Pete Morgan
Presenter, BBC Radio Stoke

The leader of Cheshire East Council' says the authority is setting up a task force to try to keep higher education in the town. 

The move comes after Manchester Metropolitan University's (MMU) board of governors, which runs a campus in Crewe, said it is "no longer academically or financially sustainable." 

At a meeting, the board backed a recommendation to withdraw from the site. 

Councillor Rachel Bailey, who leads Cheshire East, says the authority is taking action to try to keep a facility in the town.

Allen Cook
BBC Local Live

With temperatures falling to at around -4C (25F) tonight, highways teams from Cheshire East Council have already started gritting higher routes, external this afternoon.

Image source, Stoke-on-Trent City Council

In Stoke-on-Trent, the city council say they will start gritting, external from 18:00 and Staffordshire County Council just say their gritters, external will also be out.

The M6 southbound between junctions 17 and 16 in Cheshire is going to be shut overnight from 21:00 this evening, Cheshire East Council say.

It follows what Highways England called "a serious crash" involving lorries and a car.

BBC Sport

The contenders for the 2016 BBC Sports Personality of the Year will be announced live on The One Show on BBC One from 19:00 today.  

Both of Staffordshire's Rio Olympic gold medallists, Adam Peaty and Joe Clarke, will be hoping to make the list.

Peaty from Uttoxeter became the first British male to win a swimming gold in 28 years while Clarke from Stone won the kayak K1.

Andy Murray won the award last year and in 2013, either side of Formula 1 driver Lewis Hamilton.

The winner will be revealed on 18 December, with tickets for the event at Birmingham's Genting Arena on sale.

Phil McCann
Cheshire Political Reporter, BBC News

The government has blocked plans to build more than 100 new homes on land near Cheshire's Jodrell Bank telescope. 

Image source, PA

Scientists at the site argued that building an extra 119 houses on the edge of nearby Goostrey would have substantially increased interference with specialist equipment. 

That's one of the main reasons Cheshire East councillors rejected the plans, although the developers denied there'd be a significant rise in interference. 

Now, after an appeal, a planning inspector and the Secretary of State for Communities & Local Government have agreed, external and dismissed the appeal.

Lee Thomas
Newsreader, BBC Radio Stoke

Our headlines this afternoon include the following top stories:

- Ex-Crewe youth football coach Barry Bennell, who is at centre of a sex abuse scandal, has been taken to hospital after an incident attended by police

- A man from Burton has been arrested after a police officer was hit by a car in Stratford-upon-Avon 

- The government has blocked plans to build more than 100 new homes on land near Cheshire's Jodrell Bank telescope

BBC Midlands Today

There are concerns about congestion during the construction of the high-speed rail line HS2, the second phase of which is set to run through Staffordshire and Cheshire.  

The route confirmed by the government will cross several motorways and, along with other planned road schemes, transport bosses in the region are worried about the impact on the area's already congested roads.

Councillor Roger Lawrence, from the West Midlands Combined Authority (featured in video), says they are calling for a co-ordinated approach.  

Allen Cook
BBC Local Live

Barry Bennell, the former Crewe Alexandra FC coach convicted of sexually abusing young boys, has been taken to hospital after police were called to a property.

Thames Valley Police said its officers were called to the house on Friday night.

There, the force said, a 62-year-old man was found and taken to hospital for treatment where he remains. 

Image source, EPA

A number of former Crewe players have waived their anonymity to come forward and make claims of abuse suffered at the hands of Bennell. 

He has served three jail sentences for child sex offences, including one last year.

Emma Thomas
Journalist, BBC Radio Stoke

A Stoke-on-Trent woman, who claims a gastric bypass operation in 2010 almost killed her, says patients need to be given better advice. 

Figures from NHS Digital show nearly 200 bariatric operations were carried out in Staffordshire and Cheshire East in 2014.

Image source, Thinkstock

Bev Tapper told BBC Radio Stoke she's lived in pain since her operation in 2010 and wants obese patients to be fully informed of the consequences of stomach reduction.

The Walsall Healthcare NHS Trust, which carried out her procedure, says all surgery is discussed comprehensively with patients who must give their consent for any operation. 

BBC News UK

The FA has been too slow in reacting to allegations of sexual abuse in football and must launch a "much wider" inquiry, Conservative MP Damian Collins says.

The culture, media and sport committee chairman told the BBC the FA review into claims ex-players were abused as children needed to establish if there was a cultural problem in the sport.

Image source, Getty/PA/Rex

The FA's internal review will look at what officials and clubs knew and when.  

The Hampshire, Cheshire, Northumbria and Metropolitan police forces have all opened investigations following recent allegations.

They come after former players, including ex-Crewe duo Andy Woodward and Steve Walters and the former Stoke City players Paul Stewart and David White, have all spoke out about abuse.

Lee Blakeman
Port Vale commentator, BBC Radio Stoke

The Port Vale defender, Ryan Taylor, says he is enjoying life at Vale Park, but doesn't know if he'll still be at the club beyond the new year.

Image source, Port Vale FC

The 32-year-old's contract is due to expire in January after he joined the Vale on a short-term deal in October.

He was a free agent after his release by Hull City in June, having played 12 times last season as the Tigers won promotion back to the top flight.  

BBC Weather Watchers

Image source, CRG

Some striking autumnal images have been coming in over the past few hours from our team of BBC Weather Watcher volunteers.

These two are from users CRG in Alsager, Cheshire and Eroica steve in Shugborough, Staffordshire.

Image source, Eroica steve

Peter Plisner
BBC Midlands Today

This lunchtime on Midlands Today we'll be examining concerns about congestion which could be caused by the construction of the high speed rail line, HS2. 

Image source, Christopher Furlong/Getty Images

The route is set to head through a huge swathe of the region, including Staffordshire, and cross several motorways. 

Transport officials in this region say they're concerned that could bring more congestion on top of already busy roads - more from 13:30 on BBC One.

Lee Thomas
Newsreader, BBC Radio Stoke

Our top stories this lunchtime include:

- The North West MEP, Paul Nuttall, has been elected leader of the UK Independence Party, replacing Nigel Farage

- The Football Association has confirmed it is investigating allegations of sexual abuse in football, which became public after ex-Crewe player Andy Woodward came forward

- A Stoke-on-Trent woman, who claims a gastric bypass operation in 2010 almost killed her, says patients need to be given better advice

BBC Radio 4

The founder of the Stoke-on-Trent pottery firm Emma Bridgewater has told the BBC how a riding accident her mother suffered spurred her into business success.

Emma Bridgewater set up her firm in 1985 in a city when many other manufacturers were either closing down or going overseas.

She told Desert Island Discs the fury she felt after a horse-riding accident left her mother disabled, "was quite a good, useful driver". 

She also talks of how she "fell" into making china and was originally inspired to start the business after not being able to find a gift for her mother.

Crewe Alexandra boss Steve Davis welcomes a two-week break for his side after their 4-0 loss at Colchester United.

A man is arrested after a police officer is hit by a car in Stratford-upon-Avon.

Express and Star

Residents spoke of their shock following the death of an "intelligent" and "lovely" neighbour who was killed on the A449., external

Image source, Express and Star

BBC Politics

Paul Nuttall has been elected leader of the UK Independence Party, replacing Nigel Farage.

The 39-year-old North West Member of the European Parliament, who served as UKIP's deputy leader for six years, won 62.6% of support among party members.  

Image source, PA

Mr Nuttall defeated former deputy chairwoman Suzanne Evans and ex-soldier John Rees-Evans.

It is UKIP's second leadership election this year, previous winner Diane James having quit after 18 days in the role.

BBC Travel

Traffic is being held up on the M6 in Cheshire between junctions 18 and 17 southbound, according to Highways England.

They say delays are expected - get the latest from the BBC Travel website.