Updates on Thursday 16 June 2016
News, sport, travel and weather updates to resume at 08:00 on Friday
The family of a Tamworth teenager who died from a rare brain condition, external have paid tribute to their 'gentle giant'.
Image source, Tamworth HeraldOne million pounds is being pumped into a 250-year-old canal network to attract tourists.
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BBC Midlands Today
Six museums across the West Midlands are to receive a share of £415,000 from Arts Council England.
Compton Verney Art Gallery, in Warwickshire, will get £56,000.
Other beneficiaries include the Museum of Cannock Chase and the Lapworth Geology Museum.
The money will be used to maintain collections.
BBC Travel
There's stop-start traffic on the M42 southbound between J10, at the A5 (Tamworth) and J8, for the M6, in the roadworks area.
Crewe Alexandra defender Jon Guthrie is offered a new contract after doing extra training during pre-season.
Read MoreRyan Lowe's brace sees Crewe come from behind to beat Sheffield United in extra time in the EFL Cup first round.
Read MoreCarlisle United score twice in the first half against Port Vale to ease into the second round of the EFL Cup.
Read MoreA football fan suffered brain injuries after he was allegedly attacked by a group of youths, a court hears.
Read MoreBBC Travel
The A38 is closed northbound between Bassetts Pole near Birmingham and M6 Toll J3 for Tamworth Grove in Staffordshire.
Traffic is very slow southbound due to a car crash.
Ben Godfrey
BBC Midlands Today
Andy Sutton, father of teenage fundraiser and cancer patient Stephen Sutton, says more NHS hospitals should screen for a rare genetic condition that's affected four generations of their family.
Stephen died in 2014 after battling bowel cancer. His fundraising has brought in £5m for cancer charities.
Tests revealed father and son both had Lynch Syndrome which makes cancer 80% more likely. But a third of NHS hospitals don't automatically test for it:
Quote MessageThe biggest part of Stephen was his bravery. When Stephen fell ill we knew about Lynch Syndrome - the advice I was given was that they wouldn't test until a person was 18. I'm not blaming anybody - hindsight at the time is a wonderful thing but it's about being constructive and positive.
Andy Sutton, Father of Stephen Sutton
You can see my story on BBC One at 13:30 and 18:30 - Midlands Today.
Joanne Writtle
BBC Midlands Today
A football fan was left in a coma for three months after suffering brain injuries caused by an "unprovoked" attack by a group of youths following a Wolves match, a court heard.
Nic Cruwys, from Hemel Hempstead, was knocked to the ground, kicked and attacked following a 2-2 draw between Wolverhampton Wanderers and Watford on March 7 last year, Wolverhampton Crown Court heard.
David Lee, prosecuting, said Mr Cruwys suffered life-changing injuries.
Five teenagers deny causing grievous bodily harm with intent:
- Daniel Lloyd, 19, of Longfellow Road, Dudley
- Joseph Lister, 19, of Palmer Close, Wednesfield
- Robert Beech, 19, of Springfield Road, also Wednesfield
- Ryan Meer, 19, of Watling Street, Gailey, Staffordshire
- A 15-year-old boy who cannot be named for legal reasons
The trial continues.
A West Midlands MEP has defended some of his past behaviour, including posing with a golliwog and suggesting that young party supporters should study the speaking style of Adolf Hitler.
Image source, Danny Lawson/PA WireBill Etheridge is in the running for the UKIP leadership to succeed Nigel Farage.
Mr Etheridge says he was simply using Hitler as an example of a good public speaker.
Quote MessageI've never done anything deliberately to be offensive whatsoever and as regards Adolf Hitler... historians [and] BBC programmes have commented that he was an effective speaker. He was also an evil tyrant and a monster... Let's get past this. This is nonsense."
Bill Etheridge, West Midlands MEP
The father of teenage charity fundraiser Stephen Sutton, who died after contracting bowel cancer, has praised his son's courage.
Read MoreEx-Derby defender Shaun Barker will be offered a deal at Burton if he can prove his fitness, says manager Nigel Clough.
Read MoreBen Godfrey
BBC Midlands Today
Andy Sutton has twice recovered from bowel cancer - he was first diagnosed at the age of 31.
Now 58 he's perhaps more well known as the father of Stephen Sutton - the Staffordshire teenager who raised millions for charity who died from bowel cancer.
Both father and son had Lynch Syndrome a genetic condition which makes it likely you'll get bowel cancer.
Tonight I hear Andy's emotional story and his campaign to get more hospitals to routinely screen for Lynch Syndrome.
Adrian Goldberg
Presenter, BBC WM
A couple from Streetly, in the West Midlands, are offering a £100,000 reward to prove their son's death was a murder.
The body of John-Paul Merrick was found on a railway line in Wigginton, near Tamworth, in September 2013.
A coroner recorded a verdict of accidental death in 2014, but his parents believe he was murdered, as he was found with stab wounds.
Image source, Merrick familyQuote MessageIt's as if it happened yesterday. It is very raw. To my mind the injuries which were sustained on John weren't consistent with a fall from a great height or being hit by a train. We were suspicious. We commissioned our own independent pathologist report and he said to us immediately, 'this is no accident, your son has incise wounds which come from a knife or a very sharp object'. He has clearly stated that John has been murdered.
Julie Merrick, Mother of John-Paul Merrick, who died in 2013
Staffordshire Police says a complaint was investigated but not upheld and the force is currently working with partners to establish if there is any new evidence.
Adam Peaty's Olympic success has not only made him a star, but his grandmother is on her way to becoming a national treasure.
Read MoreAdam Peaty's mother has relived the moment he took gold in yet another world record-beating time at Rio 2016.
Read MoreThe grandmother of Olympic gold medal-winning swimmer Adam Peaty has staged a celebratory tea party with friends and family.
Read MoreAfter more than 380,000 people took part in our Euro 2016 Predictor game, BBC Sport launches a new version for the domestic season.
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