Updates on Thursday 16 June 2016
News, sport, travel and weather updates to resume at 08:00 on Friday
Alexandra Hamilton
BBC Weather
There's heavy rain for most parts, with it brightening up later in the afternoon. Maximum temperature of 16C (61F).
Latest weather forecast for West Midlands
BBC Midlands Today
A record number of children in the West Midlands are being brought up by their grandparents.
It's not because their own parents are busy out at work, but because they're incapable of looking after them, due to problems ranging from alcohol and drug abuse to mental health issues.
But what's it like parenting the second time around? Find out on BBC Midlands Today on BBC One from 13:30.
Lee Thomas
Newsreader, BBC Radio Stoke
This afternoon's headlines for Staffordshire and Cheshire include:
- Three men are arrested after trying to break into a JCB depot, external in Stoke-on-Trent this morning
- Women from Staffordshire are getting together - with local MP Tristram Hunt - to protest in London against the state pension age increasing
- Gordon Banks backs Stoke City's Jack Butland to be England keeper
Alice Bentley
Journalist, BBC Radio Stoke
Women from Staffordshire are taking part in a march in London today to protest against changes being made to the state pension age.
It affects women born in the 1950s and it's claimed they could lose out on as much as £36,000.
Members from Women Against State Pension Inequality, external are attending the demonstration in London, along with local MPs who are also backing the campaign.
The Department for Work and Pensions, external says women retiring today can still expect to receive a higher state pension over their lifetime than any group of women before them.
Business owners in Nantwich have issued warnings after youths walked in to town centre stores and stole mobile phones, external.
Image source, Nantwich News
Graham McGarry
Crewe Alexandra commentator, BBC Radio Stoke
Crewe Alexandra boss Steve Davis is promising "quality not quantity" as he seeks to strengthen his squad this summer.
The Alex are waiting on answers from two players, who've both played in the Championship.
Quote MessageI'm happy to wait for people to come in if I think they're going to be better than what we've got. I don't just want to add numbers to the squad, I'm looking for quality.
Steve Davis, Crewe Alexandra boss
BBC Newsbeat
Jane Sutton, the mother of teenage cancer fundraiser Stephen Sutton, is forced to release a statement denying she has the disease herself.
Image source, Birmingham NHS Foundation TrustBBC Weather Watcher Cuppa sent in this great picture from Wychnor in Staffordshire.
If you have some pictures you would like to share, you can become a BBC Weather Watcher by signing up on the website.
Image source, Cuppa
Matt Sandoz
Stoke City commentator, BBC Radio Stoke
Stoke City and England legend Gordon Banks has backed Jack Butland to become the new number one for his country.
The Stoke keeper is now fully fit again after breaking his ankle while playing for England in March.
Image source, APBanks told BBC Radio Stoke he has the ability to displace Joe Hart.
Quote MessageHe was so close to pushing Joe Hart out of the national team when the injury happened. I think (Jack Butland) is a top-class goalkeeper, if he keeps doing what he's doing... playing with confidence like he does for Stoke City, I think there's a big chance he can get into that England side."
Gordon Banks, Former Stoke City goalkeeper
Jennie Aitken
Reporter, BBC WM
A record number of children in the West Midlands are being raised by their grandparents - that's more than 10,000.
The region is proportionately the second-highest in the UK, according to the Economic and Social Research Council.
Jonk Watts, from Birmingham, is the full-time carer for his grandson.
Those stuggling to deal with drug and alcohol addictions or mental health issues often find their own parents stepping in.
Mr Watts took early retirement three years ago so he could be around for his grandson after his alcoholic daughter could not cope.
Jane Sutton, the mother of teenage cancer fundraiser Stephen Sutton, is forced to release a statement denying she has the disease herself.
Read More
Amy Cole
BBC Midlands Today
The West Midlands has some of the highest number of "pump and run" incidents in the UK - that's where drivers fill up and then drive off without paying.
Figures obtained by a Freedom of Information request reveal that more than 4,000 drivers made off without paying last year.
West Midlands Police says it investigates around 20 fuel thefts each day.
Latest weather forecast for West Midlands
People living on a housing estate say they are being "cut off" twice an hour when a rail line is in use.
Read MoreAlice Bentley
Journalist, BBC Radio Stoke
Organisers of a new road race in Stafford say they now have the maximum amount of entrants, external for the event.
The town's first 10K will take place in September, with around 2,000 runners taking part.
Earlier this month the route was announced. It will start in the town centre and take in the Isabel Trail and Victoria Park.
Emma Thomas
Journalist, BBC Radio Stoke
A 14-year-old girl's been hit by a car in Stafford, external say police.
Image source, GoogleAccording to Staffordshire Police, the driver of the car checked her condition before leaving the scene of the crash on Friday on Newport Road - they're now trying to track down the motorist.
The force says the girl was crossing the road at the time and suffered slight injuries which needed hospital treatment.
People living on a housing estate say they are being "cut off" twice an hour when a rail line is in use.
Access to and from Coppice Road in Stone, Staffordshire, is impossible for 10 minutes each hour when level crossing barriers come down.
Some residents want to see another route built for cars and pedestrians.
Network Rail says the frequency of trains has recently returned to twice an hour, due to improvement works on alternative routes.
Phil McCann
Cheshire Political Reporter, BBC News
George Osborne usually cuts a popular figure in his Cheshire constituency but how has the UK's vote to leave the European Union affected perceptions of the Chancellor?
Winning 58% of the Tatton vote in the 2015 general election, you might think sympathy for the Remain-campaigning minister would have stayed strong.
But as Mr Osborne battles through arguably the most vulnerable point in his career, opinion in the Cheshire East borough is as divided as the nation, with 51.2% of his constituents voting to leave the EU, and 48.8% choosing remain.
Some Leave voters have blasted the chancellor for presiding over what they say was a lackluster Remain campaign.
Chris King
Reporter, BBC Radio Stoke
Concerns have been raised over plans to relocate a post office in Stoke-on-Trent.Under proposals, the Fenton branch would move in to an empty unit across the road.
But Glenn Parkes, from the Fenton Community Association, says he has concerns the move will make access difficult for pensioners and disabled people.The Post Office says it welcomes customers' feedback ahead of a final decision.
Lee Blakeman
Port Vale commentator, BBC Radio Stoke
Port Vale have made their first signing since appointing Bruno Ribeiro as managerwith the transfer of Dutch defender Kjell Knops. , external
The club say the 28-year-old joins from MVV Maastricht where he was club captain.
Image source, Port Vale FCPort Vale's chairman Norman Smuthwaite has also tweeted that two other players, from Monaco, weren't able to travel to Vale Park because of "all (the) English fans returning, external".
He adds that they should arrive "with others" on Thursday.
