Residents living near rubbish tips say their lives are being made a misery by swarms of flies which have descended on their homes.

Freedom Day will come in a fortnight – but there remain significant fears about its impact.

A man has died and two ambulance staff have been injured following a crash in the Black Country.

A young man fatally stabbed his friend with a machete following an argument at a block of flats, a murder trial heard.

The police officer jailed for the manslaughter of Dalian Atkinson will face a misconduct hearing this Friday.

Pub group Marston's has appointed a new chief financial officer.

Civil engineering and infrastructure specialist Barhale has appointed Martin Brown as new chief executive.

Parcels business DPD has agreed a deal with vehicle manufacturer MAXUS for 750 e DELIVER electric vans, which will double the firm's total UK EV fleet.

Two new public space protection orders (PSPOs) could come into force in parts of Dudley later this month to tackle issues of anti-social behaviour.

A teenager who has followed her mother's advice to "always be kind" has been recognised with The Diana Award, one of the highest accolades a young person can achieve for social action or humanitarian efforts.

A man from Staffordshire is planning to take part in a UK gumball-like rally to raise money for The Mary Stevens Hospice in Stourbridge in memory of his partner who died from cervical cancer.

MP Pat McFadden has joined organisations, charities and local councils to encourage people to take part in the Month of Community by holding a Big Lunch.

The beloved characters of Toad, Badger, Ratty and Mole from Wind in the Willows have taken over the lives of pupils at Wolverhampton Grammar Junior School.

A gold-coloured mannequin which has gained a colourful history is to be raffled or auctioned in Streetly to raise funds for the Midlands Air Ambulance Charity.

A pub and entertainment venue in the Black Country is looking forward to echoing with laughter ahead of its annual comedy festival.

An amazing piece of steel artwork, constructed in Cradley Heath and which weighs in at about five tonnes, has been unveiled.

Here is a look at what is changing and when, what advice remains, and the points of contention going forward.

Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer issued perhaps his most critical response to Boris Johnson’s coronavirus plans yet.

Sajid Javid said 86% of UK adults have had at least one jab and 64% have had two.

Boris Johnson will lead a Downing Street press conference updating his plans for ‘freedom day’ on July 19.

Orders to wear face coverings and to work from home will be scrapped while limits on social gatherings will be removed.

Ending mask wearing and social distancing will remove the very tools needed to battle coronavirus, an expert on viruses said today.

"It's about time these restrictions were lifted and I'm looking forward to getting on with my life now."

Labour's time will not come "for a long time yet", a Staffordshire MP has predicted after latest polls showed them lagging behind the Conservatives.

Dozens of new affordable homes will replace former Stourbridge industrial buildings which have sat empty for years.

A Black Country council is at risk of going back to its "discredited days", its former leader has warned the new boss.

A man arrested over criminal damage in Stone – which affected several major businesses in the town – has been recalled to prison.

A new cemetery which will provide more than 5,000 burials has opened in Cannock Chase.

An "extensive listening" campaign has been launched by the Labour Party in Dudley after the party suffered heavy losses in the local elections.

Two new coronavirus deaths have been confirmed in the region's hospitals – in the latest figures released by NHS England.

A van driver has been seriously injured in a crash with two lorries on the M6.

A leading Birmingham councillor has called for a review into a school transport contract in the city amid an investigation into the awarding of contracts in neighbouring Sandwell.

Birmingham ranks as 12th in a table of the best UK cities in which to start a business.

A serial rapist has been sentenced to life in prison for a string of attacks on five women in Birmingham.

A man has been charged with murder after the body of a father-of-five was found at a Black Country industrial estate.

This month marks 40 years since Charles and Diana were married. I was there to witness it.

There will still need to be some precautions for residents receiving visitors when restrictions are further eased, said Helen Whately.

Police and council chiefs could be handed powers to tackle anti-social behaviour across parts of the Dudley borough, if the proposals are backed.

A Black Country man has been arrested in connection with the murder of a teenager in London.

A Dutch family has adopted the grave of a fallen Cannock soldier – and is now hoping to track down his relatives to find out more about him so that his story can be told and his memory honoured.

A man drove the wrong way along an M54 slip road and then fled on foot from officers when he was stopped and arrested.

A freelance hairdresser has won a top accolade and trophy in what many regard as the Oscars of the industry.

A woman whose beloved grandfather died at a hospice in Staffordshire has called on people to support the "amazing" charity which cared for him.

A road over a railway bridge in Stafford has reopened ahead of schedule after undergoing an extensive refurbishment as part of a major project.

Twice-weekly testing for children in schools is "critical" to bringing down fast-rising rates of Covid-19 in Dudley, chiefs have said.

New bus shelters have been unveiled in Birmingham in preparation for the introduction of the Sprint rapid bus route next year.

The Housing Secretary has urged council bosses to build on old industrial sites before signing off on green belt development.

Business bosses have called for the changes in furlough to be deferred until the final stage of the road map out of lockdown saying "jobs will go".

A Black Country tourist attraction is hoping to bounce back from the pandemic by hosting more weddings.

An American entrepreneur who went viral has swapped Miami for Molineux – and says he loves his adopted Wolverhampton home.

As the Liverpool district of Toxteth went up in flames, a reporter from The Times thought it would be a good idea to write a feature about an inner-city community at peace with itself.

Work has begun to develop a new landmark memorial to Sikh soldiers in the heart of a Black Country community.

As the Second World War raged, a cowshed and a piggery were pressed into action to play their part supporting the efforts of Bomber Command.

Wombourne parish councillor turned adventure junkie Alan Peace is nearing the home straight of his 1,000km South West Coast Walk for Cancer Research UK.

A campaigner has called for a monument to be built commemorating the contribution of Muslim soldiers who died serving in the with the British forces during Second World War.

Hundreds of people have received a boost to their fitness and mental health thanks to the efforts of a personal trainer.

A much-loved outdoor education centre has become the latest venue for a national welcome network.

Two chefs who took starring roles in a television cookery show will renew their rivalries in a cooking competition at a restaurant.

A short-stay school where pupils benefit from a wide range of activities designed to boost their mental health, has gained a major award and recognition for its work.

Reports have suggested that Boris Johnson will scrap social distancing and mask-wearing requirements on so-called ‘Freedom Day’.

A burglary suspect has been arrested after he was discovered posing as a window cleaner in a Birmingham street.

A letter to Health Secretary Sajid Javid calls for expansion of the green list of countries to which tourists can go without quarantining on return.

Celebrations across the West Midlands after England's 4-0 victory over Ukraine were peaceful with no disorder, police chiefs have said.

Two officers patrolling the streets of Birmingham to tackle knife crime have saved a man's life after his evening exercise almost killed him.

Covid restrictions have had an impact on one of the school year’s biggest events – the prom.

The work of the NHS and keyworkers has inspired a Black Country schoolboy to take on a marathon walking challenge.

A new Beacon Centre for the Blind charity shop has opened its doors in a Staffordshire town.

The Prime Minister is understood to be preparing to brief the nation on his plans for ‘freedom day’ this week.

Boris Johnson is understood to be preparing to update the nation this week on his plans for ‘freedom day’ unlocking on July 19.

UK experts are still deciding whether teenagers in the UK should be offered a vaccine.

People have been urged to brace themselves for heavy showers and thunderstorms after a weather warning was issued for Staffordshire.

It’s one step closer to glory for England after the national team beat Ukraine 4-0 in the European Championship quarter-finals.