Jennie Aitken
Reporter, BBC Radio Stoke

A man's admitted starting fires at a hospital, university and museum earlier this year.

The blazes happened in June at the Royal Stoke University Hospital, a Staffordshire University accommodation building and the SeaCity Museum in Southampton.

Patients had to be evacuated, many on their beds.

Image source, Paul Bradbury

Today at Stafford Crown Court, Thomas Ashcroft, 39, of Musgrave Crescent, Sheffield pleaded guilty to three charges of arson being reckless as to whether life would be endangered relating to all three fires and a charge of burglary at the museum.

A charge of manslaughter was withdrawn by the prosecution due to insufficient evidence and two not guilty pleas on charges of arson with intent to endanger life were accepted by the CPS and won't go to trial.

It followed the death of an 89-year-old woman in hospital.

Ashcroft will be sentenced in February.

Lee Thomas
Newsreader, BBC Radio Stoke

A pedestrian's died after being hit by a lorry on the A50 in Stoke-on-Trent., external

Image source, Google

Staffordshire Police says the 35-year-old man from Meir Park died from his injuries suffered in the collision on Saturday evening in Normacot.

The force says he is yet to be formally identified and his family's being supported.

Lee Thomas
Newsreader, BBC Radio Stoke

A driver escaped with only minor injuries when a tank on a trailer smashed through a van's windscreen near Stafford.

Image source, West Midlands Ambulance Service

West Midlands Ambulance Service says she was driving the vehicle when it collided with the tank which was being towed by a tractor on the A34 at Bednall, just before midday.

Paramedics say she was trapped by her steering wheel and suffered cuts and grazes to her face, but was discharged at the scene.

Image source, West Midlands Ambulance Service

Staying very cold this afternoon with temperatures struggling to rise much above freezing. Highs of 2C are expected.

More from BBC Weather.

The 21-year old man spent almost a month in hospital before he died last week.

Hospital bosses say A&E patient waiting times have been cut by the use of tagging technology.

Allen Cook
BBC News

The snow's forced leisure centres in the south of Staffordshire to close today, according to local councils.

The Sentinel

There are among the main stories on the Sentinel's website today:

• Roads closed, accidents on A500, A50 and A34 and dozens of school closures, external
• Councillors call for action following death of homeless man, external
• They're not lovin' it as McDonald's 24-hour driv-thru plan is rejected, external

West Midlands Trains takes over rail franchise from London Midland.

Jodie Looker
Newsreader, BBC Radio Stoke

Motorists are being urged to drive carefully in Staffordshire this morning after a series of crashes on some of the area's main routes.

Staffordshire Police says there have been six reported collisions this morning in the north of the county with three on the A50 involving a total of eight vehicles.

The force says there have also been ones on the A34 near to Trentham Monkey Forest, one on the A53 at Norton-le-Moors and one on the A500 southbound at the A34 Talke roundabout.

Officers say there haven't been any serious injuries.

Allen Cook
BBC News

A gritter overturned in Staffordshire over the weekend due to the treacherous conditions on a rural road.

Image source, Kieran Arnold

The county council confirmed it happened early on Sunday morning on Tamworth Road, in Elford, near Tamworth.

The local authority says the gritter was driving on an untreated road and overturned because of the very icy conditions.

The two people inside weren't hurt.

Allen Cook
BBC News

One impact of the snowy weather is that many bins collections have been suspended today.

That's the case in places including Wolverhampton, external, Solihull, external, Newcastle-under-Lyme, external, Shropshire, external and parts of Telford, external.

Although in some cases, such as Worcester,, external they're pressing ahead for business waste. If in doubt, check your local council's website or social media.

Just a reminder that some train services in the West Midlands have been taken over by a new operator - West Midlands Trains Ltd.

The firm, a joint venture between Dutch firm Abellio and Japanese partners, takes over routes previously run by London Midland.

The franchise covers routes in the West Midlands, as well as from London Euston to Crewe, and Liverpool to Birmingham.

The company says it's only experiencing a few problems today around Stourbridge Town and Great Malvern, but to check its website for more details., external

Stephanie Barnard
BBC News

What was your weekend like in the snow? Lots of people were out enjoying the white stuff - making snowman, on sledges and out walking their dogs. Today, is a different picture though - playtime is over and it's back to work for many.

Email,tweet @BBCMTD, external or send us your photos on Facebook, external.

Here are some of the pictures you've been sending to us, including this one in Stafford.

Thanks to Gail Monk in Shropshire for emailing this pic.

Image source, Gail Monk

And beautiful scenes in Worcester of reindeers grazing in the morning snow.

• Richard Wakefield CE(VC) Primary School, Tutbury
• St. Joseph's Catholic Primary School, Uttoxeter
• The Richard Clarke First School, Abbots Bromley
• Windsor Park CE Middle School, Uttoxeter

With temperatures not set to rise any time soon a weather warning for ice, external remains in place until at least 11:00 today across the whole of the West Midlands.

Image source, Met Office

The Met Office says ice patches could have formed on untreated roads, pavements and cycle paths.

BBC Weather

It will feel cold, with frost and ice likely. Any ice that has developed overnight could cause travel disruption first thing. It should be a largely dry and bright day with some sunny spells. It will remain bitterly cold, though, with highs of only 2C.

More from BBC Weather.

About 300 schools across Stoke-on-Trent, Staffordshire and south Cheshire are closed today because of snow and sub-zero temperatures.

Most schools contact parents direct via an app or text if there's a closure, but some councils also publish lists online.

A reminder again of the lists we're aware of and that seem to be working:

• Coventry City Council, external
• Herefordshire Council, external
• Staffordshire County Council, external
• Sandwell Council, external
• Shropshire Council, external
• Stoke-on-Trent City Council, external
• Telford and Wrekin Council, external
• Warwickshire County Council, external
• Wolverhampton City Council, external
• Worcestershire County Council, external

Ever wondered why you have to clear snow from off your roof?

West Midlands Ambulance service said it's been "overwhelmed" by support from volunteers and members of the public wanting to help its staff this weekend.

Image source, West Midlands Ambulance Service

The ambulance service said off-duty staff have also been offering to assist on their rest days.