Updates from Wednesday 3 May 2017
That's all from us on Wednesday. Join us again from 08:00 on Thursday for more news, sport, travel and weather updates.
Any breaking news will be posted here in the meantime.
Elizabeth Glinka
BBC Midlands Today
In just over 12 hours time, the polls open in the election for the first West Midlands Metro Mayor.
There are six candidates in the running for the job, which would make one of them arguably the most high profile politician in the region.
So who are the candidates and what will the job entail? We will explain it all on the Midlands Today on BBC One from 18:30.
Shefali Oza
BBC Midlands Today
It's going to be overcast again tonight, but we should see some sunshine across the region tomorrow.
Shefali Oza has your forecast
Nurses and midwives will take part in a procession through Coventry for the second annual celebration event for International Nurses’ Day and International Day of the Midwife.
The route will wind its way round to Coventry Cathedral where a ceremony will take place on 12 May.
Nurses and midwives will attend from Coventry and Warwickshire Partnership NHS Trust, George Eliot Hospital NHS Trust, University Hospitals Coventry and Warwickshire NHS Trust, South Warwickshire NHS Foundation Trust and student nurses and midwives from Coventry University.
Rob Mayor
Black Country Political Reporter, BBC WM
As the campaign to become West Midlands mayor enters its final stages, the polling experts suggest it's a tight race between Labour and the Conservatives.
Andy Street’s team are talking about causing a "political earthquake" in Labour’s heartlands.
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But the Labour team for Sion Simon, appear relaxed and confident, despite the party’s difficulties nationally.
As Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson extolled the virtues of Andy Street in Wolverhampton, Labour leafleted in Birmingham, no high profile party figures visiting for them, "It’s about the West Midlands", they said.
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Geoff Foster
BBC Coventry & Warwickshire Sport
Wasps are on course for a season-record attendance against Saracans on Saturday, the club says.
The club sold 1,000 tickets yesterday and says if that rate continues, it would beat this season's record so far of 27,930 against Leicester Tigers.
The club's record attendance since moving to Coventry was against Leicester Tigers on 9 May, 2015 - 32,019
BBC Coventry & Warwickshire Sport
Sky Blues' goalkeeper Lee Burge and defender Chris Stoke will be offered new deals by the club after manager Mark Robins confirmed nine of last season's players will leave the League Two side.
Image source, EmpicsStriker Marcus Tudgay, Ruben Lamerias, Andy Rose and Vladimir Gadshev are all leaving while Jordan Turnbull and Stuart Beavon could also leave before the end of July under the terms of their existing deals.
Rob Mayor
Black Country Political Reporter, BBC WM
The Green’s James Burn says plans for the West Midlands need to change, as he bids to become the first mayor for the region which covers, Birmingham, the Black Country and Coventry.
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Communist Graham Stevenson says "vote for socialism, not austerity". Yesterday he was speaking to students in Birmingham.
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Whilst many see this election as a two horse race, the supplementary voting system means that the second choices made by the other four candidates supporters are likely to make the crucial difference when the result becomes clear on Friday afternoon.
This is the heart-breaking moment a junior doctor at Leamington Spa hospital told a woman who has just lost her son, brother and mother in the last 12 months that her husband may die too, external.
Rob Mayor
Political Reporter, BBC WM
Yesterday was fraught with campaigning as the poll booths prepare to open on Thursday for the West Midlands Metro mayor election.
A visit to Dudley town centre has become a UKIP election staple and leader Paul Nuttall was there to sing the praises of their mayoral Candidate Pete Durnell.
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For the Liberal Democrats Beverley Nielsen was out leafleting in Wolverhampton yesterday.
Here's why she thinks she should be mayor.
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Read more about the candidates on BBC News. Polls open from 08:00 on Thursday.
Wasps boss Dai Young says he always expected their last regular-season game against Saracens 'would have a prize on it'.
Read MoreThanks to BBC Weather Watchers Warwick Ram and Old Salt for sending us these pictures of Warwick and Southam.
If you want to sign up and take part in our nation's favourite pastime conversation, sign up here.
Image source, Warwick Ram
Image source, Old SaltTrain services in and out of Northampton railway station are getting back to normal after a charter train caught fire.
The Northampton Chronicle & Echo, external reports that 40 firefighters were called to Martins Yard, off Spencer Bridge Road, to fight a blaze that broke out in a diesel train's engine bay.
This was the smoky scene at the station earlier...
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Some passengers were transferred to road transport to get to Milton Keynes and Rugby to reconnect with services.
All lines have reopened but delays may remain this afternoon, rail bosses said.
We've contacted the emergency services to find out more.
BBC Sport
Warwickshire have awarded professional contracts to seam bowlers Grant Thornton and Mitchell Spencer.
The pair, both 24, have been given three-month contracts with the County Championship Division One side.
Image source, Sam Bagnall, Warwickshire CCC.Grant Thornton took 0-34 on his first-class debut against Northamptonshire in April
Thornton made his first-team debut in their One-Day Cup win over Northamptonshire on 27 April, while Spencer is yet to play for the county.
"They are two very different bowlers and good options for Ian Bell to have as captain." said coach Jim Troughton.
Warwickshire's sport director, Ashley Giles, had talked about bringing in "new blood" after they made an difficult start to the season.
Nicola Beckford
Reporter, BBC Midlands Today
Voters go to the polls tomorrow in Warwickshire, electing county councillors in contests, which ahead of the General Election, will be fiercely fought and scrutinised closely.
We've been looking at the issues which have been shaping the campaign.
Join us for the Midlands Today on BBC One at 13:30.
BBC Coventry & Warwickshire Sport
As the season comes to a close, Wasps say they will soon have a new chief executive.
Image source, Getty ImagesThe rugby club announced yesterday that CEO David Armstrong is stepping down in June though he will remain on the board as a non-executive director.
Nick Eastwood, the current deputy chair of the club, will take over he and says they have overcome one "massive challenge" in moving the club from one area of the country to another and that will equip them for the future.
Stephanie Barnard
BBC Local Live
The railway line between Rugby and Northampton is blocked due to an on-going incident, warns London Midland.
Rail passengers are warned to expect delays - London Midland tickets are valid on Virgin train services while disruption continues
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Allen Cook
BBC Local Live
A cricketer from Stoke-on-Trent has been offered a first deal by county side, external Warwickshire.
Image source, Dave Thompson/Getty ImagesThe club says seam-bowler Mitchell Spencer, 24, has been given a three-month contract after impressing in 2nd XI games last year along with a pre-season tour in the winter.
Warwickshire award three-month deals to Grant Thornton and Mitchell Spencer, their first professional contracts.
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