Updates on Tuesday 17 May 2016
More news, sport, travel and weather from 08:00 Wednesday
Dave Guest
Chief reporter, BBC North West Tonight
We told you earlier she was visiting the county - now Her Majesty the Queen has dedicated the new memorial at the National Memorial Arboretum.
It's to the fallen of the Duke Of Lancaster's Regiment.
The regiment - of which she's Colonel-in-Chief - celebrates its 10th anniversary this year.
Lichfield's massive new Friarsgate development is set to get the green light next week., external
Image source, Lichfield Mercury
Graham McGarry
Crewe Alexandra commentator, BBC Radio Stoke
Crewe Alexandra's manager Steve Davis says it is important he puts together a strong team for next season.
Image source, crewealex.netThe Alex released 11 players last week as they restructure their squad for League Two.
Davis told BBC Radio Stoke it's vital that they make a good start to the next campaign.
Quote MessageWe've got to start well next season, we've got to build a team that's going to hit the ground running, that's going to get results in that early two or three months to get us in a good position and build the confidence.
Steve Davis, Crewe Alexandra manager
James Bovill
Staffordshire Political Reporter, BBC News
Two groups have joined forces to run Newcastle-under-Lyme Borough Council, external.
Labour and the Borough Independents have agreed to work together after this month's elections left Labour with 27 seats - four short of an overall majority.
They've now formed a "partnership" for the next two years until the council holds an "all-out" election.
The Independent group was formed after three Labour councillors quit the party over Jeremy Corbyn's leadership.
Emma Thomas
Journalist, BBC Radio Stoke
People living in an area of Stafford have told BBC Radio Stoke they're forced to pay to use public car parks because shoppers and commuters take up spaces outside their homes.
Image source, GoogleResidents in terraced streets in Forebridge, near the train station and town centre, are calling for permit parking to be enforced to end their "frustration".
Staffordshire County Council, external says it is awaiting responses to a questionnaire sent to more than 200 homes and businesses and will make changes if the majority support permit parking.
Laura Mcmullan
Reporter, BBC Midlands Today
More than 16,000 Stoke City fans flocked to the Britannia Stadium last night to watch Andy Wilkinson say his farewells to the club he's served for 15 years.
The former defender has been forced to retire early after failing to recover fully from concussion.
Last night at his testimonial match, he said he's been overwhelmed by all the support and you can see my report on the game on Midlands Today on BBC One from 13:30.
Lee Thomas
Newsreader, BBC Radio Stoke
The main headlines this afternoon include:
- A public inquiry begins into whether planned new homes in Cheshire would "impair" the telescope at Jodrell Bank
- The Queen is visiting the National Memorial Arboretum, external today
- Staffordshire swimmer Adam Peaty will go for gold in the 100m breaststroke at the European Aquatic Championships, external tonight
Nick Triggle
Health Correspondent
Nurses, paramedics and pharmacists should be trained to fill in for doctors and help the NHS in England cope with demand, bosses say.
Management body NHS Employers has given the plan the green light after advisers said there were a range of extra tasks they could do with more training.
Image source, Science Photo LibraryA Nuffield Trust review found examples of nurses filling in for hospital doctors and pharmacists for GPs.
But unions warned against using it as a quick fix for problems in the NHS.
Lamont Howie
Reporter, BBC Radio Stoke
More now on the news that a public inquiry's beginning today into whether planned new homes would affect apparatus at Jodrell Bank.
Cheshire East councillors rejected plans for 119 homes in Goostrey last year, concluding the proposals would "result in impairment to the efficiency of the Jodrell Bank Radio Telescope".
But Gladman Developments launched an appeal, claiming there was "no evidence" their plans would cause a significant increase in radio interference. In a statement to Cheshire East Council, the company said it was "prepared to work with (Jodrell Bank) and consider any reasonable mitigation measures that they might suggest to alleviate their concerns".
The government planning inspector will make recommendations to Communities Secretary Greg Clark, who will make a final judgment.
David Rhodes
BBC News
Primary and secondary schools in England struggling to recruit teachers spent £821m on supply staff last year, it has emerged.
Analysis by BBC News shows the equivalent of £160.44 was spent on each child in the West Midlands in order to hire extra staff to cover vacancies and absences.
Image source, ThinkstockTeachers unions say the amount of money spent reflects a "serious teacher recruitment and retention crisis".
The government said the number of quality teachers was at a record high.
Graham McGarry
BBC Radio Stoke Sport
The Staffordshire swimmer Adam Peaty will go for gold in the 100m breaststroke at the European Aquatic Championships, external tonight.
Image source, Getty ImagesPeaty, from Uttoxeter, won his semi-final in the quickest time at the former Olympic pool in London last night.
He's already world record holder in the event and is using the European championships as part of his preparations for the Rio Olympic Games.
Charlie Slater
BBC Weather presenter
The BBC website also has the latest weather forecasts for Staffordshire and Cheshire if you need one at any other time.
Euan Duncan
BBC Local Live
The Queen is visiting the National Memorial Arboretum in Staffordshire, external today.
As Colonel-in-Chief to The Duke of Lancaster's Regiment, she'll lay a wreath at a new monument to those who've died serving in it.
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After the dedication, the Queen will also meet officers and their families.
Tributes have been paid to a hugely popular father of five after he died suddenly at the age of 40, external, leaving family and friends devastated.
Image source, Burton Mail
Caroline Gall
BBC News Online
Investigations are continuing into a caravan fire which killed a man in Featherstone, Staffordshire.
Firefighters arrived at St James' caravan park, in New Road, at about 00:30 on Monday and spent more than five hours tackling the blaze.
Matt Sandoz
Stoke City commentator, BBC Radio Stoke
More than 16,000 fans packed into the Britannia Stadium last night to pay tribute to a local Stoke City hero, Andy Wilkinson, in his testimonial match.
Image source, Stoke City FCThe former Potters defender from Yarnfield scored his first goal in red-and-white stripes in his farewell game for the club.
Afterwards, Wilkinson told BBC Radio Stoke just how much the night meant.
Quote MessageIt's an amazing feeling and I'm thankful to everyone who's come down because we've raised so much money for the charities and the lads who have come down as well, I can't thank them enough.
Andy Wilkinson, Former Stoke City defender
Jodie Looker
Newsreader, BBC Radio Stoke
This morning's top stories include:
- A government inspector will begin hearings today into concerns that planned new homes in a Cheshire village could interfere with Jodrell Bank's ability, external to see into space
- People living in an area of Stafford say they're forced to pay to use public car parks because shoppers and commuters take up spaces outside their homes
- More than 16,000 fans packed into Britannia Stadium last night to pay tribute to a local Stoke City hero, Andy Wilkinson, in his testimonial
Alex Smith
BBC News Online
A member of a group of World War Two pilots who underwent pioneering plastic surgery has begun a campaign for a permanent tribute to the airmen in Staffordshire.
Sandy Saunders suffered 40% burns after a plane crash during an RAF flight.
He was sent to Sir Archibald McIndoe, who tried out treatments on his "guinea pigs" because he had no reference book to refer to.
Now Mr Saunders wants help to fund a memorial to the so-called Guinea Pig Club. He's planned the construction of a £20,000 memorial at the National Memorial Arboretum in Alrewas.
Nathan Middleton
BBC Sport
Macclesfield Town players Chris Holroyd, Ritchie Branagan, George Pilkington, and Paul Lewis have all agreed new contracts.
Forward Holroyd, 29; goalkeeper Branagan, 24; defender Pilkington, 34; and midfielder Lewis, 21, helped the Silkmen finish 10th this season.
Image source, Getty ImagesThe club has also taken up the option to extend John McCombe, Jack Sampson and Chris Sutherland's deals.
"I am hoping that more signings will follow," said boss John Askey., external
Controversial plans have been drawn up to ban motorists with penalty points , externalon their licence from becoming taxi drivers.
Image source, The Sentinel
