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Updates from Friday 13 January 2017
After a bright start in the east, cloud and patchy rain will spread eastwards today, gradually easing through the afternoon.
It will be fairly mild for the time of year, with light winds - highs of 10C (50F).
BBC Radio Stoke
The top stories for Stoke and Staffordshire this morning include:
The M6 has closed northbound at junction 20 due to the lorry fire which broke out about half an hour ago.
The emergency services warn that it is likely to be closed for some time.
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Expect delays if you're driving along the M6 northbound this morning.
Highways England says the emergency services are tackling a lorry fire near junction 19 at Knutsford. Police are in attendance.
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Good morning from the BBC Radio Stoke newsroom.
We'll be bringing you the latest news, sport, travel and weather updates for Stoke and Staffordshire between now and 18:00.
If you'd like to get in touch with the BBC Local Live team today you can email, tweet @BBCRadioStoke, external or get in touch via Facebook., external
Stoke striker Peter Crouch agrees a new contract that will keep him at the club until the summer of 2018.
Read MoreWe'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.
Elizabeth Glinka
BBC Midlands Today
On Midlands Today this evening, we'll hear about the rare collection of Hollywood film posters is being auctioned in the the Midlands this week.
Rare War of the Worlds movie poster goes up for auction
We'll also look back at a weekend of mixed fortunes for our Midlands teams in the FA Cup - bad news for Stoke City proved good news for their opponents Wolves.
Ged Scott
BBC Sport
Shrewsbury Town have allowed on-loan winger George Waring to return to Stoke City, having opted not to extend his deal.
Waring has yet to make a first-team appearance for Stoke, but scored six times in 19 League One appearances on loan at Barnsley two seasons ago.
He had joined the Shrews in August.
Lee Thomas
Newsreader, BBC Radio Stoke
A man has suffered severe cuts to his hands during a robbery, external at knifepoint in a Staffordshire village.
Staffordshire Police say, as the 23-year old got out of his car on Saturday night on Hall Gardens, Longton Road, Barlaston, four men forced their way into his home and stole cash and gold jewellery.
Image source, GoogleOfficers say the victim escaped his attackers through his conservatory after a scuffle, during which he suffered the severe cuts.
They say the man needed hospital treatment and surgery for his wounds.
BBC Derby Sport
Burton Albion have confirmed their new striker Luke Varney will be out for a month after suffering a punctured lung and broken rib, external against Watford.
Image source, GLYN KIRK/AFP/Getty ImagesThe striker made his Brewers debut in the 2-0 defeat at Vicarage Road but was stretchered off in the second half.
The club say he received oxygen and was taken to hospital but was conscious after the incident.
Allen Cook
BBC Local Live
Suspected stolen power tools and three vehicles have been found after a police chase in south Staffordshire. , external
Staffordshire Police say a green Ford Focus, thought to have cloned number plates, failed to stop for their officers on Friday night near Gailey.
The force say they pursued the vehicle and it "came to a natural stop" on the A5 just past junction 12 of the M6 and two men ran off from the car.
Officers say they arrested them at a nearby site where they also found the suspected stolen vehicles and suspected stolen power tools.
Charlie Slater
BBC Weather presenter
You can also find updated weather forecasts at any other time on the BBC Weather website.
Charlie Slater
Matt Sandoz
Stoke City commentator, BBC Radio Stoke
Image source, Stoke CityStoke City have confirmed that striker Peter Crouch has signed a 12-month contract extension at the club., external
The 35-year-old's original deal was due to expire this summer.
Officers are urgently appealing for witnesses after vandals mindlessly attacked two cars at an Audi dealership in Tamworth., external
Image source, Tamworth Herald/GoogleAllen Cook
BBC Local Live
Let's have another couple of your pictures of Staffordshire and Cheshire.
This first one was taken by Villager Jim in the Peak District.
Image source, Villager JimWhile Curly Molloy put this on the BBC Radio Stoke Facebook page of Biddulph Grange Gardens in Staffordshire.
If you want to send in a picture you've taken of Staffordshire or Cheshire, you can do that on email or, if you use Instagram, put it on there with the tag #bbcstoke, external.
Image source, Curly MolloyAllen Cook
BBC Local Live
Three months of gas main work in the centre of Congleton, external "may be disruptive", National Grid has warned.
The energy firm says it's started work today on installing new plastic pipes instead of the existing iron ones.
Image source, GoogleThey're starting work on Bridge Street, which is pedestrianised, but say they'll need temporary traffic lights at the end of the work there.
Then National Grid say there'll be road closures when the work moves on to Swan Bank at the end of this month.
BBC Panorama
Investigative TV show
A BBC investigation has identified the man accused of organising the terror attack on a beach that killed 38 people in Tunisia.
Among the victims were Sue Davey, from Tamworth and her partner Scott Chalkley (pictured).
Image source, Family HandoutChamseddine al-Sandi is described as the "mastermind" behind the attack in documents obtained by Panorama.
He is named in confessions from suspects who were arrested in connection with the shootings.
Seifeddine Rezgui opened fire on the beach and in the Imperial Hotel near Sousse in June 2015.
Rezgui was killed at the scene, but the documents obtained by Panorama say that he was recruited and directed by al-Sandi.
You can watch Panorama Terror on the Beach: Why Did It Happen? on Monday 9 January at 20:30. Or catch up afterwards on BBC iPlayer
Allen Cook
BBC Local Live
On Your Questions Amy asked: "What is the history of the terrace house in Stoke-on-Trent?"
Well, like many parts of the UK, terraced houses - with one design repeated along a row of joined homes, external - were built in the city in great numbers following the industrial revolution.
Image source, GoogleLocal historian Fred Hughes says a lot of them were built around the six town centres (which would go on to form Stoke-on-Trent) of Burslem, Fenton, Hanley, Longton, Stoke and Tunstall.
He says in this particular area they were built close to industrial centres like potteries and mines due to the lack of transport links.
Mr Hughes adds that many were knocked down towards the end of the 1950s and early 60s when they were replaced by housing estates like Chell Heath and Bentilee, external.
What do you want to know about Stoke-on-Trent and Staffordshire? Ask us here and your question could be making the news.
BBC Politics
Urgent measures are being considered to deal with what's being described as "unprecedented" pressure on the NHS this winter.
The Health Secretary Jeremy Hunt told the Commons that the Tuesday after Christmas was the busiest day in the organisation's history.
He said there were "serious problems" at some hospitals including the University Hospitals of North Midlands NHS Trust, external.
Quote MessageWe're aware of ongoing problems in North Midlands with extremely high numbers of 12-hour trolley waits."
Jeremy Hunt, The Health Secretary
