Investigation after fish killed by pollution in River Morda
Protests against plans to change school catchment area in North Telford
Shrewsbury Town sign Middlesbrough midfielder
Updates on Friday 20 January 2017
Andy Giddings
BBC Shropshire
Here's a recap of our headlines this afternoon:
- Telford no longer tops national child sex offences league table
- Dawn immigration raids at two addresses in Telford
- Third Oswestry "hill fort hug" planned for next month
Landlords are being invited to join a list of approved student houses in Shrewsbury.
University Centre Shrewsbury has twice the number of undergraduates it had last year, bringing the total number of students in the town to nearly 200 and the number's set to go up again this year.
The University Centre and Shropshire Council are hoping the project will meet the growing demand for accommodation and guarantee a high standard of accommodation.
Phone giant BT has been fined £10,000 over dangerous roadworks in Shropshire that led to motorists being involved in a series of near misses and pedestrians being forced to walk in the middle of the road., external
Andy Giddings
BBC Shropshire
Telford made headlines in national newspapers last year, dubbed by some the Child Sex Capital of Britain when it topped the national league table for the number of recorded sexual offences against children, so the drop to third will be welcomed by some in the town.
But, Telford has 2.5 times the national average when it comes to these crimes and its rate per 10,000 people has risen by nearly 20%, compared with the previous 12 months.
Telford and Wrekin Council points out that these rates have risen across the country.
And it also needs making clear that these are all sexual offences against a child, not just those described as child sex exploitation, which still makes up a small fraction of the total number.
Andy Giddings
BBC Shropshire
Telford is no longer top-of-the-table when it comes to the number of sexual offences against children - it has dropped to third.
Despite that, Telford has seen a rise in the number of offences recorded in the area - up from 15.1 to 18.5 per 10,000 population.
Telford and Wrekin Council says this could be partly down to a greater willingness to report these incidents.
Image source, ThinkstockThe latest figures from the ONS are for the 12 months between October 2015 and September 2016.
Rotherham tops the table with 19.3 recorded offences per 10,000 people, followed by Blackpool at 18.9.
BBC Sport
The Prince of Wales Challenge Trophy is up for grabs at Ludlow today - commemorating the time when Prince Charles rode Alibar at Ludlow back in 1980.
There are six races on the card this afternoon.
A Church Stretton woman who was flown home from The Gambia last night said the situation in the country was "very scary".
Sarah Wilkins said it all started to "get a bit serious when she saw all the restaurants and shops close down and planes arrive to take Dutch tourists home.
Her travel operator arranged for her to fly back to Manchester airport, but says she also feels for the local people who rely on tourism for their livelihoods.
Quote MessageLocal people were crying and worried about their children and they've got no work now, because there's no tourists. So I don't know how they are going to survive."
Sarah Wilkings
Andy Giddings
BBC Shropshire
Our headlines this lunchtime:
- Dawn immigration raids carried out at two addresses in Telford
- Fears that Shropshire schools could lose £2m government funding
- Hunt for Shrewsbury landlords as student numbers rise
Lucy Martin
BBC Weather
This thick black cloud is staying with us for another day, but it's forecast to lift a bit tomorrow.
Latest weather for the West Midlands
Les Walton
Journalist, BBC Shropshire
The emergency services have been shooting a video in Lawley, to educate people about arson.
The fire service has been filming a mock house fire in Lawley
Ludlow & Tenbury Wells Advertiser
Ludlow MP Philip Dunne says that there is proof that the town does not need another supermarket, external.
There have been immigration raids at homes in Donnington and Hadley early this morning.
The Immigration Service arrested one man and officers say they plan to carry out enquiries into a number of other people believed to be in the area.
Image source, West Mercia PoliceAndy Giddings
BBC Shropshire
Telford Tigers were beaten 4-2 away to Peterborough Phantoms in the first leg of their EPL Cup semi-final last night.
But head coach Tom Watkins said he thought it was all to play for when the two sides meet in Telford for the second leg on Sunday.
Image source, Steve BrodieThe winners will play Milton Keynes Lightning in the two-legged final next month.
Nearly £2m could be taken from struggling schools in the Shropshire Council area.
Central government says it'll only give Education Services Grants to Academies, meaning local authority controlled schools could lose £77 per pupil.
The reduction was suggested in 2015 - but Conservative councillor for Market Drayton West, David Minnery, said it's still been a shock.
Quote MessageWhat we didn't know was the timetable and then in December we were hit with the fact that we're going to lose £77 per pupil. We'll be looking at a change in the way we provide these services."
Councillor David Minnery
Carlie Swain
BBC Local Live
Our top stories:
- Shropshire woman flown out of The Gambia says situation was "scary"
- Six schools called in bomb squad since October over chemical warning
- £2m school grant could be cut
BBC Sport
Shrewsbury Town's Freddie Ladapo says he knows the pressure's on him to deliver after scoring Saturday's match-winner against Bradford on his home debut.
The striker is on loan from Crystal Palace, and is happy with what's expected of him.
Quote MessageYou want that as a striker, you want people to expect you to score... I'm looking forward to the next game."
Freddie Ladapo
A talented Shropshire horse rider who died when his car crashed into a wall was almost three times the drink-drive limit, an inquest has heard., external
Six Shropshire schools have called in the bomb squad to deal with potentially dangerous chemicals.
The alert was raised in October about a substance used in A-level chemistry.
Last year an explosion at Thomas Adams school in Wem was criticised for not warning people nearby, but the school was only following instructions.
Image source, ThinkstockNow, MOD data seen by the BBC shows Thomas Adams was followed by Oldbury Wells in Bridgnorth and Abraham Darby in Madeley two days later, then Bishop's Castle Community College, Shrewsbury High and Concord College.
They're among 600 schools nationwide.
Carlie Swain
BBC Local Live
Here are some of the stories we're looking at this morning:
- Bomb squad called out to six Shropshire schools to deal with potentially dangerous chemicals
- Nearly £2m could be taken from struggling schools in the Shropshire Council area
- Drivers in Oswestry are "fed up" with roadworks in the town
Another grey day with the odd spot of rain. Lucy has the details.
Latest weather for the West Midlands
