Updates on Tuesday 24 November 2015
News, sport, travel and weather updates to resume at 08:00 on Wednesday
Perry Spiller
Presenter, BBC Radio Stoke
Hi everyone, here's today's talking point for you to get involved with.
You can get involved by calling 01782 208008 until 13:00, tweet @BBCRadioStoke, external or email me.
Lee Thomas
Newsreader, BBC Radio Stoke
Here's how newsreader Lee Thomas brought the latest headlines for Staffordshire and Cheshire to BBC Radio Stoke listeners:
Burglars are targeting houses in the Bulkeley area of Nantwich, external, police have warned.
Image source, Nantwich NewsLee Thomas
Newsreader, BBC Radio Stoke
Jaguar Land Rover is set to hire hundreds of new workers as the car manufacturer announces plans to double the size of its factory on the Staffordshire border.
It will invest £450m in its engine manufacturing centre, doubling the size of the plant to 200,000 sq ft (18,581 sq m).
Opened in 2014 by The Queen, the site already employs 700 people, a number it expects to double.
Staffs Live
Stoke City midfielder Glen Whelan braved the icy weather to help launch, external The Sleep Over event at the Britannia Stadium.
Image source, Staffs Live
Matt Lee
News Editor, BBC Radio Stoke
A plaque is to be unveiled at the National Memorial Arboretum, external in Staffordshire to remember the 430 men and women from Balloon Command who were killed during World War Two.
They manned barrage balloons, or blimps, that stopped German planes bombing at low level.
The balloons went up to heights of 1,500m (4,921ft) and protected strategic cities and ports.
Matt Sandoz
Stoke City commentator, BBC Radio Stoke
Stoke City midfielder, Glenn Whelan, says he thinks the team is good enough to challenge for a place in the Premier League's top six this season.
Image source, Getty ImagesThey have won four of their last six league games and haven't conceded a goal in their last three.
Whelan told BBC Radio Stoke targeting the top six is realistic.
Quote MessageI think the belief in and around the squad is that we are good enough and we can go on, but you need to get the results
Glenn Whelan, Stoke City player
Allen Cook
BBC Local Live
The first snow falling this winter in Staffordshire is still being reflected in many of your pictures.
Image source, Chris HollingworthChris Hollingworth posted this on Facebook and you can do the same on the BBC Radio Stoke page, external with your photos of Staffordshire and Cheshire.
Or you can email or use Instagram, external (just add #bbcstoke to the description on Instagram or I won't find it).
Falklands veteran Nigel Kenny has finally received his medal for his part, external in the crisis – 33 years after the conflict ended.
Image source, The Sentinel
Phil McCann
Political reporter, Cheshire
The leader of Cheshire East Council has defended contracts given to a firm run by his personal physiotherapist.
The authority's financial rules were waived when the work, collectively worth £156,000, was given to Core Fit Ltd instead of being offered to other companies.
Michael Jones says he's been the subject of a series of attacks over the process. He insists the work has protected vulnerable children.
BBC Travel
There is a lane closed on the M6 southbound between junctions 16 and 15, because of emergency repairs.
Lee Thomas
Newsreader, BBC Radio Stoke
Staffordshire and Cheshire's top stories this morning include:
- The leader of Cheshire East Council has defended contracts given to a firm run by his personal physiotherapist
- Hundreds more jobs are to be created following a £0.5bn expansion at Jaguar Land Rover's engine plant on the Staffordshire border
- Stafford Borough Councillors will vote this evening, external on whether to increase their expenses allowance by 15%
Charlie Slater
BBC Weather presenter
Much milder today with plenty of cloud, a couple of brighter spells and showers on and off through the daytime.
Highs of 9C (48F).
BBC Travel
The A50 is partially blocked eastbound and there's slow traffic between the Blythe Bridge Roundabout and Uttoxeter.
It is because of a broken down lorry and an accident.
Allen Cook
BBC Local Live
Morning everyone, the nights are still getting longer and I took this of the sun only just coming up a few minutes ago over Bethesda Chapel, Hanley.
For a full weather forecast for today, Charlie Slater will be here shortly and Lee Thomas will have the headlines - and there'll be travel and sport too.
You can also get your pictures of Staffordshire or Cheshire featured too - send them in on email, tweet @BBCRadioStoke, external or use Instagram, external.
