Updates on Thursday 5 May 2016
News, sport, travel and weather updates to resume at 08:00 on Friday
That's it for live updates this afternoon.
My colleague Alex Homer will be back from 22:00 bringing you comprehensive coverage of the local and police and crime commissioner elections as the results come in overnight.
He'll be bringing you live text updates for the West Midlands on our dedicated BBC News live page between 22:00 and 08:00 on Friday.
Residents from in and around Polesworth are invited to attend the official opening, external of a new Scout hut and community facility.
Image source, Tamworth Herald
Giles Latcham
BBC Midlands Today
Town centre traders in Stafford have told the BBC they fear they'll struggle to survive when a new £70m shopping centre opens up on their doorstep.
Council officials claim the town is faring better than others, but they've come up with an innovative scheme to cut business rates, external which they think will help.
I've been in Stafford and will bring you more on this story on BBC Midlands Today from 18:30 on BBC One.
More than 250 motorbikes and classic cars will take to the streets of Staffordshire to mark another year since Stephen Sutton's death, external.
Image source, Express and Star
Matt Sandoz
Stoke City commentator, BBC Radio Stoke
The Stoke City manager, Mark Hughes, says Leicester City have shown "it can happen" to other clubs by winning the Premier League.
However the Potters' boss told today's press conference he also expected the "bigger clubs" in the league to come back stronger next season.
BBC North West Tonight
A Cheshire mother has designed an "autism-friendly garden, external" for this year's RHS Tatton Flower Show.
Shea O'Neill is from Northwich and says gardening has helped transform her son Eoghan after he was diagnosed with autism.
She's designed a colourful garden called "Spectrum of Genius" for the July event at Tatton Park, external which features a "calm space for children".
After the show the garden will be relocated to Barnton Primary School in Northwich.
Ros Chimes
Reporter, BBC Radio Stoke
Work is due to start later this month on a new £90,000 play area in Biddulph, Staffordshire.
Image source, GoogleStaffordshire Moorlands District Council, external says the scheme on Halls Road will be suitable for children of all ages and will take around four weeks to complete.
All the lanes on the M6 northbound in Cheshire between junctions 18 and 19 have reopened after the earlier crash, according to Highways England.
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Chris King
Reporter, BBC Radio Stoke
The chief executive of new joint enterprise firm Water Plus says it was an "easy option" to come to Stoke-on-Trent.
The venture has been set up by Severn Trent Water and United Utilities who say it will create hundreds of jobs in the city.
Staff at Severn Trent's headquarters in Coventry will be asked to relocate as part of the move but today chief executive, Sue Amies-King, told the BBC the move would not lead to anyone losing their job.
Lee Thomas
Newsreader, BBC Radio Stoke
The main headlines this evening include:
- Drivers are still facing major delays in Cheshire after a serious multi-vehicle crash, external on the M6 this afternoon, which saw two people have to be cut free by fire crews
- Town centre traders in Stafford have told the BBC they fear they'll struggle to survive when a new £70m shopping centre opens up on their doorstep
- The chief executive of new joint enterprise firm Water Plus says it was a "easy option" to decide to come to Stoke-on-Trent and create hundreds of jobs
Allen Cook
BBC Local Live
A couple of the many nice, scenic pictures we get sent by you of Staffordshire or Cheshire.
This one's from Jon Kelso who says it shows vapour coming from the incinerator in Stoke-on-Trent.
Image source, Jon KelsoWhile this, from Matthew Johnson, shows the south Harecastle Tunnel entrance on the canal near Kidsgrove, Staffordshire.
To share your pictures and see them featured here, you can send them in on email, tweet @BBCRadioStoke, external or put them in Instagram, external.
Image source, Matthew JohnsonDan Wheeler
BBC Sport
Manager Steve Davis says relegated Crewe Alexandra need leaders "on and off the pitch" for their attempt to get back into League One next season.
Image source, EmpicsThe Alex will play in League Two next season after a four-year absence and Davis knows the sort of recruits he needs to bolster his young squad.
Quote MessageLeaders set the right examples. They have experience of playing at different levels that help the young players - especially when it's tough."
Steve Davis, Crewe Alexandra manager
Shefali Oza
BBC Midlands Today
If you want a BBC Weather forecast at any other time, you can get one from the BBC website.
Lamont Howie
Reporter, BBC Radio Stoke
We've just checked with Highways England about the situation on the M6 northbound this afternoon, following the earlier crash between junctions 18 and 19.
They say two lanes are still shut as the four vehicles, external involved are recovered.
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Alice Bentley
Journalist, BBC Radio Stoke
Police officers will be taking part in a Stoke-on-Trent event aimed at raising awareness of people who are deaf or hard of hearing.
Image source, ThinkstockThe "See Me, Hear Me, external" exhibition is being held at Stoke City's Britannia Stadium on May 13.
Staffordshire Police, external says it will have officers there to try and promote the services they offer to communicate with deaf people.
A Penkridge business owner has been left devastated at the potential loss of his livelihood, external after armed thieves struck to take more than £60,000 worth of tools.
Image source, Cannock MercuryDrugs have been sent through the post without the right postage, police in Stoke-on-Trent say, having tweeted a picture of the opened parcel.
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Monica Rimmer
Journalist, BBC Radio Stoke
As far as the weather goes, the sunshine's the big talking point this week as temperatures start to rise.
Let me point you towards our BBC Weather Watchers website for sunny pictures of the area, such as those below - you can sign up to become one yourself.
Image source, Jon
Image source, StaffordshireSamuel
BBC News England
BT Group has outlined plans to invest £6bn over the next three years in faster broadband and mobile services.
It plans to offer what it describes as "ultrafast" broadband to 12 million premises by 2020.
Image source, BTUnder the investment plan, a minimum of 10 million homes and businesses will receive access to BT's ultrafast broadband service, and the company has an "ambition" to reach 12 million.
This is one of the lorries which was involved in the crash this afternoon on the M6 northbound in Cheshire, according to the police.
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