John Wilcock, inspired by Captain Sir Tom Moore, hopes to do 90 laps of a courtyard for charity.

Inspired by Captain Sir Tom Moore John Wilcock takes up a charity challenge in time for his 90th birthday.

On Thursday night there were four West Midlands MPs among 76 who opposed the extension of emergency coronavirus powers for the government.

Tories Harriett Baldwin (West Worcestershire) and Craig Tracey (North Warwickshire); and Labour's John Spellar (Warley), and Zarah Sultana (Coventry South) all voted the powers are no longer needed, but 484 members voted to extend them for another six months.

Image source, UK Parliament

Other MPs to oppose the extension included former Conservative Cabinet ministers David Davis, Esther McVey and John Redwood, former Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn, who now sits as an independent, ex-shadow chancellor John McDonnell and one-time Labour leadership contender Rebecca Long-Bailey.

The Liberal Democrats also opposed the extension, along with the only Green Party MP Caroline Lucas.

BBC Weather

It will be a cloudy morning with outbreaks of rain followed by a brighter afternoon with highs of 10°C (50°F).

More than four million people in the Midlands have now received a Covid-19 vaccine, according to the latest NHS figures.

In total, 4,638,951 people in the wider region had received their first dose by 21 March.

Among the 50s age group - the current priority for vaccinations - 1,092,448 have received a first dose.

Some 89% of those aged over 50 are now thought to have had at least one dose of a vaccine.

Johnny Robbins went missing in 2018 and police say his death is linked to another murder in Coventry.

BBC Weather

We might get a few showers first thing this morning, but the rest of the day should be dry with some sunshine and a light breeze.

Temperatures are forecast to rise to about 12C (54F) and we should have a dry night.

Image source, RuggyNo1

The teenager was taken to hospital and died shortly after arrival, West Midlands Police says.

We're forecast cloud with some light rain this morning and temperatures could reach 12C (54F).

There will also be a light breeze and overnight temperatures will fall to about 6C (43F).

Image source, Tee Lake Watcher

Oliver Banfield's curfew sentence for assaulting Emma Homer sparked criticism he was not jailed.

David Gregory-Kumar
Science correspondent, BBC Midlands Today

You are three times more likely to die of Covid-19 in the West Midlands if you live in a poor area, data from Public Health England shows., external

Image source, PA Media

During the past year there have been 14,623 deaths in the region which is a rate of 246 deaths per 100,000 people.

Birmingham had the highest number of people with coronavirus on the death certificate with 2,873, followed by Sandwell and then Walsall.

Malvern Hills had the lowest death rate with 141, followed by North Warwickshire and Rugby.

The number of excess deaths in the West Midlands can also be divided up into how deprived an area is.

The most deprived areas saw 4,641 excess deaths - with the least deprived 1,569.

The judge says the defendant used "grossly disproportionate violence" in the Leamington Spa attack.

A minute's silence has been observed across the West Midlands in remembrance of those in the country who died as a result of coronavirus.

A day of reflection is being held as the UK marks the anniversary of the first lockdown.

This was the scene at the West Midlands Ambulance Service academy in Brierley Hill.

Across the region there has been 14,623 deaths with 419,635 people testing positive for Covid-19.

BBC local radio

BBC local radio stations across the West Midlands will today mark the anniversary of the Make a Difference campaign.

The scheme was launched to offer help and support to listeners during the coronavirus lockdown.

In the past 12 months more than four million people have either called or messaged their local BBC radio station.

It looks like the viruses that cause colds wins in the battle to infect our cells.

BBC Weather

It will be a dry but overcast day with the odd brighter spell and highs of 12C (54F).

More than £11m is to be spent on developing and manufacturing energy-saving technology for cars and vans at a site in Warwickshire.

Shield Manufacturing Technologies, in Southam, will combine "lightweight energy recovery technology from motorsport with a new motor and inverter for cars and vans" to cut energy consumption and CO2 emissions.

The money is part of three "green" projects around the UK costing £54m which will see hydrogen fuel cells for buses and lightweight structures for electric heavy goods vehicles, the government said.

Image source, APC

BBC local radio will continue to broadcast ball-by-ball county cricket commentary for the next four seasons.

BBC Weather

It will be a dry day with occasional bright spells and highs of 13°C (50 to 55°F)

The latest news and updates from across the West Midlands and south Cheshire.