Updates on Thursday 16 June 2016
News, sport, travel and weather updates to resume at 08:00 on Friday
James Bovill
Staffordshire Political Reporter, BBC News
A new company could be set up to maintain council houses in Stoke-on-Trent., external
The work is currently carried out as part of a joint venture with property management company Kier Stoke.
But that deal ends in 2018 and the city council says it believes a new firm would allow it to offer longer term work to local companies.
Graham McGarry
Crewe Alexandra commentator, BBC Radio Stoke
Despite already losing out on two of his midfield transfer targets, Crewe Alexandra's manager Steve Davis says he believes he does have options when it comes to strengthening that area of his team.
Image source, crewealex.netHowever Billy Bingham is currently the Alex's only midfielder over the age of 21 and Davis has told BBC Radio Stoke they will need experience in the centre of the pitch.
Quote MessageThe midfield play is important to us. We need someone who has played in there, hopefully someone who has played the games if we can get that type of player in - but we are short in the centre of midfield."
Steve Davis, Crewe Alexandra manager
A planned road closure on the A525 in Audlem, Cheshire won't now happen the council says, as work's been finished early.
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Chris King
Reporter, BBC Radio Stoke
A union says it fears uncertainty over Britain's exit from the EU could affect recruitment at two of Staffordshire's hospitals.
The University Hospitals of North Midlands NHS Trust, which runs the the Royal Stoke University Hospital and County Hospital, Stafford, employs around 340 EU workers.
Following the referendum vote, health managers in Staffordshire said they were keen to reassure European health and social care staff, external working in the county.
However the trust's Unison representative has told BBC Radio Stoke he believes people could be put off from applying due to uncertainty over freedom of movement following the EU vote.
Graham McGarry
Crewe Alexandra commentator, BBC Radio Stoke
Crewe Alexandra could get up to £1m in a cash windfall if their former midfielder Ashley Westwood leaves Aston Villa for Burnley this summer.
Image source, Getty ImagesThe Clarets, promoted to the Premier League, have been linked with a £6m swoop for the former Alex midfielder.
Crewe have a substantial sell-on clause, thought to be worth as much as 20% of any profit relegated Villa make on the player, who they signed for around £1m back in 2012.
Tim Wedgwood
BBC Local LIve
It's been confirmed a family of peregrine falcons are nesting on top of the BT building in Hanley, Stoke-on-Trent.
It's been around five years since they first turned up and this year has seen new chicks hatch and successfully fledge.
BT says the family's being cared for by the telecoms firm's staff but will soon fly away when the chicks are all strong enough.
Allen Cook
BBC Local Live
Always a pleasure to see the pictures you take of Staffordshire and Cheshire and feature them on our live page.
Today, this photo from Jonathan White shows, he says, "two runners on the path at the Joey the Swan recreation ground in Wistaston".
Image source, Jonathan WhiteWhile these deer were photographed by Villager Jim in the Peak District.
To see your pictures featured on future pages, send them in on email, tweet them to @BBCRadioStoke, external or put them on Instagram with the tag #bbcstoke, external.
Image source, Villager Jim
Jack Dowling
Journalist, BBC Radio Stoke
A vase made by the historic potter Josiah Wedgwood in Staffordshire is expected to sell for at least £120,000 at auction, external later today in London.
Image source, Christie'sAuctioneer Christie's says it was created by Wedgwood himself on the opening day of his Etruria Factory on 13 June 1769.
Christie's have described is as "one of the most important vases in history".
Matt Sandoz
Stoke City commentator, BBC Radio Stoke
It didn't take long - Stoke City's opening home game of the season, when they'll play Manchester City, has been moved for TV reasons.
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BBC Travel
There's been an accident involving a lorry and a car on the M6 southbound between junctions 18 and 17 in Cheshire.
It's been confirmed a family of peregrine falcons are nesting on top of the BT building in Hanley, Stoke-on-Trent. It's been around five years since they first turned up and this year has seen new chicks hatch and successfully fledge. BT says the family's being cared for by the telecoms firm's staff but will soon fly away when the chicks are all strong enough.
James Bovill
Staffordshire Political Reporter, BBC News
The widow of a Stoke-on-Trent soldier who was killed in Iraq in 2003 says she hopes the Chilcot Report will make sure the country doesn't rush into war again.
Debi Allbutt's husband Stephen, from Sneyd Green, died in a "friendly fire" attack in Basra in 2003.
The long-awaited report said ex-Prime Minister Tony Blair had overstated the threat posed by Saddam Hussein - and military action was not a last resort.
Following the publication of the report, Mr Blair said he took responsibility for "mistakes in planning and process" identified by the inquiry.
Quote MessageAlthough we can't get Steve back, it's got to stop from happening. We can't have one man sending our troops into war situations when there is no reason for it. This cannot happen again."
Debi Allbutt, Widow of soldier killed in Iraq
BBC Travel
There's a lane shut in Staffordshire on the M54 exit slip road eastbound at junction 1, near Featherstone, because of a broken down vehicle.
BBC Travel
There's slow traffic on the M6 northbound between junction 15 and Keele Services because of an earlier accident.
Congestion is back to Stafford Services.
Latest weather for the West Midlands
Alice Bentley
Journalist, BBC Radio Stoke
Two people have been arrested after what police have called a "significant quantity" of suspected Class A drugs, crack cocaine and cash was found in Cannock, external.
Image source, GoogleStaffordshire Police says officers on routine patrol pulled over vehicle which was showing as uninsured on Church Street.
The force says they found the drugs and cash and arrested a man, 31, and woman, 20, both from Birmingham, on suspicion of drug supply offences.
Allen Cook
BBC Local Live
A man was airlifted to hospital this afternoon after a van fell on top of him, trapping him in Burton. , external
Image source, WMASWest Midlands Ambulance Service say it happened in Anslow near the B5017 at around 12:20 - the victim was under the vehicle for around five minutes until it was jacked up again.
They say he was conscious but suffered head, shoulder and knee injuries along with chest pain - paramedics say they're not thought to be life-threatening.
Graham McGarry
Crewe Alexandra commentator, BBC Radio Stoke
Crewe Alexandra's strike force next season will include two players who, between them, have scored over 300 goals.
Image source, Crewe Alexandra FCFormer Rochdale and Barnsley striker Chris Dagnall joined the Alex yesterday on a two-year contract and will link up with another new signing Ryan Lowe.
The Alex manager Steve Davis told BBC Radio Stoke he's excited about the partnership.
Quote MessageWe're getting another forward with a proven record, who has scored at this level and above. It'll give us some real potent force up front - him and Ryan Lowe will have scored more than 320 goals between them."
Steve Davis, Crewe Alexandra manager
Ros Chimes
Reporter, BBC Radio Stoke
The final total for 2015's BBC Children in Need Appeal has been announced and it was a record-breaking £55m.
The charity says it is the highest amount raised in its history and the cash will go to projects working in communities across the UK.
One organisation that they have helped is Homestart Staffordshire Moorland, externals which helps families with children aged under five-year-old.
Louise Walker from the charity says they couldn't do what they do without Children in Need's support.
Sarah Robertson
News Editor, BBC Radio Stoke
More reaction now to today's publication of the Chilcot Report, from the widow of a Stoke-on-Trent soldier who was killed in 2003 in Iraq.
Cpl Stephen Allbutt, from Sneyd Green, died in a "friendly fire" incident and his wife Debi has been speaking to BBC Radio Stoke.
She said she was "relieved" at the report's publication and "surprised" at how much had been published.
Chairman Sir John Chilcot said the 2003 invasion was not the "last resort" action presented to MPs and the public.
Debi Allbutt also said she felt her own key questions had been answered but that the publication today was only the beginning.
Quote MessageIt's a massive can of worms that's been opened and we've just got to see how far this can of worms goes."
Debi Allbutt, Widow of soldier killed in Iraq