The latest news and updates from across the West Midlands and south Cheshire.

The Winter Hill moorland, which was devastated by fire in 2018, is being restored.

Michelin-starred restaurants are relying on takeaways and cook-at-home boxes to survive the pandemic.

Police raided nine properties after a number of shootings in Manchester since the start of February.

Police and officials had to force entry after being denied access to the premises.

Rotherham against QPR and Swansea's trip to Sheffield Wednesday are among the growing host of Saturday's EFL games called off.

Police appeal for information after two offenders stole a safe from the Merseyside property.

Five years after rising stars Viola Beach died in a crash, their families consider the band's legacy.

Ben Smith, 20, died shortly after the crash in Bamber Bridge, Preston, on Thursday.

Cheshire MPs call for the release funding designed to help councils after large-scale emergencies.

The UK-based individual is isolating and the vessel has been deep cleaned, the ferry operator says.

Bereaved families said anonymity would not deliver an "open and fair inquiry" into the attack.

Geoff Driver announces he is to resign and will not contest the local elections in May.

A 20-year-old man died after his electric scooter was involved in a crash with a van in Preston.

Zephaniah McLeod has denied murdering Jacob Billington but admits his manslaughter.

The next phase of the HS2 high-speed rail line through Staffordshire and Cheshire has been given approval by MPs this lunchtime.

Known as Phase 2a, the 30-mile stretch will take the line from the West Midlands to Crewe and should be complete some time between 2035 and 2040.

Work on the first phase, between London and Birmingham, is already under way and should be complete between 2028 and 2031.

Image source, Siemens/PA

The government has promised to plant 78 hectares of woodland as part of this next phase as part of efforts to compensate for the 9.8 hectares of ancient woodland that will be lost.

Dr Kieran Mullan, MP for Crewe & Nantwich said: “It is crucial to bringing new jobs and opportunities to our town and for creating better local rail connections as we free up the currently overly congested line West Coast Main Line."

Tracy and her daughter Sarah are both studying the courses at Liverpool John Moores University.

A mother and daughter have both joined nursing courses at university after they both decided they wanted to help on the front line as a result of the coronavirus pandemic.

Police raid a party in Cheshire where several households had gathered after booking the event online.

Warrington Wolves release Tonga international prop Leilani Latu by mutual consent, with immediate effect.