Lucy King
News Editor, BBC Radio Stoke

Arsonists have targeted bins in Congleton for a third night.

Last night firefighters found two commercial wheelie bins alight behind Argos on Stonehouse Green - the night before they were called to Bridge Street, and the night before that, Morrisons on Victoria Street.

Image source, Cheshire Fire and Rescue Service

Cheshire Fire and Rescue Service is appealing for anyone with information, external to come forward. 

Graham McGarry
Crewe Alexandra commentator, BBC Radio Stoke

Crewe Alexandra boss Steve Davis says he'll assess all of his options before deciding who'll replace the injured Alex Kiwomya. 

Charlie Kirk is emerging as the most likely to be recalled to the side for the game at home to Blackpool. 

Davis told BBC Radio Stoke he's yet to decide who will play. 

Sian Grzeszczyk
BBC Midlands Today

The new Bishop of Lichfield is touring the Midlands as he starts his new job.  

The Right Reverend Dr Michael Ipgrave is making a 40-mile pilgrimage to Lichfield to mark his arrival in the role. 

His diocese covers much of Shropshire, the Black Country and Staffordshire. 

Express and Star

A Staffordshire care home where residents endured "painful" waits for the toilet will remain in special measures, external.

BBC Weather Watchers

While the weather took a turn for the soggy yesterday, that hasn't stopped our Weather Watchers from taking some brilliant pictures.

Mark sent in these pictures from Newport. 

Image source, Mark

Image source, Mark

Graham McGarry
BBC Radio Stoke Sport

Port Vale defender Nathan Smith has been named the Football League's young player of the month for August. 

The 20-year-old beat players from the Championship, League One and League Two to the award. 

It's previously been won by people including Charlie Austin, Dele Alli and Victor Moses - Smith told BBC Radio Stoke he's "delighted" to join that list.

Image source, Port Vale FC

Port Vale's Nathan Smith is earmarked for a Premier League career after being voted EFL Young Player of the Month.

Matt Sandoz
Stoke City commentator, BBC Radio Stoke

The pressure continues on Stoke City boss Mark Hughes. 

They were knocked out of the EFL Cup with a 2-1 defeat to Hull. 

The Potters have picked up just one point from their first five matches of the season and are bottom of the Premier League with a goal difference of -11. 

Image source, Getty Images

Lee Thomas
Newsreader, BBC Radio Stoke

Some of this morning's headlines for Staffordshire and Cheshire:

- Auditors have refused to sign-off Cheshire East Council's accounts because of an ongoing police investigation into alleged misconduct

- Over 100 speeding drivers have been caught in Staffordshire Police's latest crackdown 

- Stoke City were knocked out of the EFL Cup last night, making it the Potters fourth defeat in a row

BBC Weather

Some cloud and a little drizzle for some to start the day however things will quickly improve through the morning with sunshine on the way. Highs of 18C (64F).

Monica Rimmer
Journalist, BBC Online

Welcome to Thursday's news, sport, travel and weather updates. We'll be here until 18:00.

Comment on today's news and share your pictures by emailing us, tweeting us, external or reaching us on our Facebook page, external.

Hull midfielder Markus Henriksen scores an injury-time goal to knock Stoke out of the EFL Cup, heaping more pressure on Mark Hughes.

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.   

BBC Weather

Any showers will fade tonight, leaving patchy cloud and a low later of 12C.

Dry and bright to start Thursday, cloudier in the afternoon, with a few showers, and a high tomorrow of 18C (64F).

BBC Midlands Today

We'll be finding out more about the man behind the title, the new Bishop of Lichfield has a degree in mathematics, supports Leicester City and was once big in Japan.

Today he's doing something a bit different to mark the start of his new job. 

Staffordshire reporter Sian Grzeszczyk will have more on BBC One at 18:30. 

Jack Dowling
Journalist, BBC Radio Stoke

Nine people who were members of a drugs gang, including five from Crewe and one from Leek have been jailed for between one and six years. 

Cheshire Police said the eight men and one woman were arrested nearly two years ago after months of undercover work. 

A 10th person, a man from Congleton, is awaiting sentence at Chester Crown Court.

Phil Bowers
Journalist, BBC Radio Stoke

Plans to build more than 400 homes on the former Manchester Metropolitan University site in Alsager have been approved.

New sports facilities will also be built as part of the proposals for the land on Hassall Road.

Concerns had been raised about traffic and the amount of affordable housing in the plans.

Local councillor Rod Fletcher said he is disappointed by the number of houses, but the scheme will have benefits for the town.

Tim Wedgwood
BBC Local Live

I've been down to the English Ladies Company based in Fenton this morning to see them put the finishing touches to the Disney figurines. 

Lichfield Mercury

Plans to secure the future of Lichfield's historic Whittington Heath Golf Club, as the controversial HS2 rail line looms, external, have been approved by the district council.

Lee Thomas
Newsreader, BBC Radio Stoke

This afternoon's headlines for Staffordshire and Cheshire include: 

- A fire at a Staffordshire farm that's been burning for more than two weeks is to be capped with soil

- Olympic gold medalist Joe Clarke is to switch on the Christmas lights in Stafford this year

- A teenager with cerebral palsy from Stoke-on-Trent is having a bedroom makeover, thanks to a children's charity