Lee Thomas
Newsreader, BBC Radio Stoke

Police have arrested a Romanian man wanted in connection with a £20m fraud investigation involving cash machines. 

Marius Anton, 31, was detained in Kent as he tried to leave the UK - police in Cheshire want him for allegedly committing multiple ATM fraud offences since early 2012.   

Image source, Thinkstock

He's suspected of attaching skimming devices to machines in supermarkets to try to copy people's cards. 

Mr Anton's now been remanded in custody by magistrates in Crewe charged with possessing criminal items and articles being used for fraud as well as a count of failing to appear in court.

If, like a lot of Midlanders, you're thinking about heading down to the South West, it might be worth checking out these top tips for motorway driving.

The big seasonal getaway is moving up a gear and today is one of the busiest days of the year for the motorway network. 

Stoke City defender Glen Johnson says he would "love" ex-Liverpool team-mate Joe Allen to join the club.

Lucy King
News Editor, BBC Radio Stoke

Five fire engines are tackling a blaze in an animal waste hopper at a pet supplies distribution centre in Stoke-on-Trent this afternoon. 

Image source, Google

Staffordshire Fire and Rescue Service says it was called to the Pets at Home centre at 10:38 and sent four pumps and their aerial ladder. 

The fire is still ongoing and has spread to a lorry trailer.

Chris King
Reporter, BBC Radio Stoke

A man has pleaded guilty to murdering a woman found stabbed at a house in Staffordshire. 

Image source, Staffordshire Police

Fay Daniels, 30, was discovered at a property on Victoria Street, in Chesterton, on 24 April. She had suffered multiple stab wounds, police said. 

Phillip Barlow, 36, of the same address, today pleaded guilty to her murder at Stafford Crown Court - he's due to be sentenced next month.

Port Vale's foreign signings are learning what to expect from playing in England, says assistant boss Michael Brown.

A hospital declares a major incident after a loss of power plunged wards into darkness and left staff unable to access computers.

Crews are currently at the scene.

Jack Dowling
Journalist, BBC Radio Stoke

The NHS trust running the Royal Stoke University Hospital says a full investigation is under way after a power surge left parts of the site without mains electricity for 90 minutes last night. 

In a statement, the University Hospitals of North Midlands NHS Trust, external says they declared a major incident at 19:00 and their back up generators stopped working briefly.

But managers says back-up systems continued to provide power to essential areas such as A&E and critical care.

However staff were unable to access blood results or X-rays and some wards were left with only emergency lighting. 

Gary Smee
BBC Sport

Burton Albion captain John Mousinho says recruiting players who have played in the Championship will be key to their prospects this season.

Three of the Brewers' summer signings - Kyle McFadzean, Chris O'Grady and Ben Turner - have second-tier experience.

Image source, Getty Images

Only three other members of their squad, Callum Reilly, Stephen Bywater and Tom Naylor, have featured for Championship teams in the past.

Caroline Lowbridge
BBC News Online

MPs have accused one of Europe's biggest retailers of not treating its workers like humans.

A report by the Business, Innovation and Skills committee, external states Sports Direct founder Mike Ashley must be held accountable for company failings.

The Conservative MP for Cannock Chase, Amanda Milling, who is part of the commitee, has tweeted this morning to say, external they heard "shocking evidence".

Image source, PA

Evidence suggested Sports Direct's working practices were similar to those of a Victorian workhouse, one MP said.

In response, Sports Direct said in a statement that its policy is to treat all people "with dignity and respect".

Liam Barnes
BBC News Online

A hospital declared a major incident after a loss of power left staff unable to access blood results or X-rays.

Back-up power generators at Royal Stoke University Hospital failed during a power cut on Thursday night, a spokesman confirmed.

Image source, Google

Some wards were left in darkness, while hospital computers were also rendered unusable.

After the initial failure of the generators, power was restored and the hospital returned to normal service.

BBC Travel

A signalling problem is delaying trails between Lichfield Trent Valley and Birmingham New Street this morning.

BBC Travel

There's heavy traffic already this morning on the A50 westbound in Stoke-on-Trent between the Blurton Road junction and Sideaway roundabout.

A veteran diver who retrieved a holidaymaker's lost ring - worth £10,000 - from the Mediterranean seabed says it was "fairly easy" to find.

A woman has been reunited with her £10,000 diamond ring after flying a specialist diver to Majorca to find it.

Dan Wheeler
BBC Sport

Veteran Crewe Alexandra striker Ryan Lowe says his partnership with Chris Dagnall is working well and they are relishing the chance to unleash it on League Two this season.  

Image source, crewealex.net

Lowe, 37, and Dagnall, 30, joined the Alex this summer and will be key figures if the club is to challenge for promotion in the forthcoming campaign.  

James Bovill
Staffordshire Political Reporter, BBC News

Staffordshire County Council says it could be ready to present a devolution bid to the government within the next six months, after councillors unanimously backed a motion, external. 

It means extra powers and funding could be handed over from the government to local leaders.   

But the council's deputy leader doesn't think the county needs an elected mayor, as planned in the West Midlands or Manchester.

Burton Albion captain John Mousinho says recruiting players with Championship experience will be key.

BBC WM Sport

The Brummies are now seven clear at the top of speedway's national league after beating Stoke 56-34 last night., external