Five men are in custody following their arrest in connection with drugs offences, Staffordshire Police, external says. 

A property in Brickhouse Street, Burslem, was searched under the Misuse of Drugs Act and two bags of suspected cannabis and a large quantity of wraps were recovered. 

Five men, three from Stoke-on-Trent aged 36, 38, 48 and two from London aged 19 and 32, have been arrested on suspicion of being concerned in the supply of Class A drugs. 

Lee Thomas
Newsreader, BBC Radio Stoke

A man's been punched in the head and knocked unconscious as two men stole his car in Cheshire.

Police say the pair demanded the keys to the 24-year-old's Audi S4 estate yesterday evening near to Cranage Hall.

His attackers are described as white, one of large build and the other thin.

Pat Murphy
BBC Midlands football reporter

Despite Mark Hughes's warning earlier, it looks as if the Saido Berahino saga could soon be over. Stoke City are now talking to the disaffected West Brom striker and I understand a deal is on the cards.

It could net as much as £15m for West Brom, but it involves add-ons that would take a lot to achieve. The initial payment would be around £8m. The transfer could go ahead in the next 24 hours.

Image source, Getty Images

Jack Dowling
Journalist, BBC Radio Stoke

There's a warning from some schools in east Cheshire they may have to remove subjects like art and music from the curriculum, or go down to a four-day week, because of the government's new funding formula. 

The basic level of funding for each pupil in the borough will be the lowest in England, if the reforms announced last month are introduced. 

The government insists its new system will end "historical unfairness and underfunding". 

Image source, Thinkstock

A Department for Education, external spokesperson said it understands schools are facing cost pressures, which is why it provides advice and support to use funding in cost-effective ways. 

But the head of Alsager School, Richard Middlebrook, says they may have to cut back on certain lessons. 

BBC Radio Stoke

Today's headlines include:

- The by-election to vote for the next MP for Stoke-on-Trent Central is expected to be held on 23 February

- A man's been punched in the head and knocked unconscious as two men stole his car in Cheshire

- A group of head teachers from east Cheshire are warning subjects like art, music and cookery could be at risk because of new funding plans

Bristol Rovers sign teenage defender Ryan Sweeney on loan for the rest of this season from Premier League Stoke City.

Newcastle and Brighton to win promotion from the Championship? That is the prediction of a special computer programme - but how do you think it will finish?

BBC Radio Stoke Sport

There'll be live commentary of Port Vale, external's home game against Bury on BBC Radio Stoke later and our coverage starts in Sport at Six.  

Meanwhile, Vale have confirmed they've parted company with defender Calvin Mac-Intosch by mutual consent. 

BBC Radio Stoke

Stoke City, external boss Mark Hughes says the deal to bring West Bromwich Albion, external's Saido Berahino to the club is not imminent. 

Image source, Getty Images

It's believed the Potters have offered about £6m for the 23-year-old (pictured above) in this transfer window, while the Baggies would like closer to £10m. 

Hughes gave an update on how negotiations are going at his press conference this morning. 

Tamworth Herald

Tamworth residents are officially "northern", according to a leading Oxford academic, external.

BBC Business News

The search for a company to take on the £2.75bn contract to build high speed trains for the HS2 rail network got under way today.

The Department for Transport said up to 60 trains, capable of speeds of about 225mph, were needed.

Image source, PA

The trains are for the first phase of the project, due to open in 2026 and run between London and Birmingham.

The line from Birmingham to Crewe will launch in 2027, with the remaining construction - which includes a spur taking HS2 to a new station at Manchester Airport - due to finish six years later.

Chris King
Reporter, BBC Radio Stoke

A total of £100,000 is being put into a scheme to help people in Stoke-on-Trent beat the cold.

Fuel poverty is a big problem in Stoke-on-Trent with just over 12% of households spending more than 10% of their income on energy bills, that's above the national average. 

That's why the city council, external introduced the Warm Homes Healthy People scheme, which aims to reduce death and illnesses during the cold weather. 

The money will be used to encourage people to insulate their homes and access financial support. The hope is that it will help reduce energy consumption across the city. It runs until the end of March.

The Sentinel

Relieved mum Jessica McDonagh has spoken of the "magical" moment she held her baby son for the first time since his life-saving liver transplant, external.

A building that is part of £70m scheme to stimulate economic growth in Staffordshire has been officially opened, Keele University, external says.

Image source, Keele Science Park

It says the initiative involves Staffordshire County Council, Stoke-on-Trent City Council, Newcastle-under-Lyme Borough Council, Stoke-on-Trent and Staffordshire Local Enterprise Partnership, University Hospitals of North Midlands and itself.  

The £2m Innovation Centre 5 building (pictured above), at Keele University, is expected to house high tech firms, among others, in a bid to support "a drive for better paid, higher skilled jobs," the county council said.

BBC Radio Stoke

Today's headlines include:

- The Stoke-on-Trent Central by-election is expected to be held on 23 February, following MP Tristram Hunt's resignation

- Five men are in custody on suspicion of being concerned in the supply of Class A drugs after police searched a property in Stoke-on-Trent

- A group of head teachers from east Cheshire are warning subjects like art, music and cookery could be at risk because of the government's new funding formula

Leek Post and Times

A heritage Lottery funding bid to revamp a town's main park has been unsuccessful - but it is hoped the scheme could be revitalised, external. 

By-elections to replace Labour MPs Tristram Hunt and Jamie Reed are to be held on 23 February.

A former aide to Tristram Hunt says there are some who would consider the retiring Labour MP "hasn't delivered" for Stoke-on-Trent, but argues that he was the victim of "excessive expectations".

Hunt was elected to represent Stoke-on-Trent Central in 2010 and was re-elected in 2015. Last week he announced he would step down to head up the V&A Museum.

Image source, PA

The Sentinel

Families plagued with rats could soon be charged £60 by council exterminators, external.

A driver has died in a two-car collision between Tamworth and Lichfield.

The man was confirmed dead at the scene after the crash, which happened on the A51 Tamworth Road at about 08:00.

The driver of the second car, a woman believed to be in her 50s, was treated for a shoulder injury and taken to Heartlands Hospital for further assessment, West Midlands Ambulance Service, external said.