Updates on Friday 18 March 2016
News, sport, travel and weather updates to resume at 08:00 on Monday
Monica Rimmer
Journalist, BBC Radio Stoke
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.
Rebecca Wood
BBC Weather
Feeling cool under the cloud this afternoon, with the odd spot of drizzle..
Tonight, it will be cloudy with the chance of rain and a low of 2C (36F).
Lee Blakeman
Port Vale commentator, BBC Radio Stoke
Port Vale will be without striker AJ Leitch-Smith when host league leaders Burton Albion at Vale Park tomorrow. Leitch-Smith is suffering with a hamstring injury.
Valiants manager Rob Page believes his team is in the right frame of mind to clinch a play-off spot. Vale are three points off the top six after coming from two goals down last week to win 3-2 at Peterborough.
Image source, BBC SportTune in to BBC Radio Stoke from 14:00 tomorrow afternoon to hear all the action on and off the pitch.
Lee Thomas
Newsreader, BBC Radio Stoke
Cases of a highly contagious bacterial illness have been confirmed at a South Cheshire school.
Parents at Alsager Secondary School, external have been told two cases of scarlet fever , externalhave been identified amongst pupils.
Health officials say its a mild childhood illness, but unlike chickenpox, the rash needs treating with antibiotics.
Parents who's children have recently had chickenpox are being warned to watch for signs of it becoming a more serious infection.
Image source, SPLWatch a round-up of views from across Stoke-on-Trent, Staffordshire and Cheshire sent in today.
The slideshow features photos taken by Matthew Payne in Chasewater, as well as Weather Watchers Jon in Barlaston, Young Ted in Madele, Alex in Winsford and Gadjet in Stoke-on-Trent.
Staffordshire County Council , externalsays it's won a high court order to protect a baby girl from being circumcised.
It says it's the first time the order has been granted in the county - it believes the child was at risk of the unlawful practice of genital mutilation.
The issue came to light after the mother, from south-east Asia, asked about the procedure at a medical appointment, the authority said.
It was a game conjured up on the pages of Harry Potter, but now the best quidditch teams in the country will compete for the British Quidditch Cup.
More on Midlands Today on BBC One from 18:30.
Matt Sandoz
Stoke City commentator, BBC Radio Stoke
Stoke City will make the trip to Vicarage Road tomorrow to take on Premier League newbies Watford.
The Potters will be hoping they can overturn their goal drought when it comes to scoring against the Hornets.
Image source, BBC SportQuote MessageThere is a challenge - can we go from now until the end of the season unbeaten? It will be difficult, because we have some really difficult games coming up, not least at the weekend. But I think it's a realistic goal."
Mark Hughes, Stoke City Manager
We'll have all the build-up and live commentary from 14:00 tomorrow on BBC Radio Stoke on 94.6FM.
Lee Thomas
Newsreader, BBC Radio Stoke
This evening's headlines for Staffordshire and Cheshire are:
- Alton Towers says it understands the views of crash victims who don't want to see the Smiler reopen tomorrow
- A South Cheshire school has confirmed cases of a highly contagious bacterial illness
- Staffordshire County Council says it's won a high court order to protect a baby girl from being circumcised
Chris King
Reporter, BBC Radio Stoke
A housing developer's welcomed a court decision meaning over 100 houses can be built in countryside near Crewe.
Cheshire East Council, external took out a High Court challenge last year after a government inspector approved controversial plans to build on part of the so-called "green gap" between Willaston and Wistaston.
The council won, but the Court of Appeal has now quashed that decision.
Richborough Estates, external says the ruling could be "critically important" for the housing industry.
Image source, Nantwich News
Lamont Howie
Reporter, BBC Radio Stoke
Cheshire's new Assistant Chief Constable has been named as Nantwich-born Sarah Boycott.
She has been with the force for 24 years and has spent the last year working with the police watchdog.
She will hold the assistant chief's role until a permanent appointment is made.
Image source, Cheshire PoliceMonica Rimmer
Journalist, BBC Radio Stoke
Matthew Payne sent us this lovely photo from Chasewater, Staffordshire.
If you've taken a picture in Staffordshire or Cheshire you can share it with me on email, tweet @BBCRadioStoke, external or use Instagram, external.
Image source, Matthew Payne
Graham McGarry
Crewe Alexandra commentator, BBC Radio Stoke
Crewe Alex captain Harry Davis says draws are now like defeats for the Alex in their battle to avoid relegation.
Fellow strugglers Blackpool visit the Alexandra Stadium tomorrow.
Davis says it's vital that they start well.
Quote MessageThe first 15 minutes have been poor so we need to improve on that and I think that sets the benchmark for the rest of the game."
Harry Davis, Crewe Alexandra Captain
Crewe Alexandra's Lauri Dalla Valle and Brad Inman have both been declared fit for selection to face Blackpool tomorrow.
We'll have live commentary on BBC Radio Stoke, build up start at 14:00.
Lucy King
News Editor, BBC Radio Stoke
Alton Towers has said its Smiler ride will reopen as planned this weekend, despite calls from two of the victims of last June's crash that it was too early.
Joe Pugh and Vicky Balch were among five people seriously injured when a car on the ride hit another one on the track.
Vicky had to have a leg amputated.
Image source, West Midlands Ambulance ServiceAlton Towers says it has "no wish to cause any further upset" and it had been working hard to both support victims, as well as improve safety to "ensure such an accident cannot happen again".
An investigation for the theme park found human error was to blame for the crash.
Quote MessageThe Park has implemented a number of changes to the way the ride is operated, including enhanced training and additional safety procedures."
Alton Towers, Spokesperson
James Bovill
Political reporter, BBC Radio Stoke
The Office for National Statistics, external has published a study which revealed Stoke-on-Trent as one of the cheapest places to buy a house.
Topping the list is Burnley in Lancashire, with an average price of £78,000.
In Stoke-on-Trent, the average price is just under £102,000.
By way of comparison, St Albans tops the list for the most expensive place to buy, with the average home costing a whopping £390,000.
Matt Sandoz
Stoke City commentator, BBC Radio Stoke
Stoke City, external have announced that goalkeeper Jack Butland has agreed a new five-and-a-half-year contract with the club today, keeping him at the Britannia Stadium until 2021.
It caps off a good 24 hours for the 23-year-old who has also received a call up for the England squad.
Butland, who joined the Potters in January 2013, was already committed to Stoke until 2019 but has extended his deal for another two years.
Image source, Getty Images
Alice Bentley
BBC Local Live
Uttoexter swimmer Adam Peaty (pictured below left) has had his 2014 world record reinstated by The Court of Arbitration for Sport.
The swimmer's time in Berlin was not recognised as they were not tested by organisers for banned substance EPO.
Following an appeal, a Cas panel says the administration error should not negate the records.
Image source, Getty Images"The absence of EPO tests by the testing authority should not fall to the detriment of the athletes and lead to the non-recognition of the world records," read a statement from Cas.
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Monica Rimmer
Journalist, BBC Radio Stoke
BBC Weather Watcher Jon sent us this fantastic misty picture from Barlaston.
It looks like a scene from a horror film. Jon's picture was featured on the Victoria Derbyshire show earlier this morning.
Image source, JonIf you've taken a picture in Staffordshire or Cheshire you can share it with me on email, tweet @BBCRadioStoke, external or use Instagram, external.
Phil McCann
Political reporter, Cheshire
Cheshire East Council's, external been criticised after confirming it will not ask Historic England, external to award Crewe's 1930s Flag Lane baths listed status.
The pool is due to close when the town's new lifestyle centre opens, but there's been concern about the future of its historic frontage.
A local councillor says he will personally apply for the status instead.
The facility is on a local list of protected buildings.
Matt Sandoz
Stoke City commentator, BBC Radio Stoke
Stoke City manager Mark Hughes says the club are close to agreeing a new contract with goalkeeper Jack Butland.
Stoke have been keen to renegotiate terms with the England international since he became their number one this season.
Hughes says players like Butland are key to the future success of the club.
Image source, Getty Images