Matt Lee
Reporter, BBC Radio Stoke

Thirteen children were arrested for suspected firearm offences in Staffordshire and Cheshire last year, new figures have revealed.  

Image source, Reuters

Almost 30 police forces responded to a Freedom of Information request by the Press Association, external.

Staffordshire Police said seven children were held last year, compared with seven in 2014 and six in 2013. Five boys were charged in 2015 and two in 2013 - the youngest was 15. 

Cheshire Police say six children were arrested for suspected firearm offences last year, up from five in each of the previous two years. Two boys were charged in 2014, and one in 2013.

The Sentinel

One of the city's top-performing academies is to get a £1.25 million council handout, external so it can sponsor a school and save it from possible closure.

Image source, The Sentinel

Emma Thomas
Journalist, BBC Radio Stoke

The first trains have used a new rail flyover near Stafford after £250m rail improvements finished today.

The money has been spent on the West Coast Main Line track to improve speed and capacity, external between Stafford and Crewe. 

It includes new signalling systems and the construction of the flyover at Norton Bridge to allow more trains to pass at once. 

Allen Cook
BBC Local Live

It's great coming back and seeing the pictures you've sent in from across Staffordshire and Cheshire.

This was taken by BBC Radio Stoke's Perry Spiller of the concrete mushrooms in his back garden over the weekend.

Image source, Perry Spiller

While this spectacular picture of a waterside in Wombourne comes from Robin Silvester.

Want to see your photo on the BBC website? You can share them with me on email, tweet @BBCRadioStoke, external or use Instagram, external.

Image source, Robin Silvester

Lee Thomas
Newsreader, BBC Radio Stoke

The main headlines for Staffordshire and Cheshire include:

- Pharmacists in north Staffordshire say nearly a third of high street dispensaries could close as part of government proposals, external

- Thirteen children were arrested for suspected firearm offences in Staffordshire and Cheshire last year, new figures have revealed 

- BBC research has shown that more than half of Stoke-on-Trent's libraries have closed in the last six years

Charlie Slater
BBC Weather presenter

The weather for Staffordshire and Cheshire can also be found at any time on the BBC website.

BBC Travel

A lane is blocked on the A50 eastbound in Blythe Bridge after the Blythe Bridge roundabout because of an accident involving a lorry.

Allen Cook
BBC Local Live

It's a wet and damp start to Tuesday after the Easter mini-break and this was Hanley Town Hall just before 07:30 this morning.

Charlie Slater will tell us what the weather holds in store for the rest of today shortly - there'll also be news, sport, travel and more updates throughout the day.

You can get involved too by sending comments and pictures of the area on email, tweeting @BBCRadioStoke, external or using Instagram, external.