Summary

  • Updates on Wednesday 27 January 2016

  • News, sport, travel and weather updates to resume at 08:00 on Thursday

Live Reporting

  1. Brakes' cup match postponed because of waterlogged pitch

    BBC Coventry & Warwickshire Sport

    Leamington's Red Insure Cup third round tie at Aylesbury United has been postponed.

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  3. Travel: Lane closed on M6

    BBC Travel

    More problems on the M6, this time northbound between J2 for the M69 (Coventry) and J3 for the A444 (Nuneaton).

    One lane is closed due to an accident.

  4. Watch: Weather forecast for the West Midlands

    Cloudy with scattered, potentially heavy, showers throughout the day. Highs of 14C (57F). Find out what the next few days hold.

  5. A426 closed due to accident

    BBC Travel

    The A426 in Warwickshire is closed with very slow traffic in both directions between Rugby and the A5 junction, because of a serious accident.

    Meanwhile, one lane is closed resulting in slow traffic on the M6 northbound between J2, M69 (Coventry) and J3, A444 (Nuneaton), because of an accident.

  6. Latest: Surgery cancelled in Coventry and Godiva decision welcomed

    Paul Marriott
    BBC Coventry & Warwickshire

    Here are some of the stories making the headlines this lunchtime:

    - University Hospital Coventry has cancelled all planned non-urgent surgery and outpatient clinics today and tomorrow morning

    - The group behind Coventry's bid to become UK City of Culture 2021 has welcomed the decision to stage this year's Godiva Festival

    - The number of amputations related to diabetes in Warwickshire is higher than the national average

  7. Shakespeare tribute: Search for Coventry stars

    BBC Coventry & Warwickshire is searching for stars to be part of a new production of Romeo & Juliet this April.

    It’s a big project to mark 400 years since the death of William Shakespeare.

    The whole cast will come from Coventry and will be trained by the Belgrade Theatre, Highly Sprung Performance Co and the Royal Shakespeare Company.  

  8. Coventry hospital surgery cancelled because of 'pressure'

    University Hospital Coventry is under a "considerable amount of pressure", due to demand on services, according to chief executive officer Andy Hardy.

    All planned non-urgent surgery and outpatient clinics at the hospital today and tomorrow morning have been cancelled.

    We saw over 500 people in our A&E yesterday and of these dozens waited more than four hours. Since midnight many others have waited longer than four hours and we currently have more than 60 in the department.

    Andy Hardy, Chief executive officer, University Hospital Coventry

  9. Sky Blues teenager Sambou can have a 'career in football'

    Teenage Sky Blues striker Bassala Sambou could have a bright future, according to academy manager Richard Stevens.

    Bassala SambouGetty Images

    Sambou kept up his prolific scoring run against Charlton's under 18s to set an FA Youth cup fifth round tie against Arsenal. 

    Stevens says the forward "loves scoring goals" and "causes problems to central defenders" because he's always on the move.

    If he gets his head down and continues to work hard he's got a career ahead of him.

    Richard Stevens, Coventry City academy manager

  11. UHCW cancels planned surgery with 'unprecedented waits' in A&E

    Paul Marriott
    BBC Coventry & Warwickshire

    University Hospital Coventry has cancelled all planned surgery and outpatient clinics today and tomorrow morning because the A&E department is so busy.

    University Hospital CoventryGoogle

    The trust running the hospital say it's exceptionally busy and patients are experiencing unprecedented waits in the emergency department.

    Sick and injured people are being asked to consider seeing their GP, pharmacist, calling NHS 111 or going to a walk-in centre unless its life threatening.

  12. Godiva brings 'good feeling'

    It's hoped the Godiva Festival will aid Coventry's bid to become the UK City of Culture in 2021 by providing a high-profile showcase of culture and arts.

    Godiva Festival

    Councillor Abdul Khan, deputy leader and cabinet member for events at the city council said while people won't be charged an entry to this year's event in July, they "haven’t ruled that out for any future festivals that might take place".

    There had been doubts over the free family music festival because of budget cuts.

    Coventry Godiva Festival brings lots of good feeling and we know many people have a great love for the festival.

    Councillor Abdul Khan, Cabinet member for events, Coventry City Council

  13. Foster mum Wendy Hardy jailed for death of toddler 'by shaking'

    A foster mother, originally from Warwickshire, has been jailed for killing a 23-month-old toddler in her care by shaking him.  

    Wendy HardyLeicester Mercury

    Wendy Hardy was jailed for six-and-a-half years after admitting manslaughter and fraud totalling £27,460.

    Warwickshire County Council has confirmed its safeguarding children board is carrying out a serious case review.

  14. Latest: Godiva remains free and call for NHS 111 overhaul

    Paul Marriott
    BBC Coventry & Warwickshire

    Here are some of the latest headlines in Coventry and Warwickshire:

    - Coventry's Godiva Festival is to go ahead this summer as normal and will remain free of charge to get in

    - A health service expert at Coventry University says there needs to be a thorough overhaul of the NHS 111 helpline

    - South Warwickshire has seen a large number of diabetes-related amputations

  15. Future of policing considered

    The future of policing is under the spotlight as West Midlands Police and its new Chief Constable Dave Thompson prepare to unveil more about the vision for 2020.

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  16. Ricoh hope for Sky Blues' Arsenal youth cup tie

    Clive Eakin
    BBC Coventry & Warwickshire Sport

    Coventry City are hoping to be able to stage their FA Youth cup fifth round tie against Arsenal at the Ricoh Arena.

    Outside Ricoh ArenaGetty Images

    A heavy home fixture list for Wasps and the Sky Blues first team forced the under-18s to play their fourth round match against Charlton Athletic at Corby on Monday night.

    Academy manager Richard Stevens says the club is "working hard" to enable the clash against the Gunners to be played closer to home.

  18. Latest: Godiva festival to go ahead and Arts Council put almost £50k into library projects

    Paul Marriott
    BBC Coventry & Warwickshire

    Here are some of the main stories we are looking at in Coventry and Warwickshire:

    - Coventry's Godiva Festival will go ahead despite funding fears

    - A high number of diabetes-related amputations in the south Warwickshire

    - Arts council invests £49,000 in library projects

  20. Godiva Festival to go ahead

    Paul Marriott
    BBC Coventry & Warwickshire

    There's some good news this morning for fans of Coventry's Godiva Festival.

    There had been a worry the city council might not be able to find the money to stage it because of budget cuts.

    But we've found out that not only is it going ahead, but it will remain free to get in.

    Godiva Festival