BBC Midlands Today

Public parks in the Midlands are at risk of decline and some of the facilities in them could close, according to a new report by the Heritage Lottery Fund. , external

Findings showed that 78% of councils across the region anticipate budget reductions of 10% or more over the next three years with nearly half their parks expected to deteriorate. 

We now have data examining the impact of the badger cull on the incidence of TB in cattle.

Bidders for the West Midlands rail franchise are being given permission to remove seats and create more standing room to fit more passengers in.

Peter Plisner
BBC Midlands Today

More commuters could have to stand under plans for rail services across the West Midlands.

Seats could be removed to fit more people onto services on trains currently run by London Midland.

Two groups are bidding to take on the franchise from October next year.

The services include the cross city lines, and trains out of Birmingham to Hereford, Shrewsbury, Stoke-on-Trent, Liverpool, Stratford, Leamington, and down to London.

I'll have more on the Midlands Today on BBC One at 18:30.

A man jailed in Thailand for ecstasy possession fails to have his 50-year sentence reduced.

Peter Plisner
BBC Midlands Today

Rail passengers are being warned to expect to stand for longer on trains running around the region. 

The companies bidding to run local trains in West Midlands are being given permission to remove seats and create more standing room in an effort to cope with massive growth in rail travel.

The franchise is currently run by London Midland.

The only helpline for paedophiles worried they are at risk of offending calls for more volunteers and funding as it deals with rising demand.

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.

Armed raiders raiders steal a family car with an 88-year-old woman in the rear passenger seat.

A man is charged with several offences after an alleged racially-motivated incident at an Indian restaurant in Powys.

A Herefordshire farmer has spoken of his shock and devastation after two dogs killed more than 30 of his 56 sheep in an ferocious attack.

Essex maintain their Division Two promotion push with a big win over Worcestershire inside three days at Chelmsford.

Relive text commentary of the latest round of Championships games, including Sussex's win in two days over Leicestershire.

Daniel Wainwright
Data unit - English regions

Amelia is the most popular girls name in the West Midlands while Muhammad is the most popular for boys, according to the Office for National Statistics. 

Only London had Muhammad as the most popular choice in 2014 but the new figures show the West Midlands has joined the capital in 2015 for having the most babies with that name. Oliver was most popular overall across England and Wales.

There were 649 Muhammads born in the West Midlands in 2015 compared with 622 Olivers. An alternative spelling - Mohammed - is also in the top 10.

For girls regionally, the top choice, Amelia, was the same as the overall favourite in England and Wales.

The data also shows the West Midlands to have a higher proportion of girls named Jessica than anywhere else. It ranks third for popularity in the region.

Tom Westley's career-best unbeaten 238 puts Division Two leaders Essex in total control against Worcestershire.

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.

Relive text commentary of the latest round of County Championship games, including a hat-trick from Notts' Jake Ball.

Nick Owen
Presenter, BBC Midlands Today

On Midlands Today this evening we'll hear about developments in the case of a missing hotelier from the region and his family's search for answers.

We'll also hear about one of the last crops to be gathered in this summer's farming harvest is also one of the newest. 

Those stories and much more, include the latest sports news and weather forecast, all on BBC Midlands Today from 18:30 on BBC One.

A man with special needs was left in an unsuitable care home for almost a year after social workers delayed arranging appropriate care.

David Masters claims 7-52 to put Essex in a strong position against Worcestershire on the opening day at Chelmsford.