Chris King
Reporter, BBC Radio Stoke

A Stoke-on-Trent charity that rehabilitates former prisoners says it's got reoffending rates among the people it helps down to just 6%. 

Restart,, external which is run by the Christian charity Saltbox, external, says it offers ex-offenders in the city support, housing, mentors and help in finding a job. 

Image source, Thinkstock

The government's latest figures show a national rate of reoffending across England and Wales of 26%, external - and for just Stoke-on-Trent, 28%. 

Saltbox says last year it helped 300 men and women and 6% went on to reoffend - this year they say they've worked with around 150 and the rate at the moment is 5%.

Allen Cook
BBC Local Live

We're trying to find out more about the lorry fire this morning on the M6 near Stoke-on-Trent, on the northbound side between junctions 15 and 16.

We've heard now from the online retailer Amazon who've confirmed it was not one of their vehicles, as was first thought.

If we get more on the vehicle involved and why it happened, we'll bring it to you later.

Matt Sandoz
Stoke City commentator, BBC Radio Stoke

The former Stoke City manager Lou Macari has told BBC Radio Stoke he doesn't think striker Robin van Persie will be joining the club this summer.  

Image source, Getty Images

The Potters have been linked with the former Manchester United and Arsenal player over the last few weeks. 

But Macari, who worked with van Persie at Old Trafford, says that, when it comes to the idea of signing for Mark Hughes' team it's "not going to happen".

Jack Dowling
Journalist, BBC Radio Stoke

We've had more details from Highways England on the lorry which was on fire on the M6 in Staffordshire this morning. , external

They've told me it's believed it was an Amazon lorry involved in the blaze between junctions 15 and 16 near Stoke-on-Trent.

Image source, Highways England

A spokesman also told me it looks like they didn't have to resurface the carriageway in this case, which they say is common after a big fire. 

One lane is still shut between junctions 15 and 16.

The family of a man killed in a street attack last year say they have been "let down" by the justice system as they appeal for information.

Lee Thomas
Newsreader, BBC Radio Stoke

This afternoon's headlines for Stoke-on-Trent and Cheshire: 

- A Stoke-on-Trent woman has been jailed for four years after police say she killed a passenger in her car by driving into a stationary lorry

- All the fixtures in changing rooms at a Stoke-on-Trent sports ground have been broken, in what the city council call an act of "mindless vandalism

- The A51 remains closed northbound at the junction with Church Lane for recovery and investigation work, police say

Allen Cook
BBC Local Live

A woman from Stoke-on-Trent's been jailed for four years, with police describing how she killed her sister-in-law when her car ploughed into a stationary lorry, external

Zakia Akhtar, 30, of Grove Street, earlier admitted causing death by dangerous driving and was today sent to prison as well as banned from driving for four years. 

Image source, Staffordshire Police

Staffordshire Police say her driving caused the death of Mobeen Hussain, 25, who was a passenger in the Vauxhall Corsa when it crashed in January on Clough Street, Hanley. 

The force say officers found she had "excessive alcohol" in her system and was speeding.   

Chris King
Reporter, BBC Radio Stoke

All the fixtures in changing rooms at a Stoke-on-Trent sports ground have been broken, in what the city council call an act of "mindless vandalism". 

The damage at Sprinkbank pavilion in Chell Heath is expected to cost in the region of £15,000 to mend. 

The council say it was broken into last week, with toilets and sinks methodically smashed, and oil sprayed on the walls and floors.

Image source, Stoke-on-Trent City Council

Lee Thomas
Newsreader, BBC Radio Stoke

The A51 remains closed northbound at the junction with Church Lane for recovery and investigation work, police say.

A local man in his 70s suffered multiple injuries in the crash involving a car and a van outside Stafford. 

It happened around 13:30 near Hixon airfield, the man who was a passenger in a Ford Focus was cut free by firefighters. 

He's been taken to the Royal Stoke hospital. The female driver of the car and male driver of the van have also been treated by paramedics.

Allen Cook
BBC Local Live

It looks like, as a Team GB athlete going to the Rio Olympic Games, it's not just about packing the right kit.

Stoke-on-Trent long jumper Jazmin Sawyers tweeted that she's sorted the hair braiding too - good luck to her. Keep up-to-date with the Olympics on the BBC Sport website.

BBC Weather Watchers

BBC Weather Watcher Jon sent in this gorgeous photo from Barlaston in Stafford.

It's even made it to BBC Radio Stoke's cover photo on Facebook, check it out here, external. 

Image source, Jon

Lee Thomas
Newsreader, BBC Radio Stoke

Some of the afternoon's headlines for Staffordshire and Cheshire include: 

- An air ambulance has been called to a main road outside Stafford after three people were injured in a two-vehicle crash

- A small gas leak leads to the evacuation of a restaurant in Nantwich

- A man is taken to hospital after a car and cyclist crash in Trentham

Monica Rimmer
Journalist, BBC Radio Stoke

Two Staffordshire FA Youth Council members have met the new England boss Sam Allardyce.

Chloe Matthews and FA Young Volunteer of the year, Ben Kirk, visited St George's Park, external for a four day Football Futures Academy Camp. 

Image source, Staffordshire FA

The camp provided young volunteers with the opportunity to develop their coaching ethos and leadership philosophies as well as being given a platform to work with volunteers from across the country to interact and highlight the positive work that takes place within county FA youth councils.  

During the camp, the team were lucky enough to meet England's new manager. 

Burton Albion face a daunting start to their first Championship campaign, according to boss Nigel Clough.

Lee Thomas
Newsreader, BBC Radio Stoke

Three people have been injured in a serious crash outside Stafford.

An elderly couple had to be cut out of their car after the crash at about 13:30 on the A51 near Hinton airfield.

The air ambulance is at the scene, near Pasturefields Lane, but the extent of the injuries is as yet unclear.

Three fire engines are also there.

Chris King
Reporter, BBC Radio Stoke

Teachers in Stoke-on-Trent don't use ceramic kilns in schools because they don't know how to, according to a local kiln manufacturer.

The firm Potclays, external has told BBC Radio Stoke it believes dozens are being left unused in schools, despite the fact they are paying to have them serviced. 

It's urging teachers in the city of "the Potteries" not to be scared of using them in schools. 

Kirsty Hicks, head of art at Thistley Hough Academy, external, (featured in video) says they can appear scary and added that she believes kilns have sat "gathering dust" as well, due to the move to digital technology.

Lamont Howie
Reporter, BBC Radio Stoke

A small gas leak has led to the evacuation of a restaurant in Nantwich. 

Fire crews were called to The Cat on Welsh Row after 11:00 when a carbon monoxide alarm was triggered. 

Burton Mail

Parents who take their children out of Staffordshire schools for holidays of 10 days or fewer over two consecutive half terms will not be fined, external, the county council has announced.

BBC Politics

An MEP for the West Midlands, and Dudley councillor, has made the shortlist of six to become leader of UKIP.

Bill Etheridge, who's 46, has said UKIP should stick by its "core principles and values" and not be "distracted by negative influences".

He has called for major reform of the penal system, including restricting prisoners' privileges, banning visits during the first six months of a sentence and an automatic 10-year increase in sentence for anyone attacking a prison officer.

He also backs far-reaching changes to the tax system, including a 50% cut in alcohol and tobacco duty, replacing VAT with a local sales tax and gradually merging national insurance and income taxes.

Graham McGarry
Crewe Alexandra commentator, BBC Radio Stoke

The Crewe Alexandra manager says his team "got a lot" from their pre-season training and games. 

Steve Davis told BBC Radio Stoke they did plenty of work, even if not all the games went as planned.