DRESDEN: A man has appeared before North Staffordshire magistrates accused of carrying out a robbery at a convenience store on Monday.

Alan Joseph Busby, aged 23, of no fixed address, is charged with robbing Martin Young of £150 at the One Stop Shop, Dresden. It is alleged Busby used force on the victim. The defendant faces a further charge of being in possession of an imitation firearm while committing an offence, namely robbery. Busby was sent to Stoke-on-Trent Crown Court and will appear via the video link for a preliminary hearing on July 10. He was remanded in custody.

RUDYARD: The Coroner's Office is conducting an investigation after the body of a man was found in the boathouse at Rudyard Lake.

It is understood that the 58-year-old may have originally come from Germany and was working in the Stoke-on-Trent area as a plumber.

Ray Perry, of the Rudyard Trust, said: "The death has come as a massive shock to us all. It is very sad." Police say the death, which happened on Saturday, is not being treated as suspicious. The coroner's inquiry continues.

MOORLANDS: Staffordshire Fire and Rescue Service said farewell to two employees as they retired after 30 years. Moorlands area commander Alf Wilson and risk reduction officer Mick Flannigan both joined in April 1979. Assistant area commander, Mick Daniels said: "Both Alf and Mick have been real assets."