The latest news, sport, weather and travel from across the North West on Friday 25 January.

Jonathan Gibson
BBC Inside Out reporter

An undercover BBC investigation has found a number of businesses across the country illegally charging customers more for paying by credit card.

Credit card surcharges were outlawed a year ago but experts say for many businesses flouting the law it could just be "an honest mistake".

In Birmingham, a car dealer insisted on a 3% card surcharge that, in a transaction discussed with an Inside Out reporter posing as a customer planning to buy a car for £4,795, meant an extra cost of £143.85.

Image source, Getty Images

If you want to find out more, this story will be broadcast in full at 19:30 tonight on BBC One and will be available for 30 days after on BBC iPlayer.

The M6 is closed in both directions between Stoke-on-Trent and Sandbach, so expect delays if you're travelling this morning.

Highways England said there's currently five miles of congestion if you're heading south and there is a diversion in place.

Police expect the closure, caused by a damaged overhead power cable, to be in place until at least 07:30 and said drivers should "avoid the area if at all possible".

Formal identification is yet to take place, but the family of Alastair Done, from Cheshire, has been informed.

IGas is appealing against a council's decision to reject plans to test for onshore gas in Cheshire.

Holders Leinster secure a home Champions Cup quarter-final against Ulster with a comfortable win away to Wasps in their final pool game.

A 35-year-old man is being held on suspicion of causing death by dangerous driving.

Mela has been reunited with his owners following a social media campaign to find him.

Ruben Lameiras scores twice against former club Coventry to give Plymouth a third successive League One victory.

Aston Villa come from two goals down to earn a point and deny Hull City a seventh successive Championship victory.

Andy Cook's first Football League hat-trick helps Walsall end a six-game winless run with a comfortable victory at Gillingham.

Ricky Miller's first-half strike eases Port Vale's relegation fears with a first win in eight league games at Crawley.

Doncaster's Tyler Smith scores twice on his debut, but John Brayford's brace earns Burton Albion a point.

Chris Long hits the crossbar but Blackpool have to settle for a draw against Shrewsbury in League One.

Solihull Moors move up to second in the table as Adi Yussuf's late goal gives them victory at Maidenhead.

MK Dons fail to keep up the pace with their promotion rivals after falling to defeat at home to Crewe.

Four-year-old Esme said she thought only men joined the fire service and wished she could be a boy.

Diogo Jota completes his hat-trick in injury time to earn Wolves a thrilling victory over Leicester at Molineux.

Worcester score an added-time try to secure a home European Challenge Cup quarter-final win over Stade Francais.

Norwich City regain second place in the Championship with a 3-1 win at home against Birmingham City.