BBC Travel

There's been an accident on the M54 in Featherstone, Staffordshire at junction 1.

Chris King
Newsreader, BBC Radio Stoke

Counter-terrorism police have launched an investigation after the Stoke-on-Trent North MP Ruth Smeeth received an online death threat. 

The Labour MP says it accuses her of treason and says the "gallows" would be a "fine and fitting place" for her. 

Speaking this morning to BBC Radio Stoke she said it won't stop her doing her job. 

The Metropolitan Police says its officers are investigating, adding "a number of lines of enquiry are being actively pursued".

Chris King
Newsreader, BBC Radio Stoke

This morning's headlines include:

- Counter-terrorism police launch an investigation after the Stoke-on-Trent North MP Ruth Smeeth received an online death threat 

- Detectives are given more time to question five men arrested in Stoke-on-Trent and Birmingham on suspicion of terrorism offences 

- Stoke-on-Trent is named among the 40 worst cities in the UK for air pollution, external, according to a study by the European Lung Foundation

Liam Barnes
BBC News Online

Police have been given more time to question five men arrested on suspicion of terror-related offences.

The men were arrested in raids in Birmingham and Stoke-on-Trent on 26 August.

Police said the arrests led to a series of property searches, with an army bomb disposal team sent to Birmingham's Lee Bank area as a "precautionary measure".

Magistrates in Westminster granted officers a seven-day extension for further questioning.

Sara Blizzard
BBC Weather

You can also get the latest forecasts for your part of Staffordshire or Cheshire on the BBC Weather website.

BBC Travel

There are delays and cancellations on trains between Stafford and Lichfield this morning because of earlier overhead line problems.

Get the latest from the BBC Travel website.

BBC Travel

There's queuing traffic on the M6 northbound between junctions 18 and 19 in Cheshire because of an earlier broken-down vehicle.

All lanes have been reopened - congestion is back to junction 17 for Sandbach.

Allen Cook
BBC Local Live

Good morning and the weather's changed this morning - gone are the previous blue skies, it's grey overhead in Hanley, Stoke-on-Trent.

We'll have a full weather forecast for today shortly and there'll be news, travel, sport and other updates through the day - including your pictures of the area.

To get those to me you can send them in on email, tweet @BBCRadioStoke, external or use Instagram (adding the tag #bbcstoke)., external

Police are given more time to question five men arrested in Birmingham and Stoke on suspicion of terror-related offences.

The Smiler rollercoaster is closed after reports debris fell from a carriage - 14 months after it crashed leaving five people seriously injured.

Stoke's Mark Waddington and Swansea's Oliver Davies return to their clubs as Kilmarnock cut short their loans.

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.

Shefali Oza
BBC Midlands Today

The BBC Weather website also has the latest forecasts for Staffordshire and Cheshire.

Allen Cook
BBC Local Live

Four libraries in Staffordshire could see their opening hours reduced if no-one comes forward to manage them, the county council, external is warning. 

The authority is looking to make savings by transferring 23 of its 43 libraries to other management, with the remaining 20 still run and staffed by the council library service.

Image source, Thinkstock

In a second round of transfers, the council says eight libraries have been offered to groups including schools - in the first round, 11 were taken over by a local NHS trust, a church group and community bodies. 

However the authority says no-one has been appointed to run sites at Cheslyn Hay, Great Wyrley, Loggerheads and Talke and "if no-one comes forward there may be a reduction in opening hours". 

Nick Owen
Presenter, BBC Midlands Today

On Midlands Today this evening we'll hear about developments in the case of a missing hotelier from the region and his family's search for answers.

We'll also hear about one of the last crops to be gathered in this summer's farming harvest is also one of the newest. 

Those stories and much more, include the latest sports news and weather forecast, all on BBC Midlands Today from 18:30 on BBC One.

Lee Blakeman
Port Vale commentator, BBC Radio Stoke

One of Port Vale's signings on transfer deadline day says he is excited to be playing in English football.

Gezim Shalaj, 26, signed a one-year deal after leaving Romanian side Dinamo Bucharest.

He's told BBC Radio Stoke today he wanted to play in England because of the tempo and quality of the games.  

Allen Cook
BBC Local Live

The Smiler rollercoaster at Alton Towers has reopened, a spokeswoman for the resort says, after it was closed following reports debris fell from a carriage. 

Around 30 people were stuck on the ride when it was stopped by staff at about 12.00. 

The spokeswoman says the ride reopened at about 16:20 after a "temporary stoppage" - none of the 32 people suffered any injuries.

Image source, PA

The road in Crewe had been shut since the man was found unconscious last night as Cheshire Police investigated.

Matt Sandoz
Stoke City commentator, BBC Radio Stoke

Stoke City's new signing Bruno Martins Indi turned down the chance to play Champions League football in order to come to the Premier League, according to the club.

Image source, Stoke City

The 24-year-old followed Manchester City striker Wilfried Bony in signing a season-long loan deal at the bet365 Stadium yesterday. 

Stoke's Chief Executive Tony Scholes told BBC Radio Stoke the Dutch international picked them over a move to Italy.  

Staffordshire Newsletter

The number of offences involving indecent images of children reported to Staffordshire Police has more than tripled in three years, external, according to figures obtained by the NSPCC.