Image source, RSC

The 9ft tall star of the Royal Shakespeare Company's new musical has been glimpsed at the theatre as actors prepare for the return of indoor audiences for the first time in 18 months.

The company says her arrival , externalin Stratford-upon-Avon has sparked mammoth interest in The Magician's Elephant which opens to the public from Monday.

Image source, RSC

The show, adapted from Kate DiCamillo's novel, tells the story of Peter, who lives a harsh life in a quiet town until a magician "conjures an elephant from the sky".

"Peter is catapulted into the quest of his life, overturning everything he ever thought he knew, and discovering that happiness can come from the most unexpected places," the RSC said.

The production also marks the reopening of the Royal Shakespeare Theatre which celebrates its 60th anniversary this year.

BBC Radio Stoke

House-to-house inquiries have been carried out by police after a man was seen acting suspiciously in the Blythe Bridge area of Staffordshire.

It's claimed a man was seen on people's driveways shining his phone on to their front doors in Levison Street.

It happened in the early hours of last Thursday.

BBC Radio CWR

Coventry's planned Very Light Rail system is set to get another big cash injection later.

The city council says when it's complete it could offer people a London Underground-style transport service that's more reliable than the buses.

Later councillors are expected to sign off another £3.2m to make sure the plan gets off the ground.

Image source, Coventry City Council

Telford & Wrekin Council wants to hear what projects people want in their area.

Port Vale impose an 'indefinite ban' on a teenage fan for racially abusing Leyton Orient goalkeeper Lawrence Vigouroux.

A National Trust project is given £500,000 to help continue its work with the rare mammals.

A motorcyclist has died after his bike crashed with a car in Coventry.

Image source, Google

Another man - who was a passenger on the bike - was taken to hospital with serious injuries after the incident on Exhall Green shortly before 18:15.

The driver of the car was not injured and did not require treatment, said West Midlands Ambulance Service.

BBC Midlands Today

Time is running out for you to nominate your Midlands sporting unsung hero for 2021.

We're looking for unpaid volunteers who've made a big contribution to grassroots sport in the region over the last 12 months.

You have until Sunday to tell us who you think should be recognised. You can submit your nomination here.

GPs are reminding patients they need to wait six months before getting the jab.

The organisation needs people to assist with journeys in the south of the county.

Six stations could close to the public on Sundays and Mondays, the West Mercia force says.

People in Shropshire, Herefordshire and Worcestershire are being asked for their views on police's front counter services.

West Mercia Police is proposing changes to opening hours across its six front counters and wants to get the public's views on the changes.

Image source, Google

Asst Chief Constable Rachel Jones said: “The way in which our communities contact and engage with us continually evolves, with more and more people wanting to speak to us either over the phone or via our digital channels.

“We want to ensure we continue to operate in line with these changing public expectations.

“It is important to emphasise that this proposal would see the force retain all six of its front counters at Shrewsbury, Telford, Kidderminster, Redditch, Worcester and Hereford with only a reduction in opening hours to ensure consistency of provision across the force.

“In addition, it does not affect police officer numbers, nor the number of police bases we have, and so the public will not experience any difference in police visibility in our communities,"

The survey runs online until 25 October.

BBC Weather

It will be a dry start with a few bright spells in the West Midlands today.

It will tend to cloud over as the day draws on, with the occasional spot of light rain or drizzle becoming possible during the afternoon.

Tonight, any lingering spots of light rain will soon ease, turning dry overnight with clear spells developing in places. However, a few patches of mist or fog are also likely to form.

For the latest weather updates, visit the BBC Weather website.

BBC Midlands Today

It’s the official launch of this year’s BBC Children in Need campaign today.

The charity currently funds 226 projects in the West Midlands at a value of more than £13m.

Among those helping to raise that money are 21-year-old twins Ellie and Abbie Holloway from Rugeley, who have been fundraising for the charity every year since they were eight years old.

Their latest challenge is a 50-mile tandem ride.

Welcome to our live service for Tuesday.

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.

A man hit with a bottle during a homophobic attack says Birmingham's atmosphere has changed.

Ashley Mooney is in hospital receiving treatment to his spine following a collision at a match.

A stem cell match was found for two-year-old Gunner, from Bridgnorth, after a worldwide search.

Live updates have now ended for the West Midlands.

We'll be back with you from 08:00 on Tuesday with the usual mix of news, sport, travel and weather.

Under-fire Shropshire hospitals face fresh questions after reports on serious incidents this summer.