Lucy King
News Editor, BBC Radio Stoke

Two victims of the Smiler rollercoaster crash say they wish the ride would remain closed.

Joe Pugh and Vicky Balch spoke on the eve of the ride reopening for the new season at Alton Towers.

They suffered life-changing injuries when the carriage smashed into another car at the Staffordshire theme park last June. Miss Balch, along with another passenger, Leah Washington, had to have a leg amputated.

Image source, Facebook

Speaking to ITV's Good Morning Britain, Mr Pugh, said: "I understand it's a business and it's what they have to do. 

"I just didn't think it'd be so soon. It's only nine months, it's not a very long time."

Sara Blizzard
BBC Weather

It's much cloudier than yesterday with limited brighter spells. 

There's also the chance of the odd spot of rain. Highs of 9C (48F).

BBC Weather Watchers

The great pictures are flowing in from our BBC Weather Watchers who take photos across Staffordshire and Cheshire.

This one is from Young Ted, who snapped this very foggy scene in Madeley.   

Image source, Young Ted

Daz Hale
BBC WM

An explosive has been found at a building site in Chasetown.

Staffordshire Police confirmed the site just off the A5195 Milestone Way was closed off at about 14:30 yesterday for bomb disposal experts to move in and carry out a controlled explosion on what was described as a bomb or shell.

It's the third such device discovered in recent weeks on the site which some residents say was a munitions dump in the war, but has been earmarked for 370 new homes.

Residents in the area were warned they may hear "a loud bang" as well as experience "earth tremors".  

BBC Midlands Today

A specialist clinic has been set up in Stoke-on-Trent to help children living with a condition that causes swelling of the arms and legs. 

Lymphoedema involves the build up of fluid in the body's tissues and it's incurable. 

Seven-year-old Edward Smith, from Staffordshire, is one of several children attending the clinic at the Royal Stoke Hospital.

Lee Thomas
Newsreader, BBC Radio Stoke

The main headlines this afternoon include:

- A housing developer's welcomed a court decision meaning over 100 houses can be built in countryside near Crewe 

- Staffordshire's first female fire chief 'privileged' to be 'role model'

- Alton Towers bosses are hoping to restore visitor numbers when the theme park opens for the new season tomorrow

Chief Constable Simon Byrne says a "handful" of ethnic minority candidates are currently progressing through the recruitment process.

Image source, Cheshire PCC

Lamont Howie
Reporter, BBC Radio Stoke

Cheshire Chief Constable Simon Byrne says his force is "throwing the kitchen sink" at trying to encourage more ethnic minority candidates to join up. 

Five months after Cheshire Police, external were named and shamed for having no black officers, the force is running an outreach programme to help ethnic minority candidates get through the recruitment process. 

In October, Home Secretary, Theresa May, told a number of chief constables to better represent the communities they serve - singling out Cheshire, among three other forces.

Monica Rimmer
Journalist, BBC Radio Stoke

BBC Weather Watcher Alex sent us this picture from Winsford. 

We're having some gorgeous sunsets at the moment, long may they continue!

Image source, Alex

Have you taken any pictures you're proud of? Send them our way and they could be featured on this page, email, tweet @BBCRadioStoke, external or Instagram, external.

Uttoxeter Advertiser

Two kind-hearted friends are taking their converted ambulance on a mission to help refugees, external who have fled a war-torn country.

A number schools across England are joining one massive classroom online today as part of activities to mark Shakespeare Week.

It's 400 years since the bard's death but the teaching and acting of his texts is still very much alive.

This morning, working in partnership with the Royal Shakespeare Companyandfeaturing RSC actors and Jessica Ransom from Horrible Histories, BBC Live Lessons held a very special lesson tailored for a primary-aged audience.

You can join in the fun here.

The Sentinel

Every school in Stoke-on-Trent is to be tested for asbestos, external - after an academy was closed down for health and safety reasons.

Ros Chimes
Reporter, BBC Radio Stoke

The new boss of Staffordshire Fire and Rescue Service, external says the sector has seen big changes since she joined up in 1992.

Becci Bryant is the first woman in the UK to rise through the ranks from firefighter to Chief Fire Officer - she officially starts the post in a couple of weeks, taking over from Peter Dartford.

Speaking to BBC Radio Stoke's Pete Morgan, Becci Bryant said while today's fire and rescue service the industry today recognised ability, whaeveryour gender or background, she felt "privileged" to be a role model.

Emma Thomas
Journalist, BBC Radio Stoke

From the fictional towers of Hogwarts school to a leisure centre in Staffordshire - the British Quidditch Cup, external is being held in Rugeley this weekend. 

The broomstick-riding game featuring in the Harry Potter series of books and films has become a competitive sport in the real world. 

I went to meet the Keele University, external team in training.

Lee Blakeman
Newsreader, BBC Radio Stoke

The main headlines for Staffordshire and Cheshire this morning:  

- Bosses at Alton Towers, external say they hope to restore visitor numbers in 2016 as it opens for the new season tomorrow

- Tomorrow's Midlands Grand National , externalis expected to bring in over £1m to Uttoxeter's economy - according to Staffordshire County Council

- Staffordshire boasts first female Chief Fire Officer, Becci Bryant

Lee Blakeman
Port Vale commentator, BBC Radio Stoke

A big weekend for Uttoxeter Racecourse, external - 16,000 people are expected there tomorrow for the Midlands Grand National. 

About 50,000 pints of beer, 5,000 glasses of champagne and 75,000 chips are expected to be drunk and eaten on race day. 

David MacDonald is the executive director at the racecourse and knows how much it means to the local area.

You can see why we've had a dull start to the day.

Burton Mail

The head of a sexual abuse support service has backed a new campaign to tackle issues surrounding children being exploited in the area, external.

Bosses at Alton Towers say they hope to regain visitor numbers, following last year's crash, when it opens for the new season tomorrow. 

Five people were seriously injured when two cars on The Smiler Ride collided in June last year, resulting in two young women undergoing leg amputation surgery.  

Image source, PA

The number of people visiting the park dropped, resulting in 190 jobs being cut.But Alton Towers's annual recruitment drive to find more than a thousand temporary staff has taken place as usual. 

The park opens tomorrow at 10:00 - the first time the Smiler ride will be open to the public since the accident.

Lee Blakeman
Newsreader, BBC Radio Stoke

Here are some of the main stories we are looking at in Staffordshire and Cheshire:

- Managers at Alton Towers say they hope to restore public confidence and visitor numbers as it opens tomorrow

- Cheshire Police runs an outreach programme to help ethnic minority candidates get through the recruitment process

- Stoke-on-Trent's worst performing schools need an extra £400,000 this year to improve says the city council