´óÏó´«Ã½

Labour's West Bromwich MP Tom Watson is to urge his party to "strongly" make the case for the UK staying in the EU.

Image source, PA

In a speech later, the party's deputy leader will reiterate his push for another referendum to break the Brexit deadlock - saying Labour's "hearts are Remain".

Leader Jeremy Corbyn has so far resisted calls to fully back another public vote, saying the party would support it in certain circumstances.

That position was blamed for Labour's performance at the European elections.

´óÏó´«Ã½ News Travel

A crash has closed part of the the A4111 in Kington, Herefordshire, close to the A44.

Drivers are being advised to avoid the area.

A postponed County Championship match will now be played at Kidderminster's Chester Road ground after Worcestershire's ground flooded.

The game against Sussex will now start tomorrow.

It's the first time in 12 years cricket has moved from the New Road ground.

Flood warnings are still in place for:

These are the flood alerts:

Formal identification of a body discovered by police investigating the disappearance of a woman from the Black Country continues.

Image source, Family handout

Julia Rawson, 42, has been missing from her home in Dudley since 2 May.

Police say the body was discovered in the Tipton area last Wednesday.

Nathan Maynard-Ellis, 28, from Tipton, and David Leesley, 23, of Russells Hall, have been charged with her murder.

Some of the early headlines on the Express and Star website today are:

• Fewer sex crimes
• Julia Rawson murder probe:
• Ex-partner is

Heavy rain and thunderstorms are likely to cause travel disruption across parts of the West Midlands.

Ais in force from 18:00 Tuesday to 21:00 Wednesday.

Five flood warnings and eight flood alerts are still in place.

´óÏó´«Ã½ Sport

Uttoxeter swimmer Adam Peaty has broken Mare Nostrum series championship records in Barcelona.

Image source, Getty Images

World champion Peaty, 24, finished the 50m breaststroke in 26.55 seconds.

On Saturday, Peaty broke the series' 100m breaststroke record for the second time in a week.

Writing on , he said it was "strong prep" ahead of next month's World Championships in South Korea.

´óÏó´«Ã½ News

Violent criminals are being handed informal punishments by the police, despite guidance restricting their use to low-level offences.

Offences including burglary, sexual assault, violence and arson have led police to issue community resolutions, which do not involve going to court.

Critics said the orders were being used "contrary to their original purpose".

The National Police Chiefs' Council said community resolutions should not be used in the most serious cases.

An investigation is underway after a police officer was injured when his patrol car was hit by a vehicle that failed to stop.

Image source, @PreeceObserver / Birmingham Live

Officers tried to stop a Range Rover Discovery which was being driven "erratically" in Wood End Road, Erdington, in the early hours of Sunday.

It collided with a passing patrol car, which was not involved in the pursuit, injuring the officer inside.

A man, 37, was arrested on suspicion of dangerous driving and driving while unfit through drink or drugs.

The force's Professional Standards Department has been informed, police said.

Alex Hamilton
´óÏó´«Ã½ Weather

It will be a cloudy day with some showery rain this afternoon and highs of 20C (68F).

Vanessa Pearce
´óÏó´«Ã½ News

Welcome to our live service for Monday.

We'll be bringing you all the news, sport, travel and weather for the West Midlands.

We love to hear from you so share your news, thoughts and photos of the area with us via email, and