People are evacuated from their homes following the blaze at a plastics manufacturer, police say.

Maths graduate Oliver Bel was jailed in May for possessing a bomb-making instruction manual.

BBC Radio Stoke

Farming groups in Staffordshire said there is a shortage of workers to help move produce from farms.

A recent workforce survey found the industry is a third short of people needed to pick fruit and vegetables.

Image source, Getty Images

Staffordshire County Advisor for the NFU Jeremy Lowe said it was an issue.

"We do have a lot of soft fruit growers, we've also got a few sort of poultry producers, egg producers," he said.

"They are also experiencing similar problems getting chickens off farm to get to the processing plants."

BBC Radio WM

Plans to cut Universal Credit payments from October a have been called a "cruel and heartless move by the government".

An increase of £20 per week was brought in as a response to the pandemic.

Charities have warned cutting it will push families into debt.

Image source, Parliament UK

Labour Erdington MP Jack Dromey, said he has received calls from "distraught residents".

"It is fundamentally wrong", he said

Ministers have said the increase was only ever a temporary measure.

Eight Afghan refugees have been housed in Telford, the council said.

Permanent accommodation is being sought for 25 Afghan interpreters and their families, Telford & Wrekin Council said.

It said it remains in contact with the Home Office to source accommodation for the remaining 17.

David Morris was serving a 32-year sentence for killing three generations of the same family.

Express and Star

Here are some of the headlines from the Express and Star website today:

• Banned estate agent Bobby Singh gets suspended jail term after admitting illegal work, external
• Car reached 96 mph before crashing into tree and killing four young people , external
• Hundreds of homes planned for derelict Wolverhampton industrial site , external

The 20-year-old was trying to bring high strength ecstasy tablets into the Daresbury event, police say.

Monica Rimmer
BBC News

A mum has finished preparing backpacks full of essentials for families and children fleeing Afghanistan after Walsall Council said some would be resettled in the area.

Lucie Dennis, who runs Walsall-based group Help To Make Tummies Full, made an appeal on social media for people to donate items such as toothpaste, underwear, stuffed toys, colouring books and pyjamas after being told some children only had the clothes they were wearing, with no spares.

She said within a day of making her appeal, her house had been filled with donated goods totalling about £2,000.

Image source, Lucie Dennis

All 48 backpacks are now ready to be sent out to those arriving in the area.

"The community has been just incredible," she said earlier.

"I can't bear the thought of children flying across the world with nothing - we're so blessed to be where we are."

Image source, Lucie Dennis

Councillor Adrian Andrew, Deputy Leader of Walsall Council said: "Walsall Council is proud to be providing accommodation and integration support for Afghan national families, including children, housed in the borough as part of the national relocation scheme.

"We will do everything we can to support them, and this includes protecting their privacy and allowing them the space to feel safe after the worry and trauma they have experienced and will likely continue to experience in relation to the situation in Afghanistan."

An intoxicated man decided to ride his scooter along the Aston Expressway after a night out.

PA Media

Sir Lee Pearson said he hopes his status as one of the world's leading Paralympians can inspire greater tolerance of homosexuality and disability.

The equestrian star, one of Great Britain's most high-profile gay sportsmen, cantered to the 12th Paralympic gold of his distinguished career by winning the grade two individual dressage on day two of Tokyo 2020.

Staffordshire-born Pearson gave an impassioned speech regarding the ongoing fight against discrimination.

Image source, PA Media

"I am a horse rider from the middle of Britain. I just ride horses, but if me riding horses can help one person in a sticky situation or they cannot accept themselves, or their family is struggling, then I hope it does help somebody. Love has to prevail," he said

The latest news, sport, travel and weather from across the West Midlands and south Cheshire.

Explosions have been reported at the scene in Leamington Spa, as fire crews battle to control the fire.

Flame and thick, dark smoke fills the sky above Leamington Spa.

Karen Foster, who worked in Birkenhead and Oldham, is struck off after a string of complaints.

People in Leamington Spa are being advised to keep doors and windows closed as smoke billows from a fire in the town.

The commercial or industrial fire has broken out on Juno Drive, Warwickshire Fire and Rescue Service said.

Warwickshire Police said it is also in attendance and has road closures in place.

It said more updates will be put out shortly.

The BMW X7 was stolen from Church Street, Birmingham, near to the hotel where the actor was staying.

A man suffered "potentially life changing injuries" in a collision involving a quad bike, police said.

West Mercia Police said it happened at around 17:55 on Wednesday when the vehicle is believed to have lost control and caused damage to a residential garden on Willow Drive in Highley, Shropshire.

The force has asked anyone with information to come forward.

Image source, Google

Work is progressing on the new Perry Barr Railway Station ahead of the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games.

A steel frame which will support the new station building is being put up as work continues at pace to get the structure ready for opening next spring, Transport for West Midlands said.

Image source, Transport for West Midlands

Deputy Mayor of the West Midlands Councillor Bob Sleigh said: “It was only a few weeks ago that the old station was demolished so it is encouraging to see such rapid progress being made on site.

“This railway station will not only be a new gateway for visitors to Alexander Stadium for the Commonwealth Games next year, but also provide a more welcoming and accessible facility for residents of Perry Barr for years to come."

The £30.9 million project is part of a wider £500 million plus investment in Perry Barr led by Birmingham City Council.

BBC Weather

It may have been a slightly cool start for some but the day it is set to warm up quickly.

There will be plenty of warm sunshine into the afternoon, but it will turn a little cloudy from the east later.

That cloud will break up during the evening, allowing for late sunny spells for many.

That clear sky will be prevalent through the night, causing temperatures to drop and it should feel cool come dawn.