Summary

  • Updates on Thursday 19 May 2016

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

Live Reporting

  1. Suspect device in Staffordshire 'not a bomb' but old water tank

    Jack Dowling
    Journalist, BBC Radio Stoke

    A suspected unexploded bomb in Newcastle-under-Lyme has turned out to be an old water tank, police say. 

    St George's Church in Newcastle-under-LymeGoogle

    Staffordshire Police put a 30m (98ft) cordon around St George's Church, after getting a report. 

    They say they called in bomb disposal experts and a few minutes later the force confirmed it there was nothing to fear.

  2. Football: Northampton Town appoint Port Vale manager

    Lee Blakeman
    Port Vale commentator, BBC Radio Stoke

    Northampton Town have appointed Port Vale manager Rob Page as their new boss on a three-year contract.  

    Rob PageGetty Images

    The 41-year-old former Wales defender had been in charge of Vale since October 2014 and led them to a 12th-placed finish in League One this term.

    The Cobblers have agreed compensation with Page's former club and he replaces Chris Wilder, who left last week.

  3. Football: Port Vale boss confirmed as new Northampton Town manager
    Breaking

    It's been confirmed Port Vale manager Rob Page has been named as the new boss of Northampton Town.

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  4. Football: Chairman says Stoke City had 'pretty good season'

    Matt Sandoz
    Stoke City commentator, BBC Radio Stoke

    The Stoke City chairman Peter Coates says he's satisfied with this season's ninth-place finish in the Premier League.

    General view of Stoke City stadium this yearGetty Images

    It's the third season in a row that the Potters have ended the season in that position. 

    Think we were disappointed obviously because we were in a nice position and we wanted to move on, kick on and do better but if you look at the injury list I think we've had a pretty good season."

    Peter Coates, Stoke City chairman

  5. BBC Radio Stoke: EU Referendum Radio Debate

    James Bovill
    Staffordshire Political Reporter, BBC News

    BBC Radio Stoke is holding a live EU Referendum radio debate at 19:00 on Wednesday 15 June at our studios in Hanley, Stoke-on-Trent.  

    EU debate

    There will be an expert panel putting both sides of the argument and you can be part of the audience too. 

    To register an interest, call 01782 208 008 or email reception.stoke@bbc.co.uk

  6. Football: Northampton get 'the absolute best' from Port Vale boss

    Lee Blakeman
    Port Vale commentator, BBC Radio Stoke

    Northampton Town are getting the absolute best. I could not choose anyone better to work with than Rob Page, he is so highly regarded.  

    Rob PageGetty Images

    You just wonder, for somebody so new to management and looking at how well he's done in that short time, how much his personality and the way he comes across has helped him get the job as the Cobblers boss. 

  7. Weather: Rain heading in from the west

    Jerry Chester
    BBC News Online

    Looking at the Met Office radar picture it should stay dry over lunchtime.  

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  9. On Midlands Today this lunchtime: Hospital wants more clinical trial reruits

    Laura Mcmullan
    Reporter, BBC Midlands Today

    In the last year the Royal Stoke University Hospital has recruited almost 4,000 people to take part in clinical trials. 

    Now the University Hospitals of North Midlands NHS Trust, along with many others, is taking part in an international day to encourage more patients to get involved. 

    Doctor with patient

    I've been to the hospital to meet a doctor who's hoping his own story can help inspire others and you'll see my report on Midlands Today on BBC One from 13:30.

  10. Council denies u-turn over taxi plans

    James Bovill
    Staffordshire Political Reporter, BBC News

    Stoke-on-Trent City Council has denied that it's made a u-turn, by dropping plans to only allow people with clean licences to drive taxis.

    Stoke-on-Trent City Council's Civic Centre

    The authority had suggested new applicants needed to be free of any points on their licence.

    However it faced opposition from many drivers and had to concede it could have faced a legal challenge.

    I don't think it's fair to say that we've gone back on everything we wanted to do. You come up with ideas and solutions for problems, then you consult on them, then you come out like today, after having a good discussion and a vote, with the final solution. "

    Councillor Joy Garner, Member of Stoke-on-Trent City Council's Licensing Committee

  11. News: Northampton set to appoint Port Vale boss; cat shot in Staffordshire; Bentley boost from plan approval

    Lee Thomas
    Newsreader, BBC Radio Stoke

    This afternoon's top stories include:

    - Port Vale manager Rob Page is expected to be appointed as Northampton Town's new manager at a press conference this afternoon

    - A cat has been shot with a pellet gun in the Madeley area of Staffordshire, police have revealed today  

    - Car maker Bentley says having its plans for a new research and development centre in Crewe approved means it can produce a new generation of luxury cars

  12. Cat shot in Staffordshire

    Alice Bentley
    Journalist, BBC Radio Stoke

    A cat has been shot with a pellet gun in the Madeley area of Staffordshire, police have revealed today. 

    Morningside, MadeleyGoogle

    Staffordshire Police say it happened on Morningside on 7 May, when the animal came in from the back garden limping. 

    The force says it had clearly been shot in the leg and needed treatment from a vet to remove the pellets. 

  13. Football: Announcement expected this afternoon on Port Vale manager's move

    Lee Blakeman
    Port Vale commentator, BBC Radio Stoke

    Back now to our coverage of the future of Port Vale's manager Rob Page - Northampton Town have called a press conference at Sixfields for 14:30.

    Rob PageGetty Images

    We're expecting this is when Rob Page, the current Port Vale manager, will be confirmed at the new boss at the Cobblers.

    We'll bring you live coverage of what happens this afternoon.

  16. Watch: This afternoon's Stoke and Staffordshire weather forecast

    Lucy Martin
    BBC Weather

    If you want a weather forecast at any other time you can get one from the BBC website.

  17. Watch: Port Vale players in 'limbo' over manager change

    Max Mallen
    Presenter, BBC Radio Stoke

    Port Vale's players are in "limbo" says club defender Adam Yates over the news that manager Rob Page is expected to join Northampton Town.  

    Page, 41, has been in charge of Vale since October 2014.  

  18. Your pictures: Shugborough daffodils and scenic Rudyard

    Allen Cook
    BBC Local Live

    Some late daffodils pictured in this photo from Shugborough, Staffordshire which Janet Taylor has sent in.

    Shugborough daffodilsJanet Taylor

    While Derek Knapper took this photo of Rudyard Lake in Staffordshire.

    It's great when you take the time to share pictures of Staffordshire or Cheshire with me - you can do that on email, tweet @BBCRadioStoke or use Instagram, tagging #bbcstoke.

    Rudyard LakeDerek Knapper

  19. Watch: Bus station reopens after 'suspect bag' report

    Sarah Robertson
    Producer, BBC Radio Stoke

    This was the scene in Hanley, Stoke-on-Trent this morning, as the bus station was reopened after Staffordshire Police investigated a "suspect bag" report.  

  20. Tamworth crash driver left hanging over canal

    BBC News UK

    A driver who crashed through a bridge over a canal leaving her car hanging "precariously at a 40 degree angle" has escaped injury.  

    Car hanging over canalWest Midlands Ambulance Service

    Her car only avoided ending up in the water in Tamworth when part of the bodywork hooked on to the bridge railing, West Midlands Ambulance Service said.

    Emergency crews were called to Glascote Road at about 16:20 on Wednesday.

    The driver - a woman in her 50s - climbed out through the back window.