Lee Thomas
Newsreader, BBC Radio Stoke

A last look at our headlines for today including:

- The chief executive of the NHS trust running the Royal Stoke University Hospital says the departure of two of its key members of staff is a huge loss

- A 16-year-old from Stafford has been arrested after a flare was set off during Stoke City's FA Cup tie against Wolves, external on Saturday

- Cheshire Police say they've narrowed down a public vote to three choices, external to name their latest dog recruit

Lee Thomas
Newsreader, BBC Radio Stoke

A 16-year-old from Stafford has been arrested after a flare was set off during Stoke City's FA Cup tie against Wolves, external on Saturday. 

Staffordshire Police say the teenager has been released on bail as enquiries continue.

The force also says two men from Wolverhampton and Brierley Hill were arrested before the game in connection with an assault on a member of door staff at a pub in Stoke-on-Trent. 

They've also been released on bail.

Jodie Looker
Newsreader, BBC Radio Stoke

A duck which was found dumped in Staffordshire in a "poorly state" has had to be put to sleep, the RSPCA says. 

The organisation says the animal, thought to be a domestic duck, was spotted last week at the JCB headquarters in Rocester.

Image source, RSPCA

The RSPCA say a box was found nearby with feathers inside which has been previously taped shut. 

They say he was underweight and was taken to their Stapeley Grange wildlife hospital near Nantwich but had to be put to sleep "to stop further suffering".

Allen Cook
BBC Local Live

Cheshire Police say they've narrowed down a public vote to three choices, external to name their latest dog recruit. 

Image source, Cheshire Police

The force says there's been a "huge response, external" to its plea for help naming him. 

Now they say there's a choice of three names - Axel, Rebel or Saxon - with the vote closing on 11 January.

Woofy McWoofface doesn't appear to have made the shortlist.

Allen Cook
BBC Local Live

Three charity boxes and three tills have been stolen, external in a break-in in a Staffordshire village. 

Staffordshire Police say thieves got in the business on High Green, Brewood through a ground-floor window early on Saturday morning. 

Image source, Google

As well as the collection boxes and tills, officers say they also took two computer tablets. 

The force says the items were later found nearby but cash had been taken.

Accident and Emergency units in Staffordshire are again "very busy" according to local health bosses.

There have been repeated calls this month for people not to use A&E unless it is an emergency.

Stafford and Surrounds Clinical Commissioning Group tweet this afternoon to ask patients to go to the "right place" for treatment and avoid long waits.

Lee Blakeman
Port Vale commentator, BBC Radio Stoke

Port Vale's Ryan Taylor says he hopes to have his future at the club sorted out within the next 10 days. 

Image source, Port Vale FC

The 32-year-old is out of contract after the home game against Bury later this month.

Shefali Oza
BBC Midlands Today

Here is the current state of play with regards to snow in the West Midlands later this week. 

As things stand, the snow is mostly due to miss the region later this week - but weather being weather, that could all change.  

Chris King
Reporter, BBC Radio Stoke

The chairman of the NHS Trust running north Staffordshire's largest hospital has announced this afternoon that two of its key staff are to leave later this year.

They are the Medical Director of the University Hospitals of North Midlands NHS Trust, Robert Courteney-Harris, external, and Chief Nurse Liz Rix, external. 

Mr Harris is stepping down in March after nine-and-half years in the role - while Ms Rix has a new job in Wales from the end of April.

Lee Thomas
Newsreader, BBC Radio Stoke

Our top stories this afternoon include:

- The chairman of the NHS Trust running north Staffordshire's largest hospital has announced this afternoon that two of its key staff are to leave later this year

- Three charity boxes and three tills have been stolen, external in a break-in in a Staffordshire village

- Three months of gas main work in the centre of Congleton, external "may be disruptive", National Grid has warned

Chris King
Reporter, BBC Radio Stoke

The next stage of work to strengthen a bridge on the A34 which runs over the A500 starts later today. 

Highways England, external says preparatory work begins this evening and then, from Wednesday, the crossing at Talke, Staffordshire will be closed to traffic heading to Newcastle-under-Lyme. 

Image source, Google

Drivers will be diverted down to the Tunstall turnoff and then back up the A500 to rejoin the A34.

The work is expected to last until the end of March. 

Live text coverage from the Premier League as Sunderland host Stoke City at the Stadium of Light.

BBC Weather Watchers

It's been a grey old morning in Staffordshire and Cheshire and that's reflected in the kind of pictures uploaded today by our BBC Weather Watchers.

These two we've picked out are by users Flying Ant in Stafford and Dawn Treader in Congleton, Cheshire.

Image source, Flying Ant

Image source, Dawn Treader

Lichfield Mercury

The tail-end of 2016 saw Staffordshire welcome the final two refugee families into the county as part of the Syrian, external Vulnerable Persons Scheme (VPS).

Image source, Lichfield Mercury

BBC Travel

A lane is shut on the A500 D Road southbound in Hanford between the Hanford Interchange and Stoke-on-Trent because of an accident.

Matt Lee
Breakfast Producer, BBC Radio Stoke

A scam email saying that recipients have been caught speeding, external and need to pay a fine has been sent to people in Staffordshire.  

Image source, Thinkstock

The communication, which claims to have come from Greater Manchester Police, then asks users to click on a link to pay the fine. 

Staffordshire Police is warning us about the scam, external, saying that forces would always inform people about speeding fines via the post.   

Express and Star

Controversial plans for a multimillion-pound Stafford development including a pub and hotel are set to be thrown out.  , external

Image source, Express and Star

Joanne Malin
BBC Midlands Today

On Midlands Today this lunchtime, we'll hear how a rare collection of more than 200 well preserved Hollywood film posters are expected to fetch thousands when they're auctioned later this week in the West Midlands. 

The collection was amassed by a man from the area when he worked at an RAF cinema. 

See and hear more from 13:30 on BBC One.

Lee Thomas
Newsreader, BBC Radio Stoke

Here's a look at some of our main stories this lunchtime:

- A scam email saying that recipients have been caught speeding, external and need to pay a fine has been sent to people in Staffordshire  

- A duck which was found dumped in Staffordshire in a "poorly state" has had to be put to sleep, the RSPCA says

- Three months of gas main work in the centre of Congleton, external "may be disruptive", National Grid warns  

John Acres
Journalist, BBC Radio Stoke

A ram who'd escaped from his field in south Cheshire several days ago has been found safe and well after having a "whale of a time". 

Image source, James Thompson

Paul the ram went missing from near Nantwich a week ago and his continued absence was causing concern for the family. 

He'd appeared in magazines and on calendars and his owner James Thompson says he turned up in a field of female sheep.