Here are a few stories that have featured on our websites today.

THE Court of Appeal has today increased the sentence of a "highly predatory" Redditch rapist from 10 to 20 years’ imprisonment after ruling the original sentence unduly lenient.

John Dennis subjected four women to a campaign of sexual violence over a period of years.

For the full story, please visit here.

A FORMER Dudley photographer has been jailed for four years after he engaged in sexual activity with a schoolgirl.

Craig Styles was told his actions had clearly had a damaging effect on the 15-year-old's life when he was sentenced at Wolverhampton Crown Court.

You can read the full story here.

THOUSANDS of runners and their supporters will descend on Halesowen this Sunday for the town's biggest event of the year - the Black Country Road Run.

There will be a carnival atmosphere in the town with fun runners in fancy dress outfits, live music and a troupe of cheerleaders giving entrants encouragement as well as residents lining the route.

For the full story, click here.

AN IMPROMPTU balloon release by a Kidderminster restaurant proved to be more than hot air – when they ended up in Germany!

Nojmul Sayadat, who owns Sher-E-Punjab, was shocked to receive a Facebook message from German resident Frankie Klein telling him that the balloons he released on Friday (June 26) had been found in Willich, near Dusseldorf, 48 hours later.

For the full story, visit here.