BBC Local Live: Shropshire

1. Government gives green light to supermarket plan
2. Police warning over flares at Coventry match
3. Arts group looks to lease former bank
4. Stained glass panel honours WW2 pilot
5. Updates from Friday 3 March 2017

Our live coverage across the day

We'll be back with our usual mix of news, sport, travel and weather from 08:00 on Monday, but keep an eye out here for more updates this evening and into the morning.

Hospital not to blame for Oswestry man's death, says coroner

Shropshire Star

A corner said he can ‘see no criticism’ of a hospital over its care of an Oswestry man w ho died only hours after he left without waiting for treatment.

Beauty spot to re-open after Doris damage

Haughmond Hill is going to re-open to visitors this weekend.

It was closed by the Forestry Commission this week, to allow workmen to clear up after Storm Doris and to carry out some scheduled tree-felling.

BBC

Watch: Weather for the evening and the weekend

Rebecca Wood

BBC Weather

Outbreaks of rain will continue for many this evening and for a time overnight, but there will be some drier interludes too . 

Rain will clear during the early hours. 

Cloudy skies will keep temperatures up overnight, preventing an overnight frost.  Lows of 6C (43F).

Weather for the West Midlands.

Cricket: Shropshire youngsters to face three first-class tests

BBC Sport

Shropshire's development XI has got matches lined up against academy sides from three first class counties this summer.

The team, which gives experience to under-21 players, will face Lancashire’s academy team in two Twenty20 matches at Wrekin College on 31 May.

Stuart Dunn

They are then due to play a 50-over game against Nottinghamshire’s academy side on 9 August and a two-day match with Northamptonshire’s academy, starting on 17 August.

Book borrowing bonanza at Leintwardine library

A library in Leintwardine, Herefordshire, has bucked the decline of library use in the country. 

Leintwardine Community Library has seen an increase of 13% in the number of books being borrowed. It is also open for more hours thanks to local volunteers. 

BBC

A new support group, Friends of Leintwardine Community Library, has set itself targets of "turning round library use, and transforming the way it worked to meet local needs."

They also held activities such as children’s writing competitions, craft-making sessions for children and a mini-Shakespeare festival. 

Ice hockey: Young players told to 'earn their place'

BBC Sport

After wrapping up the league title at the weekend, the Telford Tigers can afford to give their youngsters more playing-time, but head coach Tom Watkins has told them they'll have to earn their place in the side.

The Tigers are looking to continue their 11-game winning streak and Watkins says he wants to be hitting the end-of-season playoffs in good form.

Steve Brodie

The Tigers have also been told they will be presented with the EPL trophy after their match against the Guildford Flames on 12 March.

There is a lot of planning for the play-offs. With the title in the bag, we want to keep this streak going until the end of the year. The guys are on a good roll, they’re playing good hockey and even when they’re not, they’re doing enough to win."

Tom WatkinsTelford Tigers head coach

Metalwork from scrapyard recycled for new nature reserve

Earlier this week, the Shropshire Wildlife Trust officially opened their new nature reserve at Smalley Hill, near the Horsehay Golf Club.

It features a recycled tipping-skip, from brought over from the former Furbers scrapyard in north Shropshire.

Shropshire Wildlife Trust

But you wouldn't recognise it, because with a bit of work, it was turned into this information board.

BBC

Flood alerts remain in force

A number of flood alerts are still in place in Shropshire this afternoon.

They affect the rivers Severn, Tern and Perry and the River Dee near Whitchurch.

The Severn is expected to reach a peak overnight.

Football: TNS on the brink of league title

BBC Sport

After their record-breaking winning run, The New Saints have been pretty much guaranteed the league title, but it could be confirmed this weekend.

TNS

If Bala Town fail to win tonight and TNS win tomorrow, then Craig Harrison's men will lift the trophy with seven games to spare.  

A draw would be enough for TNS if Bala lose.

Ludlow traders consider action on business rates rise

South Shropshire Journal

Ludlow traders are considering a legal challenge over hikes in business rates that they say could put high street shops out of business.

Google

Police warn Coventry fans over flares at Shrewsbury Town game

Andy Giddings

BBC Online

The police have warned Coventry fans there will be a "robust searching operation" when they arrive at Shrewsbury Town's stadium tomorrow and they will not be allowed to bring flares into the ground.

It follows protests by Coventry fans at previous games , which have involved flares and other objects being thrown onto the pitch.

Getty Images

Sky Blues fans are  unhappy at the way their club is run by owners Sisu .  

Shropshire singer wants public support on ITV show

Kate Tebby

Journalist, BBC Shropshire

A 21-year-old from Bishop's Castle will be performing live on ITV's The Voice this weekend and needs people's votes to keep her in the competition. 

Zoe Hedge (picture, left) is one half of the duo Capital B and has Sir Tom Jones as her mentor.

ITV

Magic moments from FA People's Cup

Cheeky chips, celebrations and managerial sackings - watch 10 magic moments from the first round of the FA People's Cup...... 

More than 6,000 teams signed up for the 2017 FA People's Cup, which has 16 separate categories

You'll be able to watch a highlights programme from the first round of the nationwide five-a-side competition on the iPlayer from 06:00 GMT Saturday, 4 March and on the red button from 14:10 GMT on Saturday and throughout the weekend.

Football: Hurst sees an advantage in the battle against relegation

Shrewsbury Town remain in a battle to avoid relegation from League One, but the manager, Paul Hurst, thinks they have a psychological advantage over some of the sides being drawn into it.

Shrewsbury manager Paul Hurst thinks his side have an advantage in the relegation battle

Power back on in Shrewsbury

Western Power Distribution says power has been restored to thousands of homes in Shrewsbury.

Your photos: Rain soaked fields in south Shropshire

BBC Weather Watchers

We've seen plenty of photos of rain-soaked fields from the BBC Weather Watchers today.

These ones were taken near Rushbury (top) and Church Stretton (below).

Rick and Meg 10000 steps

Snapper Simon

Ice hockey: Tigers to wear charity jerseys

BBC Sport

The Telford Tigers will wear charity jerseys for their home game against Hull Pirates on Sunday, to promote HIV awareness.

The newly-crowned English Premier League champions will also be holding a charity auction after the match, organised by one of the fans.

Telford Tigers

Face off at the Telford Ice Rink is at 18:00.

Cinema group look to buy former bank

Andrew Hewkin

Newsreader, BBC Shropshire

Campaigners trying to create an arts-centre in Wellington have started negotiations to lease the town's former HSBC Bank.

Google

The Clifton Project was set up to transform Wellington's derelict cinema, but hasn't managed to persuade the owners to sell it. 

In the meantime, fund-raisers are pressing ahead with alternative plans.

Football: Shrewsbury midfielder isn't relaxing yet

BBC Sport

It would be easy for Shrewsbury Town to take their foot off the gas this weekend, at home to a Coventry City side which has won just once in 2017.

And after scoring four against Charlton in the week, they will be looking for more goals.

But despite all that, midfielder Shaun Whalley says the players aren't relaxing yet.

Despite their improving form, midfielder Shaun Whalley says Shrewsbury can't relax yet