Nick Triggle
Health Correspondent

The variation in care women get when giving birth in hospital in England is concerning, experts say.  

Image source, PA

The Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists' warning follows a review of more than 550,000 births.

It found "substantial variation" in practice between maternity units, and said this may suggest not all women get the best possible care.

Ministers said the NHS was a safe place to give birth but the report would help it improve.

BBC Weather Watchers

Grey skies are reflected in today's pictures we've selected from our local team of BBC Weather Watchers. 

This first one's come from AppyIppy in Ipstones.

Image source, AppyIppy

And Thornhill Watch took this picture in Hednesford, Staffordshire.

Want to become a BBC Weather Watcher? It's simple to do, just head to the BBC website and get signed up.

Image source, Thornhill Watch

Emma Thomas
Journalist, BBC Radio Stoke

There were more than 6,000 cases of animal cruelty, external in Staffordshire and Cheshire last year, according to the RSPCA  

The charity says dogs were the victims in 60% of those cases, followed by cats.

However the RSPCA does say more pet owners than ever are taking advice on how to care for their pets.

James Watt
Presenter, BBC Radio Stoke

It's not often I get new co-hosts and today's look like they might take over from me.

I've been speaking to two of the cast from the stage show Avenue Q which is coming to Stoke-on-Trent's Regent Theatre, external from today.

Uttoxeter Advertiser

Abbots Bromley is set to make the national headline news - as one of the nicest places to set up home anywhere, external in the country.

Image source, Uttoxeter Advertiser

Trystan Jones
BBC News Online

A former police officer has been jailed for six years and eight months for causing the death of two people in a crash in July last year.

Fourteen-year-old Kira McGrail and her mother Diane were killed in a five-car crash on the A5 near Weston under Lizard.

Vinod Dahiya, 45, from Wallett Drive in Muxton pleaded guilty earlier today to two counts of causing death by dangerous driving, as well as one count of causing serious injury by dangerous driving.

James Bovill
Political reporter, BBC Radio Stoke

The Stoke-on-Trent Central MP Tristram Hunt has appeared on a leaked list of 19 Labour MPs, external apparently most "hostile" to the leadership of Jeremy Corbyn.

Mr Corbyn's office has denied leaking the list, which ranks Labour MPs from a core group of his most loyal allies to the 19 most hostile to his leadership. 

Tristram Hunt is one of those 19 - he resigned from the shadow cabinet when Corbyn became leader and has made no secret of their differences of opinion.

Mr Hunt says he is "disappointed" the list has emerged, saying the party should be working together.

Chris King
Newsreader, BBC Radio Stoke

Staffordshire and Cheshire's main headlines this lunchtime include:

- A former police officer has pleaded guilty to two counts of causing death by dangerous driving after a crash in Staffordshire

- The ash tree is likely to be wiped out in Europe, according to the largest-ever survey of the species led by experts at Keele University  

- The Stoke-on-Trent Central MP Tristram Hunt has appeared on a leaked list of 19 Labour MPs apparently most "hostile" to the leadership of Jeremy Corbyn

Flags are being flown at half mast at Cheshire East Council's headquarters after yesterday's attacks in Brussels.

David Gregory-Kumar
Science correspondent, BBC Midlands Today

I'm in London today where farmers from across the region have joined a huge demonstration against the falling price of milk.

It's been organised by Farmers for Action and there'll be more on BBC Midlands Today on BBC One from 13:30.

Crewe Chronicle

A Bentley worker helped to save the life of a man who collapsed, external and swallowed his tongue near Crewe town centre.  

Sam Fleet
Journalist, BBC Shropshire

A former police officer has pleaded guilty to two counts of causing death by dangerous driving after a crash in Staffordshire.

Image source, Google

Vinod Dahiya, 45, from Wallett Drive in Muxton also pleaded guilty to one count of causing serious injury by dangerous driving. 

Newcastle-under-Lyme school pupil Kira McGrail,14, and her mum Diane, 53, both from Market Drayton, died at the scene of the crash on the A5 near Weston Park in July. 

The driver of the car they were in was seriously injured. 

Charlie Slater
BBC Weather presenter

You can also get the latest weather forecast for your area at any time from the BBC Weather website.

Matt Sandoz
Stoke City commentator, BBC Radio Stoke

Former Stoke City defender Andy Wilkinson says the team won't have ruled out qualifying for the Champions League next season.

Image source, Getty Images

The Potters are currently eighth in the Premier League and finishing in the top six would guarantee them a place in Europe.

Claire Marshall
Environment correspondent, BBC News

The ash tree is likely to be wiped out in Europe, according to the largest-ever survey of the species led by experts at Keele University.

Image source, PA

The trees are being killed off by the fungal disease ash-dieback along with an invasive beetle called the emerald ash borer.

According to the research, published in the Journal of Ecology, the British countryside will never look the same again.

The paper says that the ash will most likely be "eliminated" in Europe.  

Allen Cook
BBC Local Live

The Brussels authorities have announced that a minute's silence is going to be held this morning for the victims of yesterday's attacks, at midday local time (11:00 GMT).

Like offices and workplaces across the country we will be observing the minute's silence on this live page.

Express and Star

A Stafford lighting control company has helped improve lighting, external at the iconic Cheltenham Racecourse.  

Image source, Express and Star

Perry Spiller
Presenter, BBC Radio Stoke

You have to hear this - I've been speaking to a master engraver who has taken the art of engraving to microscopic proportions. 

Graham Short was visiting the area for a presentation and popped in to speak to me about creating the world's smallest engravings - including the Lord's Prayer on the head of a gold pin.

He told me he slows his heart rate and cuts between heartbeats, plus he works between midnight and 05:00 when he says there are fewer vibrations from other people.

Hear the whole interview on the BBC Radio Stoke website here.

Ros Chimes
Reporter, BBC Radio Stoke

Farmers from across the region will travel to London later this morning to join a huge demonstration against the falling price of milk. 

The protest has been organised by Farmers for Action, external.

They may well be singing a protest song that's been written for them by Staffordshire firefighter Toby Wilson (above). 

The government says it is working to support the farming industry.  

Lee Blakeman
Newsreader, BBC Radio Stoke

The main headlines for Staffordshire and Cheshire include

- A sledgehammer and crowbar were among the weapons used to break into a jewellers in Hanley, Stoke-on-Trent earlier this month say police 

- Thirteen victims of modern slavery have been rescued by Staffordshire Police, external since the start of this year, according to new figures

- Farmers from across the region will travel to London later this morning to join a huge demonstration against the falling price of milk