Updates on Thursday 16 June 2016
News, sport, travel and weather updates to resume at 08:00 on Friday
A new exhibition marking 300 years since the birth of canal pioneer James Brindley has opened. How did his work transform the English landscape and unlock a new era in the Industrial Revolution?
Read MoreA major road through Shropshire will be closed until the middle of August after a lorry crashed into a house, authorities confirm.
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Graham McGarry
Crewe Alexandra commentator, BBC Radio Stoke
The Crewe Alexandra manager Steve Davis says he has warned his players that he won't tolerate complacency this season.
Image source, Getty ImagesDavis told BBC Radio Stoke he has been satisfied so far with his team's form in their friendly games - but he warned nobody should take their starting place for granted.
Quote MessageThey've got to play well and train well to earn the right to be in the team every week. I noticed a little bit of that (complacency) yesterday in training and because of that I swapped them over and gave other players a chance."
Steve Davis, Crewe Alexandra manager
James Bovill
Staffordshire Political Reporter, BBC News
We asked the Department of Health for a response to demands from Tristram Hunt MP for the Health Secretary to sort out what he's termed an NHS at "breaking point" in Stoke-on-Trent.
In a letter to Jeremy Hunt, the Labour MP says, external Royal Stoke University Hospital's seen a surge in patients following overnight closures of the A&E unit at Stafford's County Hospital.
The Department of Health told us: "We expect patients to be seen quickly at A&E."
A spokesperson added "the hospital is taking action to reduce pressure by helping patients to access the most appropriate services for treatment". They said a full response to Tristram Hunt's letter would follow "in due course".
Ros Chimes
Reporter, BBC Radio Stoke
Councillors in the Staffordshire Moorlands have approved plans , externalwhich could lead to a ban on smoking e-cigarettes in taxis.
Smoking is already banned in taxis - now the district council wants to ban e-cigarettes too as part of a new policy that will come in to force next year. First, there'll be public consultation on the issue.
Allen Cook
BBC Local Live
Nosy cattle anyone? Jonathan White says these cows were curious as to what he was up to when he walked across fields in Wistaston, Cheshire.
Image source, Jonathan WhiteJonathan's a regular contributor of photos he takes in his part of the world. If you take pictures of Staffordshire or Cheshire, I'd love to see them.
You can email, tweet @BBCRadioStoke, external or use Instagram (with the tag #bbcstoke)., external
James Bovill
Staffordshire Political Reporter, BBC News
A volunteer who helps run her local library in Stafford says community takeovers offer users self-improvement.
So far, 11 libraries have transferred from county council to community ownership.
Library's community takeover in Stafford offers self-improvement, volunteer says
Friday is the deadline for applications from groups, external interested in running another 12.
Protesters have claimed it's a money-saving exercise, but volunteer Viv Evans, at Rising Brook Library, says there are many benefits.
Chris Long
Entertainment reporter
The daughter of Ken Barrie, the voice of Postman Pat who's died at the age of 83, says he was "most proud of the fact he looked after his family well".
Lorraine Hulme Peterson told BBC News that Barrie, who was born in Stoke-on-Trent, was "a master of different character voices" who also found success providing voiceovers for films and television adverts.
She said that while he was not someone who liked the idea of "being bombarded for autographs, it was lovely to see when children realised who he was".
"He'd do the voice and they'd be gobsmacked," she said.
Alice Bentley
Journalist, BBC Radio Stoke
Three men and a woman have been arrested on suspicion of drugs offences after two police operations in the Staffordshire Moorlands, external.
Staffordshire Police say a car was stopped on a Cheadle car park yesterday afternoon, and a property raided in Kingsley Holt.
Officers say they seized drugs including cocaine and cannabis with a value of more than £7,000.
Matt Sandoz
Stoke City commentator, BBC Radio Stoke
Stoke City's assistant manager Mark Bowen believes the way they play football is helping to attract better players.
Image source, Stoke City FCThe club has signed the highly-rated Egyptian teenager Ramadan Sobhi this week as well as Liverpool's Joe Allen.
Quote MessageWhen Mark Hughes was speaking to Joe Allen he was asking all the right questions, very concerned about which way that we thought the club was going and players that might be coming in, players that might be leaving or staying."
Mark Bowen, Stoke City's assistant manager
A hospital is being put under "unacceptable strain" because of the closure of neighbouring accident and emergency departments, an MP says.
Read MoreRos Chimes
Reporter, BBC Radio Stoke
One of the biggest agricultural shows in the Staffordshire Moorlands is being staged tomorrow.
The Leek Show, external has been running annually in the town for more than 50 years and thousands turned up to last year's event on a hot and sunny weekend.
The show is famous for its shire horse competition and breeders travel from all over the country to take part.
Lee Blakeman
Port Vale commentator, BBC Radio Stoke
Port Vale midfielder Sam Foley says he will be staying at the club this season.
Image source, Port Vale FCThe 29-year-old had been linked with a move to Swindon over the last few weeks. Foley has told BBC Radio Stoke he's going nowhere.
Quote MessageI wouldn't believe everything you read on social media. It was good gossip for a few hours but I won't be going anywhere. I'm under contract here, I'm happy here, I'm settled here - as long as I'm playing I'm happy."
Sam Foley, Port Vale midfielder
James Bovill
Staffordshire Political Reporter, BBC News
As a Stoke-on-Trent MP today demands more funding and support for the local NHS, latest figures show that in May, 79.4% of A&E patients at the Royal Stoke University Hospital, external were seen within four hours.
The NHS target for accident and emergency departments is 95%.
The figures also reveal 12 people waited on trolleys at Royal Stoke hospital for 12 hours or more in May - the national standard is zero.
In 2015-16, there were 103 12-hour trolley waits at the same hospital.
The famous blue and white striped Cornishware pottery, could be made in the county it was named after for the first time.
Read MoreIt's not all been grey skies over Staffordshire and Cheshire today from the look of some photos taken by our BBC Weather Watcher volunteers.
This picture - with more than a hint of blue - was uploaded this morning by user Wendles in Yoxall.
Image source, WendlesA teenager fighting a food phobia with hypnotism says her only lunch used to be lemon curd sandwiches.
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BBC Travel
A lane is shut on the M6 northbound between junctions 15 and 16 near Stoke-on-Trent because of a crash between a van and a car.
Sixty seven years ago today, the BBC broadcast its first ever TV weather forecast.
Oh dear it appears not much changes... rain is forecast today and there were showers back in 1949 as well.
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Jack Dowling
Journalist, BBC Radio Stoke
Roadworks on the A34 near Stone are due to be officially completed today.
Image source, Staffordshire County CouncilThe Meaford stretch has been dug up and moved over the last year, external as part of "infrastructure works" by the county council and contractors.
The improved layout includes a road to a new business park which will include a gas fired power station.
