Our live coverage across the daypublished at 18:00 British Summer Time 11 April 2016
Live updates for Staffordshire and Cheshire have finished for the day but we'll be back from 08:00 Tuesday with the latest news, sport, travel and weather.
Summary
Updates on Monday 11 April 2016
News, sport, travel and weather updates to resume at 08:00 on Tuesday
Our live coverage across the daypublished at 18:00 British Summer Time 11 April 2016
Protestors won't get legal challenge to Cheshire waste sitepublished at 17:54 British Summer Time 11 April 2016
Phil McCann
Political reporter, CheshireCampaigners trying to stop a major new Cheshire East Council recycling hub being built have been told they can't take legal action against it.
Planning permission for the centre in Middlewich was granted last year despite concerns over traffic.
The protesters say a judge has told them they don't have enough evidence for a judicial review.
Football: Bojan wants strong Stoke finishpublished at 17:47 British Summer Time 11 April 2016
Stoke forward Bojan Krkic says the Potters will be looking "to end the season in style" after being tonked 4-1 by Liverpool at Anfield.
Mark Hughes' side face second-placed Tottenham next Monday, having slipped to ninth in the Premier League after Sunday's defeat.
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End of twitter postTrain disruption: Cost of vandalism to power lines 'hundreds of thousands'published at 17:42 British Summer Time 11 April 2016
Caroline Gall
BBC News OnlineNetwork Rail says the cost to the industry of this morning's disruption will run into hundreds of thousands, external of pounds.
They say early indications are that "foul play" caused signalling failure and released pictures showing apparent attempts to burn and cut cables powering signals at Proof House junction, south of New Street station.
They're appealing for the public to come forward with any information.
Watch: Looking at what's coming up tonight on BBC Midlands Todaypublished at 17:35 British Summer Time 11 April 2016
Nick Owen
Presenter, BBC Midlands TodayI'll be on BBC One from 18:30 with Midlands Today for the West Midlands - here's a look ahead to the big stories we're going to be covering.
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End of twitter postFootball video: Difficult day for Stoke - Hughespublished at 17:29 British Summer Time 11 April 2016
Matt Sandoz
Stoke City commentator, BBC Radio StokeThe Stoke City boss Mark Hughes says his side "lacked strength and ability" during their 4-1 away defeat at Liverpool.
Lorry overturns and sheds its load near Norton Canespublished at 17:24 British Summer Time 11 April 2016
A lorry has overturned and shed its load on a busy stretch of the A5 near Norton Canes, external this afternoon.
Image source, Aldridge Fire/Cannock MercuryWatch: Tonight and tomorrow's weather for Stoke and Staffordshirepublished at 17:17 British Summer Time 11 April 2016
Sara Blizzard
BBC WeatherYou can also get your latest weather forecast for your area at any time from the BBC website.
Toddler's family say they'll hold services accountable over deathpublished at 17:12 British Summer Time 11 April 2016
Allen Cook
BBC Local LiveThe family of murdered toddler Ayeeshia Smith say they are prepared to take action if officials aren't held accountable over the death of the 21-month-old.
A serious case review is currently being carried out by the Derbyshire safeguarding children's board to examine what lessons can be learned from the child's death.
Quote MessageIf the board will not take on the responsibility or actions of their employees and activities then our family will gladly take the actions to ensure their accountability. We will not stand for it that AJ was murdered and died in vain."
Statement from the family of Ayeeshia Smith
Watch: Staffordshire veteran 'overwhelmed' by scooter donationpublished at 17:06 British Summer Time 11 April 2016
Phil Bowers
Journalist, BBC Radio StokeA Newcastle-under-Lyme veteran who had his mobility scooter stolen last week says he has been overwhelmed by people's kindness and generosity.
Within minutes of Chris Hollins contacting BBC Radio Stoke he was offered a temporary scooter by Burslem Rotary Club.
Now the Tri Services and Veterans Support Centre , externalin Newcastle-under-Lyme has offered him a permanent one.
News: Toddler murder 'grossest breach of trust'; knife robbery in Stoke; vandalism blamed for major rail delayspublished at 17:01 British Summer Time 11 April 2016
Chris King
Newsreader, BBC Radio StokeThe main headlines this afternoon include:
- The murder of a 21-month-old toddler in Staffordshire at the hands of her mother has been described as "the grossest breach of trust"
- A Stoke-on-Trent shopkeeper has been robbed at knifepoint
- Vandalism is the likely cause of this morning's signalling failure at Birmingham New Street - causing significant delays on the rail network in Staffordshire and Cheshire
Ayeeshia Jane Smith murder: 'The grossest breach of trust'published at 16:56 British Summer Time 11 April 2016
Jennifer Meierhans
BBC News OnlineThe death of a 21-month-old toddler in Staffordshire at the hands of her mother has been described as "the grossest breach of trust".
Today Kathryn Smith, 23, from Nottingham was jailed for at least 24 years for murdering Ayeeshia Jane Smith during a "savage outburst" in the girl's bedroom.
The judge at Birmingham Crown Court, Mrs Justice Geraldine Andrews said: "Ayeeshia was a particularly vulnerable victim, thin and slight of frame, deserving of protection and under the protection of social services for the whole of her short life.
"She was killed in her own home by her own mother - that is the grossest breach of trust."
A spokesperson reading out a statement on behalf of Ayeeshia's family said calls had been made to social services highlighting the risk the toddler faced.
Travel: Crash blocks lane on M6 near Essington, Staffordshirepublished at 16:52 British Summer Time 11 April 2016
BBC TravelA lane is blocked on the M6 southbound between junctions 10a and 10 in Staffordshire because of an accident.
Congestion is back to junction 11a.
BBC Weather Watcher pictures: A Cheshire sunset and scenes from a Leek gardenpublished at 16:45 British Summer Time 11 April 2016
Monica Rimmer
Journalist, BBC Radio StokeHere are a couple of the many BBC Weather Watcher photos we were sent over the weekend.
This first one's from Twemlowl of the sunset near Jodrell Bank, Cheshire.
Image source, TwemlowlWhile John took this in Leek - if you want to become a BBC Weather Watcher just head to the website and sign up.
Image source, JohnFootball: Burton recall loanee Palmerpublished at 16:37 British Summer Time 11 April 2016
Nigel Cash
BBC Radio Derby SportBurton Albion have recalled midfielder Matty Palmer from his loan spell at Oldham Athletic with immediate effect.
Palmer came through the club's academy system and has scored one goal in 14 appearances for the Latics.
Image source, Getty ImagesBrewers boss Nigel Clough says having enjoyed regular football with Oldham, Palmer will be a useful addition to the Burton squad during for their remaining five games of the League One season.
Masked man robs Stoke-on-Trent shop with knifepublished at 16:28 British Summer Time 11 April 2016
Lucy King
News Editor, BBC Radio StokeA Stoke-on-Trent shopkeeper has been robbed at knifepoint.
Image source, GoogleA masked man entered the Best-one shop on Hartshill Road on Saturday evening say Staffordshire Police, external, "brandishing" what looked like a kitchen knife.
He escaped with cash from the till and got into a green Ford Focus which officers say was waiting outside.
Tamworth man's marathon effort to help special needs charitypublished at 16:13 British Summer Time 11 April 2016
An avid runner is set to embark on a marathon challenge, external to help raise money for a Tamworth charity group.
Image source, Tamworth HeraldFootball: Crewe boss says they have to come back stronger following relegationpublished at 15:58 British Summer Time 11 April 2016
Ged Scott
BBC SportCrewe Alexandra boss Steve Davis has told BBC Stoke that his side can come back stronger next season following relegation back to League Two.
Image source, PASaturday's defeat by local rivals at Port Vale confirmed, with five League One games left, that Crewe will go down at the end of the season, four years after winning promotion under Davis.
Quote MessageI've said how difficult League Two is. It's not easy. It'll be hard. This wasn't part of the plan. But we have to deal with it and accept it."
Steve Davis, Crewe Alexandra manager
Fire crews called out dozens of times to help 'morbidly obese'published at 15:41 British Summer Time 11 April 2016
Alice Bentley
Journalist, BBC Radio StokeFigures obtained by BBC Radio Stoke show the fire service in Staffordshire has lifted 113 morbidly obese people out of their homes in the last five years.
Image source, ThinkstockStaffordshire Fire and Rescue Service, external says it happens when ambulance or fire service crews can't remove a person safely due to their weight.
The service says they then make use of their powerful winches and ladders.
Your pictures: Crewe from a microlightpublished at 15:27 British Summer Time 11 April 2016
Allen Cook
BBC Local LiveThis amazing picture of Crewe was taken by Jonathan White on a microlight flight last week.
Image source, Jonathan WhiteNow you don't have to be up in the air to take a picture of Staffordshire or Cheshire - send them in on any subject and I'll feature as many as I can.
Send them in on email, tweet @BBCRadioStoke, external or you can put them on Instagram, external, adding #bbcstoke to the description so I can find them.
