BBC Midlands Today

The government has said it won't intervene in Shropshire Council's decision to grant planning permission for 1,000 homes on the site of the former Ironbridge Power Station.

Image source, Shropshire Council

Campaigners had objected to plans for the houses, a school and retirement village amid concerns about traffic and the number of affordable homes being too low.

But the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities has rejected a plea to call in the application.

A horse-drawn cider press in Herefordshire is thought to be the last remaining in the UK.

BBC Midlands Today

A third of leukaemia patients do not generate any antibody response to two doses of the Covid vaccine, according to a study by the University of Birmingham.

Image source, Getty Images

The research , externalalso showed that in the two thirds who did develop antibodies, levels were much lower than of healthy people, with the patients also having a reduced ability to neutralise the Delta variant.

Five hundred patients with chronic lymphocytic leukaemia who received two doses of Covid vaccine took part in the study.

The academics said it showed leukaemia patients were still at ongoing risk to catch the virus even if they had both jabs.

Professor Paul Moss said the findings suggested more protection was needed for the vulnerable cases.

"A third vaccine dose is likely to boost antibody responses in some patients, but there are additional complications in leukaemia patients and additional medical interventions may be required," he added.

BBC Radio Stoke

Hospitals in Stoke-on-Trent are under increasing pressure as Covid cases increase, the city's Director of Health said.

Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent are above the national average for coronavirus rates and people are being urged to do their bit to help reduce the spread.

The latest figures show there were 532 new cases per 100,000 people in the seven days up to 19 October. Like other parts of England, the rates are particularly high among schoolchildren.

Image source, Getty Images

Dr Paul Edmondson Jones said: "We're obviously at very serious points at the moment... we know that's [case rates] having an impact on the Royal Stoke Hospital.

"Masks are really, really beneficial, I'd urge people to keep wearing their masks, if you're in a crowded space with people you don't know, you're in an indoor space that's not well ventilated, just wear your mask."

University Hospitals of North Midlands reported 110 new admissions with Covid-19 in the week up to 19 October, up from 93.

Read more: Are people wearing masks less often?

Emergency services are called to the fire in Wolverhampton just after 02:00 BST.

Sara Blizzard
BBC Weather

We can look forward to another mild week with temperatures on the up.

Expect some showers interspersed with sunny spells today with temperatures reacing 14C (57F).

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

About 70 people are evacuated after the fire in Willenhall, Walsall.

Amelia, five, uses Hope House, near Oswestry, for respite care due to a heart condition.

Saracens move up to third in the Premiership with a 56-15 demolition of a depleted Wasps at the StoneX Stadium.

One was taken to hospital after trouble erupted at Coventry City's ground on Saturday.

An inauguration ceremony is held ahead of its formal opening in 2022.

One man remains in hospital in a critical condition after being shot in the neck.

Tiny Tim is recovering well after he was abandoned in a Gloucestershire garden at a week old.

Tom Bradshaw's second-half double secures Millwall's fourth win in five games as they came from behind to beat Stoke.

Port Vale show their promotion-challenger credentials as they ease to a win at home to Colchester.

Ryan Tafazoli scores in injury time to earn Wycombe victory over Crewe that takes them second in the League One table.

Rodrigo keeps his nerve to convert an injury-time penalty as Leeds snatch a draw from their Premier League clash with Wolves at Elland Road.

Graeme Shinnie's equaliser for Derby County ends Coventry City's 100% winning start at home.

A man is shot in the neck and another in his leg.