Updates on Thursday 23 June 2016
News, sport, travel and weather updates to resume at 06:00
Allen Cook
BBC News
Large parts of the West Midlands have suffered flash flooding after last night's storms.
Image source, Shropshire Fire and Rescue ServiceShropshire's been badly hit with reports of homes and businesses flooded in Telford , externaland near Newport., external
Emergency services in Cheshire, Staffordshire and Herefordshire said their counties also suffered flooding.
A coastguard helicopter flew the man from Gwynedd to a major trauma unit in England for treatment.
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Stoke-on-Trent Live
The Stoke-on-Trent Live website's covering these stories today:
Allen Cook
BBC News
Alton Towers is gradually being closed this afternoon after last night's thunder storms disrupted its water supply.
Image source, GoogleA spokesperson for the theme park says the storm affected the control system and managers decided to close as engineers couldn't quickly restore full supply.
They say guests are being asked "to leave at leisure" so they can maintain social distancing, and all are being offered a complimentary return trip.
Dozens of people took to Twitter in response, external with many saying they should have been told earlier in the day.
The spokesperson said the park tried to sort out the issue before deciding to close, and was hoping to "reopen shortly".
After the electrical storm last night, this morning has brought more sunny weather with pretty much completely blue skies - at least, according to our local BBC Weather Watchers.
Here are three of their photos from users Snapper Simon in Church Stretton, Shropshire, Mustn't in Alsager, Cheshire and Step Counter in Bodenham, Herefordshire:
Image source, Snapper Simon
Image source, MUSTNT
Image source, Step CounterStriker Kane Hemmings joins hometown club Burton after leaving Scottish side Dundee, while Luke Varney rejoins the Brewers.
Read MoreTheatres across the West Midlands and Cheshire joined a day of action around the UK to highlight the crisis facing the live events scene.
Image source, Crewe LyceumVenues including the Crewe Lyceum, Lichfield Garrick, Bedworth Civic Hall and Rugby Theatre turned their lights red as part of the Red Alert campaign.
The Red Alert movement and #WeMakeEvents marches aimed to raise awareness about the threat of job losses in the sector.
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Last month, the government announced a £1.57bn support package aimed at protecting theatres, galleries and museums.
The government has previously said that will lead to more work for freelancers. The furlough scheme and support for self-employed people are due to end in the coming months - and many freelancers were not eligible for them at all.
Alton Towers said the electrical storm last night has affected its water supply.
The theme park tweeted, external it was working to solve the issue and apologised to visitors coming today.
Image source, Lee NuttallWe had thunderstorms and lots of lightning across the West Midlands last night and our BBC Weather Watchers were busy trying to snap photos of it.
Here are three from users Greg in Stoke-on-Trent, LeoPaul in Leominster, Herefordshire and WetWest in Kingsbury, Warwickshire:
Image source, Greg
Image source, LeoPaul
Image source, WetWest
Laura Mcmullan
Reporter, BBC Midlands Today
Shoppers in a town in Staffordshire are being encouraged to help others by buying a voucher and passing it on to the next customer to use.
The Pay-it-Forward scheme has been set up in Leek by a community group on Facebook and customers buy a blank ticket and fill in the amount they'd like the next person to get.
The goodwill idea has been picked up by 11 independent shops in the town with organisers saying anyone needing a financial "pick-me-up" can take a voucher.
We're seeing temperatures reach 30C (86F) this afternoon and the BBC Weather Watchers have been sharing their summer sunshine with us.
But thunderstorms could be on the way later...
Image source, Shaun
Image source, Suttonwalker
Image source, OgySnapsThe tumour on Kayleigh Deaville's neck threatened to block her airways so had to be removed at birth.
Read MoreWales defender James Chester joins Stoke City from Aston Villa on a permanent basis after signing an initial one-year deal.
Read MoreThe woman's death is being treated as unexplained as police inquiries continue.
Read MoreAllen Cook
BBC News
A couple who ended up in hospital after a fire started by a charging e-cigarette said they were "incredibly lucky" it wasn't worse.
Image source, Cheshire Fire and Rescue ServiceJennifer Brown, 35, and Scot Washington, 34, were at home on Barthomley Crescent, Crewe, on the morning of Friday 31 July when they heard a popping noise from an upstairs bedroom, Cheshire Fire and Rescue Service said., external
When Mr Washington opened the bedroom door, smoke flooded out and they put the blaze out with nearby bottles of water after their children got out of the house.
The fire service said the pair felt they were lucky only to need hospital treatment after breathing in smoke.
Miss Brown said: "I shudder to think what would have happened had the e-cigarette been put on charge at night when we were all asleep."
Image source, Cheshire Fire and Rescue Service
BBC News Travel
Drivers heading south on the M6 near Stoke-on-Trent are facing long delays with two lanes shut after a crash this morning.
Image source, Highways EnglandThe collision saw a large amount of diesel spill across the motorway between J16 and J15 at about 06:00, Highways England said. , external
It said, just after 13:00,, external a lorry had been removed from the scene and staff were working to repair the surface of the motorway.
A van has had liquid poured over it before being set on fire while it was parked in the driveway of a house.
The Ford Custom Transit was outside the home on Norton Grange Crescent, Norton Canes, near Cannock, when it happened on 31 July, Staffordshire Police said. , external
The force said CCTV footage showed two people approaching the vehicle before running off after it was set on fire.
Stoke-on-Trent Live
The Stoke-on-Trent Live website's headlines today include:
Our local BBC Weather Watchers have been busy snapping photos this morning as well as letting us know the forecast from where they live.
Here are three from users Red Robin in Packwood, Warwickshire, J at Severn Ridge in Severn Stoke, Worcestershire and Neil in Alton, Staffordshire:
Image source, Red Robin
Image source, J at Severn Ridge
Image source, NeilTwo abandoned horses have been rescued from a garden pond, external by fire crews.
Image source, Staffordshire Fire and Rescue ServiceSpecialist rescue teams were called to the site in Pattingham on Sunday, Staffordshire Fire and Rescue Service said.
After safely getting them out of the water, a vet treated one for an injured leg before the RSPCA took them both away., external
Image source, Staffordshire Fire and Rescue Service