Hughes 'encouraged' by Stoke displaypublished at 12:04 Greenwich Mean Time 13 December 2017
Mark Hughes says Stoke City will 'win more games than we lose' if his side maintain the form they showed at Burnley.
Read MoreHughes 'encouraged' by Stoke displaypublished at 12:04 Greenwich Mean Time 13 December 2017
Police stations sale plannedpublished at 11:48 Greenwich Mean Time 13 December 2017
Phil McCann
Cheshire Political Reporter, BBC NewsA major review is set to see police stations being sold-off across Cheshire.
The county's police and crime commissioner says, external in many areas officers can move into other nearby public buildings like fire stations and community centres.
But a policy change means community support officers will be able to spend more time in their beat area and many will get a physical base for the first time.
No bin collections in Lichfieldpublished at 11:38 Greenwich Mean Time 13 December 2017
Allen Cook
BBC NewsWe told you earlier that bin collections were resuming for much of the West Midlands today after the icy weather - not in Lichfield though:
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End of X postWarning of more ice for West Midlandspublished at 11:15 Greenwich Mean Time 13 December 2017
BreakingAllen Cook
BBC NewsAnother warning of ice has been issued for much of the West Midlands with the Met Office warning of icy stretches on untreated roads, pavements and cycle paths, external.
Image source, Met OfficeIt says the yellow alert runs from 16:00 today until 11:00 tomorrow.
The Met Office says there could also be more wintry showers bringing snow although that'll mostly be on higher ground.
Thousands of children return to schoolpublished at 10:30 Greenwich Mean Time 13 December 2017
Thousands of schoolchildren have returned to school today for the first time since Thursday, after snow caused major disruption.
Just 17 schools are remaining shut in Shropshire, 26 in Herefordshire and 10 in Worcestershire.
Also a handful in Staffordshire, Stoke-on-Trent, Dudley and Sandwell.
While children have been enjoying the snow, the severe weather has made travel difficult and affected events and businesses in the important run-up to Christmas.
Media caption, Glyn Price captured sledging in Shrewsbury
In the papers: Private security protection proposedpublished at 10:22 Greenwich Mean Time 13 December 2017
The Sentinel newspaper has these main stories on its website today:
Wise men and Joseph destroyed in nativity vandalismpublished at 09:58 Greenwich Mean Time 13 December 2017
Jennie Aitken
Reporter, BBC Radio StokePeople living in part of Stoke-on-Trent have told BBC Radio Stoke they're devastated after a community nativity scene was smashed up by vandals.
Staffordshire Police says officers are investigating - the figures of two wise men and Joseph are now missing from the display next to Temple Street Methodist Church in Fenton.
The window was smashed on Saturday night and the figures were destroyed.
Prison drone smuggling gang to be sentencedpublished at 09:48 Greenwich Mean Time 13 December 2017
A criminal gang who flew drugs into jails across the West Midlands using drones are due to be sentenced today.
Yesterday, Birmingham Crown Court heard drones with fishing lines attached were flown to cell windows where prisoners used broom handles to retrieve goods, including mobile phones.
Image source, PAHMP Hewell, in Worcestershire, Stoke Heath prison and HMP Featherstone in Staffordshire were among the prisons targeted in a smuggling scheme thought to involve up to £370,000 of contraband.
In all, the gang was responsible for 49 drone drops and four throw-overs involving mainly psychoactive substances.
Arriva North West bus strikes: Unions accept pay dealpublished at 09:39 Greenwich Mean Time 13 December 2017
BBC News EnglandA series of bus strikes planned in the run-up to Christmas, which would have affected passengers in Cheshire, have been cancelled after drivers accepted a pay deal.
Image source, PAMembers of two unions, Unite and GMB, voted to accept a pay rise of 3.2% in the first year and 2.6% in the second
More than 2,000 staff at Arriva North West had threatened to walk out for two days this week, and stage four days of strikes from 20 to 23 December.
Arriva bosses said they were "delighted" the latest pay offer had been accepted.
Road shut by house firepublished at 09:28 Greenwich Mean Time 13 December 2017
Allen Cook
BBC NewsA road's been shut in Staffordshire because of a house fire this morning., external
Image source, Staffordshire Fire ServiceStaffordshire Fire Service says it's happened on High Lane, Chell and the fire's in the front room of the house.
It says no injuries have been reported but urges people to avoid the area.
Pre-Christmas bus strikes cancelledpublished at 08:40 Greenwich Mean Time 13 December 2017
Image source, PAMembers of two unions Unite and GMB voted to accept a pay rise of 3.2% in the first year and 2.6 in the second
More than 2,000 staff at Arriva North West had threatened to walk out for two days this week, and stage four days of strikes from 20 to 23 December.
Arriva bosses said they were "delighted" the latest pay offer had been accepted.
Dozens of schools still shut todaypublished at 08:31 Greenwich Mean Time 13 December 2017
Allen Cook
BBC NewsDozens of schools in the West Midlands are still shut today due to the wintry weather although the majority are open across the region.
Image source, Tim_hTwenty six schools are closed in Herefordshire, external, 14 in Shropshire, external, three in Telford, external and 10 in Worcestershire, external.
But there are also a handful shut in Staffordshire, Stoke-on-Trent, Dudley and Sandwell.
In the papers: Jail for 'revenge attack'published at 08:21 Greenwich Mean Time 13 December 2017
The Express and Star has these main headlines today:
Weather: Windy with blustery showerspublished at 08:15 Greenwich Mean Time 13 December 2017
A windy day, with frequent, heavy and blustery showers. They will initially fall as rain before increasingly turning to snow through the afternoon, especially over hills. Highs of 8C.
School closure in East Staffordshirepublished at 08:01 Greenwich Mean Time 13 December 2017
Dave Wade
BBC NewsJust one school closed in the region this morning.
Loxley Hall School in Loxley, Uttoxeter, is shut because it's still inaccessible due to thick ice and snow.
Nine-man Port Vale out of FA Cup after extra-time losspublished at 08:00 Greenwich Mean Time 13 December 2017
Lee Blakeman
Port Vale commentator, BBC Radio StokePort Vale's hopes of getting through to the third round of the FA Cup are over after they were beaten in extra-time by Yeovil.
The Vale ended the match with nine men after Cristian Montano and James Gibbons were sent off for fouls.
They took the game into extra-time when Marcus Harness equalised to make it 1-1 and again came from behind through Antony Kay before finally losing 3-2.
Stoke City boss 'encouraged' despite Burnley defeatpublished at 07:25 Greenwich Mean Time 13 December 2017
BBC SportStoke City boss Mark Hughes says he was "encouraged" by his team's performance in defeat at Burnley last night.
Image source, ReutersThat's despite the result meaning that the 16 points Stoke have taken from their opening 17 games is their lowest at this stage of a Premier League season.
Burnley substitute Ashley Barnes struck two minutes from time to give the Clarets a 1-0 win.
Quote MessageDon't tell me that anyone says Burnley deserved to win that, because they didn't. The lads are devastated. We'll be OK, we're fine. We are working hard to try to turn this around but I am encouraged by what I've seen tonight."
Mark Hughes, Stoke City manager
Your weather forecast for Wednesdaypublished at 07:07 Greenwich Mean Time 13 December 2017
Sara Blizzard
BBC WeatherThe temperatures have risen a little across the West Midlands and here's how today's forecast is looking.
You can also get latest updates on your part of the region by checking in with the BBC Weather website.
Media caption, Sara Blizzard
Burnley 1-0 Stoke Citypublished at 23:32 Greenwich Mean Time 12 December 2017
Burnley go fourth in the Premier League as Ashley Barnes' late winner gives them victory over determined Stoke at Turf Moor.
Read MoreYeovil Town 3-2 Port Vale (AET)published at 22:32 Greenwich Mean Time 12 December 2017
Yeovil will host Bradford in the FA Cup third round but they need extra-time to beat battling nine-man Port Vale.
Read More
