Phil McCann
Cheshire Political Reporter, BBC News

A chief constable has told a hearing he did not bully or belittle his staff, but admitted he could sometimes be blunt.

Simon Byrne, who was suspended from Cheshire Constabulary last year, has begun giving evidence against bullying allegations between May 2014 and March 2017.

Today, he admitted he could sometimes be blunt if he was frustrated by equipment that didn’t work and admitted he may have said things in meetings that could be interpreted as blunt.

He also conceded that late night emails to staff could “lack finesse”.

Asked about occasions when he was accused of berating or belittling staff, he said some of those staff had lied to him.

Mr Byrne denies gross misconduct and the hearing continues this afternoon.

Allen Cook
BBC News

Drivers are being warned roads across the West Midlands could be slippery if there's rain today and tomorrow.

Image source, Met Office

After a long, dry spell, the Met Office says there's now a yellow weather warning for heavy showers and thunderstorms for almost all of the whole region on Friday, from 11:00. , external

Police say that could lead to greasy conditions on roads and are urging drivers to slow down if it rains., external

Phil McCann
Cheshire Political Reporter, BBC News

A disciplinary hearing into allegations against Cheshire East Council’s former chief executive will no longer go ahead, after he resigned earlier this week.

Mike Suarez was suspended 15 months ago because of concerns over his conduct with the authority saying the suspension was "a neutral act".

Image source, Michael Moore

Five separate probes were launched, with one looking at the way contracts were awarded by the council.

The council says his resignation means there’s no need to continue.

Mr Suarez hasn’t commented on the claims but, in his open resignation letter, sent to the Crewe Chronicle, external, he thanked his supporters.

The BBC understands he will keep get his pension as he's not been found guilty of any disciplinary offence.

There was a "worrying" increase in reports of domestic violence after last night's World Cup semi-final in which England lost to Croatia, said Lancashire Police's Assistant Chief Constable.

Terry Woods said most fans "behaved responsibly" but about an hour after the final whistle there was a surge in domestic abuse calls.

He said: "We took action at all of those incidents."

Greater Manchester Police made nine arrests but praised the "vast majority of fans" while Cheshire Police and Merseyside Police said it was a normal night with no rise in calls.

North West Ambulance Service said it was quiet during the match and after the match they had the same number of calls as a normal Wednesday night.

Across the country, people are coming to terms with England's World Cup semi-final defeat.

Stoke-on-Trent Live

The Stoke-on-Trent Live website is featuring these headlines today:

• Three women working at the same factory contracted cancer and now their families want justice, external
• Woman posed as 16-year-old girl to claim asylum after immigration raid on beauty parlour, external
• Centre set up at Royal Stoke to ease pressure on A&E placed in special measures, external

An additional compensation scheme has been announced for season ticket holders affected by rail disruption in the north of England.

Image source, Northern

Northern customers on some routes where over 5% of trains have been cancelled or seriously delayed can make a claim.

It is in addition to the existing Delay Repay on offer from the Department for Transport and Transport for the North.

The new scheme has two levels and covers disruption from electrification works and timetable changes.

Sara Blizzard
BBC Weather

Today there will be sunny spells, but also some showers breaking out.

These showers could be heavy with the risk of hail and thunder and there will be a light breeze.

More on BBC Weather

A celebration of the life of Aethelflaed, Lady of the Mercians, begins in Tamworth today.

The Anglo-Saxon Queen died in Staffordshire 1,100 years ago, in June 918.

A four-day festival to document the reign of the warrior queen, who defended England from Viking invasions, includes community art work, guided tours and a conference attracting historians from across the world.

The ambulance service said it dealt with a large number of 999 calls across the West Midlands last night after England's World Cup exit against Croatia.

There was a big increase in reports of assaults and other alcohol-related incidents, West Midlands Ambulance Service said.

It fielded 240 calls in the hour after the match compared with 120 while England were playing.

Sara Blizzard
BBC Weather

Early cloud will break leaving a mainly dry and fine day with long spells of sunshine and highs of 25C (77F).

The body found in Stafford town centre this morning was that of a 53-year-old woman, Staffordshire Police said.

The force said her death is not being treated as suspicious.

She has not been formally identified and a post-mortem examination is expected to be held later this week.

Rich Davis
BBC Weather presenter

This evening will be dry and there will be some late sunshine.

There will be clear periods at first but cloud may thicken in the early hours and a light breeze.

More on BBC Weather

Firefighters in Staffordshire have repeated their warning that wildfires are endangering animals and destroying their habitats.

They tweeted this photo of a mouse that escaped a deliberate grass fire in Blurton on Monday evening.

Image source, Staffordshire Fire and Rescue Service

Fire crews believe a number of fires are being started deliberately and are asking people to report suspicious behaviour to the police.

Fire crews remain at the scene of a wheat field fire in Cheshire.

Image source, Cheshire Fire

Emergency services were called to High Legh just after 13:00 this afternoon after reports a field near to the A50 was on fire.

The road was closed for a time as crews tackled the blaze, which is now out.

The A50 has reopened and fire crews are now damping down the site.

Teddy Allen had a picture of Harry Kane with the words "World Cup Winners 2018" inked on his thigh.

Express and Star

Here are some of the stories the Express and Star are covering today:

• Woman's body found in Stafford town centre, external
• Great Barr residents proud to live on Southgate, external Road
• Underwater search launched for missing man at Sandwell Valley, external pool

Shefali Oza
BBC Midlands Today

Your bone-dry lawns will probably welcome a bit of rain and there's some forecast later this week.

Rich Davis
BBC Weather presenter

This afternoon is expected to be dry with long sunny spells and only patches of cloud and there will be a light breeze.

Politicians, sports clubs, the emergency services... most people are wishing England good luck for their World Cup semi final later

And this sign was spotted at Stoke-on-Trent railway station earlier.

Image source, @Habakkuk_3_19

Police are urging people to behave themselves, after seeing a huge spike in 999 calls during and after the last game.

And West Midlands Ambulance Service tweeted to advise people "not to do anything stupid that you wouldn't do normally".