M6 closed in Staffordshire due to 'unsafe' bridge
Man took wedding ring off the fingers of 98-year-old bedridden woman
Former Bishop of Lichfield, Keith Sutton, dies
D-Day veteran awarded French honour
Updates on Friday 24 March
Emma Thomas
Political reporter, BBC Radio Stoke
Prayers and a one-minute silence have been held by Stoke-on-Trent City councillors this afternoon to remember the victims of the terror attack in London yesterday.
It was ahead of this afternoon's full council meeting, external and they also gave thanks for the emergency services who responded to the tragedy.
Lee Thomas
Newsreader, BBC Radio Stoke
The trial of two men from Stoke-on-Trent and two from Birmingham accused of planning a terror attack has been postponed until next week, after the attack in Westminster.
The four are on trial at the Old Bailey accused of preparing terrorist acts last summer, which they all deny.
Image source, Science Photo LibraryThe two men from Stoke-on-Trent are from Burslem and Cobridge.
Today the trial judge called the jurors back into court to tell them it was being postponed to next Tuesday.
Perry Spiller
Presenter, BBC Radio Stoke
The Stoke-on-Trent North MP Ruth Smeeth says she doesn't believe all police should be armed following yesterday's attack in Westminster.
During the incident, a man drove a car along a pavement on Westminster Bridge, knocking down pedestrians, creating panic and leaving dozens injured.
Image source, EPAHe then ran towards Parliament where he stabbed PC Keith Palmer, who was unarmed. Armed police then shot dead the attacker in the grounds.
There have been calls since for all police to carry firearms with the Lichfield MP Michael Fabricant saying there needs to be more armed police. , external
Quote MessageOur police have to be friendly and engaging. It's not just the people who work there, if you think about how many tourists including my constituents who regularly come to visit me, I think it would be unfortunate if they thought they were having to come into somewhere with armed guards everywhere."
Ruth Smeeth, Stoke-on-Trent North MP
Police in Stoke-on-Trent have created a small floral tribute to PC Keith Palmer, who was stabbed to death outside the Houses of Parliament yesterday.
Ch Insp John Owen, the Stoke-on-Trent North commander, tweeted this picture of it.
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Rory Gallimore
BBC Radio Derby
A number of patients at Queen's Hospital in Burton-upon-Trent are reporting symptoms of norovirus.
The trust that runs the hospital is restricting visits to patients on ward five to prevent the infection spreading further.
Image source, GoogleIt's warned the virus can be potentially fatal for vulnerable people.
Matt Sandoz
Stoke City commentator, BBC Radio Stoke
The Stoke City goalkeeper Jack Butland says he's looking forward to competing with fellow goalkeeper Lee Grant for the Potters' number one shirt.
Image source, Rex FeaturesThe 24-year-old says he is close to a return to full training after a year out with an ankle injury.
Lee Grant has come in this season and established himself as Stoke's number one, but Butland is of a mind that competition for places is a good thing.
Quote MessageThere's no animosity between us. For Lee and me, it's about being the best we can be. That ultimately drives us on. I've always had that wherever I've been."
Jack Butland, Stoke City goalkeeper
Ros Chimes
Reporter, BBC Radio Stoke
Officials say they hope funding can be found to further excavate the Staffordshire site where what's thought to be the oldest ever collection of British Iron Age gold was unearthed.
Gold discovery near Leek
The three necklaces and bracelet where found just before Christmas by two friends on farmland near Leek and are believed to be about 2,500 years old.
Zoe Sutherland, an archaeologist working with Stoke-on-Trent City Council, says they're hoping to do more work at the site.
She says the discovery has changed what experts know about Britain's links to Europe thousands of years ago.
Allen Cook
BBC Local Live
Four of the best now, as I've sorted through some of the many photos you've sent in of Staffordshire and Cheshire.
You can send your recently taken pictures too, do that via email or, if you use Instagram, put them there with the tag #bbcstoke , external so I know you agree to share them.
Your pictures
Dozens of jobs are at risk across the region after shoe retailer Brantano plunged into administration., external
Image source, The Sentinel
Nicola Beckford
BBC Midlands Today
On Midlands Today this lunchtime we'll have the latest on a raid in Birmingham in an operation linked to Wednesday's terror attack in Westminster.
Image source, PAArmed officers stormed a second-floor flat with witnesses saying they saw them wearing helmets and body armour.
All the latest on BBC One from 13:30.
Allen Cook
BBC Local Live
You've been having your say in response to yesterday's attack in Westminster and whether those events have made you feel less safe .
Allyson Grigorovsky posted, external on the BBC Radio Stoke Facebook page: "No I do not. On visits to London I never feel relaxed. I'm always looking over my shoulder. I must admit it's put me off going there."
In contrast Wendy Wu said, external : "Yes i still feel safe. I will never in all my days allow terrorism to stop my daily comings and goings."
And Crystal Leese Hill wrote, external : "I don't think you can feel safe anywhere to be honest you never know who's about these days."
Emma Thomas
Political reporter, BBC Radio Stoke
The NHS Trust that runs the Royal Stoke University Hospital and County Hospital says it "welcomes" extra support it'll get after being placed in financial special measures.
NHS Improvement - a department set up to aid "rapid financial improvement" - is responsible for placing all three in financial special measures.
Chief Executive Jim Mackey said trusts must "keep a strong grip on finances".
UHNM will receive expert checks on issues such as rota planning to reduce reliance on using high-cost agency doctors and nurses.
Allen Cook
BBC Local Live
Two people are in a critical condition in hospital after a crash between three vehicles that left two of them on fire. , external
Staffordshire Police say the collision yesterday evening at Birches Valley near Rugeley, external left the whole road blocked.
Two men, who were driving two of the vehicles, were taken to the Royal Stoke University Hospital where officers say they remain this morning in a critical condition.
Image source, West Midland Ambulance Service
Lee Blakeman
Newsreader, BBC Radio Stoke
Staffordshire's Police and Crime Commissioner's (PCC) told BBC Radio Stoke that there's "nothing at the moment" for people to be concerned about in the county, following yesterday's terror attack in London.
Image source, Jonathan Brady/PAIn the attack on Wednesday, a man drove a car along a pavement in Westminster knocking down pedestrians , leaving dozens injured.
He then stabbed a policeman and was shot dead by police in the grounds of Parliament.
Staffordshire's PCC Matthew Ellis said he wanted people to stay vigilant but there were no specific warnings for the county.
Quote MessageThere is nothing at the moment that we need to be concerned about in Staffordshire but it's absolutely right that people are vigilant and tell the police about anything at all."
Matthew Ellis , Staffordshire's Police and Crime Commissioner
A Burton boxer has told of the moment he saw a police officer stabbed in the London terrorist attack near the Houses of Parliament , external in which four people die and a least 40 were injured.
Image source, PA/Burton MailAllen Cook
BBC Local Live
Police officers and staff in Staffordshire and Cheshire have been tweeting this morning in support and reflection at the death of PC Keith Palmer in yesterday's attack in Westminster :
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Emma Thomas
Political reporter, BBC Radio Stoke
The police use of Taser weapons in Lichfield and Tamworth has been praised in an independent report. , external
Previous reviews resulted in recommendations for Staffordshire Police to improve their procedures .
In 2013, Tasers were used on children 29 times, triggering reviews.
Image source, CARL DE SOUZA/AFP/Getty ImagesThis time in Staffordshire, Safer Neighbourhood Panels looked at evidence including footage from body cameras worn by officers.
The panel, made up of members of the public reporting to the Police and Crime Commissioner, rated the use in Lichfield and Tamworth as "good".
Government figures for 2014 , external show Staffordshire Police officers drew Tasers 85 times and fired them 54 times; in 2015 they were drawn, external 83 times and fired 32 times.
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BBC Midlands Today
The number of child sex offences recorded in the West Midlands has doubled, according to the National Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Children. , external
Between 2014 and 2015 there were 1,265 cases.
Last year, that number rose to more than 2,500.
The charity says a number of factors could have led to the rise, including:
Image source, Getty ImagesMPs from the West Midlands have told the Express & Star what they witnessed when a man broke broke through the gates of the Palace of Westminster , external and stabbed an officer.
Image source, Express and Star
