Updates from Friday 12 May 2017
Louise Hancock
Newsreader, BBC WM
A man has been charged with 10 counts of arson after a spate of fires on grassland in Rugeley.
The 51-year-old man, from Burntwood, is due before Stafford Crown Court in June.
More than 100 fires have been reported in the area since March.
Drayton Manor Theme Park will remain closed for a second day running, while investigations continue into the death of a girl from Leicester.
Evha Jannath, who was 11, died after she fell from the Splash Canyon river rapid ride during a school trip on Tuesday.
The theme park said it would remain closed to allow the Health and Safety Executive to carry out its investigations.
Image source, Family handoutWe will bring you the latest updates on this story throughout the day on BBC Local Live.
Charlie Slater
BBC Weather presenter
After a cool start to the day, there will be plenty of sunshine around today, but with cloud building later giving the risk of isolated showers.
We can expect top temperatures of 20C (68F).
Latest weather for the West Midlands
Stephanie Barnard
BBC Local Live
Good morning from the BBC Radio Stoke newsroom.
We'll be bringing you all the news, sport, travel and weather as it happens between now and 18:00. We'll also have the latest developments on Drayton Manor, after 11-year-old Evha Jannath died after falling off one of the rides on Tuesday.
If you'd like to get in touch you can email, external, tweet us on @BBCRadioStoke, external or message via Facebook, external.
Drayton Manor Theme Park will shut for a second day as Evha Jannath's family call for full inquiry.
Read MoreWe'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.
Tim Wedgwood
BBC Local Live
Police say they're hoping someone carrying a small safe during the day was spotted following a burglary in Newcastle on Monday.
Officers say it contained £1300 in cash, as well as high-end watches and distinctive jewellery,, external and was stolen from a house on Whitfield Avenue.
Image source, Staffordshire Police
Image source, Staffordshire PoliceQuote MessageWhilst there are a number of valuable items, the family are most keen to have the jewellery returned as it means a great deal to them."
PC Jay Dale, Staffordshire Police
Police have charged a man with ten counts of arson, external following a series of fires on Gentleshaw Common, Rugeley.
He'll appear before Stafford Crown Court in June.
The common is a designated Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) and has been set alight a number of times over the last few months.
Image source, GoogleEvha Jannath, 11, from Leicester, was killed in a fall from a water ride at Drayton Manor.
Read More
Shefali Oza
BBC Midlands Today
It's been a bright and clear afternoon. We're expecting lows of 5C (41F).
Find out what else the weather has in store for us overnight and into Thursday.
Latest weather forecast for the West Midlands.
Phil McCann
Cheshire Political Reporter, BBC News
It's been confirmed the councillor in charge of Cheshire East Council's finances is stepping aside, after he told Conservative colleagues he wanted to "protect his reputation".
Peter Grove's move comes as senior officers are being investigated after concerns were raised about conduct.
A reshuffle means he will stay in the council's ruling cabinet but with different responsibilities.
Image source, Google
Phil Mackie
Midlands correspondent, BBC News
Tributes to Evha Jannath who died following an incident at Drayton Manor Park yesterday...
Bob Hockenhull
BBC Midlands Today
A student from Staffordshire who was paralysed in a cycling accident has achieved a personal goal by learning to scuba dive.
Samuel Asbury, from Norton Canes, broke his spine when he was 14.
He's now working on his ocean-diver pool training with the aim of one day exploring shipwrecks.
Paralysed man on how scuba diving brings him happiness
Tim Wedgwood
BBC Local Live
Alton Towers says its Congo River Rapids ride is being closed from tomorrow following the fatal incident on a similar ride at Drayton Manor yesterday.
11-year-old Evha Jannath, from Leicester, had been on a school trip and fell from the Splash Canyon ride.
Drayton Manor remains closed today, with a safety investigation underway.
Image source, GoogleQuote MessageWe are aware of the tragic events at Drayton Manor and our thoughts are with the family and all of those affected. Safety is our number one priority and, as a precautionary measure, the Congo River Rapids will be closed tomorrow and until such time as more details of the incident become available. We will provide more information when we are in a position to do so.”
Spokesperson, Alton Towers
Parkhall Country Park, external is part of the Hulme Quarry National Nature Reserve.
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Staff at Arriva TrainCare will walk out on 19 May, the RMT union says.
Read MorePatrick Treacy's mum says in 2013 her son fell from the same ride where an 11-year-old girl died.
Read More
John Acres
Reporter, BBC Radio Stoke
A woman from Nantwich has taken to social media to ask people to send as many birthday cards as possible to her husband whose birthday is on Monday.
Claire Bailey fears it might be his last birthday and wanted to make this one extra special.
Husband Damien, who'll be 38, was diagnosed with Motor Neurone Disease two years ago.
Birthday cards wanted
Claire wants us to share their address so that anyone who would like to can send a birthday card for Damien. Remember it's this coming Monday.
The address is:11 Baddiley Close, Ravensmoor, Nantwich, CW5 8PU.
The school an 11-year-old girl attended, who died on a school trip to Drayton Manor Theme Park yesterday, is closed today.
A nearby mosque said prayers for the girl who has been named by police as Evha Jannath.
Members of the local community in Leicester gathered at Jameah Mosque on Asfordby Road.
Theme park enthusiast Ian Bell, who owns and runs Coasterforce, external, a fan group for rollercoasters, said rapids rides tended not to have seatbelts in case they capsized.
He said: “They are fairly buoyant - I’ve never heard of one capsizing. They are very safe.”
Image source, bbc