Lee Thomas
Newsreader, BBC Radio Stoke

A police force has been criticised at the inquest of a Kidsgrove man who died after collapsing in a police cell two years ago, according to a police watchdog. 

Darren Lyons, 43, was arrested in 2014 after carers at his home became worried about his behaviour.

The Independent Police Complaints Commission says an inquest jury today recorded a narrative verdict, finding he died from a combination of medical conditions. 

However the IPCC say the jury raised concerns about the way he was observed and cared for while being held by police in Etruria. 

Staffordshire Police has offered its sympathies to Mr Lyon's family, saying it acknowledges there were shortcomings in how he was handled in custody. But it says it's now improved how it deals with those who have complex needs

The IPCC says, after an investigation, two custody sergeants have been disciplined for misconduct as has a custody detention officer.

BBC News UK

About 350 victims have reported child sexual abuse within UK football clubs, police chiefs have said.

The National Police Chiefs' Council (NPCC) said a "significant number of calls" were made to forces after several former players made allegations of abuse against coaches.

Image source, Thinkstock

Staffordshire and Cheshire police forces are among the 16 forces to confirm they are looking into allegations of historical child sex abuse in football.

The NPCC figures are also based on details from existing investigations as well as referrals from a new NSPCC helpline.

Allen Cook
BBC Local Live

Newcastle-under-Lyme is to host its first Christmas Dog Parade, external later this month.

Image source, Newcastle-under-Lyme BID

The Business Improvement District group, set up to promote the town, says it hopes the event on the 14 December will draw more people into the town and raise money for charity. 

They say dog owners and their pets can come together by the local Christmas tree and then take a short walk around the area. 

Burton Mail

A woman who was left "frightened to death" when flames engulfed her garage, said her family has been left traumatised by the blaze which ripped through years of sentimental keepsakes, external and her daughter's Christmas presents.

Image source, Burton Mail

Lee Thomas
Newsreader, BBC Radio Stoke

Our headlines this afternoon:

- Lawyers for a mother who was convicted of the murder of her 21-month-old daughter have told the Court of Appeal her conviction was "unsafe"

- A man's been arrested in connection with a police chase in Staffordshire on Tuesday evening, external which left an officer seriously injured

- A union claims people with terminal cancer and severe disabilities in Stoke-on-Trent are losing disability benefits because of changes to government assessments   

James Bovill
Staffordshire Political Reporter, BBC News

A trade union claims people with terminal cancer and severe disabilities in Stoke-on-Trent are losing disability benefits because of changes to government assessments. 

Unite says GPs and oncologists aren't being consulted and hundreds of rejected claims are being overturned at tribunals. 

Image source, SPL

In one case, Linda Hubbard from Bentilee told BBC Radio Stoke the family lost part of her son's benefit for his cerebral palsy after being reassessed, but won it back at a tribunal hearing.

The Department for Work and Pensions says they consider all evidence available including information from GPs. 

Last month the former work and pensions secretary Stephen Crabb said applicants for Personal Independence Payments (PIPs) found the test "very intrusive".

Lee Thomas
Newsreader, BBC Radio Stoke

A man's been arrested in connection with a police chase in Staffordshire on Tuesday evening, external which left an officer seriously injured.   

Staffordshire Police says the 39-year-old father-of-two from Tamworth stepped back into the path of a car while being threatened by a lorry driver on the A5 near Lichfield.

They say the officer's still in Birmingham Heartlands Hospital where he's had initial surgery for a serious leg injury.

The force says a 30-year-old man from Leicester was arrested this morning and is currently being questioned.

BBC Travel

The A34 Newcastle Road in Springfields, Stoke-on-Trent is partially blocked southbound by an accident near the Newcastle Lane junction.

BBC Weather Watchers

Image source, Gail's garden

The cold and frosty conditions are being reflected in the pictures we get uploaded by our BBC Weather Watcher volunteers.

This first one's from user Gail's Garden in Stafford, while I'm guessing user Aeolo wrote this on their car in Crewe.

Image source, Aeolo

Allen Cook
BBC Local Live

"How widely are Staffordshire oatcakes available?" That's what you wanted to know on Your Questions. 

Well firstly, for those not familiar, we are talking about a type of savoury pancake made from oatmeal, flour and yeast which is synonymous with its local area. 

I've spoken to three local producers, Staffordshire Oatcakes, Povey Oatcakes and High Lane Oatcakes who say they regularly send them across England and Wales. 

They also said they sent to parts of Scotland too, but only Povey Oatcakes said they send them overseas, adding that it can cost quite a bit but they've sent them to France, Germany, USA and Australia in the past.

But High Lane Oatcakes told me that, while they don't ship oatcakes overseas, they have had people buy them and then send to relatives and friends in other parts of the world. 

What do you want to know about Stoke and Staffordshire? Ask us here and your question could be making the news.

BBC Travel

The A449 in Dunston's partially blocked near the Swan Lane junction because of an accident involving two vehicles.

Staffs Live

Stressed-out Staffordshire students flocked to their university library to relax, external on “doggy de-stress” day.  

Image source, Staffs Live

Allen Cook
BBC Local Live

A man's murder at the hands of his son could not have been prevented, a domestic homicide review has concluded, external

Gareth Ainscow, 44, of Whitehill Road in Kidsgrove, was found guilty last year of murdering David Ainscow in October 2014 in a trial of the facts at Stafford Crown Court. 

He was considered unfit to stand trial on mental health grounds and was given an indefinite hospital order.

The report for Newcastle-under-Lyme Borough Council said there had never been any previous cases of physical violence between the two men, but says Gareth Ainscow had been suffered from a mental disorder since at least May 2007.

The review panel said, while the killing could not have been predicted by any agency, it recommended one improvement, external to primary care and mental health services. 

Newcastle-under-Lyme Community Safety Partnership says changes to working practices in mental healthcare in north Staffordshire have already been carried out, external due to the review.

BBC Midlands Today

This lunchtime on Midlands Today - part of the region is a hotspot of severe homelessness, an analysis of the latest official figures suggests. 

Image source, PA

We'll be looking at how significant the issue is and the picture for the whole of the West Midlands.

There'll also be news on a protest over arts cuts in another part of our region - both those stories on BBC One from 13:30.

Charlie Slater
BBC Weather presenter

Here's my look at if we'll see more cold weather going through the day and into tonight.

You can also get the latest forecasts at any time from the BBC Weather website.

Lee Thomas
Newsreader, BBC Radio Stoke

Our lunchtime headlines include these top stories:

- A woman who stamped her 21-month-old daughter to death in Burton has launched an appeal against her murder conviction

- Cheshire's Chief Constable Simon Byrne is being investigated by the county's police and crime commissioner over an allegation about his conduct

- A man's murder at the hands of his son in Staffordshire could not have been prevented, a domestic homicide review has concluded, external

Matt Sandoz
BBC Radio Stoke Sport

Stoke-on-Trent snooker player Liam Highfield is looking to book his place in the quarter-finals of the UK Championship today. 

Image source, Liam Highfield

Highfield, a rank outsider, is up against twice-World Champion Mark Williams. 

The match is set to be televised with coverage of today's play starting on BBC Two from 13:00.

BBC Travel

Some Virgin Trains services may be delayed this lunchtime in Cheshire due to a broken down train between Weaver Junction and Crewe.

BBC Travel

There's been an accident on Four Crosses Lane in Four Crosses at the junction of the A5 near Cannock.

BBC News England

Lawyers for a mother who was convicted of the murder of her 21-month-old daughter have told the Court of Appeal her conviction was "unsafe". 

Kathryn Smith, 23, killed Ayeeshia Jane Smith during a "savage outburst" in the girl's bedroom in Burton in 2014.

Image source, PA

She's now launched an appeal against the conviction with John Butterfield QC saying an interruption by the trial judge as he made his closing speech caused "prejudice" in the minds of jurors. 

Christopher Hotten QC, who acted for the prosecution at trial, argued the judge's interruption did not render the conviction unsafe and urged the Appeal Court judges to uphold it. 

A judgement on the conviction will be handed down at a later date.