Updates on Thursday 3 December 2015
News, sport, travel and weather updates to resume at 08:00 on Friday
Monica Rimmer
Journalist, BBC Radio Stoke
Well Charlie Slater said it was looking cloudy for today and this morning's BBC Weather Watcher picture backed that up.
It's from SycamoreGrove in Sandbach and the temperature was 9C (48F).
Image source, SycamoreGroveYou can be a BBC Weather Watcher - find out how on the website.
Allen Cook
BBC Local Live
The Manchester City footballer Yaya Toure has escaped a driving ban after he admitted speeding up to 101mph (163km/h) in Staffordshire.
The 32-year-old Ivory Coast international, from Cheshire, was recorded driving at excessive speed on a northbound stretch of the M6 near Keele services on 20 May.
A second speeding charge was dropped today and magistrates handed him six penalty points, fined him £1,665 and ordered him to pay costs.
Matt Sandoz
Stoke City commentator, BBC Radio Stoke
Stoke City boss Mark Hughes says he wants the club to start making cup semi-finals on a regular basis in the future.
Image source, EmpicsThe Potters reached the last four of the League Cup for the first time since 1972, the year they won the trophy, by beating Sheffield Wednesday.
They'll now face Liverpool in the semi-finals.
Mike Perkins
Newsreader, BBC Radio Stoke
The top stories this afternoon include
- A man's been attacked by a group of men armed with baseball bats in Stoke-on-Trent
- An inquest into the death of one of the victims of the Bosley Mill explosion has been opened and adjourned today
- A woman is "incredibly lucky to be alive" after a crash in Tamworth, external, says the ambulance service
Jack Dowling
Journalist, BBC Radio Stoke
A man's been attacked by a group of men armed with baseball bats in Stoke-on-Trent.
Image source, GoogleIt happened on Pembridge Road, near Millpond in Blurton, yesterday afternoon. Staffordshire Police, external say four to five men approached the victim and assaulted him.
They stole a gold ring, while the 24-year-old man was left in hospital with head and facial injuries, which aren't thought to be life threatening.
The owner of a takeaway dubbed "filthy" has been banned from running food businesses after multiple hygiene offences were uncovered, external.
Image source, Burton Mail
Stephanie Barnard
BBC Local Live
A Christmas tree festival is under way in Stafford this week.
Image source, Stephanie BarnardIt's being held at St Mary's Church in the town centre, external and runs until Sunday.
Organisers of the 2016 Stafford Half Marathon, external say they've reached a milestone.
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Mike Perkins
Newsreader, BBC Radio Stoke
A woman is "incredibly lucky to be alive" after a crash in Tamworth, external, says the ambulance service.
Image source, WMASIt happened on Main Road in Newton Regis yesterday afternoon and left a car on its roof in a garden.
West Midlands Ambulance Service says it had overturned and rolled through a hedge and fence - the woman driving it was airlifted to hospital with a head injury, a suspected broken wrist and cuts.
More than 1,000 meals have been donated to a Stafford food bank , externalfor the second consecutive month.
BBC Travel
There's an incident and a vehicle travelling the wrong way on the M6 northbound between junction 17 and 18.
Graham McGarry
Crewe Alexandra commentator, BBC Radio Stoke
It's been confirmed that Crewe Alexandra striker Lauri Dalla Valle hasn't suffered a broken ankle.
Image source, EmpicsThe Finn was forced off in the Under-21s 2-0 win at Leeds, external earlier this week.
An X-ray was clear and a further MRI scan has revealed some ligament damage that will keep him out of action for weeks rather than months.
Elizabeth Glinka
BBC Midlands Today
Here's a look ahead to this lunchtime's 13:30 update from Midlands Today on BBC One.
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Sarah Robertson
Producer, BBC Radio Stoke
A Stoke City FC flag is due to be blasted into orbit later, in a supply ship destined for the International Space Station.
Lifelong Potters fan Andrew Rushton persuaded British astronaut Tim Peake to pack the emblem.
The Orbital Resupply Services Flight is due to leave Florida at 17:55 local time (22:55 GMT).
If you've wondered why the jihadist group is sometimes referred to by different names by English-speaking governments and media, The Victoria Derbyshire programme has been looking at why.
Mike Perkins
Newsreader, BBC Radio Stoke
This afternoon's headlines for Staffordshire and Cheshire include:
- Rail operator London Midland, which serves Staffordshire and Cheshire, has its franchise extended until 2017, external
- The Manchester City player Yaya Toure is set to go on trial today accused of speeding on the M6 motorway in Staffordshire
- A Stoke City FC flag is due to be blasted into orbit later, in a supply ship destined for the International Space Station
Charlie Slater
BBC Weather presenter
Jennie Aitken
Reporter, BBC Radio Stoke
Train firm London Midland, which serves Staffordshire and Cheshire, has had its franchise extended until 2017, external, the government has announced.
The company says it means new jobs will be created , externalas it looks to take on extra drivers, conductors and apprentices.
It also says there'll be 6,600 extra seats between London and Crewe and more services to Birmingham on Sundays - as well as improved ticketing systems and free wi-fi.
Quote MessageThis new franchise offers some very exciting opportunities and will bring benefits touching every element of our passengers' journeys.
Patrick Verwer, London Midland managing director
Lee Thomas
News Editor, BBC Radio Stoke
The Manchester City player Yaya Toure is set to go on trial today accused of speeding on the M6 motorway in Staffordshire in a Porsche.
Image source, APThe 32-year-old Ivory Coast international is expected to give evidence during a trial at Burton Magistrates' Court.
Prosecutors allege that Toure, who lives in Cheshire, was recorded driving at 123mph (198km/h) on the northbound M6 near Keele services on May 20, which he denies.
A council has moved to refute claims that Burton's iconic Swan in Stapenhill, external will be removed.
Image source, Burton Mail