Allen Cook
BBC Local Live

Hello one and all, we look to be in for another cracking day on the weather front as there are already blue skies over Hanley - this was the town hall just before 07:30.

Kay will tell us shortly what the rest of today's weather holds and we'll have more news, sport, travel and other updates for Staffordshire and Cheshire through the day.

You can also get in touch with comments, tip-offs and pictures of the area - use email, tweet @BBCRadioStoke, external or put pictures on Instagram, external.

Hartlepool United score two goals in four second-half minutes to salvage a point at Crewe Alexandra.

Port Vale continue their unbeaten start to the League One season with a narrow home win against Rochdale.

Club-record signing Jackson Irvine nets against Sheffield Wednesday as Burton Albion earn their first-ever Championship win.

Stoke goalkeeper Jack Butland could return from a injury to play against Manchester City, according to assistant Mark Bowen.

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. 

Laura Mcmullan
Reporter, BBC Midlands Today

I've been in Uttoxeter today, talking to a couple who can now walk under the leaves of a giant plant in their garden - which is being dubbed their very own Triffid. 

The Chilean rhubarb plant was given to them 25 years ago as a house-warming present and it's now almost 12-feet (3.66m) tall. 

See just how massive it is and hear why you might be able to own it yourself on Midlands Today from 18:30 on BBC One.

Allen Cook
BBC Local Live

More young people in the West Midlands are being asked to give blood. 

A campaign's been launched today as the NHS says almost half of all donors in the region last year were 45 or older.  

Image source, Thinkstock

It says figures for England last year suggest the amount of people signing up as a donor or giving blood for the first time has dropped, external by almost 25% over the last 10 years.  

Lee Blakeman
Port Vale commentator, BBC Radio Stoke

Port Vale have confirmed this afternoon they've mutually terminated the contract of one of their summer signings, external, striker Carlos Saleiro. 

Image source, Port Vale FC

The club say he's found it "difficult to adjust to life" in England and has decided now to return to Portugal. 

The Vale say the decision frees up funds for manager Bruno Ribeiro to look for a replacement before the transfer window shuts.

Lucy King
News Editor, BBC Radio Stoke

A vehicle containing suspected CS gas and cocaine, a small axe, a knife and a hammer has been stopped on the M6, external near Stafford. 

Staffordshire Police says traffic officers pulled it over during rush hour yesterday afternoon on the northbound carriageway between junctions 13 and 14. 

They say a 36-year-old man from Manchester is being held on suspicion of drug supply and possessing offensive weapons.

Lichfield Mercury

A Lichfield mum has become the 1,000th recipient of what is arguably, external one of the city's most important charities.

Image source, Lichfield Mercury

Port Vale terminate the contract of striker Carlos Saleiro, just six weeks after he signed for the League One club.

Phil McCann
Cheshire Political Reporter, BBC News

Plans for 900 new houses on a former golf club near Crewe, external should be refused, according to council planning officials. 

Haddon Developments wants to build the new homes as well as shops and a primary school on the old Gorstyhill golf course at Wychwood village.  

Image source, Google

More than 1,000 people have objected to the proposals and officials say they would harm the environment, if realised. 

Councillors will debate the issue next week, but the government will have the final say.

Allen Cook
BBC Local Live

The clear skies have lent themselves to some cracking pictures of sunrise and sunset in Staffordshire and Cheshire recently.

You've been sending some in to me. Stuart Mitton says this one shows sunrise at Hurleston locks near Nantwich.

Image source, Stuart Mitton

And John Harding snapped this sunset over Stoke-on-Trent and tweeted it to @BBCRadioStoke, external.

As well as Twitter, you can share pictures of the area with me on email or put them on Instagram (adding the tag #bbcstoke to the description so I can find them), external.

Image source, John Harding

Lee Thomas
Newsreader, BBC Radio Stoke

This evening, here are the main headlines we're looking at:

- Underage drivers are using old vehicles and crashing them into walls and cars, external on a housing estate, police say  

- Plans for 900 new houses on a former golf club near Crewe, external should be refused, according to council planning officials  

- The Staffordshire owner of a cat which vanished four years ago had to fight to reclaim him, despite microchipping her pet  

Matt Sandoz
Stoke City commentator, BBC Radio Stoke

Stoke City chairman Peter Coates admits they're working on a backup plan in case they don't manage to sign Saido Berahino from West Bromwich Albion. 

Image source, Getty Images

Stoke are unlikely to have an offer accepted for the striker unless West Brom can bring in a replacement first. 

Coates admits Berahino isn't the only player they're looking at.

Lee Thomas
Newsreader, BBC Radio Stoke

Underage drivers are using old vehicles and crashing them into walls and cars, external on a Stafford housing estate, police say. 

Image source, Google

Staffordshire Police says there's been a number of recent "dangerous incidents" on the Highfields estate.

The force says the culprits are driving them around the estate and off road, putting their own and other people's lives at risk.

Nantwich News

Big-hearted students and staff from Reaseheath College in Nantwich have raised a record breaking £33,000 for local charities.  , external

Image source, Nantwich News

Graham McGarry
Crewe Alexandra commentator, BBC Radio Stoke

Crewe Alexandra are hoping to continue their unbeaten start to the season tonight as they host Hartlepool.

Image source, Getty Images

It'll be the Alex's fourth fixture in just 11 days and manager Steve Davis told BBC Radio Stoke that he accepts he'll need to rotate his squad if his players are to stay fresh.

Alice Bentley
Journalist, BBC Radio Stoke

Over £400k of Lottery money, external has helped secure the future of a Staffordshire charity for the next four years, according to the organisation.

Image source, Google

North Staffs Carers Association, external says it offers free services to unpaid carers in the area which include emotional support and practical help.

The Big Lottery Fund, external says it's given the money to the charity to provide more support to people entering a caring role and those who are currently looking after someone.