The government has announced pay rises for police and prison officers which breach the 1% public sector pay cap.

Prison officers will get a 1.7% rise while police will get a 1% pay rise plus a 1% bonus for the year, paid for from existing departmental budgets.

David Jamieson, The West Midlands police and crime commissioner, says he "welcomes the rise" but it may mean fewer officers.

Shoppers could have their blood pressure checked while at the supermarket till and get the result printed on the receipt, a health conference in Warwick will hear today.

Public Health England (PHE) is calling on local health bodies to work with schools, the fire services and others to help drive down the number of heart attacks by identifying high blood pressure earlier.

Image source, PA

Duncan Selbie, chief executive of PHE, will tell the organisation's annual conference: "High blood pressure is the invisible killer. We want people to be as familiar with their blood pressure numbers as they are with their credit card pin or their height.

"Too many people are still living in poor health and dying from a largely preventable disease. The good news is that we know how most heart attacks and strokes can be avoided."

The former director of the National Theatre had a career that spanned half a century.

BBC News Travel

The B4113 Foleshill Road in Coventry is closed in both directions after a crash involving a motorcyle and car.

The biker was taken to hospital suffering leg injuries, said the ambulance service.

Stratford Observer

The fight goes on against proposed downgrades to services at Horton General Hospital in Banbury, external – used by a number of residents in the district.

Leamington Observer

A sight-saving surgeon has been recognised with an honorary professorship. , external

BBC News Travel

The B4455 Fosse Way is closed in both directions between B4112 and Miller's Lane in Warwickshire, say police.

The air ambulance is in attendance after a collision close to the Pailton Crossroads.

The director and impresario was the most influential figure in UK theatre in the late 20th Century.

New fortnightly bin collections in Coventry, which start today, will increase the rate of recycling and save money, the council insists.

Nearly £200,000 has been spent on new food caddies which have also been introduced.

Recent problems with bin collections in the city have been put down to a shortage of agency staff to fill gaps during the summer who "have all been sucked-up by Birmingham", said Cllr Jayne Innes.

The new service will save about £1m, she said.

Sir Peter Hall will be remembered as a champion of public funding for the arts, at one point resigning from the Arts Council in protest over cuts.

BBC Arts looks back at Sir Peter’s achievements in this archive collection, including his 1983 Desert Island Discs selection, a Radio 4 Front Row interview for his 80th birthday, and his 2012 honour as one of the "New Elizabethans".

Stephanie Barnard
BBC Local Live

"Extensive repair works" are set for the A446 following a large fuel spillage on the carriageway earlier.

Highways England is warning drivers to expect long delays as the road is closed northbound between the B4117 and M42 junction 9 - until Wednesday morning.

You can see more updates on the Highways England Twitter page., external

Nine-year-old says he and the rescued animal he has named look similar.

Warwickshire's England Under-19 duo George Panayi and Liam Banks, plus Australian Ryan Sidebottom, sign extended deals.

BBC Midlands
BBC Midlands

The story of Alfie Dingley whose family are moving to The Hague so his seizures can be treated with medical cannabis oil - illegal in the UK - has prompted a lot of comments on Facebook, external.

Lucy Ore said: "Medical strains of cannabis need to be legalised in the UK. There are worse side effects from legal drugs taken by many in the UK than using cannabis as a treatment. Time for change."

Joanne Candy, whose daughter also suffers from epilepsy, said she would "love her daughter to try" cannabis oil.

"I would welcome a trial of the cannabis oil which I have heard in other countries has helped," she said.

West Midlands Mayor Andy Street will be part of a delegation heading to London today to promote Coventry's bid to become UK City of Culture 2021.

He's guest speaker at a Parliamentary reception, sponsored by Coventry South Labour MP, Jim Cunningham.

Image source, Coventry 2021

Founder of the Royal Shakespeare Company and former National Theatre director Sir Peter Hall died on Monday at University College hospital in London, surrounded by his family, the National Theatre has said.

During his career he staged the English language premiere of Samuel Beckett's Waiting for Godot and the world premiere of Harold Pinter's Homecoming.

Sir Peter had been diagnosed with dementia in 2011.

Storm Aileen is expected to bring strong winds tonight and tomorrow morning across the region, the Met Office is warning, external.

It is expected to cause disruption from 20:00 this evening, with the chance of power cuts and damage to trees.

Image source, Met Office

A severe weather alert, external has also been issued by Highways England which is advising users of caravans, motorbikes and high-sided vehicles to take extra care when travelling.

BBC News Travel

The A446 is likely to remain closed this morning after a large fuel spillage, Highways England says.

About 300 litres is reported on the northbound carriageway between the B4117 at Cole End and M42 J9.

Traffic is being diverted away from the area.

Warwickshire are back in County Championship action this morning.

The Bears face leaders Essex at Edgbaston, knowing a defeat is likely to confirm their relegation to Division Two.

You can follow live updates here.

The government's bid to extract the UK from EU law in time for Brexit has passed its first parliamentary test.

MPs backed the EU Withdrawal Bill by 326 votes to 290 despite critics warning that it represented a "power grab" by ministers.

More than 100 MPs had their say during the two-day second reading debate, including Labour's MP for Coventry North West, Geoffrey Robinson, who was heavily critical of the bill.

Image source, HoC