The southbound M6 is closed in Staffordshire after a smash between a police car and a Citreon Berlingo.

The collision happened at 03.45 between junctions 13 for Stafford and 12 for Gailey.

Two officers from the Central Motorway Police Group were in the car that crashed and have been taken to the Royal Stoke University Hospital.

They are described as being in a serious but stable condition.

A man driving the Berlingo was treated at the scene.

Staffordshire's Police and Crime Commissioner says the force can't afford long-term to provide the extra policing resources needed in the wake of increased terrorism.

Matthew Ellis was responding to calls by Devon and Cornwall Police's chief constable for police resources to be bolstered across the UK.

Image source, Getty Images

Lucy Martin
BBC Weather

It will be wet and windy at first but the heavy outbreaks of rain will clear.

This afternoon should be drier with some brighter intervals but blustery showers will continue with the risk of hail and thunder with highs of 15C (59F).

Welcome to the Local Live service for Staffordshire and Cheshire on Tuesday morning.

We'll be bringing you all the news, sport, travel and weather as it happens.

If you'd like to get in touch you can email, tweet us on @RadioStoke, external or message via Facebook, external.

David Owen's daughter was about 10ft (3m) from a knife-wielding attacker near London Bridge.

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.

Matt Sandoz
Stoke City commentator, BBC Radio Stoke

Stoke City will complete their pre-season schedule this summer with a trip to RB Leipzig, external.

Image source, ROBERT MICHAEL/AFP/Getty Images

The German club finished second in the Bundesliga in their first ever season in the division, qualifying for the Champions League.

The Potters will travel to the Red Bull Arena on Saturday 5 August.

Giles Latcham
BBC Midlands Today

On Midlands Today this evening, we'll be looking at whether our region's police forces have enough resources to tackle terrorism.

Following the latest attack in London, patrols have been stepped up and plans reviewed - but questions are being asked as to whether the police now have the money and staff they need.

We'll be looking at what they have and what might be needed, on BBC One from 18:30.

BBC Weather Watchers

It's been a grey kind of day in Staffordshire, there's been some heavy rain about and our BBC Weather Watchers have still been recording what it's like where they are.

Here are two photos from today from users Videoman in Leek and Thornhill Watch in Hednesford.

Image source, Videoman

Image source, Thornhill Watch

A 27-year-old man has been charged with traffic offences.

Lucy Martin
BBC Weather

This rain is forecast to stay with us tonight and into tomorrow.

Temperatures should remain mild though, falling to around 10C (50F) overnight.

Amy Woodfield
BBC Local Live

Worth noting this road closure tomorrow if you use the A38...

Allen Cook
BBC Local Live

Meanwhile, speaking for the force itself, Staffordshire Police's Assistant Chief Constable Nick Adderley adds that more funding is crucial for "essential" specialist roles to combat terrorism at the "grass roots".

Image source, PA

He says that money should go towards "ring fenced" specialist teams which can work in communities and develop intelligence with them.

The Assistant Chief Constable says the force couldn't commit to that at the moment as the current demand outstrips their resources.

Allen Cook
BBC Local Live

Staffordshire's Police and Crime Commissioner says the force can't afford long-term to provide the extra policing resources needed in the wake of increased terrorism.

Matthew Ellis was responding to calls by Devon and Cornwall Police's chief constable for police resources to be bolstered across the UK.

Image source, Getty Images

That's been backed by the Met Police Commissioner and the mayor of London who both want more resources in the wake of the recent terror attacks in the capital.

In a statement, Conservative PCC Matthew Ellis says in recent years, shrinking police budgets meant more money for national security and intelligence services to tackle terrorism, which he says was "an effective tactic".

But he says with a more "impromptu" threat, Staffordshire Police can't afford financially in the long term - especially in large rural areas - to put in the extra resources which he says are needed.

Facebook

There's been praise on the BBC Radio Stoke Facebook page for Robbie William's performance in the One Love Manchester concert yesterday.

The Stoke-on-Trent singer tweaked his song Strong to turn it into a rousing song for the event which was in memory of the victims of the Manchester attack.

On the Facebook page, Valerie Durham posted, external: "Brilliant concert, well done to all involved. Robbie Williams - what an entertainer, did Manchester proud from a Stokie."

Careen Anne wrote, external: "Well done Robbie Williams, you did Manchester and Stoke-on-Trent proud, you were all brilliant. I take my hat off to you."

Lucy King
News Editor, BBC Radio Stoke

A massive wide load, which has slowly been making its way through Staffordshire today, is going to stay in Trentham overnight, external.

Image source, Staffordshire Police

Staffordshire Police says overhead wires had to be moved and trees cut back, external so it could make its way from Newcastle-under-Lyme, having come from Cheshire, external.

They say it'll stay overnight in Trentham before heading to Uttoxeter.

Image source, Staffordshire Police

Stuart George
Presenter, BBC Radio Stoke

The father of a student nurse from Cheshire who was caught up in the London Bridge attack says one of the attackers got within around 10 feet of her.

The three attackers killed seven people and injured 48 in Saturday night's terror attack before police shot them dead.

Image source, AFP/GETTY

David Owen from Willaston told BBC Radio Stoke he called his daughter Rhiannon when he heard about the attack.

He says she was at a cashpoint on London Bridge when a taxi driver shouted a warning at her and she ran from them.

Allen Cook
BBC Local Live

A woman has been attacked by a man as she was walking her dog in Leek, external.

It was last night, Staffordshire Police says, when she was going along Ball Haye Road.

Image source, Google

They say a man came up to her, tried to stroke her dog and then assaulted her.

Officers say she broke free but he followed her to the junction with Novi Lane and attacked her again, before her dog jumped at him and she escaped.

The force hasn't revealed if she was hurt.

Leek Post and Times

Staffordshire County Council flags will be flown at half-mast on buildings as a mark of respect for the victims killed and injured in last night's terrorist attack in London., external

Andrew Dawkins
BBC News Online

The work of a Stoke-on-Trent sculptor responsible for the current Royal Mail stamp design is being celebrated.

The firm is celebrating the 50th anniversary of the current design with a new issue.

Image source, Royal Mail

The stamp, featuring a profile of the Queen by Stoke-on-Trent-born Arnold Machin, has been reproduced in more than 130 colours since 1967.

He also designed the profile of the Queen that appeared on coins from 1968 to 1984.

A set of six stamps has now been issued featuring different stages of the stamp design.