Watch: Stoke and Staffordshire's weekend weatherpublished at 16:10 Greenwich Mean Time 4 March 2016
Alexandra Hamilton
BBC Weather
The BBC website also has the latest forecast for you at any time.
Summary
Updates on Friday 4 March 2016
News, sport, travel and weather updates to resume at 08:00 on Monday
Watch: Stoke and Staffordshire's weekend weatherpublished at 16:10 Greenwich Mean Time 4 March 2016
Watch: Staffordshire strong man Eddie Hall on his big dreampublished at 15:56 Greenwich Mean Time 4 March 2016
Laura Mcmullan
Reporter, BBC Midlands TodayBritain’s strongest man Eddie Hall, from Newcastle-under-Lyme, will be talking about his dream to become World’s Strongest Man on Inside Out on Monday at 19:30 on BBC One.
Gritters on standby in case of more wintry weather at weekendpublished at 15:49 Greenwich Mean Time 4 March 2016
A close eye's going to be kept on the weather conditions this weekend say Stoke-on-Trent City Council, in case their gritters are needed.
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End of twitter postTravel: Break down blocks A50 lanepublished at 15:37 Greenwich Mean Time 4 March 2016
BBC TravelA lane is blocked on the A50 westbound in Blythe Bridge between Blythe Bridge roundabout and the Creda roundabout, because of a broken-down lorry and recovery work.
Police Commissioner praises Nantwich Litter Grouppublished at 15:34 Greenwich Mean Time 4 March 2016
Nantwich Litter Group had a new volunteer when they were joined, external by Police and Crime Commissioner for Cheshire John Dwyer.
Image source, Nantwich NewsAyeeshia Jane Smith trial: Court hears of 'lovely' home visitpublished at 15:23 Greenwich Mean Time 4 March 2016
Peter Wilson
BBC Midlands Today Special CorrespondentThe grandmother of a man who's on trial for the murder of a Staffordshire toddler has told a court of a "lovely" visit to her home the day before the 21-month-old died.
Ayeeshia Jane Smith's mother, Kathryn Smith, and her partner Matthew Rigby deny murder, causing her death and child cruelty.
Today, a court heard evidence from Matthew Rigby's grandmother, Doris Wainwright, who said the toddler had been playing happily on the visit, with no friction with either her mother or Mr Rigby.
The trial continues.
News: Huge blaze causes oil pollution; 36,000 home plans up for consultation; Stoke boss after strong finishpublished at 15:03 Greenwich Mean Time 4 March 2016
Jack Dowling
Newsreader, BBC Radio StokeThe main headlines for Staffordshire and Cheshire include
- A huge blaze at an industrial cleaning company in Stafford has polluted the local area with oil, the Environment Agency said
- A public consultation's been launched today on plans to build 36,000 new homes across east Cheshire over the next 14 years
- Stoke City manager Mark Hughes says he is hoping his side have rediscovered their form in time for a strong end to their Premier League season
Football: Hughes happy with Stoke momentumpublished at 14:48 Greenwich Mean Time 4 March 2016
Matt Sandoz
Stoke City commentator, BBC Radio StokeStoke City manager Mark Hughes is hoping his side have rediscovered their form in time for the business end of the season as they chase another best Premier League finish.
Image source, PAStoke lost three games on the trot in the wake of their League Cup semi-final exit at Liverpool in January.
But they have responded to that with three straight wins, to go seventh.
Quote MessageWe're getting the momentum at the right time of the season. We're not a million miles from where we wanted to be at this stage of the season, so let's see how far we can go."
Mark Hughes, Stoke City manager
People get their say on Cheshire plans for 36,000 new homespublished at 14:30
Phil McCann
Political reporter, CheshireA public consultation's been launched today on plans to build 36,000 new homes across east Cheshire over the next 14 years.
That's an increase of 9,000 on Cheshire East Council's previous proposals, which were criticised by a government inspector.
The authority hopes the strategy will cut the number of houses being built in unpopular places.
Anger as travellers return to leisure centrepublished at 14:12
Travellers have descended on the Chase Leisure Centre car park, sparking concerns over rubbish being left behind , externalat the well-used site.
Image source, Express and StarWatch: What's going on at Fenton Town Hall?published at 13:53 Greenwich Mean Time 4 March 2016
Tim Wedgwood
BBC Local LIveIt's a year since Fenton Town Hall in Stoke-on-Trent was bought back from the Ministry of Justice.
Justin Meath Baker, the great grandson of the man who built the town hall, took it on to bring it back into use for the community.
Twelve months on, I've been to find out what's been done so far.
Pictures: Lucky escape for driver in M6 crashpublished at 13:35 Greenwich Mean Time 4 March 2016
A driver's walked away from this crash on the M6 in Staffordshire with just minor injuries say police.
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End of twitter postOn Midlands Today this lunchtime: Snow hits Staffordshirepublished at 13:20 Greenwich Mean Time 4 March 2016
BBC Midlands TodaySnow did arrive in parts of Staffordshire this morning and at lunchtime we'll be featuring some of the snowy scenes from the county.
In some cases in the Moorlands, local farmers were out with snow ploughs.
We'll have more including looking at whether there'll be more wintry conditions this weekend, on Midlands Today on BBC One from 13:30.
Horse stuck in cattle grid in Staffordshirepublished at 13:09 Greenwich Mean Time 4 March 2016
Fire crews are on the way to this incident.
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End of twitter postTravel: Lorry jacknifed on A53 in Flashpublished at 13:00 Greenwich Mean Time 4 March 2016
BBC TravelThe A53 is blocked in Flash near the Wickenlow Lane junction, because of snow and a jacknifed lorry.
News: Rivers polluted after warehouse blaze; views sought on 36,000 home plans; taxi drivers criticised council planspublished at 12:46 Greenwich Mean Time 4 March 2016
Jack Dowling
Newsreader, BBC Radio StokeThese are among the main headlines for Staffordshire and Cheshire this afternoon:
- Two rivers and several watercourses were polluted after the huge warehouse blaze in Stafford this week, the Environment Agency says
- People living in east Cheshire will get to have their say from today on plans to build 36,000 new homes across the area, external over the next 14 years
- Black cab drivers in Stoke-on-Trent say they shouldn't be forced by the council, external to take a local knowledge test every time they renew their licence
Stafford Fire: Firefighters still on scene for 'watching brief'published at 12:22 Greenwich Mean Time 4 March 2016
Emma Thomas
Journalist, BBC Radio StokeFirefighters are still at the site of the huge blaze in Stafford more than two days after they were first called to the fire.
Staffordshire Fire and Rescue Service say two fire crews are at the industrial estate today, keeping a "watching brief".
They say they still don't know what caused the fire and it's not clear how long investigations will take.
Football: Stoke's defensive injuries continue for Chelsea gamepublished at 12:09 Greenwich Mean Time 4 March 2016
Matt Sandoz
Stoke City commentator, BBC Radio StokeFor Saturday's Premier League game against Chelsea, Stoke City will be without defender Phil Bardsley who is out with a calf injury, while Geoff Cameron is doubtful with a sore ankle.
Image source, Getty ImagesThe Potters also remain without Ryan Shawcross, Charlie Adam, Shay Given, Glen Johnson and Marc Wilson.
Read a full preview of tomorrow's game on the BBC Sport website - and BBC Radio Stoke will have full match coverage.
Picture: Ballet in the skies at Rocester in Staffordshirepublished at 11:54 Greenwich Mean Time 4 March 2016
John Bray
BBC Midlands TodayAn amazing video of a bird murmuration in Rocester was shared by Sandra Farren on our BBC Midlands Today Facebook page and you can see it in full on the page, external.
Sandra also sent in a picture of this amazing natural sight.
Image source, Sandra FarrenWatch: This afternoon's Stoke and Staffordshire weatherpublished at 11:42 Greenwich Mean Time 4 March 2016
Alexandra Hamilton
BBC WeatherYou can also find the latest weather forecast for Staffordshire and Cheshire on the BBC website.
