Those backing the scheme point to the environmental benefits of the project amid critics' complaints.

Police officers in Dudley have taught more than 50 bar and club staff how to use specialist bleed control kits to treat stabbing victims.

The kits were developed for venues by the Daniel Baird Foundation, which was set up in the name of a 26-year-old who was fatally stabbed in 2017.

Image source, West Midlands Police

Sgt Daniel Fox, of Dudley Partnerships Team, said: “There’s been a real positive community spirit throughout training.

“It’s so important these kits are used correctly, and local business owners and managers have been fantastic in getting involved and understanding the need to be trained."

He says the kits, which include tourniquets and trauma dressings, can "add vital minutes to someone's life" while waiting for emergency services.

Solihull Observer

From the Solihull Observer:

• Reservoir works at Earlswood Lakes near completion says Trust, external
• Get back to Nature at the Oaks and Yorks open day in Solihull, external
• It's cleaner and greener by train as community rail week starts, external

Walsall Football Club have signed Otis Khan on a short-term deal.

The 26-year-old midfielder spent last season at Tranmere Rovers where he helped them reach the play-offs.

Image source, Getty Images

“I am really happy to be here,” Khan told the club, external.

“Walsall is a massive club and this is a great opportunity for me and I can’t wait to get going," he said.

Police have released CCTV images of two people they want to trace in connection with a burglary in Wolverhampton.

It happened on Stafford Road between 00:30 and 05:00 BST on 8 July.

Offenders climbed through a window and stole bank cards and the keys to a Ford Fiesta before leaving in the vehicle, West Midlands Police said.

The footage comes from a petrol station where the stolen bank cards were used.

Image source, West Midlands Police

James Ankrett "abused his position of trust for sexual purposes", the police watchdog says.

A woman has been taken to hospital following a house fire.

Staffordshire Fire and Rescue Service said it was called to Scott Lidgett Road, Longport, at about 19:00 on Sunday.

A woman was rescued from the property and was treated by ambulance crews at the scene before being transported to hospital for further treatment.

The blaze was out just before 20:00, the fire service said, and was believed to be an accidental ignition caused by burning food on a hob.

Local Democracy Reporting Service

The number of new coronavirus cases recorded in Worcester has increased by more than 50% in the last week, latest figures show.

A total of 296 new cases were recorded in the city in the week up to 10 October, according to Public Health England, pointing to a rise of 56% compared to the week before.

In the wider county, there's been a rise of 23% in the number of new cases compared to the previous seven days - the highest number of cases was recorded in Bromsgrove at 619 for the week.

The only district to see a decrease was Malvern Hills where 175 cases were recorded in the week – a fall of 12%.

NHS figures show that as of 1 October, a total of 1,419 people in Worcestershire have died from Covid-19.

A man has been arrested on suspicion of the production of cannabis after plants were discovered at a property in Telford.

West Mercia Police officers carried out a warrant on Blacksmiths Drive in Ketley Bank on Saturday.

The force said it seized a "large quantity" of cannabis plants.

The man, aged 44, was later released under investigation.

Image source, West Mercia Police

Staffordshire Fire and Rescue Service's new chief, Rob Barber, has said he is "honoured" by the appointment.

Mr Barber, who was previously the service’s deputy chief fire officer, takes up his new role today after a 24-year career.

He started as a firefighter at Newcastle Fire Station in 1997 and spent the majority of the next 10 years stationed between Newcastle and Hanley stations.

In 2007 he was promoted to station manager at Burton-on-Trent Fire Station and moved between there, Tamworth and his former stations before transferring to service headquarters in 2012.

He became a principal officer in 2014 and went on to be appointed as deputy chief in 2016.

Image source, Staffordshire Fire and Rescue Service

“I will work hard to support all of our people in order to deliver the highest level of safety, through prevention, protection, and response," he said.

“There are numerous challenges ahead, however. "I know that both our operational and non-operational personnel work tirelessly on a daily basis to support their communities and I recognise that it is these people who deliver the outstanding service.

“Therefore, it is an honour to be able to lead this organisation.”

A firefighter from Hereford and Worcester Fire Service has run the Manchester Marathon to raise money for charity.

Watch Commander Tom Rowberry, based at Hereford fire station, is raising money for the Little Princess Trust which provides free, real-hair wigs when children lose their own hair due to cancer or other conditions.

So far, he has raised more than £600.

Image source, Hereford & Worcester Fire and Rescue Service

The 38-year-old said of the 10 October event: “It was a really warm day but I managed to complete the distance in a satisfactory 4 hours 40 minutes even though I was nursing a couple of injuries.

“This was my fourth marathon and the atmosphere was great."

Five men have been convicted of murdering Abdul Rahman Abubaker in Birmingham in 2018.

The Bee U group works with children struggling with mental health.

It comes after a rise in the number of cases in Walsall, the council says.

Traffic has been temporarily stopped due to a lorry fire by junction eight of the M5.

Firefighters are at the scene with maintenance crews on their way to assist.

Covid cases are continuing to rise in Dudley borough, with the largest number of cases being seen in children and young people, the local authority says.

There has been a large number of outbreaks in educational settings, it says, with a rate of 530.7 cases per 100,000 10-to-19-year-olds recorded last week.

Borough-wide there was a total of 1,422 cases in the week from 5 October to 11 October.

Image source, Getty Images

Councillor Nicolas Barlow, cabinet member for public health and wellbeing, said: "Much like many areas of the country, we are seeing an increased number of Covid cases in our children and young people and some of our educational settings are experiencing outbreaks.

"Public health is working with schools to look at possible ways to reduce transmission and keep everyone safe. Today we have written to parents and carers to explain how they can support their child’s school if measures are temporarily reintroduced.

"I would remind everyone in the community that they can also play their part by regularly taking Lateral Flow Tests."

Birmingham Live

From Birmingham Live today:

• The brother of Cromwell Street killer Rose West has endured threats and taunts and his Birmingham home damaged since moving to the city , external
• Trapped driver cut free from car after two-vehicle smash in Shipley, external
• Birmingham man, 26, died after being 'restrained by police officer and passers-by', external

Sharan Kaur Kullar, 34, dies just four weeks after being diagnosed with bowel cancer.

BBC Radio CWR

A Warwickshire MP says it is not possible to make MPs 100% safe and still let them do their jobs.

Kenilworth and Southam MP Jeremy Wright was speaking to the breakfast show following the death of Sir David Amess, who had been meeting constituents in Leigh-on-Sea when he was stabbed.

Image source, Parliament UK

"I think we have just got to be realistic that there is only a certain amount you can do if you don't want to wall MPs away from their constituents, and none of us want that," Mr Wright said.

But, he added, it was also "important" to debate "the tone in which our political debate is conducted".