In the hunt: By-election for all partiespublished at 18:33 Greenwich Mean Time 16 January 2017
In the hunt: Stoke Central by-election offers something for all main parties
Read MoreSummary
Saido Berahino could be on the way to Stoke City
Stoke Central by-election expected on 23 February
Some Cheshire schools say they may drop to a four-day week due to funding cuts
Man knocked unconscious as two men steal his car in Cheshire
Updates from Friday 20 January 2017
In the hunt: By-election for all partiespublished at 18:33 Greenwich Mean Time 16 January 2017
Police investigate fox 'killing' footagepublished at 18:22 Greenwich Mean Time 16 January 2017
A hunt saboteurs group has released footage it claims shows them trying to save a fox from hounds, though it died soon after.
Read MoreOur live coverage across the daypublished at 18:00 Greenwich Mean Time 16 January 2017
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.
Football: West Brom striker will not be sold to Stoke unless deal is right - Pulispublished at 17:58 Greenwich Mean Time 16 January 2017
BBC SportTony Pulis says West Brom will not sell striker Saido Berahino "unless it is right for the club".
Stoke made a bid in the summer for the 23-year-old, whose deal expires at the end of the season, while the Baggies made a third contract offer last month.
Media caption, West Brom won't sell Berahino to 'suit him'
Potters manager Mark Hughes has said he remains "hopeful" of signing Berahino in the January transfer window.
But Albion boss Pulis told BBC Sport: "This club has looked after Berahino since eight or nine years of age."
Watch: '26-day average delay' for patients needing social carepublished at 17:56 Greenwich Mean Time 16 January 2017
BBC PoliticsHospital patients in Stoke-on-Trent who need social care face an average delay of 26 days, according to one of the city's MPs.
Media caption, Rob Flello and Sajid Javid in Parliament
Rob Flello, the Labour MP for Stoke-on-Trent South, made the claim in Parliament, asking if it was the fault of the city council or the government.
Communities and Local Government Secretary Sajid Javid admitted that delivering social care for adults in "many areas is challenging" but said the government recognised a long-term solution was needed.
Football: Crewe players told to step up intensity by new bosspublished at 17:50 Greenwich Mean Time 16 January 2017
Graham McGarry
Crewe Alexandra commentator, BBC Radio StokeCrewe Alexandra's new boss David Artell says his players need to step up their work rate if they're to avoid being dragged into a relegation battle.
Image source, Christopher Furlong/Getty ImagesAfter their 2-1 loss at home to Luton Town in his first game in charge, Artell told BBC Radio Stoke he's looking for the team to stay in games for longer periods of time.
Quote MessageIt's very difficult in four training sessions to get that intensity, it's a short to medium term thing. That's what we've got to do, we've got to be a bit brighter in the final third of the pitch and that's what our sessions will be based around this week."
David Artell, Crewe Alexandra manager
On Midlands Today from 18:30: Tunisian massacre survivor and the police car babypublished at 17:46 Greenwich Mean Time 16 January 2017
Mary Rhodes
Presenter, BBC Midlands TodayOn Midlands Today this evening, you'll hear from a Staffordshire holidaymaker who "thought she would die" in the Tunisia massacre of 2015.
Image source, ReutersAnd you'll also see the story of the Staffordshire couple whose baby was born in the back of a police car and who've been reunited with the officers who came to their aid.
Both those stories and more, including a round-up of all the region's sports news and your weather forecast, on BBC One from 18:30.
Paramedics treat 33 for suspected carbon monoxide poisoningpublished at 17:42 Greenwich Mean Time 16 January 2017
Allen Cook
BBC Local LiveWe've had more details from the ambulance service on the suspected carbon monoxide leak at a transport firm's offices in Staffordshire this afternoon.
West Midlands Ambulance Service say they were called to Kuehne and Nagel on Stubby Lane, Draycott In The Clay to initial reports of a woman who was feeling unwell. , external
Image source, Derbyshire Air AmbulanceThey say it quickly turned out she was suffering from the effects of carbon monoxide poisoning and other patients started coming forward.
The service says a total of 33 people were checked for suspected carbon monoxide poisoning and six were take to hospital for more treatment.
Food and cash stolen in delivery robberypublished at 17:38 Greenwich Mean Time 16 January 2017
Tim Wedgwood
BBC Local LiveA delivery driver has been robbed of £200 and £35 worth of food , externalon a Stafford street.
Image source, GoogleStaffordshire Police say the assault happened just after midnight on Co-operative Street, and although the driver was hurt, he didn't need medical treatment.
Two men, aged 19 and 26, have been arrested and are in custody.
Details of Lichfield Cathedral funeral for Ealing vicarage rape victim Jill Sawardpublished at 17:31 Greenwich Mean Time 16 January 2017
The funeral of sexual violence campaigner Jill Saward takes place at Lichfield Cathedral on Tuesday., external
Image source, PAFootball: Burton Albion game changedpublished at 17:26 Greenwich Mean Time 16 January 2017
Khia Lewis-Todd
BBC Local LiveAttention Brewers fans - if you have any plans for this game you will need to change them quickly.
It's just been announced that Burton Albion's trip to Queens Park Rangers on Tuesday 14 February will now be played at 15:00 on 28 January.
Image source, Getty ImagesFunding shake-up risks Cheshire cut, says unionpublished at 17:21 Greenwich Mean Time 16 January 2017
Government plans designed to address "unfair" and "inconsistent" funding in England's education system risk cuts in most schools, say teachers' unions.
Image source, ThinkstockThe Association of School and College Leaders, which represents secondary heads, examined official figures on the national funding formula proposals, external.
These reveal that Cheshire East, among the lowest 10 funded areas, is projected to lose under the new formula, due to be implemented next year - down 2.1%.
The government said it wanted to end a "postcode lottery" in school funding.
Football: Stoke boss pleased to break 'unwanted' Sunderland recordpublished at 17:16 Greenwich Mean Time 16 January 2017
Matt Sandoz
Stoke City commentator, BBC Radio StokeThe Stoke City manager Mark Hughes says he's delighted to be putting to bed some unwanted records.
Image source, Getty ImagesThe Potters won 3-1 at Sunderland on Saturday for the first time since 1994.
Quote MessageIt's not been a happy hunting ground for us [Sunderland], I have to say, and I think that's the pleasing part of it as well because we keep on ticking off things that the club hasn't done in the Premier League."
Mark Hughes, Stoke City manager
More than a dozen treated after suspected carbon monoxide leakpublished at 17:11 Greenwich Mean Time 16 January 2017
Allen Cook
BBC Local LiveThirteen people have been treated by paramedics after a suspected carbon monoxide leak at a transport firm's office in Staffordshire.
Staffordshire Fire and Rescue Service say they were called this afternoon to the Kuehne and Nagel Logistics site on Stubby Lane, Draycott-in-the-Clay., external
Image source, GoogleWest Midlands Ambulance say, so far, they've taken six of the people, external affected to hospital.
The cause of the leak isn't yet known, according to the fire service.
News: 'Poor morale' in witness protection unit; holidaymaker speaks of attack terror; '26 day average delay' for social carepublished at 17:06 Greenwich Mean Time 16 January 2017
Lee Thomas
Newsreader, BBC Radio StokeHere's a last look at today's main stories and they include:
- A confidential report highlighted concerns about officers drinking alcohol on duty and poor morale among staff looking after protected witnesses following a gangland murder in 2002
- A holidaymaker from Cannock, Staffordshire who survived the Tunisia beach massacre in 2015 has spoken out about the terrifying moment she hid from the gunman
- Hospital patients in Stoke-on-Trent who need social care face an average delay of 26 days, according to one of the city's MPs
Trust wins opportunity to help thousands encounter Peregrine Falconspublished at 16:59 Greenwich Mean Time 16 January 2017
Thousands of people will now have the chance to experience an encounter with the fastest animal on the planet after a Staffordshire Wildlife Trust project was awarded, external almost £10,000 in a national competition.
Image source, A Little Bit of StoneTunisia attack: Staffordshire son 'lost a very, very special person'published at 16:48 Greenwich Mean Time 16 January 2017
BBC News EnglandAs the inquests into the deaths of 30 British tourists, killed in Tunisia in June 2015, get under way today, among the dead are Staffordshire mother Sue Davey and her partner Scott Chalkey.
Ms Davey's son Conor Fulford, from Tamworth, had used Twitter to appeal for news of his 43-year-old mother's whereabouts in the wake of the attack.
He later told the BBC: "We have lost a very, very special person to us."
Media caption, Tunisia attack: Son's tribute to mother
Ms Davey's daughter Chloe is the partner of Leicester City footballer Marc Albrighton. The football club offered support to the family, external, saying: "They are all in our thoughts and prayers."
Mr Chalkley, 42, from Chaddesden, Derby, was Ms Davey's partner.
The couple both worked for Severn Trent Water. Flags at Tamworth Borough Council and Tamworth Castle were flown at half-mast as a mark of respect for all those killed in the shooting.
'Poor morale' in witness protection unitpublished at 16:38 Greenwich Mean Time 16 January 2017
A report details concerns about officers drinking on duty and poor morale among staff looking after witnesses following a gangland murder.
Read MoreNew multiplex including Imax screen planned for city centrepublished at 16:36 Greenwich Mean Time 16 January 2017
Chris King
Reporter, BBC Radio StokeA new 10-screen cinema including an Imax screen is set to be opened, external in the centre of Stoke-on-Trent.
Light Cinemas says it's agreed with developers Realis Estates to be the "leisure anchor" in the planned Unity Walk project.
Image source, Realis EstatesThe long-awaited scheme has been in the pipeline since planning permission was first granted in 2011 for the East West Centre in Hanley, the vacant former bus station site.
Since then, the city centre has gained a nine-screen multiplex which was built at the nearby Intu Potteries shopping mall.
Watch: Tonight and tomorrow's weatherpublished at 16:26 Greenwich Mean Time 16 January 2017
Charlie Slater
BBC Weather presenterIf you want to stay updated with the latest forecasts for your part of Staffordshire or Cheshire, head to the BBC Weather website.
Media caption, Charlie Slater
