Wildlife to thrive as a charity secures funding to recreate almost 100 acres of natural heathland.

Fewer than 16 overs are possible but Dillon Pennington takes two wickets as Nottinghamshire reach 51-3 against Worcestershire.

Lyn Ellis says she and husband Trevor just got out in time before the roof collapsed.

There have been seven cases of the Indian coronavirus variant found at a farm in Herefordshire.

They are among 14 members of the seasonal workforce to have tested positive for Covid-19 and Herefordshire Council said it was working to support the farm.

Nearly 3,000 cases of the Indian variant have now been identified in the UK.

Image source, Getty Images

Another two cases of the Indian variant have been found in neighbouring Worcestershire. but Worcestershire's director of public health Dr Kath Cobain said: "We do expect viruses to mutate and we monitor all of the variants."

Shefali Oza
BBC Midlands Today

A change in the weather is on the way - expect lots of rain with brief spells of sunshine as an area of low pressure moves up from the South West.

The temperature will range from 12 to 15C (53-59F) but with gusts of up to 40mph it will feel colder than that.

Image source, eskimoden/ BBC Weather Watchers

An elusive golden oriole is back in the air after being nursed back to health by wildlife rescuers.

Charles Cartwright dug up a hoard of Roman and Viking jewellery taken in a burglary four years ago.

Police and Crime Commissioner John Campion says the system was slow to respond to the pandemic.

Eleanor, 14, is taking part in the BBC's Make a Difference Happy Heads campaign.

Worcester's new mayor has been selected.

Councillor Stephen Hodgson was voted in at Worcester City Council's annual meeting.

Councillor Adrian Gregson was voted in as deputy mayor.

Image source, Worcester City Council

Mr Hodgson (pictured) said: “It’s a great privilege to be chosen as mayor of Worcester, having lived in the city for over 30 years.

“It’s now time for us to come together and celebrate our great city, as we move forward and recover from the pandemic."

BBC Radio Shropshire

Coronavirus has created a backlog of more than 1,100 criminal cases in courts across Shropshire, Herefordshire and Worcestershire.

According to figures seen by the BBC, the caseload of Crown courts in West Mercia is now almost two thirds bigger than at the start of the pandemic, with some cases delayed by years.

A spokesperson from the Ministry of Justice said it had kept the justice system moving, with urgent cases such as domestic abuse being prioritised.

Shefali Oza
BBC Midlands Today

Today might be a little drier than the past few days, with top temperatures of 17C.

A government notice comes after a court ruled three children were "utterly failed".

Hereford Times

Here are three of the stories from the Hereford Times today:

• Controversial bird farm on Herefordshire border before planners, external
• Former chef banned from the roads after taking drugs, external
• Crisp manufacturers' sustainability drive, external

BBC Weather

The forecast for today is for more of the same, with bright sunshine in-between rain showers.

Temperatures will reach 14C (57F) in parts of the West Midlands and tonight they will drop to about 7C (45F).

It's a similar forecast for the rest of the week, but for more informationgo to the BBC Weather page.

David Gregory-Kumar
Science correspondent, BBC Midlands Today

As ever with coronavirus, today is all about risk.

The government has decided that despite an incomplete vaccination campaign and the arrival and spread of the Indian variant (B.1.617.2) it is still opening things up today.

Image source, PA Media

There are scientists who are very worried the new variant could be much more infectious meaning there's a real chance we will see another peak in deaths as big as any that have gone before.

But the government has decided to go ahead with relaxing lockdown. That's a risk on their part.

And now each of us have to make a decision about what sort of personal risk we are prepared to take with our health and the health of those around us.

Asking people if they've been vaccinated before deciding whether or not to hug them? Sitting inside a badly ventilated pub where people are shouting and singing? It's all about risk.

Whatever any of us decide today, we'll be watching the numbers as all those little decisions we all take add up to the big picture the government has to deal with in a few weeks' time.

Among the businesses reopening today are cinemas, with some limits on numbers.

The Regal Cinema in Evesham has had a revamp during lockdown, including a new bar, new toilets and a new roof.

Image source, Google

Eva Moeskops, from the cinema said: "175, 200 max we can get in at the moment, when we usually do have 280 people.

"Already Friday might is looking really busy, the first Monday is looking really busy so we're very, very excited about that."

BBC Radio Hereford and Worcester

The Dean of Worcester Cathedral says he cannot wait to reopen its doors.

The 800-year-old building will be open to general visitors.

Image source, Getty Images

Peter Atkinson said: “It is one more really important and exciting step along the way to reopening and reactivating the life of the cathedral.

“We have been open for prayer for many months, we have been open for public services to a limited extent but we have not been open for general visiting and that is what has become possible.”

The latest news, sport, travel and weather from across the West Midlands and south Cheshire.

Chris Rushworth becomes Durham's all-time leading first-class wicket-taker as Worcestershire are beaten by 258 runs.