Summary

  • Another maternity unit is forced to close overnight

  • Phone boxes to be saved after objections raised

  • Severn Valley Railway sees increase in passenger numbers

  • Updates on Friday 17 February 2017

Live Reporting

Andy Giddings

  1. Tennis: Gray out of Shrewsbury tournament

    BBC Sport

    Britain's Jonathan Gray is out of the Aegon GB Pro-Series event in Shrewsbury.

    The Leeds teenager was beaten in straight sets by Germany's Oscar Otte.

  3. Tennis: Gray struggles at Aegon event

    BBC Sport

    Britain's Jonathan Gray has lost the first set of his quarter final 6-2 at the Aegon GB Pro-Series event in Shrewsbury.

    The Leeds teenager overcame the top-seeded Belgian Germain Gigournon yesterday, but is already a break down in the second set against the German Oscar Otte.

    Tennis at Shrewsbury ClubRichard Dawson

    Later this afternoon, the Warwick player Marcus Willis faces Belgium's Yannick Vandenbulcke.

  4. Your photos: The mere at Ellesmere and fields near Ludlow

    BBC Weather Watchers

    Judging by the pictures shared by the BBC Weather Watchers, it's been a lot brighter around the county this morning.

    These photos were taken in Ellesmere (top) and near Ludlow (below).

    EllesmereMarguerite
    Fields near LudlowVirtualjane

  5. Warning about fake charity collectors

    People in Telford are being warned by the police to look out for fake charity collectors.

    They say collections have been made around the Telford area by people claiming to be collecting for local schools and some might not be genuine.

    Police badge

    The police are advising people to ask for identification if someone comes to the door and not to give out bank details.

    They also suggest asking for a charity registration number and looking for bad grammar or photocopied pictures in the collector's literature.

  6. Cricket: Director calls on old Lancashire pal to help spin bowlers

    BBC Sport

    Shropshire's Director of Cricket, Karl Krikken, has called on an old friend to help his team prepare for the new season. 

    He invited Lancashire Academy director Gary Yates over to coach the county's young spin bowlers.

    Gary Yates and Karl KrikkenStuart Dunn

    Shropshire's Director of Cricket, Karl Krikken, explained he'd known the former all-rounder since he was 11 years old and asked him to help out with net sessions at Shrewsbury School.

  8. Tennis: Marcus Willis and Jonathan Gray through to Aegon quarter finals

    BBC Sport

    The Aegon GB Pro-Series men's tennis tournament has reached its quarter final stage. 

    Two British players, Marcus Willis and Jonathan Gray (pictured below), are through to the last eight in Shrewsbury.

    Jonathan GrayRichard Dawson

    Gray will be first on court at 11:30.

    The 19-year-old from Leeds plays Germany's Oscar Otte, while Warwick's Willis faces Yannick Vandenbulcke.

  9. Police produce 'crash for cash' warning video

    The police in Telford have produced a short video using dashcam footage, warning of the dangers of "crash for cash" scams.

    They say a number of these incidents, which involve con men braking hard in front of motorists to cause a crash, have been reported in Lilleshall, Dawley and Madeley in recent weeks.

    Crash for cash videoWest Mercia Police

    The video gives advice on how to spot a "crash for cash" con and advises buying a cheap dashcam to protect yourself.

    Police also advise motorists to call them if they suspect one of these scams.

    The telltale signs are the other driver getting out of their their vehicle and already having their details written down, moving their car round the corner so you cannot see it, how many people are in it or what the extent of any supposed damage is, or a claim they do not wish to involve the police or go through their insurance company."

    PC Lee Thomas, West Mercia Police

  10. Football: Ogogo could face long injury lay-off

    James Bond
    Sports Producer, BBC Shropshire

    Shrewsbury Town look like losing defender Abu Ogogo for much of the rest of the season. 

    The defender is going for a scan today on the knee injury he picked up last weekend.

    OgogoGetty Images

    Ogogo has made 29 appearances for Shrewsbury this season.

  11. Plans for 29 new homes in Shrewsbury

    Councillors are being asked to give outline planning permission to build 29 new homes, on green-fields land, off Lesley Owen Way in Shrewsbury.

    Shropshire Council

    A petition with 82 signatures and 34 letters of objection have been received opposing the development, which would include some affordable homes. 

    There's concern about access, increased traffic and loss of green space.   

  13. Angela Rippon quizzes shoppers about mobile phone signals

    Angela Rippon from the BBC consumer show Rip-Off Britain has been asking shoppers in Newport about their mobile phone reception.

    Angela Rippon

    Improving the county's coverage has been the subject of a campaign led by the Shropshire Star and local politicians in recent months. 

    Firms have said it's improving with new shared networks filling in so-called not-spots.

  14. Plans for poultry sheds set for approval

    Andy Giddings
    BBC Shropshire

    Plans to build four poultry sheds to house up to 200,000 on a farm in Uffington, near Shrewsbury, are being recommended for approval today by Shropshire Council's planning officers.

    Chickens

    There were initial objections to the application because of concerns from local residents that an increase in the number of lorries collecting chickens throughout the night, would affect their sleep. 

    It's now proposed that collections won't take place between the hours of 23:00 and 07:00.

  15. Council proposes 3.2% tax increase

    Andy Giddings
    BBC Shropshire

    Telford and Wrekin Council's council tax looks set to rise tax by 3.2%. 

    The proposed increase will happen each year for the next three years and will help pay for care for the elderly.

    Telford and Wrekin CouncilGoogle

    The rise, which has been set out following public consultation will have to be agreed by cabinet next week.

    Last week Shropshire Council said they'd put theirs up by nearly 4%.

  16. Watch: What's the weather got in store today?

    Charlie Slater
    BBC Weather presenter

    A generally dry day with some bright and sunny spells, with highs of around 10C (50F).

    You can find the latest forecasts for your area from the BBC Weather website.    

    Latest weather for the West Midlands

  17. Good morning - welcome to our live updates for the day

    Welcome to live updates from BBC Shropshire on Thursday morning. 

    We'll be bringing you all the news, sport, travel and weather as it happens. 

    If you'd like to get in touch you can email, tweet us on @bbcshropshire or message via Facebook.    

  18. Our live coverage across the day

    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. 

  19. Watch: Your overnight weather forecast

    Shefali Oza
    BBC Midlands Today

    There will be some outbreaks of rain this evening but then it will be a dry night for many. 

    In sheltered areas we could see some patchy mist and frost though with lows of 2C (36F).

    Shefali Oza has your forecast

    Tomorrow, there'll be some bright spells with the chance of the odd isolated shower in places.  

  20. Bin it. Don't flush it

    Sarah Bishop
    BBC Midlands Today

    Fatbergs are a massive problem, costing £20m a year. 

    Clogged up grease and discarded wipes are a big headache for Severn Trent as they get stuck in the pipes and cause blockages.

    Bin it sign

    Every year, congealed and compacted oil and grease accounts for three quarters of the 50,000 or so blockages in the Severn Trent area..

    Today the water provider Severn Trent Water has been speaking to pupils at Water Mill primary school in Selly Oak about what to bin.... and what to flush