People living in parts of Cheshire are being urged to have a Covid-19 test after an "alarming" rise in cases in the area.

Image source, PA Media

The increase in Crewe and Macclesfield is being largely driven by the so-called Indian variant, now named the Delta by the World Health Organization, Cheshire East Council said., external

Every person over the age of 18 in the two towns are being asked by the authority to have a test, even if they do not have symptoms.

Mobile testing units have been set up in Middlewich, Holmes Chapel and Wilmslow while the council highlighted local testing sites in Macclesfield and Crewe.

You might get the chance to witness some of a solar eclipse this morning.

Image source, Getty Images

Today's event is termed an annular eclipse, with the Moon moving across the face of the Sun but not completely blocking out the light coming from it.

While the best of the action will be witnessed in the Arctic, the West Midlands region will see about 20% of the Sun eclipsed at some time between 11:00 and 11:30 BST.

As ever, the advice is not to try to look at the Sun with the naked eye. This can do severe damage.

Anyone gazing skyward should only do so with the aid of protective viewing equipment, such as approved eclipse glasses or a pinhole projector.

BBC Weather

There'll be a mix of sunny spells and patchy cloud today and we could see the odd shower drifting in at times. A gentle breeze and a high of 23C (73F).

It will stay largely dry tonight with clear spells, but again there could be the odd spot of light rain. Low: 15C (59F).

You can get a latest forecast for your area by going to the BBC Weather website.

Christopher Wright says he longs to regain enough movement to hold hands with his wife.

Worcestershire hold Notts to a last-ball tie, after Liam Livingstone-inspired Lancashire win the first game of the 2021 T20 Blast.

One is found guilty of murder and two are convicted of manslaughter following Shane Mayer's death.

West Midlands Ambulance service says it is facing unprecedented delays outside hospitals.

Benjamin Monk's apparent memory loss about events surrounding the death is "convenient", jury told.

Abdi Mohamed was found with serious neck injuries and died in hospital, police say.

Nathan Batha was eventually brought to a halt with the help of a police stinger.

Nathan Batha sped along the M6 in Cheshire at more than 150mph and through Warrington at 100mph.

A virtual event is being held for residents living near a quarry blighted by smell.

Residents in Silverdale, Staffordshire, have been campaigning for action at Walleys Quarry.

It is currently being monitored by the Environment Agency.

The Environment Agency is hosting a virtual community event tonight between 18:00 to 20:00.

It says residents will be able to ask questions about its regulation of the quarry.

The taster sessions' organiser says golf courses are normally among sport's least accessible places.

On the last leg of his journey through north west England, Michael Portillo makes a clean sweep in Ashley, where, in Victorian times, the new middle classes set up home in suburban villas with multiple chimneys, swept by children.

In Macclesfield, Michael finds the end of the Silk Route and tries his hand at screen printing. After stoking the fire on the steam-powered Churnet Valley Railway, Michael alights at Froghall for Alton Towers, to trace the 19th-century origins of the modern theme park.

Every train ride begins with a whistle and Michael Portillo's new railway journey is no exception, blasting off from Birmingham's jewellery quarter to the sound of the Acme whistle, manufactured there since 1884.

A visit to the city's town hall reveals a magnificent organ and the location for a celebrated music festival. Travelling south to Kidderminster, Michael reports for duty at the post office, where he sorts the letters and discovers more about the great postal innovator Sir Rowland Hill, before heading out to deliver the Royal Mail.

19th-century quack doctors and their bogus remedies are exposed in Worcester, where Michael discovers the origins of the British Medical Association.

Michael Portillo heads for the sharp end of the Victorian industrial revolution at a needle manufactory in Redditch.

The Freemasons of Cheltenham invite Michael into their lodge to share the secrets of their society. In Gloucester, he learns how to make Gloucester cheese.

Continuing on to Highnam, Michael is glad to discover the beautiful Victorian Gothic church of Thomas Parry and to join the Gloucester Choral Society in a rendition of Jerusalem composed by Thomas's son Hubert.

There were dog poo bags hanging on trees and bins were overflowing, Mason's family says.