BBC Midlands Today

Have you been gripped by The Archers this week? Millions have and even if you’re not one of them we’ve been behind the scenes to bring you the latest on the long running Radio 4 soap’s darkest plot – carefully scripted by writers and producers of the programme.

The trial of Helen Titchener, accused of attempted murder after a long running storyline about domestic violence, is attracting big audiences and headlines around the world and raising tens of thousands of pounds for the charity Women’s Aid. 

Watch Midlands Today on BBC One at 18.30.

Listen to live BBC radio commentary from Saturday's action in the National League and National League North.

We'll be back with our usual mix of news, sport, travel and weather from 08:00 tomorrow, but keep an eye out here for more updates automatically added this evening and into the morning. 

David Gregory-Kumar
Science correspondent, BBC Midlands Today

On Midlands Today this evening, beekeepers are starting their harvest at the moment and overall it looks like this year will be pretty good. 

However one owner of hives in the West Midlands has noticed a startling difference in the amount of honey his bees are producing. 

I've been investigating why and you'll see more from 18:30 on BBC One in Midlands Today.

Two rare Rothschild's giraffes have given birth within days of each other at West Midlands Safari Park.

BBC Midlands Today
Hilary McConnell, Producer

Midlands Today will be looking at the issue of organ donation today - we meet a man from Worcestershire who needs a new kidney but faces up to 15 years on the waiting list. He’s hoping to find a living donor match. And we’re meeting a young girl from Warwickshire who’s just returned to school after a liver transplant.

David Gregory-Kumar will be finding out more about this year’s honey harvest. It turns out urban bees are producing more honey than rural hives because there's more diversity of plants and flowers in the town as opposed to the monoculture of the agricultural landscape.

And Jaguar goes back to motor racing, but will Formula E - which is electric car racing - have all the glamour of Formula 1? Dan Pallet finds out. 

We'll also have an update on how our local Paralympics athletes are doing in the Games which start today.

Join us on BBC One from 13:30, 18:30 and 22:30.

West Mercia Police is advertising for a new Deputy Chief Constable, external.

The post comes with an annual salary of £119,430, but before you think of applying, it is only available to people who are already Assistant Chief Constables.

Image source, West Mercia Police

The post was held by Anthony Bangham until recently, but he was promoted to Chief Constable last month.

Daniel Wainwright
Data unit - English regions

Almost 80,000 people in the West Midlands are on zero-hours contracts, according to the latest official figures.

That number, covering April to June, has stayed roughly the same as the previous year.

Across the UK, the number of those whose main job did not guarantee a minimum number of hours increased to 903,000, a rise of 21% on last year, the Office for National Statistics (ONS) said, external.

In the West Midlands there were 79,000 people on zero hours contracts between April and June, representing 3.0% of people in employment.

For the same period in 2015, there were also 79,000 but they made up 3.1% of people in employment.

An ambulance service is told not to take children to a hospital's A&E department - prompting one paramedic to speak out about his fears.

Follow live text and radio commentary as Sussex face Worcestershire in the County Championship.

BBC Midlands Today

Children as young as five have been testing out an electric two-seater car which has been designed for primary school age children. 

The 11-year-old daughter of motoring journalist Quentin Willson was among those driving the car, called Firefly.

Mr Willson has campaigned for children to be taught driving safety as part of the school curriculum, to help reduce the number of accidents and fatalities.  

The Liberal Democrats have selected their candidate to fight next year's West Midlands Mayoral election. 

Beverley Nielsen is a director at Birmingham City University and has served as a Worcestershire county councillor. 

Last month Labour announced its candidate - former Birmingham MP and current West Midlands MEP Sion Simon.

Andy Street, the MD of highstreet retailer John Lewis is expected to be confirmed as the Conservative nomination.

The election is due to be held in May next year.  

BBC Midlands Today

Public parks in the Midlands are at risk of decline and some of the facilities in them could close, according to a new report by the Heritage Lottery Fund. , external

Findings showed that 78% of councils across the region anticipate budget reductions of 10% or more over the next three years with nearly half their parks expected to deteriorate. 

We now have data examining the impact of the badger cull on the incidence of TB in cattle.

Bidders for the West Midlands rail franchise are being given permission to remove seats and create more standing room to fit more passengers in.

Peter Plisner
BBC Midlands Today

More commuters could have to stand under plans for rail services across the West Midlands.

Seats could be removed to fit more people onto services on trains currently run by London Midland.

Two groups are bidding to take on the franchise from October next year.

The services include the cross city lines, and trains out of Birmingham to Hereford, Shrewsbury, Stoke-on-Trent, Liverpool, Stratford, Leamington, and down to London.

I'll have more on the Midlands Today on BBC One at 18:30.

A man jailed in Thailand for ecstasy possession fails to have his 50-year sentence reduced.

Peter Plisner
BBC Midlands Today

Rail passengers are being warned to expect to stand for longer on trains running around the region. 

The companies bidding to run local trains in West Midlands are being given permission to remove seats and create more standing room in an effort to cope with massive growth in rail travel.

The franchise is currently run by London Midland.

The only helpline for paedophiles worried they are at risk of offending calls for more volunteers and funding as it deals with rising demand.

We'll be back with our usual mix of news, sport, travel and weather from 08:00 tomorrow, but keep an eye out here for more updates this evening and into the morning.