The Sentinel

Youths caught causing trouble face being banned from a city community as police crack down on anti-social behaviour, external.

Image source, The Sentinel

Emma Thomas
Political reporter, BBC Radio Stoke

A letter sent by the prime minister to people living in the Stoke-on-Trent Central constituency has been described as a disgrace by two Labour MPs in the city, external.  

Image source, Reuters

The mail wrongly claims Ruth Smeeth and Rob Flello voted against triggering Article 50 to begin the process of leaving the EU.

Both actually voted for starting the process of leaving the European Union, despite being Remain campaigners before the EU referendum last June. 

BBC Radio Stoke has approached the Conservative party for a response. 

There is less than a week to go until voting starts in the by-election which was triggered by the resignation of Tristram Hunt. 

A full list of candidates can be found on the BBC website here.

Charlie Slater
BBC Weather presenter

A mild start to a mainly cloudy day, with the risk of a few showers and highs of 11C (52F).

Chris Goreham
BBC Radio Norfolk sport

Norwich City's push for The Championship play-off places continues at Burton Albion this weekend. 

It's the first time the Canaries have ever visited Burton for a competitive fixture.  The only other meeting between the sides was earlier this season when City won 3-1 at Carrow Road. 

Image source, Getty Images

Norwich have a host of injury problems with Graham Dorrans, Nelson Oliveira, Louis Thompson and Steven Naismith all sidelined. 

Manager Alex Neil is also sweating on the fitness of right back Ivo Pinto with the club four points off the play-off places.

Allen Cook
BBC Local Live

Good morning everyone, it's a cloudy but dry start to a Friday in Hanley, Stoke-on-Trent.

You'll find out the day's full weather forecast shortly and then there'll be news, sport, travel and more through today.

I'll also have more of your pictures of the area so keep sending them in on email or, if you use Instagram, put a photo there and tag #bbcstoke if you agree to share, external.

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. 

Express and Star

A move to equip all police officers in Staffordshire with spit guards has been given the go ahead – days after West Midlands Police announced it had no plans, external to use the hoods.

Image source, Express and Star

Lee Thomas
Newsreader, BBC Radio Stoke

Entertainers Chas & Dave have cancelled a show in Stafford next month due to lead singer Chas Hodges undergoing cancer treatment. 

Image source, PA

Earlier this month the 73-year-old revealed he'd been diagnosed with cancer of the oesophagus and he's been told to rest between treatment sessions. 

The duo says it means their gig at Stafford's Gatehouse Theatre, which was to take place on 4 March, has been called off.

BBC Radio Stoke

A council worker's broken his wrist while trying to remove fly-tipped waste in Staffordshire, external. 

Cannock Chase Council says a load of around 2.5 tonnes had been dumped near Norton Canes.

The authority says the member of staff was working on the site and stumbled, breaking a bone in his wrist. 

The council says the incident's being treated as an accident at work and is being investigated.

Nick Owen
Presenter, BBC Midlands Today

On Midlands Today this evening we'll have news on a puppy farmer in the region who bred and sold sick and dying puppies to members of the public who has been jailed for six months. 

A total of 37 puppies were seized, as well as one dead dog found in a plastic bag in a van parked at the farm. 

Image source, RSPCA

We'll also look at the most eagerly awaited Midlands by-election for many years as we are a week away from the Stoke-on-Trent Central vote. 

Both those stories and more from 18:30 on BBC One.

Liz Ellis
Presenter, BBC Radio Stoke

The award-winning British director Ken Loach says research he did in Stoke-on-Trent was key in working towards his film I, Daniel Blake.  

The movie deals with the struggles of living in the UK benefits system and was named outstanding British film at the Baftas at the weekend. 

This week Mr Loach returned to the city and said the research in the area when he spoke to people using food banks had been key as he'd heard from those struggling to feed their families.  

Phil McCann
Cheshire Political Reporter, BBC News

A Labour councillor in Salford is due to be confirmed in post as Cheshire's deputy police commissioner. , external

Her salary of £50,000 a year would cost taxpayers more than twice as much as the last person who did the job. 

Cheshire Police and Crime Commissioner David Keane says Sareda Dirir is an "outstanding candidate".

Councillors will vote on the appointment next week.  

Rebecca Wood
BBC Midlands Today

Patchy rain arriving this evening, giving a damp night for many with lows of 7C (45F).

BBC Derby Sport

Brewers boss Nigel Clough says winger Lloyd Dyer and forward Cauley Woodrow could both return from injury in time for Saturday's home game against Norwich but defenders Kyle McFadzean (pictured) and John Brayford are unlikely to be fit.

Image source, Getty Images

Allen Cook
BBC Local Live

A fire that destroyed a recycling plant, which the Environment Agency said was storing illegal waste, was "just the tip of the iceberg" when it comes to illicit waste, the fire service says. , external

The blaze earlier this month in Milton, Stoke-on-Trent, centred on a building containing recycled plastics.

Image source, Staffordshire Fire and Rescue Service

The Environment Agency said the site's operator, Hanbury Plastics Recycling (Stoke) Ltd, hadn't got the correct permit for the waste - the company has been asked for a response by the BBC.

Staffordshire Fire and Rescue Service now says it's been working to tackle illegally stored waste and fly-tipped rubbish. 

The service says it has identified a number of high-risk sites in the county that, if fires happened, could cause "massive disruption" to transport and have a "devastating environmental impact".

It says it wants residents and businesses to be vigilant.

Lee Thomas
Newsreader, BBC Radio Stoke

Witnesses are wanted to an arson attack at a house in Stoke-on-Trent., external

Image source, Google

Staffordshire Police say the fire on Elm Street, Cobridge last Friday night led to people being evacuated and damaged the inside of the house. 

Investigators say it was started deliberately on the ground and first floor.

Lee Blakeman
Port Vale commentator, BBC Radio Stoke

The Port Vale captain Ben Purkiss says he believes the team just need one victory to trigger a turnaround in form. 

Image source, Harry Trump/Getty Images

The Valiants are yet to win a game in 2017 and this week's 2-0 defeat at Millwall leaves the club just two points above the relegation zone.

The child has had plastic surgery after being bitten on his face as he walked with his family.

Lucy King
News Editor, BBC Radio Stoke

Investigators believe the cause of a large fire overnight in Congleton was an electrical fault , external .

Cheshire Fire and Rescue Service say multiple crews were sent to Radnor Park Industrial Estate early this morning and had to stop the fire in a single-storey building from spreading. 

The service says a sprinkler system kept stock damage to a minimum.

Tim Wedgwood
BBC Local Live

An ice cream business near Nantwich has confirmed its 38ft (11.6m) high straw Peter Rabbit sculpture is going to be rebuilt. , external

The landmark at Snugbury's site in Hurleston on the A51 burnt down at the start of this month in a suspected arson attack. , external

Cheshire Police say they're yet to make any arrests.

The firm says support to rebuild the rabbit has come not only from locals, but from the publishing company behind the Beatrix Potter stories.

Work is due to begin next month.