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  1. Stoke-on-Trent's Covid-19 memorial vandalised

    A Covid-19 memorial in Stoke-on-Trent has been damaged days after being unveiled.

    The memorial when it was opened
    Image caption: The memorial when it was opened

    The memorial garden at Fenton Park paid tribute to the 703 residents who lost their lives due to coronavirus.

    Flowers have been ripped out of a wreath and a plaque with a quote from Captain Sir Tom Moore was damaged by vandals.

    Capt Sir Tom was determined to walk 100 laps of his garden before his 100th birthday, raising millions for the NHS.

    The memorial was unveiled by Stoke-on-Trent's Lord Mayor Ross Irving to mark 12 months since the first coronavirus lockdown.

  2. Your photos: A rainy start to the day

    BBC Weather Watchers

    It's been a rainy start to the day for many of us and that's reflected in the photos from the BBC Weather Watchers this morning.

    These pictures were taken in Leek and Ellesmere.

    Leek
    Dogs in Ellesmere
  3. Weather: Dull and damp Friday

    BBC Weather

    Dull with outbreaks of rain or drizzle this morning and there will continue to be little sunshine through the rest of the day with outbreaks of rain around. High: 8C/46F.

    This morning in Thurlaston, Warwickshire
    Image caption: This morning in Thurlaston, Warwickshire

    Skies will turn quite clear tonight which will mean temperatures dropping away and it will turn very cold with a widespread frost likely. Low: -1C/30F.

    You can get a latest forecast for your area at any time by going to the BBC Weather website.

  4. Envelope update

    Severe disruption: M53 Cheshire southbound

    BBC News Travel

    M53 Cheshire southbound severe disruption, at J10 for A5117.

    M53 Cheshire - M53 lane closed on exit slip road southbound at J10, A5117 (Little Stanney), because of a breakdown. Traffic is coping well.

    To report traffic and travel incidents dial 0330 123 0184 at any time

  5. Footballer 'found dead in hotel room'

    Yeovil Town captain Lee Collins was found dead in his hotel room, an inquest has heard.

    Tributes

    The 32-year-old footballer, who was born in Telford and began his career at Wolverhampton Wanderers, did not turn up for training on 31 March prompting concerns for his welfare.

    He was found dead in the room he was staying in at Lanes Hotel, West Coker, Somerset that day, the inquest heard.

    Senior coroner for Somerset Tony Williams adjourned the hearing ahead of another that will take place in Taunton on or before 7 July.

    Mr Collins, who lived in Newport, also spent time at Port Vale and other clubs and joined Yeovil in 2019.

  6. Envelope update

    Severe disruption: A5 Staffordshire westbound

    BBC News Travel

    A5 Staffordshire westbound severe disruption, from Washbrook Lane to M6 Toll JT7 Churchbridge.

    A5 Staffordshire - A5 Watling Street in Cannock closed westbound from the Washbrook Lane junction to Churchbridge, because of emergency repairs. Traffic is coping well. Diversion in operation - via Washbrook Lane.

    To report traffic and travel incidents dial 0330 123 0184 at any time

  7. Today's weather forecast

    Today will begin dry and bright but it will feel cold. The cloud will build through the afternoon and it will turn overcast, but should remain dry. Gentle winds. Highs of 4C to 7C (39F to 45F).

    This evening and tonight will be largely cloudy, but there should be a few clear spells. It will continue to stay dry. Winds will be lighter and it will not be as cold as the past couple of nights. Lows of 1C to 4C (34F to 39F).

  8. It’s Not Always Black and White podcast

    BBC Radio Stoke

    A new podcast of intimate and hilarious conversations about race, love and the grey spaces in between has launched on Tuesday on BBC Radio Stoke and BBC Sounds.

    Bongi Msimanga and Matt Hodson

    Each episode features married couple Matt Hodson, 39, born and bred in Solihull and a commercial manager for a railway company, and Bongi Msimanga, 34, born in southern Africa, now living in Shropshire and a journalist with the BBC for seven years.

    The questions are demanding, sometimes brutal, and the answers always raw and often comical.

    Like many interracial couples during the growth of the Black Lives Matter movement, they found themselves talking about race in a different way.

    They'd never really talked about racism as an institution or what it meant for their marriage. They'd fallen in love with each other's differences. But those differences were now creating fault lines through their relationship and between friends and family.

    New episodes of It's Not Always Black and White will be updated weekly on all podcast platforms.

  9. Envelope update

    Severe accident: M56 Cheshire eastbound

    BBC News Travel

    M56 Cheshire eastbound severe accident, from J15 for M53 J11 to J14 for A5117 Chester Services.

    M56 Cheshire - One lane closed on M56 eastbound from J15 M53 J11 to J14, A5117 (Chester Services), because of an accident. Traffic is coping well.

    To report traffic and travel incidents dial 0330 123 0184 at any time

  10. Envelope update

    Severe disruption: M53 Cheshire southbound

    BBC News Travel

    M53 Cheshire southbound severe disruption, at J11 for M56 J15.

    M53 Cheshire - The road is temporarily closed and stationary on M53 southbound at J11 M56 J15, because of a car on fire.

    To report traffic and travel incidents dial 0330 123 0184 at any time