Laura Mcmullan
Reporter, BBC Midlands Today

A small ceramic company from Stoke-on-Trent has been awarded an exclusive contract with Disney to produce fine bone china figurines of their well known princesses.  

The English Ladies Company, external is the only one in the world which has the rights to produce them. 

From design to production, they can take almost a year and, as I've been finding out for BBC Midlands Today, they'll be selling in Disney Stores right across the globe.

The weather for the West Midlands.

Stuart George
Presenter, BBC Radio Stoke

The wife of a Stoke-on-Trent soldier who was killed in Iraq in 2003 says she would like to see Tony Blair in court over the conflict, following the publication of the Chilcot Report.

Debi Allbutt's husband Stephen, from Sneyd Green, died in a "friendly fire" attack in Basra in 2003.

Image source, Ministry of Defence

Today the UK's Iraq War inquiry said Tony Blair overstated the threat posed by Saddam Hussein, sent ill-prepared troops into battle and had "wholly inadequate" plans for the aftermath.

Mr Blair apologised but insisted that lives had not be lost "in vain".  

Stuart George
Presenter, BBC Radio Stoke

The wife of a Stoke-on-Trent soldier who was killed in Iraq in 2003 says she would like to see Tony Blair in court over the conflict, following the publication of the Chilcot Report.

Debi Allbutt's husband Stephen from Sneyd Green died in a "friendly fire" attack in Basra in 2003.

Image source, Ministry of Defence

Today the UK's Iraq War inquiry said Tony Blair overstated the threat posed by Saddam Hussein, sent ill-prepared troops into battle and had "wholly inadequate" plans for the aftermath.

Mr Blair apologised but insisted that lives had not be lost "in vain".  

Ged Scott
BBC Sport

I've been speaking to one of the new managers in football's National League, Marcus Bignot at Solihull who's been speaking of the impact the legendary Crewe Alexandra boss Dario Gradi had on him.

He found his way to the Moors after being released as a teenager by Birmingham City, then playing for non-league and professional clubs including Crewe, QPR and Millwall.

Image source, PA

But it's his time under the Alex's then manager Dario Gradi that he says "took (how to manager) to the next level" - there's much more on the BBC Sport website.

The final total for 2015's BBC Children in Need Appeal has been announced and it was a record-breaking £55m. The charity says it is the highest amount raised in its history and the cash will go to projects working in communities across the UK. One organisation that they have helped is Homestart Staffordshire Moorlands which helps families with children aged under five-year-old. Louise Walker from the charity says they couldn't do what they do without Children in Need's support.

Monica Rimmer
Journalist, BBC Radio Stoke

The sun's come out this week and that's been captured in many of the photos uploaded by our BBC Weather Watcher volunteers.

These two are from users Dodger in Trentham and Gadjet in Stoke-on-Trent.

Image source, Dodger

Image source, Gadjet

Chris King
Reporter, BBC Radio Stoke

Hundreds of Staffordshire parents have signed a petition to save their school lollipop man.  

The crossing outside St Saviour's C of E Primary in Talke is one of a number which are being reviewed by the county council, external. 

The authority says it's been phasing out the staffing of sites which don't meet the criteria for a patrol, external, such as where there's a controlled crossing point, since 2010.

Matt Sandoz
Stoke City commentator, BBC Radio Stoke

Stoke City's assistant manager Mark Bowen believes Wales can make it to the final. 

The side are preparing for the biggest game in their history when they play Portugal in Lyon tonight for a place in the final of Euro 2016.

Chris Coleman's side have already enjoyed a memorable run to reach their first semi-final at their only major tournament since 1958.  

Ros Chimes
Reporter, BBC Radio Stoke

Ambulance bosses are denying patient safety will be compromised by plans to get rid of Leek's rapid response vehicle.

Image source, WMAS

The RRV goes out to emergencies before the road ambulance can arrive, and the GMB Union says it's vital for a fast response, external in the Moorlands. 

West Midlands Ambulance Service, external says the need for it's been reduced now it has more paramedics and an ambulance that can take its place.

Hundreds of Staffordshire parents have signed a petition to save their school lollipop man. The crossing outside St Saviour's C of E Primary in Talke is one of a number which are being reviewed by the county council. The authority says it's been phasing out the staffing of sites which don't meet the criteria for a patrol, such as where there's a controlled crossing point, since 2010.

Allen Cook
BBC Local Live

I've had a clutch of Instagram , externalpictures of Staffordshire and Cheshire being shared with me so I thought I'd share a couple here.

Firstly this is from Paul Guest and he says it shows "the canal heading from Hanley to where Birches Head and Northwood meet".

Image source, Paul Guest

Then there's this shot from user Nat_angus of the Lud's Church chasm in the Peak District part of Staffordshire.

Like them you can share pictures of the area with us on Instagram, external - just add the tag #bbcstoke so we can find them.

Image source, nat_angus

A small ceramic company from Stoke-on-Trent has been awarded an exclusive contract with Disney to produce fine bone china figurines of their well known princesses. The English Ladies Company is the only one in the world which has the rights to produce them. From design to production, they can take almost a year and, as Laura May McMullan's been finding out for BBC Midlands Today, they'll be selling in Disney Stores right across the globe.

Lee Blakeman
Port Vale commentator, BBC Radio Stoke

Port Vale are now turning their attention to signing some players on loan, after signing three more overseas players yesterday.

Image source, Port Vale FC

Striker Carlos Saleiro, midfielder Paulo Tavares and left-back Kiko all signed two-year deals at Vale Park. 

All three are expected to play some part in their first pre-season friendly at Newcastle Town on Saturday.

BBC Travel

There's slow traffic on the A38 northbound in Barton-under-Needwood at the Catholme turn-off because of an accident.

Jack Dowling
Journalist, BBC Radio Stoke

Plans to convert more of the M6 hard shoulder in Staffordshire into a driving lane, external are going on show later this week.

Highways England says the proposals would see work carried out on 17 miles of the motorway between junction 13 (Stafford) and junction 15 (Newcastle-under-Lyme).

Image source, PA

The plans will be on display at the Holiday Inn, Newcastle-under-Lyme, on Friday 8 July - work is due to start in February 2017 and finish in 2020.

It comes after MPs earlier this week called for such plans to be scrapped. The Department of Transport said in response that "all-lane running" was designed to be as safe as ordinary motorways.

Matt Lee
Breakfast Producer, BBC Radio Stoke

The family of a Stoke-on-Trent soldier who was killed in Iraq in 2003 are in London this morning, to hear the findings of the Chilcot Report into the conflict.

Sir John Chilcot, who chaired the UK's inquiry, says he hopes future military action on such a scale will only be possible with more careful analysis and political judgement.

He also told the BBC it would criticise individuals and institutions.

Debi Allbutt's husband Stephen from Sneyd Green died in a "friendly fire" attack in Basra in 2003.  

BBC Travel

There's queuing traffic on the A50 eastbound in Uttoxeter at the Little Chef roundabout because of an accident.

BBC Travel

There's queuing traffic on the A5 eastbound in Shenstone near Lichfield this morning.

The weather for the West Midlands.