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.

Shefali Oza
BBC Midlands Today

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

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.  

Image 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.

Emma Stanley
Reporter, BBC News Online

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

Image 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.

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.

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.

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.

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  

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. 

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.

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.  

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.

Image source, Getty Images

Allen Cook
BBC Local Live

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

Image 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.

Image source, Tim Ball

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.

Image 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.

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".  

Leek Post and Times

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

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.

Image source, Twemlowl

Image source, Cazanne

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.

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

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. 

Image source, East Staffordshire Borough Council

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

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.

Image 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.