A look at today's top stories:

- Eleven people have been arrested by Cheshire Police for being involved in organised crime and illegal drugs

- Roads and pavements around Stoke-on-Trent are being resurfaced this week as part of a multimillion-pound scheme

- An exhibition dedicated to the Wedgwood pottery workers who fought during World War One has opened in Stoke-on-Trent

Eleven people have been arrested by Cheshire Police, external for being involved in organised crime and illegal drugs.

Nine were arrested in areas including Crewe, Nantwich and Haslington and are being held on suspicion of conspiracy to supply Class A drugs.  

Image source, Google

Two other men were arrested at Risley prison on suspicion of committing the same offences.  As well as the arrests, six vehicles along with a quantity of cash were also seized.

Sian Grzeszczyk
Staffordshire Reporter, BBC Midlands Today

The family of a man killed in a Stafford street attack last year are issuing a reward for information, hoping it'll lead to the conviction of those responsible. Carl Tindall, who was 35, died in hospital after he was found with serious head injuries. Last month, a man was cleared of manslaughter over his death at Stafford Crown Court.  

Uttoxeter's post office wants to paint its postbox gold in honour of Adam Peaty - to echo honours given to London 2012 winners. 

The 21-year-old won the 100m breaststroke at the Olympics in Rio on Monday. 

The swimmer will already be welcomed home with an open-top bus tour - he's also been given the freedom of East Staffordshire. 

Vic Puri from Uttoxeter Post Office says he's the topic of every conversation.

Image source, Getty Images

Express and Star

Shugborough’s annual Christmas events will not go ahead this year, external, it has been revealed.

Image source, Express and Star

James Bovill
Staffordshire Political Reporter, BBC News

The first of nearly 400 roads and pavements around Stoke-on-Trent are being resurfaced this week as part of a multimillion-pound scheme to repair potholes. 

Thirteen new workers are being taken on to do the repairs.

The worst roads and pavements will be resurfaced, external over the next year at a cost of £7.2m - funded by the city council and the government.

Newcastle Road is being repaired this week around Durber Close in Trent Vale and near the London Road junction. 

A section of Hilton Road will be resurfaced in the early hours of Friday. Drivers are being told to expect some delays while the work's carried out.  

Your latest headlines:

- The first of nearly 400 roads and pavements around Stoke-on-Trent are being resurfaced this week as part of a multimillion-pound fund to repair potholes

- Cheshire East Council is meeting with people living in Nantwich to discuss plans for the development of Reaseheath College

- Uttoxeter's post office wants to paint its postbox gold in honour of gold-medal winning swimmer Adam Peaty

Afternoon tea with the Lord Mayor of Stoke-on-Trent is the prize on offer to anyone who can solve a local history mystery. 

Four winged animal sculptures, which formed part of a fountain built in 1896, have since gone missing from the structure in Hanley Park.

Image source, BBC/Stoke-on-Trent City Council

Project co-ordinator Rob Belcher told BBC Radio Stoke: "The appeal is for any information on the lost dragons so that we can replace them as accurately as possible.

"All we have is the pencil drawing from the original park prospectus by the designer Thomas Mawson."

Work on the fountain is expected to begin in October and is part of Stoke-on-Trent City Council's plans to spend almost £6m improving Hanley Park. 

BBC Sport

Burton Albion boss Nigel Clough will hand a debut to record signing Jackson Irvine in tonight's EFL Cup game against Bury.

The Australian joined in the summer from Ross County.

Lee Williamson and Calum Butcher are injury doubts for Burton.

Image source, Getty Images

League One's Bury have no new injury concerns after their opening day win over Charlton.

The Shakers beat Burton 1-0 and drew 1-1 last season as the Brewers won promotion to the second tier.

Lichfield Mercury

Lichfield Foodbank is holding a "back to school" collection of stationery over the summer, external holidays for children in primary and secondary school.

BBC News Health

Sudden unexplained infant deaths, or cot deaths, have reached the lowest level on record in England and Wales, according to the latest figures.

In 2014 the total was 128, compared with 165 the previous year and 207 in 2004.

Image source, Thinkstock

Fewer women smoking and campaigns to teach new parents the safest sleeping position for their newborn - on their backs - are both factors, experts say.

The Office for National Statistics said the fall was driving the downward trend in overall unexplained infant deaths.

Follow live text coverage as Middlesbrough return to the Premier League to face Stoke at the Riverside Stadium.

A 23-year-old man from the Prestwich area of Manchester is due in court today on drugs charges after cannabis with a street value of more than £100,000 was seized by police, external on the M6 toll in Staffordshire yesterday.

Officers from the Central Motorway Policing Group, external stopped a white Vauxhall Vivaro van, between T5 and T6 on the M6 toll road, very close to the Norton Canes services.

The man was arrested at the scene on suspicion of possession with intent to supply a controlled drug.

He was taken to Watling Street police station and will appear before Cannock Magistrates' Court today. 

Image source, Getty Images

Sian Grzeszczyk
Staffordshire Reporter, BBC Midlands Today

This lunchtime, I'll be finding out about an exhibition dedicated to the Wedgwood pottery workers who fought during World War One, which has opened in Stoke-on-Trent. 

The display is on show in the company's factory and museum in Barlaston. 

Among the volunteers, was the firm's chairman Major Cecil Wedgwood.

More on Midlands Today from 13:30 on BBC One.

Here are this lunchtime's top stories:

- There are 15-mile tailbacks on the M6 through Cheshire following an earlier accident

- A man is due in court after cannabis with a street value of more than £100,000 was seized by police, external on the M6 toll in Staffordshire yesterday

- Drivers are being told to avoid using sat-navs or internet routes when heading to this year's V Festival, external

BBC Travel

There are 15-mile tailbacks on the M6 through Cheshire. It's after a crash on the northbound carriageway near Knutsford services. 

A car and a lorry are involved and despite the fact all lanes have now reopened there are still long delays.

Image source, BBC Travel

Drivers are being told to avoid using sat-navs or internet routes when heading to this year's V Festival., external

Staffordshire Police say drivers should "follow the event directional signs as there will be some road closures in place, external".

Thousands of music fans are expected to descend on Weston Park, Weston-under-Lizard, from Friday 19 to Monday 22 August for the annual event.

Headliners this year include Justin Bieber, external, pictured, and Rihanna, external.

Image source, Getty Images

Sara Blizzard
BBC Weather

A few brighter intervals and a scattering of showers today. Feeling cool in the north west wind.

Maximum temperature 20C (68F).

Cannock Mercury

Police are appealing for information after a man was attacked by masked robbers as he walked across a field behind a Cannock pub., external

Image source, Cannock Mercury

Ryan Lowe's brace saw Crewe Alexandra come from behind to beat Sheffield United 2-1 after extra time and progress to the EFL Cup second round.

Leon Clarke put the hosts ahead early on when he met John Fleck's floated ball on the volley.

But Lowe powered an effort past United goalkeeper George Long late on to force extra time.

Image source, Getty Images