Updates on Thursday 14 April 2016
News, sport, travel and weather updates to resume at 08:00 on Friday
A video of a gorilla dancing like a ballerina at a zoo near Tamworth has been capturing the hearts of the nation, external and has gone viral on the internet.
Image source, Tamworth Herald
Nick Triggle
Health Correspondent
A&E performance in England sank to a new low in February for the second month in a row, official figures show.
Image source, ThinkstockHospitals are meant to see 95% of patients in four hours, but just 87.8% were, NHS England data revealed.
That is a drop of nearly one percentage point since January, which was the worst month since the target was introduced in 2004.
The figures show, external 89.3% were seen in four hours in February at Burton Hospitals NHS Trust, 77.7% at the University Hospitals of North Midlands NHS Trust and 90.1% at the Mid Cheshire Hospitals NHS Trust.
Pallab Ghosh
Science correspondent, BBC News
A school in Stafford is one of the first in the country to receive seeds that have been in space with Tim Peake.
Image source, ESA/NASAThe British astronaut has launched a mass experiment to grow the seeds of the salad leaf rocket.
They want to compare them with seeds that have not been in space to see if there are any differences.
Year 7 science pupils at Walton High School, in Stafford, are among thousands taking part.
BBC Midlands Today
This lunchtime on Midlands Today, hear from a West Midlands model, who campaigns for positive body images of women, who says she's determined to carry on despite becoming a target for internet trolls.
We'll have the full story on BBC One from 13:30.
Video of a lorry driving dangerously on the M6 Toll in Staffordshire has been released by police.
It shows a lorry reversing and veering across the northbound carriageway near Norton Canes, as other drivers swerve to avoid it.
Frantisek Formanek, 56, from the Czech Republic admitted driving a motor vehicle dangerously and drink driving and was jailed for six months, external.
He was also banned from driving for a year.
Phil McCann
Political reporter, 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.
Sam Gardner, who is responsible for leisure services, external, insists he's still fit to do his job. Before that he was responsible for finance.
Image source, Cheshire East CouncilOfficial records show three years ago he was disqualified as a company director, after an events firm called Fomfest went bust. It means he can't legally have any involvement with running a company.
There was no obligation for him to reveal any of this when he became a senior councillor. He says he's always been open about his past, and insists it isn't "incompatible" with his council role.
Labour say the rules should change so disqualified directors can't run multimillion-pound council services.
Jack Dowling
Newsreader, BBC Radio Stoke
These are among this afternoon's top stories:
- 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 cat's been shot in Staffordshire and it's a "miracle" he's still alive, says the RSPCA, external
- Developers claim up to 8,500 new jobs could be created with a proposed new rail freight interchange, external in Staffordshire
Around 8,500 jobs will be created when a £8m rail freight interchange is built , externalin Staffordshire.
Image source, Express and Star
Phil Bowers
Journalist, BBC Radio Stoke
A cat's been shot in Staffordshire and it's a "miracle" he's still alive, says the RSPCA, external.
Image source, PDSAThe organisation says the animal, one-year-old Mukka, returned to his Newcastle-under-Lyme home on Tuesday and collapsed in front of his owner.
The RSPCA says the shot had punctured his kidney and lung and he needed emergency surgery.
Quote MessageThe vets have said he is not out of the woods yet, but we are desperately hoping he will pull through."
Jamie Whittingham, Mukka’s owner
Charlie Slater
BBC Weather presenter
You can also get your latest weather forecast from the BBC website at any time.
BBC Sport
There's a change in the man in the middle for Stoke City's game at home to Tottenham Hotspur on Monday.
The Premier League has removed referee Kevin Friend from the match because he supports top-of-the-table Leicester.
Image source, Getty ImagesSpurs are the Foxes' closest rivals, seven points behind with five games left.
The Professional Game Match Officials Ltd (PGMOL) do not pick Friend, who lives in Leicester and has attended games in a personal capacity, to referee matches involving Leicester.
Sarah Robertson
Producer, BBC Radio Stoke
A dog's been stolen in a burglary, external in south Staffordshire.
Image source, GoogleStaffordshire Police say two people stole two drums of red diesel from an outbuilding in Iverley on Monday night and also tried to take two West Highland white terriers.
One of the dogs, say officers, slipped its lead and ran away but the offenders made off with the other.
Charlie Slater
BBC Weather presenter
A yellow weather warning's been issued by the Met Office, external for heavy showers this afternoon across the West Midlands.
They say some places could see hail and lightning with the rain producing standing water on roads.
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BBC Travel
High Street in Chasetown is shut both ways between the A5190 Bridge Cross Road junction and the junction with Hill Street because of a vehicle fire.
A sketch by LS Lowry on a folded piece of tissue could sell for £10,000, external at a Nantwich auction.
Image source, Peter Wilson auctioneers/Nantwich News
Allen Cook
BBC Local Live
There must be quite a few talented photographers in Staffordshire and Cheshire, given the pictures I get sent to me.
Lee Millward shared this lovely shot of the former Chatterley Whitfield colliery.
Image source, Lee MillwardIf you want to send in a picture you can email, tweet @BBCRadioStoke, external or use Instagram, external.
Peter Plisner
BBC Midlands Today
Thousands of jobs could be created at a new rail hub in Staffordshire, external.
Plans have been submitted for the site at Gailey just off junction 12 of the M6.
Image source, Four Ashes LimitedIt would allow freight to be moved from rail to lorries and include large areas for warehouses.
The proposals are supported by Network Rail, but would need the approval of the secretary of state to go ahead.
Lee Blakeman
Newsreader, BBC Radio Stoke
The main headlines this morning include:
- Thousands of jobs could be created at a new rail hub in Gailey
- Concern is growing for a family from Stoke-on-Trent who've been missing , externalfor nearly a week
- A dog's been stolen in a burglary, external in south Staffordshire
Matt Sandoz
Stoke City commentator, BBC Radio Stoke
Stoke City captain Ryan Shawcross has admitted that injuries to the side's defence this season have had a big impact on the team.
Image source, Getty ImagesDuring the current Premier League campaign, the Potters have had up to five defenders receiving treatment at the same time, leaving them struggling for cover.
Shawcross says it's been a tough situation which has stretched the squad.
Quote MessageIt doesn't help when you are chopping and changing, you'd rather keep a consistent back four but these things happen in football and we've got a very good squad and that's why the chairman's put so much money into all these players."
Ryan Shawcross, Stoke City captain
BBC Travel
A lane on the M6 exit slip road southbound at junction 12 is blocked.
