Updates on Friday 19 February 2016
News, sport, travel and weather updates to resume at 08:00 on Monday
RSPCA staff in Nantwich are looking for homes for three long-stay cats , externalwhich they fear are being overlooked - because of their colour!
Image source, Nantwich News
Lee Thomas
Newsreader, BBC Radio Stoke
The main headlines this afternoon for Staffordshire and Cheshire include:
- Police have refused to say if they made any arrests after breaking up a party they claimed had been arranged on Facebook by a gang planning to sexually exploit children
- The union Unison says the news jobs are under threat at West Midlands Ambulance Service , externalhas come as a "total shock"
- Staffordshire County Council, external says it's waiting for a coroner's letter before deciding if they'll change a road layout in Leek after a fatal crash
BBC WM
People living in an area of Staffordshire say they fear their safety could be at risk if a quarry is built nearby with delicate high-pressure gas pipes.
Image source, GoogleA walk's happening this weekend to protest against the quarry, which would take over land near Alrewas.
Quarrying has already taken place on the east side of the A38 but there are plans to move it to the west side which were approved by the county council , externalat the end of last year.
The authority has told BBC WM that it always strives to balance demand from industry with the need to protect communities and the environment.
Allen Cook
BBC Local Live
One of tennis' greatest trophies, the Davis Cup, is coming to Lichfield this weekend, external.
Image source, Lichfield District CouncilThe district council say it will be at Beacon Park on Sunday from 14:00-16:00 to launch a series of free tennis sessions in the city.
Ros Chimes
Reporter, BBC Radio Stoke
Staffordshire County Council says it's waiting for a coroner's letter before deciding if they'll change a road layout in Leek after a fatal crash
Derek Nixon, 80, suffered fatal injuries while trying to cross Ball Haye Street in April, when he was struck by the wheels of a tipper truck as it moved off from traffic lights.
At an inquest held yesterday, coroner Ian Smith recorded a verdict of road traffic collision.
He said he was going to write to the council to call for safety barriers to be reinstated at the accident site.
Chris King
Reporter, BBC Radio Stoke
More now on the story we've been running about police breaking up a party arranged on Facebook by a gang planning to sexually exploit children in Stoke-on-Trent.
Image source, ThinkstockThe claim has come from Staffordshire Police Chief Constable Jane Sawyers.
A spokesman for the force has said the majority of those who went to the party earlier this month did not enter the house in the Bucknall area of the city.
Ms Sawyers said the 40 girls there were not all intended victims of sexual exploitation, but the purpose of the party was to target some children.
Work is continuing to support the girls and their families, she said.
A care home worker has been given a five-year restraining order for sending hundreds of abusive tweets, external to Stan Collymore, who turned detective to bring the troll to justice.
Image source, Express and Star
BBC Travel
Trains are back to normal between Rugeley and Hednesford say London Midland.
Keep up to date with BBC Travel.
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Monica Rimmer
Journalist, BBC Radio Stoke
A lovely shot of the sun rising over Hollinsclough in the Peak District this morning from BBC Weather Watcher Heatherbell.
Image source, HeatherbellThis next one's come from BBC Weather Watcher Sunny Sazza in Stone - you could do the same, just head to the website and sign up.
Image source, Sunny SazzaThe union Unison says the news jobs are under threat at West Midlands Ambulance Service has come as a "total shock".
Image source, WMASThe service says it can't rule out compulsory redundancies as it needs to make savings worth almost £9m this year, but front-line staff would not be affected.
Unison say it is working very closely with the ambulance trust to try and avoid any job losses.
James Bovill
Political reporter, BBC Radio Stoke
GCSE results at Stoke-on-Trent's secondary schools have fallen to the 11th, external lowest in the country, according to a city council report.
Image source, PAJust 48.2% of pupils received five A* to C grades, including English and maths, last summer.
A report going before a city council committee says that's lower than in 2014 and more than 5% lower than the national average.
It also says Stoke-on-Trent has gone from 137th in the country last year to 141st - out of 151 local authorities.
Lee Thomas
Newsreader, BBC Radio Stoke
This afternoon's top stories include:
- Police have refused to say if they made any arrests after breaking up a party they claimed had been arranged on Facebook by a gang planning to sexually exploit children
- West Midlands Ambulance Service, external says it's under "extreme financial pressures" and compulsory job losses cannot be ruled out as it looks to save millions
- People living in an area of Staffordshire say they fear their safety could be at risk if a quarry is built nearby with delicate high-pressure gas pipes
Jobs are in jeopardy at Tamworth's Brantano after it was not included in the administrators' plans, external, who have now sold the business.
Image source, Tamworth Herald
Emma Thomas
Journalist, BBC Radio Stoke
I was at Hanley Community Fire Station, external this morning for BBC Radio Stoke and one thing firefighters need to be able to do is put their full uniform on in as fast at time as possible.
So, naturally, I had to give that a go! This is some of the video - there'll be more on the BBC Radio Stoke Facebook page, external later.
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Charlie Slater
BBC Weather presenter
Staffordshire and Cheshire's latest weather can also be found as any time on the BBC website.
BBC Radio Stoke Sport
Theo Robinson has told BBC Radio Stoke he intends to make the most of the chance he's been given at Port Vale.
Image source, Port Vale FCThe striker signed for the club last month after deciding to leave Scottish side Motherwell.
Robinson has started the last three matches and feels he's improving.
Quote MessageI'm happy each game to play as many minutes as I can and obviously, the more games I get, the more chances I will get in a match."
Theo Robinson, Port Vale player
Caroline Gall
BBC News Online
Police have refused to say if they made any arrests after breaking up a party they claimed had been arranged on Facebook by a gang planning to sexually exploit children.
Jane Sawyers, Chief Constable of Staffordshire Police, said her officers descended on the party in Stoke-on-Trent and found up to 40 girls aged 14 to 15.
She revealed the raid in response to a report by a police watchdog that criticised the force over its record for protecting vulnerable victims.
Officers would not say if any arrests were made - they would only describe the inquiry into the party, which is said to have been held in the Bucknall area of the city on 5 February, as an "ongoing investigation".
Health bosses hope a cap on the amount spent on agency staff will cut costs after it was revealed that Burton Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust has spent more than £7.3m, external on nurses and doctors in just 12 months.
Image source, Burton Mail
Lamont Howie
Reporter, BBC Radio Stoke
Water workers in Cheshire have gone on strike, external in a long-standing row over pensions.
Staff at United Utilities, external in Crewe walked out for 27 hours from 05:00 this morning.
The GMB union says it has 18 picket lines at main water and waste treatment works across the North West.
United Utilities says it has plans in place to ensure customers aren't affected.
BBC Travel
There's a bus replacement service running between Hednesford and Rugeley this morning.
Get the latest news from BBC Travel.
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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’.
