Our live coverage across the daypublished at 18:00 Greenwich Mean Time 19 February 2016
Live updates for Staffordshire and Cheshire have finished for the day but we'll be back from 08:00 Monday with the latest news, sport, travel and weather.
Summary
Updates on Friday 19 February 2016
News, sport, travel and weather updates to resume at 08:00 on Monday
Our live coverage across the daypublished at 18:00 Greenwich Mean Time 19 February 2016
Man 'unstable and critical' after serious head injury in Stokepublished at 17:55 Greenwich Mean Time 19 February 2016
Lee Thomas
Newsreader, BBC Radio StokeA man's been seriously injured by what police, external are calling an "accidental fall" in Stoke-on-Trent.
Image source, GoogleStaffordshire Police say the 40-year-old suffered a serious head injury and is "unstable and critical" in hospital after the incident last night on Stansmore Road.
The force says a 43-year-old man from Stone who was arrested on suspicion of wounding has been released without charge.
Community groups share £2.5K in grantspublished at 17:50 Greenwich Mean Time 19 February 2016
Hednesford Town Council has this week shared £2,500 between seven community groups, external to boost their work on behalf of the town and its people.
Image source, Cannock MercuryWatch: Crewe's Ayayi preparing for final game of his loan spellpublished at 17:45 Greenwich Mean Time 19 February 2016
Graham McGarry
Crewe Alexandra commentator, BBC Radio StokeCrewe Alexandra's Semmi Ayayi has been speaking to me as his loan spell at the club's drawing to an end.
The Cardiff defender will head back to south Wales after the game tomorrow at Chesterfield.
Watch: Village shelter facing demolition over vandalism complaintspublished at 17:37 Greenwich Mean Time 19 February 2016
Chris King
Reporter, BBC Radio StokeA small shelter in a north Staffordshire village could be demolished because it attracts anti-social behaviour.
The "comrade shelter" in Audley was built during the 1950s to provide pensioners with somewhere to rest.
However locals have told me that, more recently, it's attracted a younger crowd - and the parish council is looking to put an application for demolition in to Newcastle Borough Council.
Viola Beach: Song reaches number one in iTunes chartpublished at 17:28 Greenwich Mean Time 19 February 2016
Jenny Coleman
Reporter, BBC Local LiveA song by the Cheshire indie band Viola Beach has reached number one on iTunes.
Fans began a campaign earlier this week to get the Warrington group to the top of the charts - after all four members and their manager were killed in a car crash in Sweden.
The Official Top 40 will be revealed later today.
Football: Retiring Stoke defender Andy Wilkinson 'truly lived my dream'published at 17:24 Greenwich Mean Time 19 February 2016
Matt Sandoz
Stoke City commentator, BBC Radio StokeStoke City defender Andy Wilkinson has tweeted this statement after announcing his retirement from professional football.
This Twitter post cannot be displayed in your browser. Please enable Javascript or try a different browser.View original content on TwitterThe BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites.Skip twitter postThe BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites.Allow Twitter content?
This article contains content provided by Twitter. We ask for your permission before anything is loaded, as they may be using cookies and other technologies. You may want to read Twitter’s cookie policy, external and privacy policy, external before accepting. To view this content choose ‘accept and continue’.
End of twitter postWatch: The big stories on BBC Midlands Today this eveningpublished at 17:19 Greenwich Mean Time 19 February 2016
Nick Owen
Presenter, BBC Midlands TodayI'll be on BBC One from 18:30 with Midlands Today on BBC One - here's a look ahead to what's in store.
This Twitter post cannot be displayed in your browser. Please enable Javascript or try a different browser.View original content on TwitterThe BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites.Skip twitter postThe BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites.Allow Twitter content?
This article contains content provided by Twitter. We ask for your permission before anything is loaded, as they may be using cookies and other technologies. You may want to read Twitter’s cookie policy, external and privacy policy, external before accepting. To view this content choose ‘accept and continue’.
End of twitter postFootball: Teenager Kirk tipped for full Crewe debutpublished at 17:13 Greenwich Mean Time 19 February 2016
Crewe Alexandra could hand 17-year-old Charlie Kirk his full debut tomorrow at Chesterfield.
Image source, crewealex.netThe teenager is a strong contender to replace on-loan striker Ryan Seager, who is back at his parent club after suffering a knee ligament injury on Tuesday night.
Manager Steve Davis told BBC Radio Stoke he'd have no hesitation in picking Kirk who is a first-year professional.
Quote MessageYou pick the one that shows the best form and Charlie probably has shown the best form currently. I wouldn't be afraid to put him in."
Steve Davis, Crewe Alexandra manager
News: Support given to girls at 'sex abuse party'; man 'critical' after serious head injury; Stoke City defender retires at 31published at 17:04 Greenwich Mean Time 19 February 2016
Lee Thomas
Newsreader, BBC Radio StokeThese are among the main headlines this evening:
- Work is continuing police say to support girls who were at a party in Stoke-on-Trent that was arranged online by a gang planning to sexually exploit them
- A man's been seriously injured by what police, external are calling an "accidental fall" in Stoke-on-Trent
- Former Stoke City defender Andy Wilkinson has been forced to retire from professional football , externalat the age of 31
Listen: Burton Albion's Nigel Clough previews trip to Southendpublished at 16:57 Greenwich Mean Time 19 February 2016
Calum McKenzie
BBC Local LiveHere's what Burton Albion boss Nigel Clough has had to say ahead of tomorrow's match against Southend United
Jail cell set on fire at HMP Sudbury leads to longer sentencepublished at 16:49 Greenwich Mean Time 19 February 2016
An inmate at Sudbury Open Prison has had her sentence extended , externalafter setting a cell alight.
Image source, Uttoxeter AdvertiserYour pictures: Lighting up Hanley's new year and winter dawn in Leekpublished at 16:39 Greenwich Mean Time 19 February 2016
Allen Cook
BBC Local LiveHere's a little new year nostaglia for you - a picture of the Christmas lights in Hanley next to the town hall which was shared with me on Instagram by Le Curvy Kitten.
Image source, Le Curvy KittenYou can share your pictures of Staffordshire or Cheshire on Instagram, external or email - here's another from Judy Herbert of "winter dawn in Leek".
Image source, Judy HerbertFootball: Crewe's Jon Guthrie hails 'tightest' squadpublished at 16:31 Greenwich Mean Time 19 February 2016
Graham McGarry
Crewe Alexandra commentator, BBC Radio StokeTeam spirit at League One strugglers Crewe Alexandra is as good as it has ever been over the last few years, according to defender Jon Guthrie.
Image source, crewealex.netGuthrie, 23, has been at the Alex since August 2012 and says confidence is high after going six games unbeaten.
Quote MessageSince I've been here it's probably the tightest squad we've had together. Everyone gets on, we're all in it together. If someone messes up, there's someone covering them."
Jon Guthrie, Crewe Alexandra player
Watch: Tennis's Davis Cup visits the Midlandspublished at 16:25 Greenwich Mean Time 19 February 2016
Les Walton
Journalist, BBC ShropshireWe mentioned earlier that tennis's Davis Cup is heading to Lichfield this weekend - well, ahead of that visit, it's in Shrewsbury today.
It's the Cup's first trip outside London since Great Britain won it last November.
Volunteers needed to help clean artefacts at museumpublished at 16:13 Greenwich Mean Time 19 February 2016
The Samuel Johnson Birthplace Museum on Lichfield's Market Square is seeking volunteers to help with the museum's big collection clean , externalduring weekday sessions starting next Wednesday, 24 February.
Image source, Lichfield MercuryNew mascot arrives at Mercian Regimentpublished at 15:58 Greenwich Mean Time 19 February 2016
The Mercian Regiment says the new ram they've chosen to be their official mascot has joined up with them.
Private Derby XXXI is the 31st mascot since its introduction in 1858 and has been donated by the Duke of Devonshire.
This Twitter post cannot be displayed in your browser. Please enable Javascript or try a different browser.View original content on TwitterThe BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites.Skip twitter postThe BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites.Allow Twitter content?
This article contains content provided by Twitter. We ask for your permission before anything is loaded, as they may be using cookies and other technologies. You may want to read Twitter’s cookie policy, external and privacy policy, external before accepting. To view this content choose ‘accept and continue’.
End of twitter postFootball: Stoke City defender Wilkinson announces retirementpublished at 15:47 Greenwich Mean Time 19 February 2016
Matt Sandoz
Stoke City commentator, BBC Radio StokeFormer Stoke City defender Andy Wilkinson has been forced to retire from professional football , externalat the age of 31 having failed to overcome a concussion problem.
Image source, Getty ImagesThe right-back graduated through the club's youth system and went on to play nearly 200 games for Stoke City.
Watch: The weekend weather for Stoke and Staffordshirepublished at 15:38 Greenwich Mean Time 19 February 2016
Rebecca Wood
BBC Midlands TodayYou can also get your latest weather news from the BBC website.
Travel: Crash on A534 in Crewepublished at 15:24 Greenwich Mean Time 19 February 2016
BBC TravelThe A534 in Crewe is partially blocked at Crewe Green roundabout, because of an accident involving a lorry and a car.
