BBC Radio CWR

Two fee-paying schools in Coventry have said they will merge to save money.

Image source, Google

The Coventry School Foundation, which runs both Bablake School and King Henry VIII School, said the move would "achieve efficiencies" and allow it to revamp the campuses.

The plan will see the two private schools merge and both lose their historic names - instead they will be known as Coventry School, which will open in September 2021, with the merger completed by the following year.

Image source, Google

Officials at King Henry VIII School say it was in 1545 with an older date for Bablake of 1344.

A petition has been set up opposing the merger claiming the move "only seemed to be motivated by the incentive of profit" and more than 950 people have signed it.

Coventry University begins disciplinary proceedings against "a number of students".

The number of new cases of coronavirus in the West Midlands appears to be plateauing, according to health officials.

Image source, Reuters

Clive Wright, from the Department of Health and Social Care, told a regional briefing today the overall rate of infection had come down but "we must not get complacent".

He revealed the figures from Tuesday and then from Thursday for every 100,000 which show:

• Birmingham - from 146.3 to 139.2
• Coventry - from 66.3 to 71.2
• Dudley - from 45.2 to 52.5
• Sandwell - from 113.3 to 107.5
• Solihull - from 75.8 to 79.6
• Walsall - from 78.7 to 72.7
• Wolverhampton - from 76.3 to 74.8

The number of tests being carried out in the region has increased from 30,000 in the week up to 17 September to 42,000 in the last week.

Further restrictions were introduced last month in Birmingham, Sandwell, Solihull and Wolverhampton banning households from mixing.

Mr Wright said the chance of restrictions being eased in the near future was "unlikely" but they might happen it "we continue to go in the right direction".

Balvinder Gahir was found with serious head injuries at a property in Leamington Spa in August.

BBC Weather Watchers

We had an impressive full moon last night and depending on where you were, it seems it appeared in a range of colours.

To a BBC Weather Watcher in Telford it appeared to be bright orange, but in Coventry it was photographed in a more traditional white, while in Admaston it went for the beige look.

Image source, Raj's Range

Image source, Noodles_93

Image source, Country Corf

She advises parents to talk to children about how they feel as restrictions bite into normal life.

Defender Michael Rose signs a new three-year contract with Championship club Coventry City.

Local Democracy Reporting Service

The future of Stratford-upon-Avon's minor injuries unit and the first aid centre at Shipston’s Ellen Badger Hospital is going to be reviewed.

They were both closed in March, to allow staff to be transferred to Warwick, to help cope with the extra demand created by coronavirus.

Image source, Google

Both centres are set to remain closed through the winter and the review will determine what happens to them next.

Under NHS England guidance, if they cannot become Urgent Treatment Centres, dealing with minor injuries which don't require a trip to an accident and emergency department, they will have to change, to provide other primary care services.

Coventry Live

Here are three stories from Coventry Live today:

• Covid-19 cases continue to rise across Coventry and Warwickshire, external
• Nando's break silence on new Coventry restaurant, external
• Second wave of coronavirus is here says University Hospital chief, external

BBC Radio CWR

The leader of Coventry City Council has said he has no sympathy if students who held a party in their halls are kicked off their courses.

About 200 are thought to have been at the gathering in the privately run Arundel House in the early hours of Tuesday morning.

Coventry University said it would take disciplinary action and West Midlands Police is investing a breach of coronavirus rules.

Councillor George Duggins says they should also face fines.

Coventry University says the "blatant breaches of the rule of six" risk the health of students.

An officer has been hit by a stolen car during a hit and run incident in Coventry, police say.

The PC was pushed on to the bonnet of the oncoming black Fiesta in Hermes Crescent, Wood End, at about 21:45 yesterday, West Midlands Police said.

He was "thrown to the floor" but only suffered minor injuries as the car, later established to be on cloned plates, fled the area.

The vehicle was found abandoned in Doncaster Close, Wyken, an hour later.

Image source, Google

Det Sgt Ged Gray said: "It's through sheer fortune the officer was not seriously injured.

"The driver tried to mount the kerb to get away.

"As an officer approached the car they were deliberately driven at and ended up on the bonnet.

"They were carried a short distance before being flung to the ground and the car was driven away."

Joan Cummins
Midlands Today reporter

The future of the region's only baby hospice looks bleak with donations plummeting by more than half since the beginning of lockdown.

Zoe's Place in Coventry has also been badly affected by the cancellation of fundraising events.

The charity has restructured and made 40% of their staff redundant, but says it's relying on the public to ensure its survival.

Gina Harris, head of nursing at the hospice, said: "The impact of Covid has been the reduction in the service that can offer... unless we get some more support or a real boost to our income I think we will end up closing.".

Communal areas at Coventry University are closed after reports up to 200 people attended the party.

The Woodland Trust says the early felling in Staffordshire could increase damage to eco-systems.

BBC Weather

It'll be a dry and cloudy start, becoming windier with some rain moving in this afternoon.

Highs of 14C/57F.

Image source, jeremyds

BBC Weather Watcher Jeremyds took this lovely snap in Kenilworth this morning.

A police vehicle has been taken off the road for staff to deal with a "disgusting" act of vandalism.

Image source, Warwickshire Police

Graffiti was daubed on the van while parked outside the Warwickshire force's Leamington Spa station on Newbold Terrace on Sunday night.

The same vandalism was discovered by officers earlier today on the Queen Victoria statue in The Parade, police said.

“This is a disgusting act of vandalism," said Sgt Trent McMurray.

"At a time when my team are working hard to protect people in Leamington during the pandemic, it is really disappointing to be treated in this way; it’s clear some people have no respect for society."

A child sex abuse charity is one of eight set to benefit from a slice of £2.4m from the government.

Image source, Google

Safeline in Warwick supports victims and survivors of child sexual abuse.

The two-year funding will go towards services such as support lines, digital counselling and training.

The other seven charities to receive the funding are National Association for People Abused in Childhood (NAPAC), Mosac, Mankind UK, Rape Crisis England and Wales, The Survivors Trust, Victim Support and Barnardo's.

Coventry Live

Some of the Coventry Live headlines include:

• Kidnap suspect arrested after man allegedly seen dragging crying woman into car by her neck, external
• Police officer in court charged with rape and touching young girl, external
• Plans for new craft beer and wine bar in Coventry, external

St Nicholas Park in Warwick is to host the start and finish of the 2022 Commonwealth Games road cycling races.

About 160 cyclists are expected to take part in the men’s and women’s road race events.

The full route is yet to be determined.

Earlier, it was announced that West Park in Wolverhampton will be the setting for the start and finish of the cycling time trial.