Matthew Mason beat 15-year-old Alex Rodda to death to stop their sexual relationship being revealed.

A Met Office warning, external for snow and ice has been extended until the end of Friday.

Ice is expected to cause travel disruption across the West Midlands with some freezing fog patches also possible.

'World's unluckiest' criminals dial 999 by sitting on a phone and alerting police who see a movie link.

A yellow weather warning for snow and ice, external has been extended across the West Midlands.

Image source, Met Office

While ice is expected to be the most widespread hazard, snow is likely in places too, the Met Office says.

Freezing fog patches are also likely to persist and may prove an additional hazard.

The warning is in place from 14:00 today until midday on Friday.

Sources say the illness has reduced the amount of available call handlers at a record busy time.

Shefali Oza
BBC Midlands Today

It will be a cold, bright day with some bright spells and the odd snow flurry is possible towards evening.

Temperatures will get up to about 1°C (34°F).

Rescue centres and sanctuaries say they are relying on public support to get them through lockdown.

A yellow warning for ice will be in place from tomorrow for large parts of Staffordshire and Shropshire.

The Met Office warning, external will start on Thursday at 17:00 and last until 11:00 on Friday morning.

Image source, Met Office

Temperatures could fall as low as -4C (24.8) causing icy stretches and slippery surfaces, the Met Office said.

BBC Weather

A dull morning with the odd shower around before they mainly clear away this afternoon with the chance of a sunny spell later. High: 4C (39F).

Clear spells to start tonight leading to a widespread frost. By the early hours, fog is expected to develop for many places. Low: -2C (28F).

You can stay up-to-date with the latest forecast for your area by going to the BBC Weather website.

Around 2,000 students will have their grades decided by teacher assessments instead of exams.

"We want to be there when restrictions are lifted," says one business owner.

Schools spent the Christmas break preparing for Covid testing before the shutdown was announced.

A 27-year-old man, arrested on suspicion of murder, remains on conditional bail, police have said.

Boris Johnson will make a televised address at 20:00 GMT as No 10 says further steps must now be taken to address a surge in coronavirus cases.

Image source, PA Media

In the seven days to 30 December the rate of infection in the West Midlands was 389.9 per 100,000 population, up from 278.3 the previous week.

Wolverhampton has the highest rate in the region at 626.1, followed by Sandwell - 557.8 and Walsall - 488.

These areas, along with most of the West Midlands, are under tier four restrictions under which non-essential shops are closed and people can only leave their homes for a certain number of reasons.

Worcestershire and Shropshire are currently in tier three - very high alert - although rates in these areas are now running level with those places in tier four.

A 59-year-old man is held by police after police find a body in Newcastle-under-Lyme.

Icy stretches are likely to cause difficult travel conditions in parts of Staffordshire, the Met Office is warning.

A yellow warning for ice, external has been issued from 16:00 today until 11:00 tomorrow.

Sara Blizzard
BBC Weather

It will be a chilly day with the chance of showers and highs of 5°C (41°F).

The latest news, sport, travel and weather across the West Midlands and south Cheshire.

As 2020 draws to a close temperatures in the UK drop and parts of the country are bathed in snow and frost.

They were due to marry on New Year's Eve, but brought it forward a day to beat restrictions.