James Bovill
Political reporter, BBC Radio Stoke

The former leader of Stoke-on-Trent City Council, Labour's Mohammed Pervez has told the BBC he's "deeply disappointed that HS2 isn't coming" to the city.

Today the chancellor's confirmed the Crewe to Birmingham link will open in 2027 - a blow for Stoke-on-Trent, where the city council had staged a rival bid.

It was led at the time by Mr Pervez, who lost control of the authority after May's elections.

BBC Travel

Warning of flooding on some roads in Cheshire East.

Keep up to date with BBC Travel.

Mike Perkins
Newsreader, BBC Radio Stoke

This afternoon's Staffordshire and Cheshire main headlines include

- Economic benefits from the high-speed rail link coming to Crewe will be shared with neighbouring councils, external, Cheshire East council says

- An announcement that JCB staff have voted to work shorter hours to avoid lay-offs is labelled "a magnanimous act" by the GMB Union

- Two victims of the Alton Towers rollercoaster crash have raised £20,000 for the support services who helped rescue them

Alice Bentley
BBC Local Live

Volunteers trying to help rough sleepers in Stoke-on-Trent say they fear some won't make it through the winter if they don't get urgent help.

Image source, Thinkstock

Help for Homeless was set up just a few weeks ago - it serves food and supplies, warm clothing, blankets and tents for vulnerable people in Hanley. 

Lichfield Mercury

Burntwood guides have more money for outdoor activities thanks to a £250 donation from operators of the M6 Toll , externalMidland Expressway Limited (MEL).

Image source, Lichfield Mercury

Nigel Cash
BBC Radio Derby Sport

Burton Albion manager Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink hopes Timmy Thiele's first competitive goal for the club will lead to many more.  

Image source, Getty Images

Striker Thiele, a summer signing from Borussia Dortmund, scored at the 19th attempt on Saturday in the Brewers' 5-1 thrashing of managerless Colchester.  

They're still the lowest scorers among the top eight teams in League One, but Hasselbaink thinks the goal rush will be a boost for his side's confidence.  

The Sentinel

Two men were last night being questioned by police after a taxi driver was left with a broken jaw following a dispute, external outside a city pub.

Image source, The Sentinel

Phil McCann
Political reporter, Cheshire

Any economic growth and benefits from the high-speed rail link coming to Crewe will be shared with neighbouring councils, external, the leader of Cheshire East council says.

Image source, Cheshire East Council

Today it's been announced by the government that the HS2 route from Crewe to Birmingham will open six years earlier than planned, in 2027.

Cheshire East Council says it's going to set up a new regeneration company to "deliver an economic growth strategy" for the area.

Jack Dowling
Journalist, BBC Radio Stoke

Today's announcement that JCB staff have voted to work shorter hours to avoid compulsory redundancies has been called "a magnanimous act" by the GMB Union. 

The Staffordshire-based firm says a proposal from the company and the union - for flexible working patterns until the end of February to save more than 100 jobs - has been accepted by shop floor workers. 

Burton Mail

A Burton car crash led to two people being taken to hospital, external.

Allen Cook
BBC Local Live

This picture's come from the BBC's Chris King, who was in Newcastle-under-Lyme yesterday.

He says churches and voluntary groups were pushing decorated shopping trolleys through the streets before singing carols by the Guild Hall.

Image source, Chris King

You can send your pictures in on email, tweet @BBCRadioStoke, external or use Instagram, external.

Charlie Slater
BBC Weather presenter

Staying very windy this afternoon with plenty of rain – and this could occasionally be heavy. 12C (54F)

Graham McGarry
Crewe Alexandra commentator, BBC Radio Stoke

Crewe Alexandra's match winner at the weekend, Adam King, says he would like to extend his stay when his loan spell ends in January.

The Swansea loanee scored his fifth goal of the season in the1-0 win over Oldham and King says he's enjoying his time at the club.

Ros Chimes
Reporter, BBC Radio Stoke

One of the victims of the Alton Towers rollercoaster crash says a charity night, in aid of the organisations that helped them, has raised more than £20,000.

Leah Washington, 18, and Joe Pugh, 19, both from Barnsley, were among four people badly injured on the Smiler ride on 2 June when two carriages crashed.  

They held the event at the Metrodome Arena in Barnsley earlier this month and over the weekend Joe revealed the amount raised.

Tamworth Herald

Tamworth's conservation areas have receiveda welcome winter bonus, externalwith extra cash from Tame Valley Wetlands.

Image source, Tamworth Herald

Tim Wedgwood
Presenter, BBC Radio Stoke

Hope you had a good weekend - for me, an invitation to the Christmas Tree Festival, external was too good to pass up and I took this quick video.

BBC Travel

The A34 Talke Road in Newcastle-under-Lyme is partially blocked and there's slow traffic northbound at the Parkhouse Road East junction.

It's because of an accident.

Emma Thomas
Journalist, BBC Radio Stoke

As the Chancellor George Osborne announces Crewe is getting it's HS2 station six years early, Staffordshire County Council says it'll aim to get the best deal for the county, external.

The proposed link between the town and Birmingham is now set to open in 2027.

In Staffordshire, HS2 is set to run through several woodland sites and communities.

BBC Travel

There are reports of flooding in the Nantwich area say Cheshire Police.

Allen Cook
BBC Local Live

I've picked this picture today by BBC Weather Watcher Thornhill Watch, from Hednesford - where this morning it was rainy and 7C (45F).

Image source, Thornhill Watch

If you want to become a BBC Weather Watcher there's more on the website.