BBC Local Live: Shropshire

The police are reminding us that with the heightened state of security at the moment, there may be armed officers out on the streets this bank holiday weekend.

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The force says it always has armed officers based around the West Mercia area, ready to react where needed, but since the terror attack in Manchester it deployed additional firearms teams.

There will also be more regular police out on the streets.

The New Saints have described Craig Harrison as their most successful manager ever and it's hard to argue with the collection of silverware his team built up in his five years at Park Hall.

But, perhaps his most memorable achievement will be his world record 27-game winning run in all competitions this season - breaking a record set by Ajax.

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Harrison also led his side to European Champions League qualifying wins over Cliftonville of Northern Ireland and Tre Penne of San Marino, plus a memorable win in the away leg against Videoton of Hungary.

The maternity units at Bridgnorth and Oswestry will be closed for the bank holiday weekend, because of staff sickness.

The closures are the latest in a series of temporary closures at midwife-led units around the county this year and the two units will be shut from 20:00 tonight until 08:00 on Tuesday morning.

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The Shrewsbury and Telford Hospital Trust explained the problem had been a shortage of staff at the Princess Royal Hospital and that maternity staff had to be redeployed there, as cover.

The BBC is running an election panel, asking voters for their thoughts ahead of 8 June.

We wanted to know: What should we be doing to address the need for more low cost housing? Does any party have policies you think would help?

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Tarz, Birmingham: "Use up all avaliable brownfield sites. If landowners do no build within three years of purchase, then the councils should buy them back at the price that was paid. The council then gets houses built on the sites. This stops land-hoarding. Trouble is, each individual is responsible for his/hers situation, and should not rely on others to house them. All parties talk the talk then do sod all when in power."

Beatrice, Shrewsbury: "Use greenbelt areas to build more houses, decrease demand."

Carol, Stoke: "I think derelict buildings could be used. They could be renovated and either rented or sold at a reduced rate to people who would benefit from low cost houses. There are some old derelict factory buildings near where I live, they have been unused for years now, but could be put to good used if turned into flats."

The University and College Union (UCU) said it was surprised by the scale of the planned job losses announced by Telford College of Arts and Technology (TCAT) today.

But the vice chair of its TCAT branch, Crispin Barkley, said he wasn't surprised, because he knew about the financial strain the college was under and that talks had taken place between the union and management this week.

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Mr Barkley said the job of the union was now to try to reduce the number of jobs affected and he said he was confident that could be achieved.

The college says 76 jobs are under threat.

Craig Harrison has left The New Saints with best wishes from the men in charge there.

Chairman Mike Harris (pictured below) said he wished him "the very best in his new role" and CEO Ian Williams said he had been "instrumental in ensuring continued success during his time at the club".

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The club agreed to release him from his contract, so he could take up the Hartlepool job.

Harrison will be a hard act to follow, but TNS say assistant manager Scott Ruscoe will step up until a permanent manager can be appointed.

We thought the weather was good yesterday, but it's even better today, as these photos taken by BBC Weather Watcher Tay show.

This one was taken yesterday afternoon and you can see that despite the fine weather, there was still some cloud around.

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Compare that to this photo he took around the same time this afternoon, with clear blue skies.

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Highways England have suspended 150 miles of roadworks across the West Midlands in anticipation of today's Bank Holiday getaway.

The RAC are warning drivers to expect the busiest spring bank holiday weekend for traffic in four years.

It estimates that 16.5m leisure journeys will be taken between today and Monday because of soaring temperatures.

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Shrewsbury Town's latest signing, Lenell John-Lewis, says he is looking forward to playing for Paul Hurst and Chris Doig again.

The 28-year-old played for the pair at Grimsby Town and scored 26 goals for the Mariners, before his transfer to Newport County.

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John-Lewis described himself as a "target-man" who could also get behind defences and said he offered "hard work and honesty".

He suffered a serious knee injury for Newport last season, which kept him out for 10 months and says he is looking forward to enjoying his football again.

Quote Message: I worked well under [Paul Hurst and Chris Doig] before and they know how to get the best out of me." from Lenell John-Lewis Shrewsbury Town striker

I worked well under [Paul Hurst and Chris Doig] before and they know how to get the best out of me."

The stage is set and tomorrow thousands of music fans will flood in to Shrewsbury's Quarry park to enjoy the first ever Let's Rock festival.

The BBC is running an election panel, asking voters for their thoughts ahead of 8 June.

We asked:

What should we do about defence? Do you support Trident? Which party’s policies do you think best look after our defence needs?"

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Shah, Birmingham: "I don't support Trident. None of the party's have any viable long term financially savvy solution."

Barry, Telford: "Trident must be supported and we should have four submarines and not just three please do not let corbyn near them."

Harold, Coventry: "I would oppose Trident if there is a viable alternative. It's difficult to say which party best looks after our security but I would go with Labour."

Daniel, Walsall: "I support a strong defence but am not an interventionist. I don't find much to like in Labour's mixed stance on the nuclear deterrent but do not like how the Conservatives have steadlily cut the military either. No party really fully reflect my views I don't think."

The organisers of the Shropshire County Show say they want to "educate people about the agricultural industry".

Show manager Ian Bebbington said they also wanted to "entertain families" and would have a big section for young people, which would involve a walking dinosaur puppet this year.

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Mr Bebbington also said there would be shorter ferry journeys across the Severn this year, to reduce queues.

And he said there would be no poultry section this year, because there wasn't time to organise one, following the avian flu poultry ban, earlier this year.

The principal at Telford College of Arts and Technology says he will look to minimise the number of compulsory redundancies and says the final number of job-cuts could be lower than 76.

Graham Guest said the college would try to reduce the number of agency staff it employs and would offer staff the chance to re-train to take up other positions.

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The college is in the process of merging with the nearby New College, but said these job losses were nothing to do with that move.

It couldn't say if there would be further job losses when the merger takes place.

The Severn Valley Railway Charitable Trust has succeeded in meeting a £1m fundraising challenge, set by The Heritage Lottery Fund.

It's a beautiful day and we're getting some great photos shared by the BBC Weather Watchers.

This one was taken at Queens Head a little earlier.

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Shrewsbury Town have signed striker Lenell John-Lewis from League Two Newport County, on a one-year deal.

He previously played for Town manager Paul Hurst's former club, Grimsby.

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West Midlands Police say a "large number" of officers, specials and staff will be on hand to keep visitors safe at the city's Pride event on Saturday and Sunday.

Security measures have also been stepped up at festivals in Staffordshire, Shrewsbury and Hay-on-Wye.

Catch my report on BBC One at 13:30.

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