BBC Midlands Today

Road repair lorries stuck in traffic and poor decision-making by Highways England - some of the key findings of a report into the chaos that followed a major accident on the M6 in February. 

The motorway was closed for almost 24 hours but a leaked document seen by the BBC shows it could have opened earlier if there had been better co-ordination. 

We'll have more this lunchtime from 13:30 on BBC One.  

Jodie Looker
Newsreader, BBC Radio Stoke

The main stories for this afternoon: 

- Four people have been arrested in connection with a suspected arson at a scrapyard in Stoke-on-Trent

- NPower, external has confirmed its Burton-upon-Trent site in Staffordshire is due to close at the end of this year with the loss of 150 jobs

- Stoke-on-Trent Central MP Tristram Hunt, external is urging the government to do more to protect the British ceramics industry

Charlie Slater
BBC Weather presenter

The Met Office, external has issued a yellow weather warning for rain across our patch tomorrow and maybe Thursday. Some very heavy rain likely, we'll have the latest weather update later on.   

BBC Weather Watchers

BBC Weather Watcher 'SBMedia' sent us this stunning photo from Audley just after 7am today.   

Image source, SB Media

Like SB Media, you could get your photos of Staffordshire or Cheshire featured here.

You just have to share them with me and you can do that on email, tweet @BBCRadioStoke, external or use instagram, external.

BBC Radio Stoke

Dr Kathryn Ward, consultant paediatrician and an expert in child protection is currently giving evidence in the trial of a mother and stepfather accused of the murder of a Staffordshire toddler.

She told the court that Ayeeshia Jane Smith was taken into foster care on the 5th June 2013 because of concerns her mother Kathryn Smith had experienced domestic violence. 

While in foster care it was noted by the carer that the child's attitude to men was wary. 

The child became more well nourished and gained weight while in foster care.

On the 3rd of February, 2014, Ayeeshia was rushed to hospital. A febrile convulsion was diagnosed at the time but Dr Ward says there was no evidence of fever or preceding illness. 

She says from the description it was an "apparent life threatening event". 

The jury have earlier been told that Ayeeshia's post mortem revealed that she'd suffered some form of brain injury that pre-dated her collapse on the 1st of May 2014.

Both defendants deny murder, causing the 21-month-old's death and child cruelty.   

Emma Thomas
Journalist, BBC Radio Stoke

NPower , externalhas confirmed its Burton-on-Trent site in Staffordshire is due to close at the end of this year with the loss of 150 jobs.

At the same time 70 new posts will be created at its Worcester base. 

The job losses are amongst the 2,400 announced yesterday as part of the energy company's two year recovery plan.

Image source, Getty Images

Pete Morgan
Presenter, BBC Radio Stoke

Today is International Women's Day, external and the campaign slogan for 2016 is "Pledge for Parity". 

Events are being held across Staffordshire and Cheshire to celebrate the achievements of women. 

Jane Emery, who runs Nantwich Foodbank, external, told me earlier her team is full of inspirational women.

Lucy King
News Editor, BBC Radio Stoke

A fire at Kimberley's Skip Yard on Chemical Lane in Longport is thought to have been started deliberately.

It comes just days after crews attended a blaze, also deliberate, at McGuinness Scrapyard on Longport Road last Saturday.

Image source, SFRS

Crews were called to Chatterley Quarry shortly before 5am.

They found around 200 tonnes of waste well alight inside the recycle yard. 

Large amounts of smoke could be seen coming from the site and it drifted across the A500 affecting visibility for drivers. 

Staffordshire Fire Service, external says the cause was deliberate ignition. 

Matt Sandoz
Stoke City commentator, BBC Radio Stoke

Stoke City midfielder Ibrahim Afellay thinks the club has a great chance of qualifying for Europe this season.

Stoke are currently 8th in the Premier League table knowing that 6th is likely to see them qualify for the Europa League. 

Afellay told BBC Radio Stoke that it's hard to predict what will happen, as the league is so open.

Sally Swinfen
BBC Radio Derby newsreader

Npower has confirmed it is closing an office in Burton which employs about 200 people.

It confirmed 2,400 job losses in the UK today as part of "radical restructuring".

Image source, Getty Images

BBC Sport

Stoke City boss Mark Hughes says the club could achieve something "special" this season, if they keep up their current form.

Image source, BBC Sport

James Bovill
Political reporter, BBC Radio Stoke

Stoke-on-Trent Central MP Tristram Hunt, external is urging the government to do more to protect the British ceramics industry. 

In a Westminster Hall debate this afternoon, he will argue that thousands of families in Stoke-on-Trent depend on the success of ceramics businesses and should be safeguarded against cheap international imports.

BBC Weather Watchers

BBC Weather Watcher 'annieste' sent us this gorgeous picture of the sunrise from Gnosall, Staffordshire. 

If you want to become a BBC Weather Watcher you can sign up here. 

Image source, annieste

Details are expected to be released later about job losses at the energy firm Npower, external.

The firm which has sites in Oldbury, Solihull and Burton-on-Trent says it's cutting up to 2,500 posts across the UK after losing 351,000 customers last year.

Image source, Getty Images

We'll bring you the latest developments on this story through the day, including the extent of any impact on the West Midlands.  

Jodie Looker
Newsreader, BBC Radio Stoke

This morning's headlines are: 

- Stoke-on-Trent Central MP Tristram Hunt is leading a Westminster debate later calling on more support for the British ceramics industry

- Staffordshire Fire and Rescue Service says it's lucky no-one was seriously injured in an arson attack at a scrapyard in Stoke-on-Trent over the weekend

-  A Staffordshire veteran charity is hoping a local retreat will help support more ex-soldiers

BBC Radio Stoke

Staffordshire Fire and Rescue Service says it's lucky no-one was seriously injured in an arson attack at a Stoke scrapyard at the weekend. 

The fire service says the fire, at McGuinness's Scrapyard in Longport, involved large quantities of scrap metal. 

At it's height, 10 crews were at the scene.

Jennifer Meierhans
BBC News Online

A mother accused of murdering her toddler says bruising on the girl's body came from a fall off the potty.

BBC Travel

There's queuing traffic on the A50 eastbound in Uttoxeter, at the Little Chef roundabout.  

Charlie Slater has the latest forecast. You can also catch up via the BBC Weather website.

We'll bring you the latest news, sport, travel and weather until 18:00.