'Exploding' sports drinks tins shut M6published at 16:38 Greenwich Mean Time 8 March 2017
A stretch of the M6 motorway is closed after a lorry carrying tins of sports drinks catches fire.
Read MoreSummary
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Updates on Friday 10 March 2017
'Exploding' sports drinks tins shut M6published at 16:38 Greenwich Mean Time 8 March 2017
M6 lorry fire: Two lanes back open on motorwaypublished at 16:36 Greenwich Mean Time 8 March 2017
Lucy King
News Editor, BBC Radio StokeTwo lanes are now back open on the M6 in Staffordshire this afternoon after the earlier lorry fire had shut the whole northbound side.
The vehicle, which was carrying tins of sports drink powder, Easter eggs, floor tiles, white goods and grain, was on fire at around 05:13 when fire crews arrived.
Image source, Highways EnglandIt was near to Stafford Services between junctions 14 and 15.
Highways England now say they just one of three lanes is closed, external and they have crews at the scene working to clear debris.
They say that closure is expected to last into the evening for repairs to the road surface.
BBC Weather Watcher pictures: Leek and Newcastle-under-Lymepublished at 16:22 Greenwich Mean Time 8 March 2017
After a grey start to the day, the sunshine has been out this afternoon in parts of Staffordshire and Cheshire.
These two photos are from BBC Weather Watchers Snowyowl, in Leek, and Frog Haven, in Newcastle-under-Lyme.
Image source, Frog Haven
Image source, SnowyowlModern slavery arrests in Burtonpublished at 16:12 Greenwich Mean Time 8 March 2017
Dave Wade
BBC Local LiveTwo arrests have been made, external in the Burton area this morning as part of a nationwide investigation into human trafficking.
It's being led by officers from Avon and Somerset who are concerned about possible modern slavery offences in nail bars.
They said they've identified four victims of the crime.
Chaplains brought in to city centre to help homelesspublished at 16:11 Greenwich Mean Time 8 March 2017
BBC Midlands TodayStreet chaplains are being brought into Stoke-on-Trent city centre in the daytime to help homeless people.
The city council have asked the volunteer group, who usually do evening patrols, to help deal with an increase in homelessness and a rise in anti-social behaviour.
Street Chaplains North Staffordshire, external say it hopes the move will reassure shoppers.
More than 50,000 speeding offences recorded across Cheshire last year published at 15:54 Greenwich Mean Time 8 March 2017
Tim Wedgwood
BBC Local LiveMore than 50,000 speeding offences were recorded across Cheshire in 2016, a year-on-year increase of 15%.
Image source, Cheshire PoliceFigures obtained by BBC Radio Stoke show one driver was clocked doing 153mph.
Cheshire Police say the figures reflect an "enhancement in their speed enforcement", in response to public concern and to improve road safety.
Budget 2017: Full reaction and analysis on the BBC websitepublished at 15:38 Greenwich Mean Time 8 March 2017
BBC Business NewsThe chancellor Philip Hammond has unveiled his first budget today .
He's announced an extra £2bn for social care services in England, help for firms hit by business rate rises and plans to increase national insurance for self-employed people.
Image source, HOCYou can get a full picture of the budget and analysis of its impact on the BBC website here:
M6 lorry fire: Burnt out HGV removed from scenepublished at 15:23 Greenwich Mean Time 8 March 2017
Allen Cook
BBC Local LiveA lorry involved in a fire on the M6 motorway in Staffordshire has been removed as emergency services look to clear-up the scene. , external
Image source, Highways EnglandHighways England say two lanes are still shut between junctions 14 and 15, but the burnt out HGV has been taken away.
Fire crews were called to put out the blaze near Stafford Services at about 05:13 .
Image source, Highways EnglandM6 lorry fire: Full re-opening of motorway unlikely 'until tonight' published at 15:08 Greenwich Mean Time 8 March 2017
John Acres
Journalist, BBC Radio StokePart of the M6 in Staffordshire is unlikely to fully re-open "until tonight" after a fire in a lorry between junctions 14 and 15 northbound.
Fire crews were called to the M6 between junctions 14 and 15 northbound, near Stafford Services, at about 05:13.
Highways England say recovering the lorry once the fire was put out has been "complicated" as it's a very tall vehicle and they've had to "cut it in half" to get it under bridges.
One lane has reopened past the scene, external but two will stay shut for clear-up and recovery.
Resurfacing work will probably have to be carried out on one lane and the hard shoulder tonight, Highways England say.
Man charged with Telford stabbingpublished at 14:46 Greenwich Mean Time 8 March 2017
Andy Giddings
BBC ShropshireA Tamworth man has been charged with wounding with intent and possessing a knife in a public place.
It follows an incident on Monday evening in which a 47-year-old man was stabbed at a house in Telford.
The 24-year-old is due before Telford Magistrates today.
No plans to widen the entire A500published at 14:38 Greenwich Mean Time 8 March 2017
Lucy King
News Editor, BBC Radio StokeThere are no plans to make the entire A500 through Stoke-on-Trent three lanes wide, according to Highways England.
The organisation has revealed proposals to widen the stretch between Porthill and Wolstanton by 2021, to reduce congestion , external and improve safety.
However it says it hasn't any plans to widen beyond that.
Image source, Highways EnglandThe plans go on public display next week and will also include reducing the speed limit from 70mph to 50mph over the same section.
Bakayogo signs new deal with Crewepublished at 14:23 Greenwich Mean Time 8 March 2017
Crewe defender Zoumana Bakayogo signs a contract extension after triggering a 35-game clause in his existing deal.
Read MoreBrewers: 'A valuable point' - Irvinepublished at 14:16 Greenwich Mean Time 8 March 2017
BBC Derby SportBurton Albion's captain scored a screamer in the Sheffield Wednesday 1-1 draw.
Your Questions: How a Stoke-on-Trent town got called 'neck end' published at 14:10 Greenwich Mean Time 8 March 2017
Allen Cook
BBC Local LiveJoanna Heap asked on Your Questions : "Why is Longton called "neck end"?
For those not aware, Longton is one of the six towns which make up Stoke-on-Trent.
I asked Richard Cresswell, president of the Longton Chamber of Trade, about the nickname and he says it is sometimes known as that.
He says it's because Longton "rests" at the southernmost tip of the city and hence seen by some living there as at the "neck end" of Stoke-on-Trent.
What do you want to know about Stoke-on-Trent and Staffordshire? Ask us here and your question could be making the news.
Watch: Great photos of Staffordshire and Cheshirepublished at 13:57 Greenwich Mean Time 8 March 2017
Allen Cook
BBC Local LiveYou've been sending your pictures in of Staffordshire and Cheshire and here are five I've picked out today.
If you want to share one of your own photos, taken recently of the area, send it in on email or put on Instagram, adding the tag #bbcstoke if you agree to share, external .
Media caption, Your pictures
Police officers attacked as they try to break up a fightpublished at 13:29 Greenwich Mean Time 8 March 2017
Allen Cook
BBC Local LivePolice officers have been attacked in Lichfield this morning, external as they tried to break up a fight.
It happened on Upper St John Street at around 02:00, say Staffordshire Police.
Image source, GoogleThe force say the pair of officers were on patrol when they tried to speak to men who were arguing but it "escalated" into a brawl.
Both the officers suffered minor injuries and two men were arrested.
On Midlands Today from 13:30: Two dead in stabbingpublished at 13:11 Greenwich Mean Time 8 March 2017
BBC Midlands TodayOn Midlands Today this lunchtime, we'll have more on the news that two people have died and another two have been injured after a stabbing attack in part of the region.
Image source, @Kerrylou85We'll also have reaction from the Midlands to chancellor Philip Hammond's first budget.
More on BBC One from 13:30 including your lunchtime weather forecast.
Major M6 delays as lorry fire sees dog food explode over motorway published at 12:53 Greenwich Mean Time 8 March 2017
Motorists were facing major delays on the M6 this morning after a lorry carrying dog food caught fire., external
Image source, Highways EnglandArrests in national nail bar slavery probepublished at 12:27 Greenwich Mean Time 8 March 2017
Sarah Robertson
Journalist, BBC Radio StokeArrests have been made at three nail bars in Staffordshire this morning , external , as part of a national investigation into human trafficking.
Staffordshire Police say they are working with police in Bath, Cheltenham and London - overall four female victims of modern slavery have been identified.
Avon and Somerset Police say the arrests in Burton this morning follow welfare checks on nail bars in Somerset last year , external .
Football: Burton 'defended magnificently' to get Sheffield Wednesday draw published at 12:06 Greenwich Mean Time 8 March 2017
Owen Phillips
BBC Sport OnlineThe Burton Albion manager, Nigel Clough, says his team "defended magnificently" as they held on for a draw in a gutsy away performance at Sheffield Wednesday.
Image source, Rex FeaturesThe Owls led after a bright start when keeper Jon McLaughlin allowed Ross Wallace's 30-yard strike to creep in.
But Jackson Irvine's fierce shot following a corner restored parity by the interval.
Quote MessageIt was backs-to-the-wall at times and I thought we defended magnificently, to a man. We tried to be a threat but it's very difficult against quality opposition like Sheffield Wednesday. You can't play open, expansive football."
Nigel Clough, Burton Albion manager
