Shropshire Star

From the Gothic revivalist splendour of Shrewsbury Cathedral to the simpler charms of Charles Darwin's old Unitarian church, the stunning variety of Shropshire's historic churches is the focus of a new tourism guide., external

Shrewsbury's maternity unit has reopened after workmen finished repairing a leaking roof.

It was closed at 17:00 on Monday when rain started pouring in and, while no equipment was damaged, the hospital decided it was unsafe for pregnant women.

Women who were due to give birth there were asked to go to Telford's Princess Royal Hospital instead.

The Shrewsbury and Telford Hospital Trust said it was drawing up plans to improve the structure of the building next spring, after a series of minor repairs in recent years.

Telford's European Christmas market will be making a return to Southwater this winter, Telford and Wrekin Council has confirmed.

It is due to open a week earlier than last year - on 23 November - and the council says there will be more wooden chalets this year.

As well as having traditional European craft and food stalls, there will be space for local businesses to sell their products, the local authority said.

Andy Giddings
BBC Shropshire

A trailer carrying four cows overturned on the A495 near Oswestry earlier this morning.

The fire service were called tor reports that the vehicle pulling it had ended up in a ditch at 06:30, with the trailer on its side on the road.

Nobody was hurt and the cows were also unharmed.

Andy Giddings
BBC Local Live

Plans to bring fire authorities in Shropshire, Herefordshire and Worcestershire under the control of West Mercia's Police and Crime Commissioner have got the backing of nearly two thirds of the people who responded in a public consultation.

The PCC's office said it received 1,307 responses over three months and that 60.7% said they supported the proposal.

Image source, PCC

The idea got the greatest backing in Herefordshire, where 87.6% came out in favour, but it was least popular in the Shropshire Council area, where only 56.5% approved.

Councils in the three counties have all opposed the move, but a final decision would be made by the Home Office.

Muhammad is the most popular boys' name in the West Midlands with Amelia taking the top spot for girls.

The Office for National Statistics (ONS) has revealed its annual results for England and Wales.

Oliver remains the top boys’ name for England and Wales with Olivia replacing Amelia as the most popular baby girls name.

Image source, Getty Images

Harper has seen the biggest rise in popularity for girls while Jaxon is growing among boys.

The statistics were compiled based on the exact spellings given on birth certificates.

Andy Giddings
BBC Local Live

Eleven local authorities across the West Midlands have written a joint letter to the government, to complain that targets for reducing bed blocking are "unrealistic".

They also question NHS data that suggests delays in getting patients discharged are down to local authorities' failure to provide sufficient adult social care - they say the blame should lie with the hospitals themselves.

Image source, Thinkstock

The 11 authorities also complain that the threat from NHS England to withhold funding if they fail to meet the target for reducing delayed discharges would have a "catastrophic impact on local people".

They have asked for more time to meet the target of a 3.5% reduction and added "the way that NHS England has sought to impose unrealistic targets and threatened the withdrawal of funding" has damaged relationships which could affect future hospital redevelopment plans.

James Bond
Sports Producer, BBC Shropshire

Shrewsbury Town's top scorer Stefan Payne should be fit for Saturday's home game with Blackburn.

There had been fears he'd miss out after having stitches on a gashed face following the game against Oldham.

BBC Weather Watchers

We've had another misty morning, but it's forecast to be another fine day - like yesterday.

These photos were taken by BBC Weather Watchers near Ludlow (top) and Telford (below).

Image source, Foggy

Image source, LuluB

BBC Sport

Shropshire's former WBC super-middleweight champion, Richie Woodhall, is training Rio Ferdinand to become a professional boxer.

The ex Manchester United and England defender retired two years ago and is now aiming to win a boxing belt at the age of 38.

Image source, Getty Images

Woodhall said also thought Ferdinand had some potential and as well as being "extremely fit" had "natural power in his right hand".

Kevin Reide
Reporter, Midlands Today

Roadworks on the Bridgnorth bypass have been causing delays and angering motorists.

It's the latest stage of a five-month programme of works, which will see joints replaced on the bridge over the River Severn, resurfacing on the A458 and new road signs and road markings.

Footpaths are also due to be repaired and the bridge to the Severn Valley Railway will be repainted.

BBC Sport

The Haughmond FC manager Matt Burton says he's proud of his amateur footballers, despite their FA Cup run coming to an end last night.

Cheered on by 700 fans, they lost their replay with the former Football League side Boston United 5-0 at the Shrewsbury Sports Village.

Matt Burton also paid tribute to their opponents, saying they were a "different class" and that they deserved to win the match.

Shropshire Star

A retired Shropshire dairy farmer drowned while on a family holiday in Crete, a coroner has concluded, external.

Shrewsbury's maternity unit is expected to reopen at lunchtime after flash flooding damaged the roof.

The building has been closed since Monday with women having to go to Telford instead.

The trust has apologised and says the repairs are taking longer than anticipated.

Local authorities in the West Midlands, including Shropshire and Telford and Wrekin, have written a joint letter of complaint to the Secretary of State for Health Jeremy Hunt.

They've been told they have to get older people out of hospital quicker, but they have "serious concerns" about the target.

If it's not achieved, the 11 authorities could lose £150m.

Mel Coles
BBC Weather presenter

It’s a dry morning with bright or sunny spells. There’ll always be some cloud about, which will turn the sunshine hazy at times.

It will feel warmer than it has done recently with highs of 20C (68F).

Welcome to live updates from BBC Shropshire on Wednesday 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, external or message via Facebook, external.

The dairy giant said three Shropshire sites would be expanded as part of the move.

We'll be back with our usual mix of news, sport, travel and weather from 08:00 on Wednesday, but keep an eye out here for more updates before then.

Haughmond FC play what is arguably the biggest game in their history tonight, when they host former football league side Boston United in the FA Cup.

The replay is being played at the Shrewsbury Sports Village, after a 1-1 draw in Boston on Saturday.