Matt Lee
Breakfast Producer, BBC Radio Stoke

The family of a Stoke-on-Trent soldier who was killed in Iraq in 2003 are in London this morning, to hear the findings of the Chilcot Report into the conflict.

Sir John Chilcot, who chaired the UK's inquiry, says he hopes future military action on such a scale will only be possible with more careful analysis and political judgement.

He also told the BBC it would criticise individuals and institutions.

Debi Allbutt's husband Stephen from Sneyd Green died in a "friendly fire" attack in Basra in 2003.  

BBC Travel

There's queuing traffic on the A50 eastbound in Uttoxeter at the Little Chef roundabout because of an accident.

BBC Travel

There's queuing traffic on the A5 eastbound in Shenstone near Lichfield this morning.

The weather for the West Midlands.

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. 

Burton Mail

Artwork depicting the communities of East Staffordshire is now taking pride of place on a major route into Burton, external – at a cost of £15,000.  

Image source, Burton Mail

Tom Mullen
Reporter, BBC News Online

Religious services and a flower festival will be held to mark the first anniversary of a huge explosion , externalthat left four people dead at a wood flour mill in Bosley, Cheshire.  

The services, held at the village's Methodist church, will pay tribute to Derek Moore, Jason Shingler, William Banks and Dorothy Bailey, who all died at Bosley Mill on 17 July last year.  

Image source, Cheshire Fire and Rescue Service

Sam Alston, chairman of Bosley Parish Council, said the anniversary would be a "difficult time" for people, and "emotions will be running high".

The flower festival begins on 15 July, and further details of timings for the services will be released next week.

Jenny Coleman
Reporter, BBC Local Live

Three tiny warthog piglets, named after Harry Potter characters, have made their debuts at Chester Zoo, Cheshire.

The piglets, which have been revealed as two girls and one boy, have been called Hedwig, Nagini and Aragog in tribute to some of the animals at the famous school of witchcraft and wizardry.

The trio arrived to mum Tamzin and dad Magnum on 9 June after a six-month pregnancy.  

Mike Perkins
BBC Radio Stoke Sport

Port Vale have announced they've signed three Portuguese players , externalthis afternoon.

Image source, Port Vale FC

Striker Carlos Saleiro, 30, has joined from Clube Oriental de Lisboa who play in Portugal's second division. 

He's been joined in Burslem by midfielder Paulo Tavares, 30, and left-back Francisco Rosa, 23, who've both played under Vale's new manager Bruno Ribeiro at Vitoria Setubal.

BBC Travel

The A5127 Birmingham Road in Lichfield is shut both ways after a lorry hit a bridge.

It's between Falkland Road and Wall Island.

Lee Thomas
Newsreader, BBC Radio Stoke

Let's get you the latest top stories in Staffordshire and Cheshire now:

- The NHS Trust behind two Staffordshire hospitals says their A&E service isn't designed for the level of demand they are currently seeing this summer, external

- Hairdressers are being recruited in the West Midlands to help uncover domestic abuse  

- Tamworth's sporting stars have been depicted on a town underpass

Bob Hockenhull
BBC Midlands Today

Hairdressers are being recruited in the West Midlands to help uncover domestic abuse. 

The project, called Salon Saviours, is based on the idea that people will talk about their home lives while having their hair done.

Kathy Coe from Staffordshire (featured in video) endured seven years of domestic abuse. She now helps others and believes hairdressers are an underused asset.

West Midlands Police is launching the scheme and I'll have more on BBC One from 18:30 in Midlands Today.

Monica Rimmer
Journalist, BBC Radio Stoke

It looked to be a varied picture on the weather front this morning judging by the look of the pictures our BBC Weather Watchers uploaded.

Some places were overcast, as in JonnyG's snap of Longton, Stoke-on-Trent, whereas other areas had blue skies, including Congleton, as photographed by Dawn Treader.

Image source, JonnyG

Image source, Dawn Treader

Matt Lee
Breakfast Producer, BBC Radio Stoke

You've been having your say on the BBC Radio Stoke Facebook page, external about MPs today saying schools offering substandard careers advice should be downgraded in Ofsted inspections.

They say it could be harming the economy although head teachers' leaders said a "big stick" would not solve "severe problems".

Image source, Thinkstock

In terms of the careers advice our audience has had, Julie Smith posted, external: "I got told to go and work in a shoe shop in town but instead became a chef - always wanted to be a nurse or hairdresser."

While Craig McKenzie wrote, external: "I was told I'd never amount to anything. I've travelled the world four times, worked on cruises and am now a successful businessman".

And John Cliffe added, external: "My careers adviser kept saying to get a job in the pit, they will always need coal and you will never be out of a job. Within 20 years, the coal industry had disappeared.I went into engineering and loved it."

Sara Blizzard
BBC Weather

You can also head to the BBC Weather website for the latest forecasts.

BBC Travel

The B5066 in Sandon is partially blocked in both directions at the A51 Lichfield Road junction because of a crash.

Phil McCann
Cheshire Political Reporter, BBC News

The North West UKIP MEP Paul Nuttall says he is interested in becoming the party's leader following the resignation of Nigel Farage. 

He had refused to be drawn on the issue yesterday, saying he needed time to consider. 

Mr Nuttall has been deputy leader of UKIP for six years.

Graham McGarry
Crewe Alexandra commentator, BBC Radio Stoke

Crewe Alexandra have made their second signing of the summer by bringing in much-travelled striker Chris Dagnall.  

Image source, crewealex.net

The 30-year-old will form a new strike partnership with 37-year-old veteran Ryan Lowe, who returned to the club for a third time earlier this summer.  

BBC Radio Stoke

Tamworth's sporting stars have been depicted on a town underpass.

Image source, Tamworth Borough Council

The artwork shows snowboarder Adam Gendle, footballer Marc Albrighton, athlete Meghan Beesley and boxer Ryan Hatton and was spray-painted by local artists on the underpass under River Drive bridge, between the SnowDome and the bowling alley.

Last year, the Ladybridge underpass was painted with a mural based on borough history, which included Second World War hero Colin Grazier, Sir Robert Peel, Tamworth Castle, swans, a Reliant Robin and a Tamworth pig.

BBC Sport

Unlucky Stoke City fans - Valencia have signed Portuguese international Nani on a three-year deal. 

The Potters had been interested in signing the 29-year-old.