Tonight will be clear, dry and cold with light winds.
A few shallow mist or fog patches may develop, but where it remains clear, a frost is possible.
Lows of 2C.
Video content
Video caption: A fine and dry afternoon with sunny spells and some patchy cloud. Highs of 12C.A fine and dry afternoon with sunny spells and some patchy cloud. Highs of 12C.
M6 Staffordshire northbound severe accident, from J12 for A5 to J13 for A449.
M6 Staffordshire - Two lanes closed and queuing traffic on M6 northbound from J12, A5 (Gailey) to J13, A449 (Stafford South), because of an accident.
To report traffic and travel incidents dial 0330 123 0184 at any time
Envelope update
Severe accident: M6 Cheshire southbound
BBC News Travel
M6 Cheshire southbound severe accident, from J18 for A54 Middlewich Road Middlewich to J17 for A534 Old Mill Road Sandbach.
M6 Cheshire - One lane closed on M6 southbound from J18, A54 (Middlewich) to J17, A534 (Sandbach), because of an accident. Traffic is coping well.
To report traffic and travel incidents dial 0330 123 0184 at any time
M6 £265m upgrade opens in Cheshire
A £265m project to upgrade a stretch of the M6 to a smart motorway between Crewe and Knutsford has been completed.
Highways EnglandCopyright: Highways England
A fourth lane has been built in each direction with new signage, traffic sensors and CCTV cameras to help tackle congestion for the 120,000 drivers who use it each day, Highways England said.
Smart motorways operate variable speed limits to improve journey times.
Highways England said it was "the biggest upgrade to the M6 since it opened in Cheshire about 60 years ago".
M6 Staffordshire northbound severe disruption, from J12 for A5 to J13 for A449.
M6 Staffordshire - One lane closed on M6 northbound from J12, A5 (Gailey) to J13, A449 (Stafford South), because of a broken down vehicle. Traffic is coping well.
To report traffic and travel incidents dial 0330 123 0184 at any time
North West weather: Fine and dry with sunny spells
It will be a fine and dry afternoon with sunny spells and some patchy cloud. Expect gentle north-westerly winds and highs of 12C.
Video content
Video caption: A fine and dry afternoon with sunny spells and some patchy cloud. Highs of 12C.A fine and dry afternoon with sunny spells and some patchy cloud. Highs of 12C.
M6 Staffordshire northbound severe accident, from J16 for A500 Stoke-On-Trent to J17 for A534 Old Mill Road Sandbach.
M6 Staffordshire - One lane closed on M6 northbound from J16, A500 (Stoke-On-Trent) to J17, A534 (Sandbach), because of an accident. Traffic is coping well.
To report traffic and travel incidents dial 0330 123 0184 at any time
Envelope update
Severe accident: M6 Staffordshire southbound
BBC News Travel
M6 Staffordshire southbound severe accident, at J15 for A500 D Road.
M6 Staffordshire - M6 exit slip road partially blocked and heavy traffic southbound at J15, A500 (Stoke-On-Trent), because of an accident.
To report traffic and travel incidents dial 0330 123 0184 at any time
Wildlife centre 'devastated' after animals die in fire
Staffordshire Fire ServiceCopyright: Staffordshire Fire Service
Three giant tortoises, a meerkat and a colony of fruit bats were all killed at Gentleshaw Wildlife Centre, Eccleshall, in the blaze this morning.
Staffordshire Fire Service said it believed the fire at the small sanctuary had been started by accident.
Jenny Morgan, from the centre, says they're "so grateful" to a person who called the blaze in promptly as, if left to develop, it "could have been much worse".
Ms Morgan said the centre would remain closed today and it was hoped to reopen the site on Wednesday.
Envelope update
Severe disruption: M6 Staffordshire northbound
BBC News Travel
M6 Staffordshire northbound severe disruption, from J14 for A34 to J15 for A500 D Road.
M6 Staffordshire - One lane closed on M6 northbound from J14, A34 (Stafford North) to J15, A500 (Stoke-On-Trent), because of a broken down vehicle. Traffic is coping well.
To report traffic and travel incidents dial 0330 123 0184 at any time
Envelope update
Severe disruption: M6 Staffordshire southbound
BBC News Travel
M6 Staffordshire southbound severe disruption, from J14 for A34 to J13 for A449.
M6 Staffordshire - One lane closed and slow traffic on M6 southbound from J14, A34 (Stafford North) to J13, A449 (Stafford South), because of a lorry having a tyre changed.
To report traffic and travel incidents dial 0330 123 0184 at any time
In the papers: Messages aim to prevent suicides on bridge
M6 Staffordshire southbound severe disruption, from J15 for A500 D Road to J14 for A34.
M6 Staffordshire - One lane closed on M6 southbound from J15, A500 (Stoke-On-Trent) to J14, A34 (Stafford North), because of a broken down vehicle. Traffic is coping well.
To report traffic and travel incidents dial 0330 123 0184 at any time
Envelope update
Severe accident: M6 Cheshire southbound
BBC News Travel
M6 Cheshire southbound severe accident, from J17 for A534 Old Mill Road Sandbach to J16 for A500 Stoke-On-Trent.
M6 Cheshire - One lane closed and heavy traffic on M6 southbound from J17, A534 (Sandbach) to J16, A500 (Stoke-On-Trent), because of an accident.
To report traffic and travel incidents dial 0330 123 0184 at any time
Live Reporting
All times stated are UK
Video caption: A fine and dry afternoon with sunny spells and some patchy cloud. Highs of 12C.A fine and dry afternoon with sunny spells and some patchy cloud. Highs of 12C. BBC News Travel BBC News Travel 
Highways EnglandCopyright: Highways England 
- Man and woman killed in horror crash near Market Drayton
- Shrewsbury social club fraud couple ordered to pay back just £210
- Horse found mutilated in field is put down
BBC News Travel 
Video caption: A fine and dry afternoon with sunny spells and some patchy cloud. Highs of 12C.A fine and dry afternoon with sunny spells and some patchy cloud. Highs of 12C. 
DammoCopyright: Dammo 
JonCopyright: Jon 
Liam BallCopyright: Liam Ball Video caption: Marvel Fantastic Four comics auctioned in LichfieldMarvel Fantastic Four comics auctioned in Lichfield 
BBC News Travel BBC News Travel 
Staffordshire Fire ServiceCopyright: Staffordshire Fire Service BBC News Travel BBC News Travel 
- Inspiring messages installed on Stoke-on-Trent bridge in effort to prevent suicides
- Meerkat and three tortoises die in fire at Staffordshire wildlife centre
- Carol and Kevin Shanahan making new offer for Port Vale
BBC News Travel BBC News Travel 
Latest PostWeather: Clear, dry and cold
BBC Weather
Tonight will be clear, dry and cold with light winds.
A few shallow mist or fog patches may develop, but where it remains clear, a frost is possible.
Lows of 2C.
Video content
More from BBC Weather
Envelope update
Severe accident: M6 Staffordshire northbound
M6 Staffordshire northbound severe accident, from J12 for A5 to J13 for A449.
M6 Staffordshire - Two lanes closed and queuing traffic on M6 northbound from J12, A5 (Gailey) to J13, A449 (Stafford South), because of an accident.
To report traffic and travel incidents dial 0330 123 0184 at any time
Envelope update
Severe accident: M6 Cheshire southbound
M6 Cheshire southbound severe accident, from J18 for A54 Middlewich Road Middlewich to J17 for A534 Old Mill Road Sandbach.
M6 Cheshire - One lane closed on M6 southbound from J18, A54 (Middlewich) to J17, A534 (Sandbach), because of an accident. Traffic is coping well.
To report traffic and travel incidents dial 0330 123 0184 at any time
M6 £265m upgrade opens in Cheshire
A £265m project to upgrade a stretch of the M6 to a smart motorway between Crewe and Knutsford has been completed.
A fourth lane has been built in each direction with new signage, traffic sensors and CCTV cameras to help tackle congestion for the 120,000 drivers who use it each day, Highways England said.
Smart motorways operate variable speed limits to improve journey times.
Highways England said it was "the biggest upgrade to the M6 since it opened in Cheshire about 60 years ago".
In the papers: Pair die in crash
Shropshire Star
The Shropshire Star is covering these stories today:
Envelope update
Severe disruption: M6 Staffordshire northbound
M6 Staffordshire northbound severe disruption, from J12 for A5 to J13 for A449.
M6 Staffordshire - One lane closed on M6 northbound from J12, A5 (Gailey) to J13, A449 (Stafford South), because of a broken down vehicle. Traffic is coping well.
To report traffic and travel incidents dial 0330 123 0184 at any time
North West weather: Fine and dry with sunny spells
BBC Weather
It will be a fine and dry afternoon with sunny spells and some patchy cloud. Expect gentle north-westerly winds and highs of 12C.
Video content
More from BBC Weather
Your photos: Spring sunshine
BBC Weather Watchers
Our local BBC Weather Watchers have been out today enjoying the spring sunshine.
These three are from users Dammo in Selly Park, Birmingham, Jon in Barlaston, Staffordshire and Liam Ball in Horsehay, Shropshire:
Fantastic Four 1960s comics auctioned
Video content
The collection's current owner kept the comics locked in a bank vault after two burglaries.
M6 £265m upgrade opens in Cheshire
A fourth lane has been built to help tackle congestion for the 120,000 drivers who use it each day.
Read moreEnvelope update
Severe accident: M6 Staffordshire northbound
M6 Staffordshire northbound severe accident, from J16 for A500 Stoke-On-Trent to J17 for A534 Old Mill Road Sandbach.
M6 Staffordshire - One lane closed on M6 northbound from J16, A500 (Stoke-On-Trent) to J17, A534 (Sandbach), because of an accident. Traffic is coping well.
To report traffic and travel incidents dial 0330 123 0184 at any time
Envelope update
Severe accident: M6 Staffordshire southbound
M6 Staffordshire southbound severe accident, at J15 for A500 D Road.
M6 Staffordshire - M6 exit slip road partially blocked and heavy traffic southbound at J15, A500 (Stoke-On-Trent), because of an accident.
To report traffic and travel incidents dial 0330 123 0184 at any time
Wildlife centre 'devastated' after animals die in fire
Jennie Aitken
Reporter, BBC Radio Stoke
The owner of a Staffordshire wildlife centre says staff there are "devastated" after a number of animals died in a fire.
Three giant tortoises, a meerkat and a colony of fruit bats were all killed at Gentleshaw Wildlife Centre, Eccleshall, in the blaze this morning.
Staffordshire Fire Service said it believed the fire at the small sanctuary had been started by accident.
Jenny Morgan, from the centre, says they're "so grateful" to a person who called the blaze in promptly as, if left to develop, it "could have been much worse".
Ms Morgan said the centre would remain closed today and it was hoped to reopen the site on Wednesday.
Envelope update
Severe disruption: M6 Staffordshire northbound
M6 Staffordshire northbound severe disruption, from J14 for A34 to J15 for A500 D Road.
M6 Staffordshire - One lane closed on M6 northbound from J14, A34 (Stafford North) to J15, A500 (Stoke-On-Trent), because of a broken down vehicle. Traffic is coping well.
To report traffic and travel incidents dial 0330 123 0184 at any time
Envelope update
Severe disruption: M6 Staffordshire southbound
M6 Staffordshire southbound severe disruption, from J14 for A34 to J13 for A449.
M6 Staffordshire - One lane closed and slow traffic on M6 southbound from J14, A34 (Stafford North) to J13, A449 (Stafford South), because of a lorry having a tyre changed.
To report traffic and travel incidents dial 0330 123 0184 at any time
In the papers: Messages aim to prevent suicides on bridge
Stoke-on-Trent Live
From the Stoke-on-Trent Live website:
Meerkat dies in wildlife sanctuary fire
Giant tortoises, a meerkat named Basil and a bat colony have died at a sanctuary for exotic animals.
Read moreEnvelope update
Severe disruption: M6 Staffordshire southbound
M6 Staffordshire southbound severe disruption, from J15 for A500 D Road to J14 for A34.
M6 Staffordshire - One lane closed on M6 southbound from J15, A500 (Stoke-On-Trent) to J14, A34 (Stafford North), because of a broken down vehicle. Traffic is coping well.
To report traffic and travel incidents dial 0330 123 0184 at any time
Envelope update
Severe accident: M6 Cheshire southbound
M6 Cheshire southbound severe accident, from J17 for A534 Old Mill Road Sandbach to J16 for A500 Stoke-On-Trent.
M6 Cheshire - One lane closed and heavy traffic on M6 southbound from J17, A534 (Sandbach) to J16, A500 (Stoke-On-Trent), because of an accident.
To report traffic and travel incidents dial 0330 123 0184 at any time
BBC Local Live: North West of England
The latest news, sport, weather and travel from across the North West on Friday 29 March.
Read more