Live updates for Staffordshire and Cheshire have finished for the day, but we'll be back from 08:00 on Wednesday with the latest news, sport, travel and weather.

Stoke City wish astronaut Tim Peake well on his trip to the International Space Station.

Burton Mail

Tributes have flooded in for a 'cheeky chappy' from Burton who has died after a brave battle with cystic fibrosis., external

Rain will quickly clear eastwards this evening giving a brief drier interlude before a further spell of heavy rain moves in overnight. 

Winds will also increase, especially over higher ground such as the Peak District, but it will remain very mild. Minimum Temperature: 9C or 48F

Pet owners in Tamworth are now able to reward any pets who've been particularly good this year with a trip to Santa's grotto.  

  Two sessions are already fully booked, with a rabbit and a guinea pig among those making the trip.  

Phil Bowers
BBC Local Live

Work has started on a new extension to Waterworld in Stoke-on-Trent.

Image source, Waterworld

The three month project started at the beginning of the month and will end in March.

It'll create a new restaurant and a seating area for 350 under a new glass frontage.

John Collins
Newsreader, BBC Radio Stoke

Here are some of the stories we are looking at in Staffordshire and Cheshire:

- Stoke-on-Trent City Council will use more than £15m of its reserves to avoid increasing council tax next year

- Staffordshire Police has been rated inadequate in its protection of vulnerable people from harm, especially victims of domestic violence

- Lawyers representing the former Mid Staffordshire NHS Trust have apologised before a judge to the families of four people who died in its care

Phil Bowers
BBC Local Live

The Soyuz space capsule carrying UK astronaut Tim Peake is currently in orbit around the Earth, heading for the International Space Station.  

The craft is due to dock with the ISS at around 17:24.

A Stoke City flag is already on the station after a campaign by Stoke fan Andy Rushton.

John Acres
BBC Radio Stoke

With the big day on the way, here are some tips on what should you be getting ready to put on your plate on Christmas Day.

I've been to see Tony Price in Newcastle, who's given me some advice on what makes the ideal Christmas dinner.

James Bovill
Political reporter, BBC Radio Stoke

Stoke on Trent City Council will use more than £15 million of its reserves to avoid increasing council tax next year. 

The authority's budget proposals include cuts to senior management and communications as it tries to make £27 million of savings.  

Phil Bowers
BBC Local Live

Duncan Richardson has sent us this steely vista from Audley today.

You can email your pictures to us, or get in touch via Facebook, external or Twitter, external

John Collins
Newsreader, BBC Radio Stoke

Here's the latest from BBC Radio Stoke:

-Lawyers for the former Mid Staffs NHS Trust have made apologies in court to the families of four people who died in its care.

-Dave Conway, the leader of Stoke on Trent City Council - says there'll be no wholesale cuts to services as he tries to plug a £27m shortfall in next year's budget.

-Work's underway to extend Waterworld. The three month project will bring a new restaurant to the site and see it take on more staff. 

Staffordshire Newsletter

A pervert from Stafford has avoided jail after pleading guilty to seven offences relating to child and animal pornography., external

Jonathan Mann, 51, from Bursley Close, admitted five counts of making indecent images of a child and two counts of possession of extremely pornographic images at Stafford Crown Court yesterday.

Graham McGarry
Crewe Alexandra commentator, BBC Radio Stoke

Crewe manager, Steve Davis, says Callum Saunders's first league goal will give him a much needed boost of confidence. 

Image source, Crewe Alexandra FC

The 20-year-old got Crewe's second in the 3-2 defeat at Doncaster on Saturday.  

Staffordshire Moorlands District Council changes bin collection dates over Christmas.

Phil Bowers
BBC Local Live

The company behind the high speed train route between Crewe and Birmingham has announced it has appointed design consultants.

The winning firms will help HS2 Ltd provide detailed structural design and environmental services on the route, which is coming to the area six years earlier than planned. 

BBC News Health

Caring for a husband with dementia is a lonely and isolating experience, Alison Bulmer says.

Image source, Alzheimer's Research UK

Her husband, Paul, who's 57, from Cheshire, has a rare form of Alzheimer's disease that attacks the back of the brain.  

Crewe Chronicle

 An initial bid to grant St Mary’s Church in Nantwich ‘Minster status’ has been unsuccessful.  , external

John Collins
Newsreader, BBC Radio Stoke

Here are the latest stories from the BBC Radio Stoke newsroom:

- The British astronaut, Tim Peake, has blasted off in a Russian Soyuz rocket, on his way to the International Space Station

- The company behind the high speed train route between Crewe and Birmingham has announced it has appointed design consultants

- More empty homes in Stoke-on-Trent could be sold for £1, to help regenerate a run-down area of the city. 

Phil Bowers
BBC Local Live

Another 25 empty homes in Stoke-on-Trent could be sold for £1, to help regenerate a run-down area of Cobridge, the council says. 

The first phase of the scheme had international attention by helping to bring 33 derelict homes back in to use. 

Now the city council is set to look at the feasibility of extending the scheme on the Portland Street estate.