Allen Cook
BBC Local Live

Yep, the skies are overcast over Stoke-on-Trent today - this was Hanley at 07:30 - and it's not looking good for a sunny August summers day.

Well we will tell you how the day's weather should look with a forecast in the next few minutes and there'll also be plenty of news, sport, travel and other updates.

We'll also feature a few more of your pictures of Staffordshire or Cheshire - send your ones in on email, Twitter, external or Instagram, external.

Northampton and Gillingham knock out Premier League sides in the EFL Cup, but Liverpool, Chelsea and Everton are among the victors.

We'll be back with our usual mix of news, sport, travel and weather from 08:00 tomorrow, but keep an eye out here for more updates this evening and into the morning. 

Nick Owen
Presenter, BBC Midlands Today

Today, the waiting was finally over for thousands of A-level students and their families across the West Midlands, who learned their results.

Overall the pass rate for the region was slightly down on last year, although 97.9% of students still passed with an A* to E grade. 

We'll be looking at the help now being given to students through clearing at universities and how it's been an emotional day for so many, on Midlands Today from 18:30 on BBC One.

BBC Midlands Today

Adam Peaty's grandmother, Mavis Williams, has unveiled a golden trolley at her local supermarket in his honour.

The 74-year-old has become a social media sensation after her enthusiastic tweets about her grandson's gold-medal winning performance in Rio.

Self-styled "#OlympicNan", of Uttoxeter, Staffordshire said the last 10 days had made her feel "ten years younger".

Burton boss Nigel Clough says Chris O'Grady's work-rate more than makes up for his lack of goals so far this season.

Adam Peaty's grandmother, Mavis Williams, has unveiled a golden trolley at her local supermarket in his honour.

Lucy King
News Editor, BBC Radio Stoke

A major rubbish fire in Stoke-on-Trent overnight is being treated as arson. 

Staffordshire Fire and Rescue Service says 45 firefighters were involved in dealing with the blaze on Milvale street in Middleport. 

They say it involved up to 300 tonnes of commercial waste. 

The service added that it could have burnt for days but they were able to use the landowner's JCB to help dig the fire out.

John Acres
BBC Radio Stoke

A schoolgirl from Stafford has set herself a target of sending supplies to 1,000 refugees , externalby the end of the year.  

Nine-year-old Evie Donavon and her mum Jane filled their house with shoeboxes full of useful items to send to Calais last summer. 

They say they have collected enough for 800 shoeboxes already and want local people to donate enough for 200 more by the end of summer.  

Perry Spiller
Presenter, BBC Radio Stoke

Plans to close two wards at Cheadle Hospital this autumn have been called "absolutely crazy" by the Labour MP for Stoke Central Tristram Hunt.

All 47 beds at the site, which are used by patients after surgery or treatment, are going to be shut by the North Staffordshire Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG).

The CCG says they hope shutting the two wards will enable more patients to recover at home - a consultation will take place over how best to use the space.

Shefali Oza
BBC Midlands Today

Here's a look at tonight and tomorrow's weather - get latest forecasts at any other time from the BBC Weather website.

Lee Thomas
Newsreader, BBC Radio Stoke

Here are our headlines this evening:

- A Stoke-on-Trent mother and her eight-month-old son are reported missing, external

- An inquest is set to take place in October into the death of elderly holidaymaker from Staffordshire who, it's been revealed, died after being taken home on a 300-mile taxi journey while unwell

- A major rubbish fire in Stoke-on-Trent overnight which involved up to 300-tonnes of waste is being treated as arson  

Burton Mail

A solution to a decade-old problem at Burton's Queen's Hospital could be a step closer as plans for a residents' parking scheme, external have been revealed. 

Image source, Burton Mail

John Acres
BBC Radio Stoke

The grandmother of Adam Peaty says her life has been changed after her reaction to his Olympic win went viral on social media. 

Self-styled "#OlympicNan" Mavis Williams, of Uttoxeter, captured online hearts with her enthusiastic use of Twitter in support of her grandson's Rio 2016 gold medal.  

She told BBC Radio Stoke that the last week has "been wonderful" and has made her feel "10 years younger". 

The Olympic tributes in Uttoxeter continued as she was presented, on Adam's behalf, with a golden shopping trolley this morning by a local supermarket - following the freedom of the borough and a line of burgers.  

BBC Travel

A lane on the entry slip road at junction 18 of the southbound M6 in Cheshire's shut because of an accident.

Lee Thomas
Newsreader, BBC Radio Stoke

A Stoke-on-Trent mother and her eight-month-old son have been reported missing., external

Image source, Staffordshire Police

Staffordshire Police say Laura Pazir, 29, who disappeared in the last 24 hours, could be in the Manchester area.

The force says she has a Midlands accent and a fairy tattoo on her back between her shoulder blades and another tattoo on her right arm near her wrist.  

Nearly 200 traders may be summoned to court for failing to contribute towards the Business Improvement District.

Sarah Robertson
Producer, BBC Radio Stoke

Ambulances, 4x4 vehicles and 200 staff and volunteers, external are going to be sent to this year's V Festival in Staffordshire, the ambulance service says. 

West Midlands Ambulance Service says early indications are for a mixed weekend of weather so it's preparing for all conditions. 

Image source, West Midlands Ambulance Service

It says at last year's event, medics treated just over 1,000 patients with 36 being taken to hospital. 

The charity St John Ambulance says it will also have staff on-site and describe it as "one of the biggest first aid operations of the year".

Lee Blakeman
Port Vale commentator, BBC Radio Stoke

Port Vale manager Bruno Ribeiro says the club's fans have played a huge part in his team's undefeated start to the League One season.

Image source, Port Vale FC

Vale have won back-to-back home games without conceding a goal and Ribeiro says everyone needs to play their part this season.

BBC Radio Stoke

The RSPCA is warning anglers to make sure they dispose of their fishing lines after a heron had to be put down in a Nantwich centre, external after becoming tangled in the wire.

The heron was rescued from a lake near Burtonhead Road, St Helens last week and was taken to the RSPCA’s Stapeley Grange Wildlife Centre, Cheshire but had to be put down due to the severity of its injuries.

Image source, Google

The centre's manager Lee Stewart it is "frustrating" and "difficult" to see an animal suffering "because of anglers carelessly disposing of their fishing litter".

"Discarded lines and hooks can easily snag water birds and other wildlife, causing terrible injuries. All it takes is a little thought and care and an animal’s life could be saved,” he said.