By Matt Richardson : Charities in Stoke-on-Trent have seen the number of donations stolen increase over the last 12 months.

Thieves have targeted donation bags left on doorsteps by shops and from clothing banks in the city.

By Matt Richardson: A scooter rider was critically injured after a collision between his scooter and a Ford Fiesta.

The accident happened on Knutton Lane, Newcastle-under-Lyme, happened shortly after 10am.

By Kofo Oniru: The body of a man found in the River Trent has been named by Staffordshire Police.

John Henry Lomas, 83, of Clay Street, Stapenhill, Burton-on-Trent, was discovered dead wearing his pyjamas on April 30.

By Rachel Stretton: Police have launched an appeal to find a missing man from Newcastle-under-Lyme.

Eric Shepherd, 50, was last seen on Thursday April 21 walking towards Chesterton on the A34 near Buffet Island.

By Steven Sutcliffe: A new community fire station has been given the Royal seal of approval after being officially opened by Prince Edward.

Sandyford Community Fire Station has been designed to provide a range of facilities for the local community and charities, and includes a meeting room, gymnasium and dedicated area for student firefighters to use.

And it was this multi-purpose access that impressed the Earl of Wessex during his visit, with more than 20 organisations including Age UK, North Staffordshire Cancer Support and Scouts now using Sandyford on a regular basis.

By Rachel Stretton: The man who was killed in a five-car pile up on the A500 has been named as Dominic Culshaw.

Mr Culshaw, 46, was from Powderham Close in Packmoor, Stoke-on-Trent and died in the crash on May 3.

His brother-in-law Martin Del-Manso said: “Dominic was a much loved husband, son and son-in-law, who was very much respected among his work colleagues and the local community, where he was a minister.”

By Tom Shingler, Rachel Stretton & Matt Richardson: A man has been arrested over the death of driver in a five-car pile-up on the A500.

The 31-year-old, from Stoke-on-Trent, was held after the crash yesterday morning (May 3).

The 40-year-old man who died was also from the Stoke-on-Trent area, but his identity has not been released.

By Tom Shingler & Rachel Stretton: A man has died after a five-car collision on the A500.

The northbound carriageway was closed after the accident at 8.30am this morning (May 3).

A spokeswoman from West Midlands Ambulance Service said: “A driver had to be removed from his car and full resuscitation attempts were carried out. Unfortunately nothing could be done to save the man and he was confirmed dead at the scene.”

By Ashley Hodnett:Police are appealing for witnesses after a woman was assaulted in the Etruria area of Stoke-on-Trent.

By Ashley Hodnett: Police are turning to poetry in a bid to cut anti-social behaviour in Staffordshire.

The new initiative will see three-line rhymes stuck to ceilings in 50 cells in Etruria for drunken offenders to read once they have been locked up.

Staffordshire Police say they hope the scheme will encourage offenders to improve their lives.