Allen Cook
BBC Local Live

I've been asking for your pictures of your Christmas decorations which you've put up this year, ahead of Hanley's lights being officially switched on later today.

Image source, Sy Wilson

Sy Wilson posted this of his Christmas lights "so far" in Stafford on the BBC Radio Stoke Facebook page, external.

You can share your pictures of Staffordshire or Cheshire on email or tweet @BBCRadioStoke, external.

Emma Thomas
Journalist, BBC Radio Stoke

A judge has described the site of a pet crematorium in Staffordshire as "a scene from a horror film".

Image source, Staffordshire County Council

Today Judge McGrath sentenced the owner of Swan Pit Pet Crematorium in Gnosall, Alan McMasters, to a 12-month community order and ordered him to pay £7,000. 

The 52-year-old, from Audmore Road, Gnosall, had admitted six charges of fraud and four of animal by-product offences, after storing animals in freezers and giving their owners the wrong ashes.

Heidi Booth
Newsreader, BBC Radio Stoke

Staffordshire and Cheshire's latest headlines this afternoon include:

- The owner of a pet crematorium in Staffordshire has been sentenced for fraud after storing animals in freezers and giving out the wrong ashes

- An international investigation has being carried out by police in Burton to identify two men found dead in a crate

- Burton Albion's chairman says the club has not received an approach, external for Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink

BBC Travel

Police report a crash on the M6 southbound in Cheshire - get the latest on the BBC Travel website.

The Sentinel

City centre traders are calling the police on a daily basis , externalto deal with drunks causing trouble on the street.

Image source, The Sentinel

Owen Bradley
BBC Sport

Burton Albion chairman says the club has not received an approach, external for Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink.  

Image source, Getty Images

Ben Robinson has been speaking after rumours linking the Brewers boss, external with Queens Park Rangers.  

Gary Andrews
Editor, BBC Radio Stoke

BBC Radio Stokehas announced this morning that Pete Morgan will be returning to the station in the New Year. 

He'll be presenting the weekday breakfast show between 07:00 and 10:00.  

Stuart and Charlotte will move to 16:00-18:00 weekdays, and Tim Wedgwood is taking up a new role in the newsroom. 

Charlie Slater
BBC Weather presenter

Staying breezy this afternoon- still the odd shower around but also plenty of dry weather with highs of 11C (52F).

Then tonight, dry and clear into the early hours of Friday morning with temperatures falling to 5C (41F).

BBC Midlands Today

Today in our sport we are focusing on Port Vale, as they try to avoid an FA Cup upset tonight and reach the second round of the competition.

They face a replay against non-league Maidenhead, who are three divisions below them.

We'll be looking ahead to the game on Midlands Today in our lunchtime news on BBC One from 13:30.

The owner of a Staffordshire pet crematorium has been sentenced to a 12 month community order and told to pay £7,000 in costs and compensation. 

Allan McMaster pleaded guilty to five counts of fraud and weas handed down the sentence by Cannock Magistrates Court. 

Animal lovers paid for their pets to be cremated by the Swan Pit Pet Crematorium in Gnosall, only for them to be found months later stored in large chest freezers.

Express and Star

The new interim principal at Stafford College has pledged to develop a culture , externalof 'trust and positivity' amongst staff following a troubled year.  

Image source, Express and Star

John Acres
BBC Radio Stoke

A Stoke-on-Trent pottery firm says it hopes to revive trade by opening a new factory experience and visitor centre.

Hudson and Middleton, external specialise in making traditional fine bone china and is one of the oldest potteries in the country.

I've been inside today talking to some of the workforce and,  as you can see in the video, trying not to cause any broken mugs!

Heidi Booth
Newsreader, BBC Radio Stoke

The headlines for Staffordshire and Cheshire this afternoon include:

- National experts are working with police to try to identify the bodies of two men found in a crate in Staffordshire

- 120 staff at a JCB factory in Cheadle, Staffordshire will be moved to other production sites after Christmas

- Stoke-on-Trent is in danger of being 'squeezed' and 'bypassed' because of a lack of identity according to a former Labour spin doctor, external

Allen Cook
BBC Local Live

It's a pretty grey day so far over the BBC Stoke HQ in Stoke-on-Trent and that's being backed up by some of our BBC Weather Watchers.

Image source, Sky Watcher

This picture's been posted by Sky Watcher in Wybunbury, Cheshire who says it's cloudy this morning with a temperature of 10C.

Want to be a BBC Weather Watcher? Find out more on the website.

Alice Bentley
BBC Local Live

The BBC film 'Marvellous', which tells the story of Stoke-on-Trent legend Neil 'Nello' Baldwin, is up for an award.

The Broadcast Awards shortlist 2016 revealed the movie, which features the former Stoke City kit man, is in the Best Single Drama category. 

The winners will be announced in February.

Allen Cook
BBC Local Live

Today will see the Christmas lights officially switched on in Hanley, external, Stoke-on-Trent.

As part of the event, Stoke-on-Trent City Council have got a high wire act, Cirque Bijou, external, who have been having a dress rehearsal this morning.

Nantwich News

Government Minister George Eustice will be at Reaseheath College in Nantwich, external next week at a major food conference.  

Image source, Nantwich News

Matt Sandoz
Stoke City commentator, BBC Radio Stoke

Stoke City's assistant manager, Mark Bowen, says confidence is high in the squad as they prepare for back-to-back away games.

Image source, Getty Images

The Potters go to Southampton on Saturday, looking for their first Premier League win at St Mary's Stadium and then the following week head to Sunderland.

Bowen says, off the back of a moral boosting win against Chelsea, the players are ready for the challenge.

Perry Spiller
Presenter, BBC Radio Stoke

I want to know today if you think 16-year-olds are mature enough to have a say in Britain's future?

Peers have backed calls to give 16 and 17-year-olds the right to take part in the UK's EU referendum.

What do you think? Get involved today on email or tweet @BBCRadioStoke, external.

Jennie Aitken
Newsreader, BBC Radio Stoke

120 staff at a JCB factory in Cheadle, Staffordshire will be moved to other production sites after Christmas.

Image source, Google

The Cecily Mills factory in Oakamoor Road is closing. 

A JCB spokesperson said the majority of positions will relocate to the World Headquarters at Rocester.