Allen Cook
BBC Local Live

A main route into Stafford could be shut for some time, police say, after a crash between a lorry and a car in rising Brook.

Image source, Staffordshire Fire Service

They say the A449's been shut in both directions since around 07:30 as the collision outside The Royal Oak pub caused the lorry to shed a load of machinery.

The force is warning it's a "complicated recovery".

West Midlands Ambulance Service says a 53-year-old man had to be cut free from the car and he, along with a 57-year-old woman and a 21-year-old man have been taken to hospital.

BBC Sport

Lichfield's Emily Scarratt says her England team have "plenty to improve on" ahead of their pool decider against the United States in the Women's Rugby World Cup.

Image source, PA

Scarratt and fellow Lichfield player Amy Cokayne were both among the try-scorers as the defending champions made it two wins out of two in Pool B by beating Italy 56-13.

With the United States cruising past Spain 43-0 in the other game in England's pool, it sets up a decider on who finishes top of the group when the two sides meet on Thursday, 17 August.

Jodie Looker
Newsreader, BBC Radio Stoke

Two people have been hurt in a crash on the A449 near Stafford., external

Image source, Staffordshire Fire Service

Staffordshire Fire Service says emergency services were called to The Royal Oak pub at Rising Brook just after 07:00.

They say a a lorry and a car were involved and one person had to be cut out of their vehicle.

Jodie Looker
Newsreader, BBC Radio Stoke

A woman's been raped on a city centre street in Stoke-on-Trent. , external

Staffordshire Police says happened at around 04:00 yesterday morning when the victim was walking on Bethesda Street, Hanley near to the Potteries Musuem and Art Gallery.

Image source, Google

Officers say several people came to help the woman after they heard her cries for help.

The force says it's trying to track down a man she was seen talking to at the junction of Broad Street and Marsh Street South just before the rape happened.

They say they don't believe this man is the offender but they're keen to speak to him.

Allen Cook
BBC Local Live

A man's been arrested on suspicion of arson after a fire in a house in Stoke-on-Trent. , external

Stafffordshire Police say they were called by the fire service after it broke out at the home on King William Street, Tunstall yesterday afternoon.

Image source, Google

They say three fire engines has to be called after reports of a blaze in the loft or upper storey.

The force says no-one was hurt and the man they've arrested is 34 and from Stoke-on-Trent.

Charlie Slater
BBC Weather presenter

Here's how the day's looking across the West Midlands and you can keep yourself up-to-date at any time with the BBC Weather website.

Allen Cook
BBC Local Live

It's turning into a wet morning in Stoke-on-Trent, started raining on the drive into Hanley and it's continuing.

BBC Weather Watcher Dragonlady earlier this morning caught the grey skies over Nantwich:

Image source, Dragonlady

We'll have our usual full look at the day's weather forecast shortly and there'll be updates on Staffordshire and Cheshire's news, sport, travel and more through Monday.

Keep sharing too your photos of the area - do that via email or post them on Instagram,, external adding the tag #bbcstoke there to the description to show you agree to share them.