The latest quarterly consumer tracker by Deloitte reported the highest consumer confidence since the end of 2019.

Those with the illness say they, like others, are chomping at the bit’ to return to normal life but have urged more care and caution to be taken.

The far-right commentator was Down Under to appear on a reality TV programme.

A former Central England Co-op supermarket in Staffordshire, earmarked for a major retail development is currently being utilised to support the work of a children’s charity – while also being given a makeover by a renowned local street artist.

A motorbike rider killed in a crash in the Black Country has been described as a "beloved partner, father, brother, son and uncle’.

Delivery group DX now expects pre-tax profit for the year to July 3 to significantly exceed market forecasts.

The PM is forced to spend so-called ‘freedom day’ in England self-isolating at Chequers after being ‘pinged’ by Test and Trace.

The hard work of engineering students at a city university has produced two new racing cars with an historic name.

Education chiefs are looking forward to a return to some-sort of normality after an "incredibly challenging" year dealing with the impact of Covid-19.

Hundreds of 999 callers in the West Midlands have been made to wait in a queue over recent weeks because there have not been enough ambulances to be sent out to them.

Gavin Williamson has pledged the return of ‘normal’ schooling as he vowed to end Covid disruption in education.

A maternity worker has spoken out about the "toxic culture" at a hospital after concerns among midwives were flagged up by the health watchdog.

A nightclub owner has been left almost £200,000 in debt due to the coronavirus pandemic.

Plans for a new £200 million dual carriageway linking the M54 and M6 could move a step closer later this month.

A student has died after falling from a flat in Wolverhampton.

A rogue trader who conned people out of thousands of pounds has been given a community order.

Five councillors in Dudley are set to join an expedition to Fort William this summer to raise funds for the mayor's charities.

Most Covid rules in England have been scrapped today. However, despite the lack of mandatory face masks and social distancing, self-isolating is still a requirement if contacted by Test and Trace

From July 19 face masks are not required by law, but a number of places including supermarket chains such as Tesco and Aldi, as well as hospitals and train operators, are still insisting on them

Rules covering face masks, social distancing and cleaning at stores including Tesco, Aldi and Asda as remaining Covid restrictions in England are scrapped

Fans of Shakespeare can enjoy the Bard and a pint with a fun new activity at a Walsall pub.

A council leader has admitted there is concern millions of pounds in Government funding needed for a city centre Learning Quarter may never come through - but insists he confident the authority has shown the ambitious project is worthy of support.

The PM is confined to Chequers after an outcry over his plan to get round quarantine requirements.

Hundreds of people descended on Staffordshire to take part in the Ironman 70.3 event in the blistering heat.

The PM and Chancellor Rishi Sunak caused outrage after they said they would take daily tests after being contacted by NHS Test and Trace.

The founder of the Birmingham Opera Company was knighted in the 2021 New Year’s Honours.

A man has had to be cut free from his car after a two-car crash in Kingswinford on Saturday evening.

A government scientific adviser said case numbers will “almost certainly” hit 100,000 per day.

Shots have been fired at a house in Walsall in what police believe was a targeted attack.

There were ugly scenes at Wembley as England took on Italy in the final of the competition.

A motorcyclist has died following a crash in Halesowen on Saturday afternoon.

The PM and Chancellor Rishi Sunak were contacted by Test and Trace but will take part in a daily testing pilot rather than self-isolate.

The Ironman 70.3 Staffordshire events returns to the county on Sunday – and residents are being reminded to check for road closures.

A sub-machine gun is one of the weapons seized by police during a raid on a house in Birmingham.

The Health Secretary said he is only suffering mild symptoms of the disease.

A West Mercia Police officer who harassed a woman and sent a riot van to her home after she ended their affair has pleaded guilty to stalking.

A man has been taken to hospital after falling from a bridge onto the M6, police have said.

People have flocked to beauty spots across the Black Country and Staffordshire to make the most of the sunny weather as a heatwave sets in.

A police appeal has been launched for witnesses to come forward after a fatal crash between a car and an ambulance in Wednesfield.

Plans for a 130 homes at the site of a former Walsall police station have been backed despite questions around the privacy of neighbouring schoolchildren.

Controversial plans have been passed for a new quarry in rural Staffordshire to supply the HS2 project with concrete – despite objections from hundreds of residents and community leaders.

Nine electric motorbikes worth around £45,000 have been stolen from a bike shop which specialises in electric bikes in Cannock.

A traveller transit site hailed as a "massive step" has been backed by Walsall’s planning committee – but could still be challenged by the Government.

Major businesses may need to follow the example of Jaguar Land Rover to solve the problem of losing workers 'pinged' by the NHS Covid app.