STAFFS: Surveys of the River Trent will be carried out by boat to determine how to help the river's ecosystem recover from pollution.

Environment Agency officials will take to the water between Stoke-on-Trent and Yoxall to assess the damage caused after cyanide was discovered in the water last week.

An agency spokesman said: "Now the pollution has subsided enough for officers to get on the river with their boat, they will be able to establish how many fish died in this incident."

The river has re-opened to recreational users, but the food chain could take five years to return."

Burslem firm Red Industries is at the centre of the pollution inquiry.

STAFFORD: 34-year-old Aaron Smirthwaite will appear at Stafford Crown Court today accused of manslaughter.

Smirthwaite, of Conifer Grove, Stafford, was charged after the death of Mark Sandham, also aged 34, of Wellington Close, Stafford, at the town's hospital on October 3.

Mr Sandham had earlier been found unconscious at The Ox Leathers pub, Cape Avenue, Stafford.

A post-mortem examination confirmed Mr Sandham had died from a head injury.

CITY: The number of people flouting the smoke-free legislation continues to fall. From January 1 to June 30, Stoke-on-Trent City Council received 23 complaints and six inquiries about the legislation, compared to 82 complaints and 17 enquiries in the same period last year.

Since smoke-free legislation came into force in July 2007, more than 3,600 premises and 500 vehicles in the city have been checked for compliance.

WHITMORE: A motorcyclist suffered head and facial injuries after falling off his bike in Bent Lane, Whitmore. The ambulance service was called at 8.25am yesterday.

The biker, who is in his 40s, was taken to the University Hospital of North Staffordshire for treatment.

BURSLEM: Firefighters were called to a fire in a downstairs bathroom in a house in Jackfield Street.

Two crews from Burslem attended at 6.30pm yesterday. After extinguishing the fire, they left at 7.15pm.