BBC Local Live: Stoke & Staffordshire on Tuesday 15 March 2016

Summary

Updates on Tuesday 15 March 2016
News, sport, travel and weather updates to resume at 08:00 on Wednesday

Live Reporting

Allen Cook

Have your say: Bigger penalty for using your phone while drivingpublished at 10:13 Greenwich Mean Time 15 March 2016
Stephanie Barnard
BBC Local Live
A Staffordshire mum whose daughter was killed by a Birmingham lorry driver says the use of handheld mobile phones while driving needs to become more socially unacceptable.
Image source, Getty Images
Laura Thomas, 20, from Great Haywood, Stafford, was killed by an HGV being driven by a man using two mobiles phones on the A5 between Telford and Shrewsbury in July 2013.
The Department for Transport's consultation on proposals, external to increase fines and penalty points for the crime comes to an end today.
Quote Message
We do need to have higher definite penalties for using mobile phones while driving. It's already against the law so people shouldn't be doing it anyway. There needs to be some kind of deterrent
Lisa Thomas, Mother of Laura who died in 2013
Hanley's Christmas market set for major expansionpublished at 09:59 Greenwich Mean Time 15 March 2016
The Sentinel
Dozens more stalls are planned in the city centre this Christmas , externalas part of a major expansion of Hanley's festive market.
Image source, The Sentinel
Neil 'Nello' Baldwin turns 70 todaypublished at 09:46 Greenwich Mean Time 15 March 2016
Perry Spiller
Presenter, BBC Radio Stoke
Happy birthday Nello! Yes, former Stoke City kit man, mascot and ex-clown Neil Baldwin turns 70 today.
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World War Two mortar found in Cheshirepublished at 09:26 Greenwich Mean Time 15 March 2016
Lamont Howie
Reporter, BBC Radio Stoke
An unexploded World War Two mortar has been safely blown up in Cheshire this morning, external, according to police.
Image source, Cheshire Police
Cheshire Police say it was found in the Bickerton area and detonated by the army's Explosive Ordnance Disposal team.
The force said afterwards it was thought to be a smoke mortar of "limited danger, external" but had to be guarded overnight.
Staffordshire village residents 'angered' over council's 125% tax risepublished at 09:11 Greenwich Mean Time 15 March 2016
Emma Thomas
Journalist, BBC Radio Stoke
People living in three Staffordshire villages have told BBC Radio Stoke they're angry their parish council's increased its rates by 125% without any warning
Image source, PA
Residents in Great Haywood, Little Haywood and Colwich, near Stafford, say there's been no explanation for the rise by Colwich Parish Council, external and it doesn't match their living costs.
The authority has told BBC Radio Stoke the money will help refurbish a playground and car park in the area.
Quote Message
The amount they're actually paying in terms of the proportion of the whole council tax bill, the increase which is attributable to the increase for the parish council, amounts to approximately a pound per week for Band D residents.
Councillor Andy Cooper, Chairman of Colwich Parish Council
Your pictures: Spectacular scenery of The Roachespublished at 08:53 Greenwich Mean Time 15 March 2016
Allen Cook
BBC Local Live
We've had two fantastic pictures come in from Staffordshire beauty spot the Roaches.
This first one is from Jon Kelso.
Image source, Jon Kelso
And BBC Radio Stoke's Ros Chimes has been to the Roaches this morning and says: "This morning's view from Hen Cloud at The Roaches. Looking across to Tittesworth."
Image source, Ros Chimes
News: Village anger over 125% tax rise; no fines under smoking law; thousands to tackle Crewe dumpingpublished at 08:39 Greenwich Mean Time 15 March 2016
Jodie Looker
Newsreader, BBC Radio Stoke
The main headlines for Staffordshire and Cheshire include:
- People living in three Staffordshire villages have told BBC Radio Stoke they're angry their parish council's increased its rates by 125% without any warning
- Staffordshire Police and Cheshire Police have admitted they haven't fined a single person for smoking in the car with a child present since legislation came in last October
- To try to stop fly-tipping in Crewe, Cheshire East Council, external says it's spending £75,000 over three years
Watch: Stoke and Staffordshire's weather todaypublished at 08:25 Greenwich Mean Time 15 March 2016
Sara Blizzard
BBC Weather
You can also get the latest forecast from the BBC website for Staffordshire or Cheshire.
Travel: Congestion on A520 in Rough Closepublished at 08:09 Greenwich Mean Time 15 March 2016
BBC Travel
On the A520 Longton Road, in Rough Close, there is slow traffic between the junctions of Knenhall and the A5005, Lightwood Road.
Welcome to Stoke and Staffordshire's Live coverage for Tuesdaypublished at 08:00 Greenwich Mean Time 15 March 2016
Allen Cook
BBC Local Live
Good morning, it is a mild start to the day at the BBC Stoke HQ in Hanley, Stoke-on-Trent - this was the scene just before 07:30.
We'll shortly let you know the weather forecast for the rest of the day for Staffordshire and Cheshire - followed by news, sport, travel and other updates.
This is also your page too, as you can send in comments and pictures of the area on email, Twitter, external, Facebook, external and Instagram, external.