Hughes will not contest FA chargepublished at 10:29 British Summer Time 16 September 2016
Stoke boss Mark Hughes will not contest a charge of improper conduct, saying it could cost him money he would prefer to give to his grandchildren.
Read MoreSummary
Dozens of senior jobs 'at risk' as university plans restructure
Charity blames homelessness rise on council cuts
Police officer 'knocked unconscious' in stone-throwing incident
Football: Diouf and Johnson back for Stoke City
Updates from Friday 16 September
Hughes will not contest FA chargepublished at 10:29 British Summer Time 16 September 2016
MP to meet fire service over 11-day wood firepublished at 10:17 British Summer Time 16 September 2016
Allen Cook
BBC Local LiveThe MP for Cannock Chase says she's going to meet the fire service and other groups today, external over the wood fire in Rugeley that's been burning for 11 days.
Residents have told the BBC they are angry they still have to keep their doors and windows shut after 1,000 tonnes of waste caught fire on farmland on Slitting Mill Road on 5 September.
Image source, Staffordshire Fire and Rescue ServiceThe fire service said a controlled burn was taking place over fears water supplies could be contaminated.
Amanda Milling has said this week it was "unacceptable" the fire was still burning and says she'll meet with "all relevant bodies" today to discuss the issue further.
Separately, Staffordshire Fire and Rescue Service say they'll hold a public meeting on Monday evening, external at Rugeley fire station.
News: Council facing £5.5m shortfall; rail disruption after train derailment; Stoke boss won't fight misconduct chargepublished at 10:03 British Summer Time 16 September 2016
Lee Blakeman
Newsreader, BBC Radio StokeThis morning's headlines we're looking at include:
- Council officials in Newcastle-under-Lyme are working out how to plug a £5.5m gap in finances, external
- Train operator London Midland is advising all passengers to make checks before they travel after a train derailed near Watford Junction this morning, disrupting services
- Stoke City have confirmed this morning that Mark Hughes will not contest, external a charge of improper conduct
London Midland services cancelled in and out of Eustonpublished at 09:44 British Summer Time 16 September 2016
All London Midland services to and from Euston station have been cancelled "for the next few hours" after a landslide at Watford Junction.
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End of twitter postBuilder jailed for fleecing man, 71, of nearly £40kpublished at 09:43 British Summer Time 16 September 2016
Alex Homer
BBC Local LiveA "cowboy builder" who fleeced a 71-year-old out of £39,316 for work on his home has been jailed.
George Humberstone admitted conspiracy to defraud on the first day of a trial at Birmingham Crown Court.
Image source, GoogleThe 33-year-old, of Cleese Caravan Park in Walsall Road, Staffordshire, was jailed for 37 months.
Birmingham City Council's trading standards department, which brought the case, said the work for the victim was "over-priced and poor quality".
Further action is expected to be taken to recoup funds from Humberstone under the Proceeds of Crime Act in March 2017.
Fire crews still at site of 1,000-tonne barn firepublished at 09:28 British Summer Time 16 September 2016
Lee Blakeman
Newsreader, BBC Radio StokeFirefighters are still this morning at the scene of a barn fire in the Staffordshire Moorlands which started on Wednesday night.
Image source, Staffordshire Fire and Rescue ServiceStaffordshire Fire and Rescue Service say they were called to reports of around 1,000 tonnes of hay and straw on fire, external at a farm on Buxton Road, Wetton.
At its peak eight fire crews were in attendance - the service say two are still there, monitoring the site.
Major delays after train derails on main linepublished at 09:15 British Summer Time 16 September 2016
Rail passengers heading to London are facing a day of disruption after a train derailed on the main line between Birmingham New Street, external and London Euston.
Image source, Express and StarMidland rail services affected by derailmentpublished at 09:01 British Summer Time 16 September 2016
Stephanie Barnard
BBC Local LiveTrain operator London Midland is advising all passengers to make checks before they travel after a train derailed near Watford Junction this morning, disrupting services.
The extent of delays is "unknown" it says, referring people travelling south to its website, external and National Rail, external.
Tickets are being accepted by other operators, London Midland adds. , external
There is also information @LondonMidland., external
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End of twitter postNews: Council facing £5.5m shortfall; 'cowboy builder' fleeced man of £40k; 'medieval' pit found under car parkpublished at 08:57 British Summer Time 16 September 2016
Lee Blakeman
Newsreader, BBC Radio StokeThis morning's headlines include:
- Council officials in Newcastle-under-Lyme are facing a £5.5m gap in finances, external as the authority tries to agree a new four-year funding deal with the government
- A "cowboy builder" from Staffordshire who fleeced a 71-year-old out of almost £40,000 for work on his home has been jailed
- A suspected medieval pit has been found beneath a car park in Staffordshire
Football: Stoke say Mark Hughes won't contest misconduct chargepublished at 08:45 British Summer Time 16 September 2016
Matt Sandoz
Stoke City commentator, BBC Radio StokeStoke City have confirmed this morning that Mark Hughes will not contest, external a charge of improper conduct.
Image source, Getty ImagesHughes was sent to the stands during the first half of his side's 4-0 home defeat to Tottenham last weekend.
In a statement, Hughes has said that while he disagrees with the charge, he won't challenge it.
Watch: Stoke and Staffordshire's weather this morningpublished at 08:29 British Summer Time 16 September 2016
Sara Blizzard
BBC WeatherYou can keep up-to-date with the latest weather forecasts at any other time on the BBC Weather website.
Media caption, Sara Blizzard
Travel: Breakdown on A50 in Stoke-on-Trentpublished at 08:16 British Summer Time 16 September 2016
BBC TravelRush-hour traffic could be affected this morning on the A50 in Hanford, Stoke-on-Trent as a vehicle has broken down on the eastbound side.
It's between the bet365 Stadium and the A5005 Lightwood Road junction.
Midlands and North West rail services affected by derailed train near Watford Junctionpublished at 08:09 British Summer Time 16 September 2016
BBC News EnglandIf you're heading down to London today by train there's a warning services for London Midland and Virgin Trains will be "severely disrupted" after a train has derailed.
It's happened near Watford Junction, operator London Midland has confirmed and it is understood the accident was caused by flooding in the area.
A spokesman for London Midlands and Virgin services said they'd be disrupted from the north-west of England, Scotland, and the Midlands into Euston station in London.
Get the latest from the BBC Travel website.
Good morning - join us for today's live coverage for Staffordshire and Cheshirepublished at 08:00 British Summer Time 16 September 2016
Allen Cook
BBC Local LiveWelcome to Friday everyone and it's looking grey and cloudy over Hanley, Stoke-on-Trent this morning.
We'll have Sara Blizzard here shortly with today's weather forecast and there'll be news, sport, travel and more updates through the day for Staffordshire and Cheshire.
You can also send in pictures you've taken of the area and I'll feature as many as I can - do that on email, Twitter, external or Instagram, external.
'Medieval' pit found under car parkpublished at 18:19 British Summer Time 15 September 2016
A suspected medieval pit is found beneath a car park in Staffordshire.
Read MoreOur live coverage across the daypublished at 18:01 British Summer Time 15 September 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.
Football: Defender Smith signs three-year deal with Port Valepublished at 17:58 British Summer Time 15 September 2016
Lee Blakeman
Port Vale commentator, BBC Radio StokePort Vale defender Nathan Smith has signed a three-year deal with the club.
Image source, Getty ImagesAfter an impressive year on loan at Torquay in the National League last season, the 20-year-old has now quickly established himself in the Vale first team under new boss Bruno Ribeiro.
The club's chairman Norman Smurthwaite had said he was anticipating "interest" in Smith and this new deal will take his contract to June 2020.
Bridge repairs defended after MP criticismpublished at 17:54 British Summer Time 15 September 2016
Allen Cook
BBC Local LivePlans to close a main road to Staffordshire's Freeport shopping centre, external until Christmas have been defended after criticism from the local MP.
Image source, GoogleIn the House of Commons this morning the Labour MP for Stoke On Trent North Ruth Smeeth said Highways England's proposals , externalto shut the A34 at the Talke junction for structural repairs were an "error".
The organisation told us this afternoon: "The work taking place is vital and our plans have been designed to minimise disruption for drivers."
Flooded primary school in 'challenging location'published at 17:45 British Summer Time 15 September 2016
Matt Lee
News Editor, BBC Radio StokeSevern Trent Water says its working on short and long-term solutions to stop rainwater flooding a Stoke-on-Trent primary school.
Clarice Cliff in Fenton, external has now been closed three times this year by flooding - the city council believes the drains aren't big enough to cope in heavy downpours.
The authority say they school's going to stay shut until at least Monday., external
Severn Trent says the school is in a "challenging location" and a permanent solution to the issue is going to need major work.
On Midlands Today from 18:30: Region's breweries get national recognitionpublished at 17:40 British Summer Time 15 September 2016
Nick Owen
Presenter, BBC Midlands TodayA clutch of new breweries from across the region have made it into this year's Good Beer Guide for the first time today.
The 12 new entrants include three in Staffordshire, one of which is located in the head brewer's garage.
Also announced today is the Campaign for Real Ale's West Midlands Pub of the Year - which has the first time gone to a pub in the Staffordshire Moorlands.
Find out which one and how big an accolade this is on BBC Midlands Today from 18:30 on BBC One.
