Our live coverage across the daypublished at 18:00 British Summer Time 4 July 2016
We'll be back with our usual mix of news, sport, travel and weather from 08:00 tomorrow, but keep an eye out here for more updates this evening and into the morning.
Summary
Review into returning maternity services to Stafford's hospital begins
Bosley mill explosion: Events to be held to mark anniversary
Man in hospital after lorry and car crash
Updates on Monday 4 July 2016
Our live coverage across the daypublished at 18:00 British Summer Time 4 July 2016
On Midlands Today this evening: Stoke firm making Disney princessespublished at 17:55 British Summer Time 4 July 2016
Laura Mcmullan
Reporter, BBC Midlands TodayA small ceramic company from Stoke-on-Trent has been awarded an exclusive contract with Disney, to produce fine bone china figurines of their well known princesses.
The English Ladies Company is the only one in the world who has the rights to produce these high-end pieces.
And I've been finding out just how far afield they'll be selling them - find out more from 18:30 on Midlands Today on BBC One.
BBC Weather Watchers: Cloud busting - Mares' Tailspublished at 17:47 British Summer Time 4 July 2016
Pretty, wispy clouds have been filling your reports today in the skies over Staffordshire and Cheshire but you might be wondering what they are.
Well, these are a type of cirrus cloud, known as cirrus uncinus. The name is derived from Latin and means "curly hooks".
Image source, Flying AntThe clouds occur at very high altitudes, at a temperature of about −50 to −40C.
They are commonly known as mares' tails because of their likeness to horse tails.
Football: Former Newcastle man joins as Macclesfield number twopublished at 17:38 British Summer Time 4 July 2016
BBC Radio Stoke SportThe former Newcastle United defender Steve Watson has been appointed assistant manager at Macclesfield Town, external, the club have confirmed today.
He'll join up with manager John Askey having previously coached at Huddersfield and Birmingham City.
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End of twitter postBosley mill explosion: Events to be held to mark anniversarypublished at 17:28 British Summer Time 4 July 2016
Lamont Howie
Reporter, BBC Radio StokeA flower festival and religious services, external will held by people in Bosley, Cheshire to mark a year on from a devastating mill explosion that killed four people.
Derek Moore, 62, Jason Shingler, 38, William Barks, 51, and Dorothy Bailey, 62, died in the blast at the Wood Treatment Ltd plant on 17 July 2015.
Cheshire East Council says villagers, the wider community and groups like itself and the emergency services will come together in a weekend of events themed as "a country parish remembers".
Travel: Crash on A525 in Newcastle-under-Lymepublished at 17:20 British Summer Time 4 July 2016
BBC TravelThere's been an accident on the A525 Keele Road in Newcastle-under-Lyme near the Poolfield Avenue junction.
Police appeal after five break-ins discovered in Penkridgepublished at 17:20 British Summer Time 4 July 2016
Police are appealing for witnesses after several businesses were broken into,, external or attempts made to break in.
Image source, Cannock MercuryElderly woman hit by 'stolen' motorbikepublished at 17:08 British Summer Time 4 July 2016
Lee Thomas
Newsreader, BBC Radio StokeAn elderly woman in Nantwich has been hit by a motorbike which police believe was stolen.
Image source, GoogleOfficers at Cheshire Police , externalsay the rider had run off when they were called to Beam Street on Saturday afternoon.
They say a 68-year-old woman is thought to have suffered minor injuries.
News: Review into Stafford maternity services; community to mark year after Bosley explosion; man in hospital after motorbike crashpublished at 16:58 British Summer Time 4 July 2016
Lee Thomas
Newsreader, BBC Radio StokeLet's round up your headlines this evening:
- A review into whether maternity services could return to Stafford's hospital has begun
- A flower festival and religious services, external will held by people in Bosley, Cheshire to mark a year on from a devastating mill explosion that killed four people
- A man's been taken to hospital after a crash between a motorcycle and a lorry near Stafford this afternoon
Football: No excuses for young players - Crewe bosspublished at 16:46 British Summer Time 4 July 2016
Graham McGarry
Crewe Alexandra commentator, BBC Radio StokeCrewe Alexandra manager Steve Davis says there are no excuses for the young players in his squad if they don't perform in League Two this coming season.
Image source, Getty ImagesDespite all but two of the Alex's current squad being under the age of 25, they made more than 300 League One appearances between them last season.
Davis says his players can't blame a lack of experience if they don't perform next season.
Quote MessageThey've played a lot of games now and they've had a lot of experience so they are young-ish (sic) players but have experience and I'm looking for them to push on."
Steve Davis, Crewe Alexandra manager
Hospital boss seeking funds to keep dementia ward openpublished at 16:33 British Summer Time 4 July 2016
Alice Bentley
Journalist, BBC Radio StokeMore now on the specialist dementia ward at Harplands Hospital, Stoke-on-Trent, which families are calling for to stay open.
It's because the local clinical commissioning groups (CCGs) want to look at whether the care could be provided elsewhere.
Image source, ThinkstockNow, as well as families of those treated there, the chief executive of the North Staffordshire Combined Healthcare NHS Trust, external, which runs the hospital, has written a blog mentioning ward four. , external
Caroline Donovan has described it as an "excellent initiative" and that they are disappointed the CCGs aren't continuing to fund it.
She adds in her blog that they are still working with them and the neighbouring University Hospitals of North Midlands NHS Trust "to see if we can find the funding for this".
Watch: Stoke and Staffordshire's weather forecast for tonight and tomorrowpublished at 16:17 British Summer Time 4 July 2016
Alexandra Hamilton
BBC WeatherYou can also get up-to-date weather forecast from the BBC Weather website.
Students protest over proposed college course cuts in Burtonpublished at 15:59 British Summer Time 4 July 2016
A protest has taken place over proposed cuts to courses at Burton and South Derbyshire College., external
Image source, Burton MailMan in hospital after lorry and car crashpublished at 15:44 British Summer Time 4 July 2016
Lee Thomas
Newsreader, BBC Radio StokeA man's been taken to hospital after a crash between a motorcycle and a lorry near Stafford this afternoon.
Image source, GoogleIt happened at 14:41 Staffordshire Police say, external, on the A518 near Chartley Castle.
The force says the road is blocked in both directions after the crash - they haven't revealed the extent of the injuries suffered by the man.
BBC Weather Watchers' pictures: Kidsgrove and Cheddletonpublished at 15:32 British Summer Time 4 July 2016
Monica Rimmer
Journalist, BBC Radio Stoke"At last sun" was the cry of one of our BBC Weather Watchers today and our volunteers have been uploading their photos from Staffordshire and Cheshire already.
If you'd like to be one, you can sign up on the website.
Image source, Chedd Chick
Image source, Tracker1Travel: Lorry and motorbike crash on A518 near Staffordpublished at 15:17 British Summer Time 4 July 2016
BBC TravelThe A518 in Chartley is blocked in both directions between the Station Road junction and the Grindley Lane junction because of a crash between a lorry and a motorbike.
Watch: New scheme to make recycling 'easier' launchedpublished at 15:14 British Summer Time 4 July 2016
Emma Thomas
Journalist, BBC Radio StokeA new recycling scheme is being rolled out in Newcastle-under-Lyme today which the council says will make the system easier for residents.
Previously, homeowners had five containers for their recycling - they've now been replaced by three boxes, external and there'll be weekly recycling collections.
Trevor Nicholls from the authority (featured in video) say the changes will make it easier for people to recycle and save £500,000 a year.
Latest: Review could see return of maternity services; not guilty plea to 1980s rape allegation; call to keep dementia ward openpublished at 14:59 British Summer Time 4 July 2016
Lee Thomas
Newsreader, BBC Radio StokeThis afternoon's top stories include:
- The NHS has launched a review today into whether Stafford's County Hospital could see consultant-led maternity services return, external
- A Staffordshire man has pleaded not guilty to the rape of a woman 30 years ago
- Families who rely on a specialist dementia ward in Stoke-on-Trent are urging the officials who pay for the service not to shut it
Armed robber who targeted Draycott in the Clay post office is jailedpublished at 14:49 British Summer Time 4 July 2016
An armed robber is today behind bars after he raided two stores in east Staffordshire. , external
Image source, Uttoxeter AdvertiserFootball: 'We make jokes' - Port Vale signings settle inpublished at 14:35 British Summer Time 4 July 2016
Lee Blakeman
Port Vale commentator, BBC Radio StokePort Vale's new striker Rigino Cicilia says all of the new additions to the squad have settled in well.
Image source, Port Vale FCFive new players arrived at Vale Park last week, with more expected to join the club today.
Cicilia told BBC Radio Stoke that the new-look team has already started to gel.
Quote MessageEverybody understands each other and respect is also there. We make jokes and laugh so the atmosphere is really great."
Rigino Cicilia, Port Vale striker
