1. Around the web: Sunshine and a light breezepublished at 08:08 Greenwich Mean Time 25 March 2021

    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.

    Stratford-upon-AvonImage source, RuggyNo1
  2. Vet sets off on cross-Atlantic rowpublished at 18:08 Greenwich Mean Time 24 March 2021

    A Herefordshire vet has set off on a 3000-mile (4,828 km) row across the Atlantic.

    Simon Lyddon, 44, who runs Vine Tree Vets in Ross-on-Wye, will spend more than five weeks among a team of 12 completing the challenge from the Canary Isles to Antigua to raise money for charity.

    He took on the challenge after losing his dad, Peter, to prostate cancer before learning his wife, Mel, had breast cancer.

    Simon LyddonImage source, Gail Chalmers PR

    Mrs Lyddon was treated at the Macmillan Renton Unit at Hereford County Hospital and Mr Lyddon is undertaking the challenge to raise funds for Macmillan.

    The crew set off from Las Galletas marina on Monday.

    “I look forward to sharing our journey with everyone but most of all I’ll be looking forward to a nice rum punch in Falmouth harbour in Antigua,” Mr Lyddon added.

  3. Weather: Rain and cloud is forecastpublished at 08:48 Greenwich Mean Time 24 March 2021

    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).

    Rain in TelfordImage source, Tee Lake Watcher
  4. Deaths from Covid three times higher in deprived areaspublished at 17:54 Greenwich Mean Time 23 March 2021

    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

    BirminghamImage 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.

  5. Crash victim had gone home for Mother's Day visitpublished at 13:25 Greenwich Mean Time 23 March 2021

    Harvey Blount died on the M42 motorway as he travelled back to an RAF base after seeing his family.

    Read More
  6. Minute's silence held for coronavirus remembrancepublished at 12:35 Greenwich Mean Time 23 March 2021

    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.

    Minute's silence

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

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

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  7. BBC Local Radio marks Make a Difference anniversarypublished at 09:44 Greenwich Mean Time 23 March 2021

    BBC local radio

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

    Make a difference

    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.

    Quote Message

    The impact of Covid-19 has been reflected by Make a Difference across all our local stations and has highlighted acts of kindness and enabled us to share some amazing stories. We want people to tell us who they want to say a special thank you to, because whilst this has been an incredibly difficult time, we should never forget the acts of kindness and generosity from friends, neighbours and strangers that we have seen over the last twelve months."

    Chris Burns, Head of Audio and Digital for BBC England

  8. Sisters' 'incredible bond' after lockdown yearpublished at 06:51 Greenwich Mean Time 23 March 2021

    Jessica has been able to watch her younger sister Sophie's milestones during the pandemic.

    Read More
  9. Memorial garden for loved ones lost to Covid-19published at 17:39 Greenwich Mean Time 22 March 2021

    The garden has been created in a walkway for people to visit and leave tributes.

    Read More
  10. West Indies fast bowler Joseph joins Pearspublished at 16:15 Greenwich Mean Time 22 March 2021

    West Indies fast bowler Alzarri Joseph agrees a deal to play for Worcestershire in their first seven County Championship matches.

    Read More
  11. County cricket to continue on BBC radiopublished at 12:01 Greenwich Mean Time 22 March 2021

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

    Read More
  12. Midlands Live: Breaking news and local storiespublished at 08:03 Greenwich Mean Time 22 March 2021

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

    Read More
  13. First areas to get fast broadband upgrade revealedpublished at 10:39 Greenwich Mean Time 19 March 2021

    The government announces first stages of plans to get superfast broadband to the majority of UK homes.

    Read More
  14. Three men jailed for 'vicious' murderpublished at 18:02 Greenwich Mean Time 18 March 2021

    Talented saxophonist Colton Bryan had been stabbed several times and died at the scene, police say.

    Read More
  15. Free school meal grants to return at Easterpublished at 10:06 Greenwich Mean Time 18 March 2021

    BBC Hereford and Worcester

    Herefordshire families will be getting help to feed their children during the Easter holidays.

    The local authority said it will use money from the government's winter Covid grant to pay for the scheme, which helped more than 3,600 children during the Christmas holidays and following half term.

    FoodImage source, Getty Images

    Primary and secondary age children who are eligible for free school meals will get £80 each directly through their school.

  16. Plea to collect brine bath memoriespublished at 06:17 Greenwich Mean Time 18 March 2021

    The Brine Memories campaign hopes to collect stories relating to the Droitwich's spa heritage.

    Read More
  17. Police chief to retire after 'amazing career'published at 15:31 Greenwich Mean Time 16 March 2021

    The chief constable of West Mercia Police has announced he will retire in September.

    Chief Constable Anthony BanghamImage source, West Mercia Police

    Anthony Bangham, who joined the force as a constable 30 years ago, said he had enjoyed an "amazing career with every day bringing new challenges".

    "I have served as a police officer across West Mercia in many roles and different ranks and have always done so with great pride," he said.

    Mr Bangham, who was assistant chief constable for the Avon and Somerset force, said he had been "delighted" to finish his career with West Mercia, serving the area where he had spent most of his life.

    The force's Police and Crime Commissioner John Campion praised Mr Bangham as "a determined leader in challenging times" and said he had always put the public at the heart of his work.