Stoke City made this video in honour of Tim Peake's launch into space this morning.

Phil Bowers
BBC Local Live

British astronaut, Tim Peake, is on his way to the International Space Station.

Image source, European Space Agency

He'll join a Stoke City flag that was launched into space last week.

He blasted off from the launch site in Kazakhstan at 1100 GMT.

Lee Blakeman
BBC Radio Stoke

Former Stoke defender, Mike Pejic, thinks Mark Hughes could go on to manage Manchester United or Chelsea. 

Hughes has guided Stoke to the semi-finals of this year's League Cup and back to back 9th placed finishes in the Premier League. 

Pejic says he can now see Hughes managing one of the world's biggest clubs.  

Emma Thomas
Journalist, BBC Radio Stoke

The former NHS Trust which ran Stafford Hospital is due to be sentenced today, after pleading guilty to criminal charges relating to the death of four patients. 

Image source, Getty Images

Last month, legal representatives for the organisation that used to run the hospital appeared at Stafford Magistrates to plead guilty to breaking professional guidelines. 

The Health and Safety Executive said the breaches led to the deaths of four elderly people between 2005 and 2014.

The Potteries Museum and Art Gallery is closed until further notice.

Jodie Looker
Newsreader, BBC Radio Stoke

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

-Staffordshire Police says it is taking immediate action to improve the protection of vulnerable people from harm, especially victims of domestic violence

- The former NHS Trust which ran Stafford hospital is due to be sentenced today after pleading guilty to criminal charges relating to the death of four patients

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

Allen Cook
BBC Local Live

Today, British astronaut Tim Peake is due to leave for the International Space Station, where he'll be reunited w, externalith the Stoke City flag he packed.  

But what did it take for him to be selected for six months on board the station? 

Watch the video and then you can try some of the challenges Tim had to overcome.

James Bovill
Political reporter, BBC Radio Stoke

Staffordshire Police is one of only four forces in England and Wales rated inadequate in protecting vulnerable people from harm, especially victims of domestic violence.

Her Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary (, externalHMIC) found serious, systemic failures, external, including evidence of judgmental and unsupportive attitudes from some officers towards vulnerable victims.

Some were discouraged from reporting domestic abuse, others had allegations judged as false before investigations had started.

The force has been told to provide evidence of improvement by the end of January next year before a follow up inspection next Autumn.

James Bovill
Political reporter, BBC Radio Stoke

Chief Constable, Jane Sawyers, from Staffordshire Police, says the force is addressing all the issues raised in the HMIC inspection, external, and has taken immediate action to develop a range of improvements.

Staffordshire Police is one of only four forces in the country rated inadequate in protecting vulnerable people from harm.

The police force has seen the sharpest rise, with 16% of its total crime reported as domestic abuse in 2015, compared to 10% in 2013.

Jodie Looker
Newsreader, BBC Radio Stoke

These are some of the stories we'll be looking at in the newsroom today:

- Staffordshire Police rated inadequate in protecting vulnerable people from harm

- A former NHS trust which ran Stafford Hospital is to be sentenced in relation to the deaths of four patients

- Stoke-on-Trent City Council could extend its £1 house scheme

BBC Travel

There's slow traffic on the A52 Leek Road westbound in Bucknall between Lime Kiln traffic lights and Joiner's Square, due to roadworks. More from BBC Travel.

Charlie Slater
BBC Weather presenter

A cloudy morning before heavier rain moves in this afternoon.

Feeling very mild for the time of year.

Charlie Slater will have a video weather forecast for you shortly and there'll be news, sport, travel, your pictures and more for Staffordshire and Cheshire.

If you've got something to say or a photo to send in, you can get in touch on email, Twitter, external, Facebook, external or Instagram, external.