Jill Saward: "Loving, caring and beautiful"published at 12:28 Greenwich Mean Time 17 January 2017
The husband and twin sister of rape campaigner Jill Saward have been recalling her 'loving' nature.
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
Jill Saward: "Loving, caring and beautiful"published at 12:28 Greenwich Mean Time 17 January 2017
Trio in Burton and Coventry switchpublished at 12:27 Greenwich Mean Time 17 January 2017
Coventry's Marvin Sordell joins Burton, while Stuart Beavon and Callum Reilly move the other way to join the Sky Blues.
Read MoreWatch: Weather for the West Midlandspublished at 12:10 Greenwich Mean Time 17 January 2017
Charlie Slater
BBC Weather presenterIt'll be a rather cloudy and cooler feeling day. Most places will be dry, but the odd spot of light rain is possible, mainly over higher ground such as the Weaver Hills. Some brighter spells are also likely, mainly in the south later. Highs of 6C (43F).
Funeral of Jill Saward: Husband speaks of 'messages of support'published at 11:57 Greenwich Mean Time 17 January 2017
The grieving husband of victims' rights campaigner Jill Saward has spoken of receiving hundreds of messages from around the world ahead of her funeral at Lichfield Cathedral.
Image source, PAMs Saward, who was 51, was the first rape victim to waive her anonymity after she was attacked by intruders at her father's vicarage in Ealing, west London, in 1986.
She died at hospital after suffering a subarachnoid haemorrhage.
Quote MessageWe have been inundated with messages of support - again from all over the world. Statesmen and sports stars; politicians and campaigners; archbishops and ordinary people. Many are from strangers. But all of them are extremely precious and we are so grateful for everybody who has taken the time to get in touch."
Gavin Drake, Husband of Jill Saward
Firefighters and paramedics called to flat fire on Waterloo Street in Hanleypublished at 11:41 Greenwich Mean Time 17 January 2017
Emergency services are currently at the scene of a fire at a first floor flat, external this morning.
Women helped by Jill Saward pay tribute: 'I would not be where I am'published at 11:23 Greenwich Mean Time 17 January 2017
Caroline Gall
BBC News OnlineJill Saward, whose funeral is taking place today in Lichfield, became an ardent campaigner for victims of sexual assaults after she was raped during a burglary at her father's vicarage in 1986.
Image source, Helen AustinHelen Austin (pictured above) was raped by strangers 10 years ago. Her attacker has never been apprehended.
She subsequently wrote an anonymous blog about what happened to her, which led to Ms Saward tracking her down "to reach out" to her.
They went on to become good friends, speaking almost daily.
"I would not be where I am now without Jill's lifeline support and friendship," she said.
You can read more about how she says Jill Saward helped her and others on the BBC website.
Residents object to Morrisons' plan to open Milehouse petrol station 24-hours-a-daypublished at 11:05 Greenwich Mean Time 17 January 2017
Residents fear their lives will be blighted by anti-social behaviour if Morrisons is allowed to open its petrol station 24 hours a day, external.
Football: Former Port Vale striker tips Michael Brown to become full-time bosspublished at 10:41 Greenwich Mean Time 17 January 2017
Lee Blakeman
Port Vale commentator, BBC Radio StokeThe former Port Vale striker, Tom Pope, has told BBC Radio Stoke he thinks caretaker manager Michael Brown is the right man to take the club forward.
Image source, Getty ImagesPope returns to Vale Park with his current side Bury on Friday night.
Quote MessageObviously he's got that inexperience of not managing before but everyone has to start somewhere and I'm sure, given time, and maybe being able to bring in a few of his own players, I can see him doing very well."
Tom Pope, Former Port Vale striker
Your pictures: When snow came to Staffordshirepublished at 10:19 Greenwich Mean Time 17 January 2017
Allen Cook
BBC Local LiveMore of your pictures of Staffordshire and Cheshire now - these are both from Friday, when snow came to the area.
Mark Darlington says he took this interesting one of snow coming down in Burslem, Stoke-on-Trent.
Image source, Mark DarlingtonAnd Tim Vickerstaff shared this picture of Brough Park, Leek via the BBC Radio Stoke Facebook page, external.
You can send in your pictures of Staffordshire and Cheshire on email or, if you use Instagram, put them on there, adding the tag #bbcstoke if you agree to share, external.
Image source, Tim VickerstaffLatest: Rape campaigner's funeral today; town centre revamp proposed; industrial estate plans agreedpublished at 10:01 Greenwich Mean Time 17 January 2017
Jodie Looker
Newsreader, BBC Radio StokeOur headlines this morning include:
- The funeral of sexual assault campaigner, Jill Saward, will take place at Lichfield Cathedral later today
- Plans to spend £500,000 improving part of Burslem town centre in Stoke-on-Trent, external could be approved this afternoon
- A developer has been given outline planning permission to build an industrial estate on land near Tamworth
Search after armed robbers in balaclavas fled Stafford shoppublished at 09:42 Greenwich Mean Time 17 January 2017
A manhunt is underway for three men wanted for an armed robbery in Stafford, external on Sunday.
Jill Saward: Husband pays tribute to rape campaigner ahead of funeralpublished at 09:42 Greenwich Mean Time 17 January 2017
The funeral of the victim's rights campaigner Jill Saward will take place in Lichfield later, celebrating her achievements.
Mrs Saward, from Hednesford, Staffordshire, was the first person to waive her anonymity after she was raped at her father's vicarage in Ealing in the 1980s.
Her husband, journalist Gavin Drake, says she'd been ill but her passing was still a "massive shock".
Mr Drake said her sense of fun and concern for others had been key to helping her overcome her ordeal earlier in her life.
700 residents back campaign for Blurton crossing after OAP's deathpublished at 09:21 Greenwich Mean Time 17 January 2017
More than 700 people have signed a petition calling for safety improvements on a road where an OAP was involved in a collision, external with a car and later died.
Image source, The SentinelWomen helped by Jill Saward pay tribute: 'Repeating her pain helped us'published at 09:06 Greenwich Mean Time 17 January 2017
Caroline Gall
BBC News OnlineJill Saward, whose funeral is taking place today in Lichfield, became an ardent campaigner for victims of sexual assaults after she was raped during a burglary at her father's vicarage in 1986.
She was the first rape victim in the UK to waive her anonymity and went on to help hundreds, if not thousands, of women cope with their experiences.
Image source, PAClare, not her real name, said her daughter was attacked in broad daylight in 2012. The offender has never been caught.
She said she saw her daughter go from being confident and happy to being frightened and introverted. But, they found Ms Saward, from Hednesford in Staffordshire, to be "consistently supportive".
This has led to her daughter changing her career choice to follow in her footsteps as an advocate for women who have been raped.
You can read more about how Clare says Jill Saward comforted her and others on the BBC website.
Latest: Rape campaigner's funeral today; revamp of town centre proposed; new industrial estate plans agreedpublished at 08:49 Greenwich Mean Time 17 January 2017
Jodie Looker
Newsreader, BBC Radio StokeOur headlines this morning include:
- The funeral of sexual assault campaigner, Jill Saward, will take place at Lichfield Cathedral later today
- Plans to spend £500,000 improving part of Burslem town centre in Stoke-on-Trent, external could be approved this afternoon
- A developer has been given outline planning permission to build an industrial estate on land near Tamworth
Watch: Stoke and Staffordshire's weather this morningpublished at 08:34 Greenwich Mean Time 17 January 2017
Charlie Slater
BBC Weather presenterA cloudy start to Tuesday and here's my look ahead at the rest of the morning's weather.
You can also head to the BBC Weather website for latest forecasts at any other time.
Media caption, Charlie Slater
Travel: Crash on A38 near Lichfieldpublished at 08:12 Greenwich Mean Time 17 January 2017
BBC TravelThe A38 near Lichfield is partially blocked southbound at Streethay because of an accident.
Welcome to Tuesday's live coverage for Staffordshire and Cheshirepublished at 08:00 Greenwich Mean Time 17 January 2017
Allen Cook
BBC Local LiveIt's a damp start in Stoke-on-Trent this morning - this was Hanley just before 07:30.
We'll have a full look at this morning's weather forecast in a few minutes time and there'll be news, sport, travel and other updates through today.
Get involved by sending in comments and photos of the area on email, tweet @BBCRadioStoke, external or put pictures on Instagram with the tag #bbcstoke, external.
'Repeating her pain helped us'published at 00:45 Greenwich Mean Time 17 January 2017
Women comforted and inspired by rape survivor and sexual assault campaigner Jill Saward talk about the impact she had on their lives.
Read More'Carbon monoxide' alert at logistics firmpublished at 19:09 Greenwich Mean Time 16 January 2017
Six people are taken to hospital for possible carbon monoxide poisoning in Staffordshire.
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