Oliver Bel was arrested after posting on Facebook that he wanted to "go on a spree", a court hears.

The Environment Agency responds to criticism of its handling of issues at Walleys Quarry.

The Environment Agency is accused of being "repeatedly too slow to react".

The baby's arrival as the first of its kind at Chester Zoo makes it "extra special", a keeper says.

Shefali Oza
BBC Midlands Today

Another cool day is in store with showers across the West Midlands.

Ashley Barnes was arrested hours after Burnley FC beat Fulham, securing their top-flight status.

The five-year-old's consultant thinks his symptoms are connected to noxious fumes in Staffordshire.

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

A handwritten letter by children's author Roald Dahl which reveals his secrets to good storytelling is set to go on sale at auction.

The letter, dated 2 August 1989, showcases the writer's opinion of his own work and his determination to get children reading.

It was sent to librarian Christine Wotton, who said she had written to Mr Dahl "speculatively" as a 20-year-old student as she was studying for a degree in literature and linguistics in the late 1980s.

Image source, Hanson's Auctioneers

The item has been given a guide price of £500-800 by Hansons Auctioneers and is set to go under the hammer on 15 June in its specialist library auction at Bishton Hall, in Staffordshire.

Jim Spencer, head of books and works on paper at Hansons, said: "Most autograph letters that come up for sale are typed, brief, almost generic responses.

"This is quite different, it gives us an insight into Dahl's creativity and craft, his passion for making reading fun, encouraging children to pick up books and take a love of literature with them throughout the rest of their lives."

Image source, Getty Images

Dr Anushua Gupta describes saying final goodbyes to her family before being placed on life support.

The cases in Stafford, Tamworth and east of the county are linked to households, the council says.

Shefali Oza
BBC Midlands Today

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

Network Rail says there will be disruption until Wednesday evening due to debris on the line.

Two former soldiers succeed in getting a Cheshire Regiment memorial at the National Memorial Arboretum.

Anthony Gelling told the court he was trying to stop his then-partner reversing their car into him.

Lucy Letby is accused of killing eight babies while working on a hospital neonatal unit.

People living in Newcastle-under-Lyme are being warned about callers posing as workers for the Environment Agency (EA).

The EA said it was aware of an incident where an individual was claiming to work for it.

It says staff will always carry ID and never ask to enter your home.

The agency has been carrying out checks in the area over continuing concerns about the odour surrounding Walleys Quarry, in Silverdale.

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.

BBC Radio Stoke

Cheshire-based Gandeys Circus has been working with the government on pilot schemes for the return of live events ahead of officially reopening.

The projects have taken place at holiday resorts and led to suggestions of new measures to help tackle the spread of Covid-19.

Image source, Getty Images

Binky Beaumont, from Gandeys, said it was great to get back to business.

“Everything is coming together,” he said.

“We have had artists flying in over the last two to three weeks who are in isolation, they have to have their Covid test, they have to be in isolation for 10 days, then they have to isolate and have daily test and temperature checks before they are allowed to start and join the rest of the cast for rehearsals, because it is such a big cast.”