Summary

  • Updates on Thursday 14 April 2016

  • News, sport, travel and weather updates to resume at 08:00 on Friday

  1. Our live coverage across the daypublished at 18:02 British Summer Time 14 April 2016

    Live updates for Staffordshire and Cheshire have finished for the day but we'll be back from 08:00 Friday with the latest news, sport, travel and weather.

  2. Watch: Stoke and Staffordshire's weather forecast for tonight and tomorrowpublished at 18:00 British Summer Time 14 April 2016

    Shefali Oza
    BBC Midlands Today

    The BBC website also has the latest forecast whenever you need it.

  3. Football: Stoke boss says moved on from defender spatpublished at 17:47 British Summer Time 14 April 2016

    Matt Sandoz
    Stoke City commentator, BBC Radio Stoke

    Stoke City's manager Mark Hughes insists that he and defender Erik Pieters have put a brusque exchange of views - after which the Dutchman was substituted - at Anfield behind them.  

    Erik PietersImage source, Getty Images

    He told reporters at his weekly press conference that he'd spoken to the defender and it wasn't an issue, Hughes had just been concerned with his level of performance.

    Quote Message

    It's one of those moments. He understands my position. I understand what he was saying. We move on. It's not an issue.

    Mark Hughes, Stoke City manager

  4. Cancer drug company relocates to Cheshirepublished at 17:38 British Summer Time 14 April 2016

    Emma Stanley
    Reporter, BBC News Online

    A pharmaceutical company is to move almost 100 jobs from Liverpool to Alderley Park, external in Cheshire. 

    Alderley Park in CheshireImage source, David Dixon/Geograph

    Redx Pharma, which develops anti-cancer drugs, is currently based in the Royal Liverpool Hospital's Duncan Building, which is due to be demolished next year. 

    They already employ about 100 people at Alderley Park and another 88 jobs will relocate from Merseyside.

  5. Dog returned after being taken in Staffordshire burglarypublished at 17:33 British Summer Time 14 April 2016

    Alice Bentley
    Journalist, BBC Radio Stoke

    We have good news for you on the story we brought you earlier about a dog being stolen in a burglary in Staffordshire. 

    Well Staffordshire Police say Sooty, the West Highland Terrier which was taken on Monday in Iverley, external, has been returned safe and well. 

    Officers say she was spotted wandering near Kidderminster and, "despite a 'ruff' couple of days" was unharmed.

  6. Football: Crewe fans urged to protest legally by policepublished at 17:22 British Summer Time 14 April 2016

    Graham McGarry
    Crewe Alexandra commentator, BBC Radio Stoke

    Fans of Crewe Alexandra are being urged to be peaceful if they take part in any protests this season.

    The club were relegated at the weekend from League One - Cheshire Police say they've spoken to the organiser of the protest this weekend who says it will be a legal one, external.

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  7. Watch: Stoke-on-Trent school gets new £4m facilitiespublished at 17:15 British Summer Time 14 April 2016

    Chris King
    Reporter, BBC Radio Stoke

    New sixth form facilities are going to be built at St Joseph's College, external in Stoke-on-Trent.  

    The new buildings are set to cost £4m and should be open by 2018. 

    The money has come from the government and the city council.

  8. News: Councillor resigns from Cheshire cabinet; five arrests over armed robberies; £4m spend on new sixth formpublished at 17:05 British Summer Time 14 April 2016

    Jack Dowling
    Newsreader, BBC Radio Stoke

    The main headlines for Staffordshire and Cheshire this afternoon include:

    - A senior Cheshire East, external councillor has resigned, after newly released legal documents show a company he ran 'misused' charity donations

    - Five men have been arrested in connection with two robberies in the east of Staffordshire, external

    - New sixth form facilities are going to be built at St Joseph's College, external in Stoke-on-Trent  

  9. Councillor resigns from Cheshire East Council's cabinetpublished at 16:57 British Summer Time 14 April 2016

    Phil McCann
    Political reporter, Cheshire

    A senior Cheshire East councillor has resigned, after newly released legal documents show a company he ran "misused" charity donations.

    Sam Gardner says he "very much regrets" his decision. 

    Cheshire East Council flag

    The records show he was disqualified as a company director three years ago, after a music festival he helped organise collected over £4,000 for a charity, but didn't hand it over. 

    It's not known what day-to-day role he had with the firm that ran it, but he was responsible for leisure and previously finance on Cheshire East Council's ruling cabinet. 

    The disqualification means he can't be involved in the running of a company. Mr Gardner says he doesn't want to risk the council's reputation.

  10. Watch: New group aims to get Cheadle flourishingpublished at 16:47 British Summer Time 14 April 2016

    Ros Chimes
    Reporter, BBC Radio Stoke

    A new group has been set up in the Staffordshire Moorlands with the aim of helping Cheadle  to flourish. 

    Team Cheadle, external is made up of businesses, community groups and residents, including trader Dave Sergeant (pictured below), who want to see the market town on the up again.   

    They're hoping to encourage shoppers back into the town, including tackling parking concerns.

    Staffordshire Moorlands District Council, external says there are plans to increase parking charges in Leek, Cheadle and Biddulph this year but that would be the first rise for four years.  

  11. Football: Palmer in Burton squad against Barnsleypublished at 16:34 British Summer Time 14 April 2016

    Owen Bradley
    BBC Radio Derby Sport

    Nigel Clough believes Matty Palmer could have a big part to play in Burton Albion's final five matches of the season. 

    The midfielder was recalled from his loan stay at Oldham this week and goes straight into the squad for Saturday's game with Barnsley.

    Matty PalmerImage source, Getty Images
  12. Your pictures: Stafford's setting sun and Stoke Minsterpublished at 16:22 British Summer Time 14 April 2016

    Allen Cook
    BBC Local Live

    A stunning view of Stoke Minster in Stoke-on-Trent and it's come from Duncan Richardson.

    Stoke MinsterImage source, Duncan Richardson

    While this picture of the sun setting in Stafford was shared by Tim Ball.

    Got a picture to share? Send it to me on email, tweet @BBCRadioStoke, external or use Instagram, external.

    StaffordImage source, Tim Ball
  13. Five arrests after firearms robberies in Staffordshirepublished at 16:08 British Summer Time 14 April 2016

    Emma Thomas
    Journalist, BBC Radio Stoke

    Five men have been arrested in connection with two robberies in the east of Staffordshire, external

    In the first, Staffordshire Police say three men went into the Tesco Express on Tuesday on Stanton Road, Burton, threatened staff with a suspected firearm and took cash.

    Tesco Express, Stanton RoadImage source, Google

    In the second, officers say three men again went into the Post Office in Draycott-in-the-Clay yesterday morning, with a suspected firearm and stole cash and cigarettes. 

    The five men arrested are being held on suspicion of conspiracy to commit robbery.

  14. Watch: Port Vale defender pleased with Crewe winpublished at 15:55 British Summer Time 14 April 2016

    Graham McGarry
    BBC Radio Stoke Sport

    Port Vale defender Ben Purkiss has told me he was pleased with their win over Crewe Alexandra, saying they "put them to the sword".  

  15. 'A dark day for district' as council releases its proposed housing sitespublished at 15:40 British Summer Time 14 April 2016

    Leek Post and Times

    Campaigners have reacted with disbelief after the district council revealed its preferred housing sites., external

  16. BBC Weather Watcher pictures: Jodrell Bank and blooming Staffordpublished at 15:24 British Summer Time 14 April 2016

    Monica Rimmer
    Journalist, BBC Radio Stoke

    If you haven't signed up to be a BBC Weather Watcher, why not? It's very simple to do on the website and we love getting your updates and pictures.

    These photos for instance are from Jodrell Bank, Cheshire and Stafford.

    Jodrell BankImage source, Twemlowl
    StaffordImage source, Cazanne
  17. Watch: Proposals for thousands of new homes 'not finalised'published at 15:12 British Summer Time 14 April 2016

    James Bovill
    Political reporter, BBC Radio Stoke

    The leader of Staffordshire Moorlands District Council has told BBC Radio Stoke this morning that plans to build 4,000 new homes in the area have not yet been finalised.   

    Land which could be used, including greenbelt areas, has been identified and approved by the authority last night., external

    But which of those sites will end up being built on is still to face public consultation.  

    There were complaints at a meeting last night that some of the development locations are completely unacceptable and residents had been ignored.

  18. News: Councillor revealed to have company ban; wrong way M6 Toll driver jailed; cat shot in Staffordshirepublished at 15:00 British Summer Time 14 April 2016

    Jack Dowling
    Newsreader, BBC Radio Stoke

    The main headlines this afternoon for Staffordshire and Cheshire

    - There are calls for a change to the rules after it was revealed a senior Cheshire East , externalcouncillor has been banned from running a company    

    - A lorry driver has been jailed for drunkenly reversing among oncoming traffic on the M6 Toll in Staffordshire

    - A cat's been shot in Staffordshire and it's a "miracle" he's still alive, says the RSPCA, external

  19. East Staffordshire UKIP councillor resignspublished at 14:47 British Summer Time 14 April 2016

    Chris Doidge
    BBC Radio Derby political reporter

    UKIP's only councillor in East Staffordshire Borough Council has resigned. , external

    Stapenhill's Steven Dyche was elected in 2015. 

    Steven DycheImage source, East Staffordshire Borough Council

    A by-election's likely to be held in late May. 

  20. Football: Garratt wants Crewe promoted at first attemptpublished at 14:26 British Summer Time 14 April 2016

    Graham McGarry
    Crewe Alexandra commentator, BBC Radio Stoke

    Crewe Alexandra's goalkeeper Ben Garratt says the players have their sights set on returning to League One at the first opportunity.

    Ben GarrattImage source, crewealex.net

    The Alex have been relegated with five games of the season still to go. 

    Garratt told BBC Radio Stoke the focus has to be on making a quick return. 

    Quote Message

    We've got to look forward and build and hopefully have a much more positive season next year."

    Ben Garratt, Crewe Alexandra goalkeeper