Live updates for Stoke and Staffordshire have finished for the day but we'll be back from 08:00 Thursday with the latest news, sport, travel and weather.
PCC elections: Hopes for less embarrassing turnout
Patrick Burns
Political editor, Midlands
With a turnout of just 11.6%, the first election for Staffordshire's Police and Crime Commissioner was the lowest of any in England.
Across the board, organisers of next month's PCC elections in England will be hoping to improve on November 2012's turnout.
Ministers hoped to introduce a greater level of democracy in monitoring police forces, yet six in seven voters were completely unmoved.
Video caption: Shefali Oza with the afternoon weather forecast for the West MidlandsShefali Oza with the afternoon weather forecast for the West Midlands
Affelay to 'come back stronger'
Matt Sandoz
Stoke City commentator, BBC Radio Stoke
Stoke City defender Mac Muniesa says teammate Ibrahim Afellay will come back stronger from his recent knee injury.
Quote Message: It's really sad, I saw him crying the other day because he's done his knee again. When you come back [from injury] you're hungry to help the team, and I know he will be like that." from Marc Muniesa Defender, Stoke City
It's really sad, I saw him crying the other day because he's done his knee again. When you come back [from injury] you're hungry to help the team, and I know he will be like that."
Headlines: UHNM 'coped really well' during strike; mediators could help in allotment row; two threatened at knife-point
Lee Thomas
Newsreader, BBC Radio Stoke
Some of the headlines we're talking about today have been:
- The University Hospitals of North Midlands NHS Trust has "coped really well" during the doctors' strike, according to its medical director
- Mediators could be brought in in a row over who owns allotments in Crewe
- Two women were threatened at knife-point at an off licence in Stoke-on-Trent
Man loses four stone in city health drive
Obesity levels in Stoke-on-Trent are rising, despite the city council investing £7m in recent years on a health and lifestyle programme.
Thousands of people have dropped out of the council's LifeStyle campaign over the last seven years.
However, Andrew Canes (featured below) said it had helped him lose four stone in just three months.
Video content
Video caption: Man loses four stone in city health driveMan loses four stone in city health drive
UHNM 'coped really well' during strike
Sarah Robertson
Producer, BBC Radio Stoke
The University Hospitals of North Midlands NHS Trust "coped really well" during the junior doctors' strike, according to its medical director.
Dr John Oxtoby told BBC Radio Stoke that efforts from consultants, nurses and those junior doctors not striking, meant just 90 non-emergency procedures were cancelled.
Christopher Furlong / Getty ImagesCopyright: Christopher Furlong / Getty Images
The two-day strike is the latest in the dispute between the British Medical Association members and the government over a new contract.
Bogus advertising seller targets care home near Stone
Mediators could be brought in in a row over who owns allotments in Crewe.
The town council says the dispute has already cost taxpayers thousands of pounds.
Video content
Video caption: Mediators could be brought in in a row over who owns allotments in CreweMediators could be brought in in a row over who owns allotments in Crewe
Plans for a "high-quality" development that would have brought two restaurants to the outskirts of Tamworth town centre have been refused - after its modern design was criticised.
Headlines: Two women threatened at knife-point; passers-by stop attack in Meir; reports of mini tornado
Lee Thomas
Newsreader, BBC Radio Stoke
- Two women are threatened at knife-point at an off licence in Stoke-on-Trent
- A man's been punched to the ground and kicked in the head in an attack in Stoke-on-Trent
Preparations for Staffordshire Day celebrations at Rudyard Lake are nearing completion as the big day draws near.
Performer Bullzini will be crossing a high wire over the lake on Sunday in one of a number of events designed to turn the area into a picturesque 19th Century holiday destination.
BBCCopyright: BBC
'One-off' market to encourage shoppers in town
Emma Thomas
Journalist, BBC Radio Stoke
Stafford is playing host to a "one-off" market today to try and increase the number of shoppers on the high street.
I visited this morning, as the stall holders were setting up, and was amazed by the variety on offer in the 50-odd stalls.
BBCCopyright: BBC
It's been organised by the group behind Walsall's popular Bescot market, and if it's a success they hope it will become a regular event.
Travel: Lane closed on M6 in Cheshire
BBC Travel
There's congestion on the M6 southbound in Cheshire due to a broken down vehicle.
A man's been punched to the ground and kicked in the head in Stoke-on-Trent - and the attack only stopped when locals came to his aid.
Staffordshire Police say it happened just before 19:00 on Monday night when a car of young men pulled up behind the 19-year- old as he was walking along Ryder Road in Meir.
What a crazy 24 hours of weather. It seems like we've had all four seasons in the last day.
Our BBC Weather Watchers have been in fine form sending in some brilliant photos.
Video content
Video caption: Photos capture four seasons in one dayPhotos capture four seasons in one day
Two women threatened at knife-point
Lee Thomas
Newsreader, BBC Radio Stoke
Two women were threatened at knife-point at an off licence in Stoke-on-Trent last night.
The robbery happened at around 21:45 at Bargain Booze in Blurton Road. A masked man held a knife and demanded cash from the till, while an accomplice held the door open for their escape.
Staffordshire Police are appealing for witnesses, the armed suspect is described as white, tall and of medium build.
GoogleCopyright: Google
Headlines: Reports of mini tornado; 30 cases of revenge porn; junior doctors strike
Lee Thomas
Newsreader, BBC Radio Stoke
Our top stories across Stoke and Staffordshire include:
- Walls, roofs and even cars were badly damaged by high winds in Wolstanton yesterday afternoon
- Staffordshire Police have investigated 33 cases of so called revenge pornography over the past year, BBC figures show
- The second day of a junior doctors' strike is under way
'Tornado' damage highly localised
Walls, roofs and even cars were badly damaged in Wolstanton yesterday afternoon.
The damage seemed to be highly localised - with some people reporting sightings of mini tornadoes.
The Met Office says the conditions were right for tornadoes, but it could neither confirm nor deny whether they formed.
Video content
Video caption: Cars and homes in Wolstanton damaged by 'mini tornado'Cars and homes in Wolstanton damaged by 'mini tornado'
Live Reporting
Jack Dowling
All times stated are UK
Get involved
BBCCopyright: BBC 
Video caption: Shefali Oza with the afternoon weather forecast for the West MidlandsShefali Oza with the afternoon weather forecast for the West Midlands 
Clint Hughes / StringerCopyright: Clint Hughes / Stringer 
Video caption: Man loses four stone in city health driveMan loses four stone in city health drive 
Christopher Furlong / Getty ImagesCopyright: Christopher Furlong / Getty Images 
Video caption: Mediators could be brought in in a row over who owns allotments in CreweMediators could be brought in in a row over who owns allotments in Crewe 
BBCCopyright: BBC 
BBCCopyright: BBC 
GoogleCopyright: Google Video caption: Photos capture four seasons in one dayPhotos capture four seasons in one day 
GoogleCopyright: Google 
Video caption: Cars and homes in Wolstanton damaged by 'mini tornado'Cars and homes in Wolstanton damaged by 'mini tornado'
Latest PostOur live coverage across the day
Live updates for Stoke and Staffordshire have finished for the day but we'll be back from 08:00 Thursday with the latest news, sport, travel and weather.
PCC elections: Hopes for less embarrassing turnout
Patrick Burns
Political editor, Midlands
With a turnout of just 11.6%, the first election for Staffordshire's Police and Crime Commissioner was the lowest of any in England.
Across the board, organisers of next month's PCC elections in England will be hoping to improve on November 2012's turnout.
Ministers hoped to introduce a greater level of democracy in monitoring police forces, yet six in seven voters were completely unmoved.
The first Thursday in May looks a much better bet for a less embarrassing turnout - it's when people expect elections.
Candidates standing for Staffordshire PCC:
George Adamson (Labour)
Natalie Devaney (Independent)
Matthew Ellis (Conservative)
Watch: Weather forecast for the West Midlands
Shefali Oza
BBC Midlands Today
There's still a cold element to this evenings weather I'm afraid.
Minimum temperatures overnight of 1C (34F).
Video content
Affelay to 'come back stronger'
Matt Sandoz
Stoke City commentator, BBC Radio Stoke
Stoke City defender Mac Muniesa says teammate Ibrahim Afellay will come back stronger from his recent knee injury.
The Dutch international, 30, damaged his cruciate ligament in training last week.
The midfielder joined for free from Barcelona last year. He may be out until Christmas.
Headlines: UHNM 'coped really well' during strike; mediators could help in allotment row; two threatened at knife-point
Lee Thomas
Newsreader, BBC Radio Stoke
Some of the headlines we're talking about today have been:
- The University Hospitals of North Midlands NHS Trust has "coped really well" during the doctors' strike, according to its medical director
- Mediators could be brought in in a row over who owns allotments in Crewe
- Two women were threatened at knife-point at an off licence in Stoke-on-Trent
Man loses four stone in city health drive
Obesity levels in Stoke-on-Trent are rising, despite the city council investing £7m in recent years on a health and lifestyle programme.
Thousands of people have dropped out of the council's LifeStyle campaign over the last seven years.
However, Andrew Canes (featured below) said it had helped him lose four stone in just three months.
Video content
UHNM 'coped really well' during strike
Sarah Robertson
Producer, BBC Radio Stoke
The University Hospitals of North Midlands NHS Trust "coped really well" during the junior doctors' strike, according to its medical director.
Dr John Oxtoby told BBC Radio Stoke that efforts from consultants, nurses and those junior doctors not striking, meant just 90 non-emergency procedures were cancelled.
The two-day strike is the latest in the dispute between the British Medical Association members and the government over a new contract.
Bogus advertising seller targets care home near Stone
Staffordshire Newsletter
Business owners are being warned about bogus advertising sellers after a care home near Stone received a suspicious phone call.
Mediators could help in allotment row
Phil McCann
Political reporter, Cheshire
Mediators could be brought in in a row over who owns allotments in Crewe.
The town council says the dispute has already cost taxpayers thousands of pounds.
Video content
Tamworth restaurant plans turned down
Tamworth Herald
Plans for a "high-quality" development that would have brought two restaurants to the outskirts of Tamworth town centre have been refused - after its modern design was criticised.
Headlines: Two women threatened at knife-point; passers-by stop attack in Meir; reports of mini tornado
Lee Thomas
Newsreader, BBC Radio Stoke
- Two women are threatened at knife-point at an off licence in Stoke-on-Trent
- A man's been punched to the ground and kicked in the head in an attack in Stoke-on-Trent
- There were reports of a "mini-tornado" in Wolstanton yesterday evening - high winds knocked over walls and damaged buildings
Preparations continue for Staffordshire Day event
Ros Chimes
Reporter, BBC Radio Stoke
Preparations for Staffordshire Day celebrations at Rudyard Lake are nearing completion as the big day draws near.
Performer Bullzini will be crossing a high wire over the lake on Sunday in one of a number of events designed to turn the area into a picturesque 19th Century holiday destination.
'One-off' market to encourage shoppers in town
Emma Thomas
Journalist, BBC Radio Stoke
Stafford is playing host to a "one-off" market today to try and increase the number of shoppers on the high street.
I visited this morning, as the stall holders were setting up, and was amazed by the variety on offer in the 50-odd stalls.
It's been organised by the group behind Walsall's popular Bescot market, and if it's a success they hope it will become a regular event.
Travel: Lane closed on M6 in Cheshire
BBC Travel
There's congestion on the M6 southbound in Cheshire due to a broken down vehicle.
One lane is closed near J18 for the A54 (Sandbach).
Passers-by stop attack in Meir
Chris King
Reporter, BBC Radio Stoke
A man's been punched to the ground and kicked in the head in Stoke-on-Trent - and the attack only stopped when locals came to his aid.
Staffordshire Police say it happened just before 19:00 on Monday night when a car of young men pulled up behind the 19-year- old as he was walking along Ryder Road in Meir.
Village pubs join forces to tackle yobs
Express and Star
An action group has been set up to tackle yobbish behaviour in pubs around Penkridge.
BBC Weather Watchers: Four seasons in one day
What a crazy 24 hours of weather. It seems like we've had all four seasons in the last day.
Our BBC Weather Watchers have been in fine form sending in some brilliant photos.
Video content
Two women threatened at knife-point
Lee Thomas
Newsreader, BBC Radio Stoke
Two women were threatened at knife-point at an off licence in Stoke-on-Trent last night.
The robbery happened at around 21:45 at Bargain Booze in Blurton Road. A masked man held a knife and demanded cash from the till, while an accomplice held the door open for their escape.
Staffordshire Police are appealing for witnesses, the armed suspect is described as white, tall and of medium build.
Headlines: Reports of mini tornado; 30 cases of revenge porn; junior doctors strike
Lee Thomas
Newsreader, BBC Radio Stoke
Our top stories across Stoke and Staffordshire include:
- Walls, roofs and even cars were badly damaged by high winds in Wolstanton yesterday afternoon
- Staffordshire Police have investigated 33 cases of so called revenge pornography over the past year, BBC figures show
- The second day of a junior doctors' strike is under way
'Tornado' damage highly localised
Walls, roofs and even cars were badly damaged in Wolstanton yesterday afternoon.
The damage seemed to be highly localised - with some people reporting sightings of mini tornadoes.
The Met Office says the conditions were right for tornadoes, but it could neither confirm nor deny whether they formed.
Video content