July, said West Midlands Police.

BBC Midlands Today

A brother and sister from Coventry say the prospect of competing together at the Commonwealth Games in their home town next summer is very exciting.

Team England has released a video celebrating its first home games for 20 years.

It features Olympic judo bronze medallist Chelsie Giles and her brother Josh.

Judo events are due to be staged at Coventry Arena.

A woman has suffered serious injuries after being hit by a car in Worcester.

Image source, Google

The pedestrian was struck at the junction of Copenhagen Street and Deansway in the city shortly after 16:10 on Wednesday, said the ambulance service.

She was taken to the Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Birmingham.

The benefits of the plans are outweighed by their impact on the local area, a council report says.

A West Midlands Police officer who suffered a bleed on the brain and a broken leg after being hit by a suspected drink-driver has been named the force's Officer of the Year.

PC Phil Kingsley and a colleague were struck in Dudley Port in 2015.

Mr Kingsley was off work for more than a year from the crash, in which he also suffered a broken ankle and suffered bouts of amnesia.

Image source, WMP

The driver was later jailed after failing to provide a blood sample and the officer "fought back to carry on his dream job as a cop", the force said.

The 53-year-old neighbourhood PC has been "at the forefront of tackling a range of community issues across his Smethwick patch ranging from drugs, prostitution and anti-social behaviour".

Mr Kingsley said it was a tough recovery, both physically and mentally, but winning the award was a "huge honour".

"I was 35 when I became an officer and like everyone I did it because I wanted to make a difference," he said.

BBC Weather

Today brings a mostly cloudy and dry day. Cloud may break in places, offering brief spells of brightness at times. Winds will be moderate. Highs of 17C (62F).

Check your local forecast here.

BBC Midlands Today

A consultation period ends today on plans by the National Trust to chop down trees at Kinver Edge in Staffordshire.

The trust is applying to the Forestry Commission for a licence to fell the trees so it can return Blakeshall Common to a traditional lowland heath.

Image source, Getty Images

Local walkers and horse riders are concerned about the loss of trees and the fencing in of cattle.

The National Trust said it tried to modify its plans to accommodate local feelings, while ensuring they deliver important gains for nature and wildlife.

Welcome to our live service for Thursday.

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.

David Swanston makes it through to the final shortlist after 8,000 nominations from 121 countries.

Micro artist Willard Wigan recreates champion boxer Tyson Fury on the head of a nail.

Despite 'No DSS' being unlawful, house-hunters continue to face discrimination while on benefits.

More police patrols and a safe space have been promised in response to attacks on gay people.

That's all for our live coverage on Wednesday.

We'll be back from 08:00 with more news, sport, travel and weather updates.

Life in Afghanistan had become impossible for people like Zyed, who worked for the coalition forces.

BBC Radio Hereford and Worcester

A request by Worcestershire Acute Hospitals NHS Trust for nearly £2m is set to be rejected.

Worcestershire Acute Hospitals NHS Trust has requested £1.84m from Welbeck Land, which is developing a site between St Peter's and Kempsey, to help it cope with the inevitable rise in patient numbers.

The trust says if it doesn't get the money it'll be left in a "vulnerable" position.

Image source, PA Media

It's one of a number of requests made by the trust to developers in recent years.

Council planners have, as in the past, recommended the request be rejected - saying the trust left it too late, and allowing the money to be paid would mean existing arrangements would have to be renegotiated.

It will be discussed by Wychavon District Council’s planning committee on Thursday.

Dylan Price's body was found with injuries consistent with being hit by a vehicle.

Birmingham City Council recently enlisted a new provider for SEND school transport.