The Sentinel

Shopping vouchers are being handed to pregnant women in Stoke-on-Trent - to encourage them to give up, external smoking.

Image source, Getty Images

BBC Politics

Paul Nuttall's press officer has offered to resign after saying she was to blame for "mistakes" in statements about the UKIP leader's involvement in the Hillsborough disaster.

Mr Nuttall earlier admitted claims on his website that he had lost close friends in the 1989 tragedy were false.

It follows a day of confusion in which Mr Nuttall, who is contesting the Stoke Central by-election, was forced to issue a statement clarifying his position and emphasise once again that he had witnessed the tragedy in person with his family. 

Lynda Roughley said she was "entirely responsible" for two press releases that were posted in 2011 and 2012.

UKIP has rejected her resignation, saying she is a loyal member of the team who they wish to remain part of the team.

Hillsborough campaigners have accused Mr Nuttall of "insensitivity".

There's a full list of candidates standing in the Stoke Central by-election here on the BBC website.

Khia Lewis-Todd
BBC Local Live

Councillor Richard Grosvenor, leader of the council, said: "I'm delighted that we are once again able to propose a freeze to our portion of council tax. 

Image source, East Staffordshire Borough Council

"As a result of our strategic approach to financial management, we have ensured, where possible, that our frontline services are protected whilst being in a position to propose a freeze to council tax.

"It is particular pleasing that we can make this proposal at a time when LGA statistics suggest that over 80% of other local authorities intend to increase their council tax."

Liz Ellis
Presenter, BBC Radio Stoke

Pregnant women in Stoke-on-Trent are being given shopping vouchers to encourage them to quit smoking. 

It comes as the latest NHS figures suggest 19% of women from the city haven't quit by the time they go into labour, compared with just over 10% nationally.

Image source, Science Photo Library

The city council told BBC Radio Stoke the trial sees women, who are referred to the stop smoking service and opt into an incentive scheme, given the vouchers if they set a quit date. 

The authority says the trial scheme's worked in others areas like Glasgow and runs until the end of March, when it'll be assessed by experts at Staffordshire University. 

They add that the vouchers are paid for by a government agency and can't be spent on alcohol or tobacco.

Rory Gallimore
BBC Radio Derby

More than £700,000 of cutbacks are being proposed by East Staffordshire Borough Council, but for the eighth year running, it's set to freeze council tax. 

The proposals have been put forward by the authority's cabinet. 

A final decision will be made later this month. 

Image source, Google

Alex Hamilton
BBC Weather

Thick cloud will shroud the hills this morning, but it'll be a mostly dry start to the day.

Outbreaks of showery rain will quickly push eastwards through the morning, with drier and brighter conditions developing later this afternoon - highs of 11C (52F).

Allen Cook
BBC Local Live

Morning everyone, it's a slightly damp but fairly mild start to a Wednesday in Hanley, Stoke-on-Trent today.

We'll have a look at today's weather forecast shortly and there'll be updates on the day's news, sport, travel and more.

You can also send in your pictures of the area - do that via email or put them on Instagram, adding the tag #bbcstoke if you agree to share, external.

Millwall continue their pursuit of promotion from League One with a home win over lowly Port Vale.

UKIP's leader says he is "appalled" the impression was given on his website that he lost close friends.

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.

BBC Radio Stoke

The children's minister and Crewe and Nantwich MP says he's made "the strongest possible representations" about south Cheshire schools, who say they face huge budget cuts due to a new funding formula. 

Some are warning teachers, and subjects, could be cut and a four day week introduced.

Edward Timpson is a minister in the Department for Education, but isn't responsible for the changes. 

He's says Cheshire schools need to be treated "fairly".  

Alex Hamilton
BBC Weather

It's going to be cloudy overnight, with some rain forecast for parts of the West Midlands tomorrow.

Lichfield Mercury

Hundreds of new homes are to be built in Lichfield after the Government gave the green light to a major new development, external which had been vetoed by local planners in 2014.

Image source, Lichfield Mercury

Two properties in Stoke-on-Trent are being searched by police in connection with the investigation.

Tim Wedgwood
BBC Local Live

A Stoke-on-Trent man has been arrested on suspicion of terrorism offences.

Police say a 39-year-old was detained in the city today on suspicion of inviting support for a proscribed organisation and funding terrorism. 

Two properties in Stoke-on-Trent have also been searched as part of the investigation, external, and the man is being held in the West Midlands.

Image source, Getty Images

Officers are stressing today's operation was pre-planned and intelligence led, and there's no risk to the public's safety.  

More than 10,000 litres of illegal alcohol have been found during an operation across the West Midlands, HMRC says. 

Fifty officers from HMRC, Trading Standards and the police visited 24 retail premises last week in Birmingham, Dudley, Worcester, Telford, Stoke, Coventry and Wolverhampton. 

Image source, HMRC

Products were seized from 18 premises and included 13 litres of spirits, 1,580 litres of wine and 18,100 cans of beer.

HMRC said around £20,000 had been evaded in duty costs and VAT. 

Tim Wedgwood
BBC Local Live

A ceremony to award the Legion d’Honneur medal, the highest award in France, to Trooper Rowland F Edwards from Stafford (pictured) has been held at the National Memorial Arboretum, external in Staffordshire.

Trooper Edwards landed at Juno Beach in Normandy in a Sherman tank, shortly after D-Day in June 1944.  

Image source, National Memorial Arboretum

The ceremony was attended by members of Trooper Edwards’ family and representatives from Blind Veterans UK in Stafford, external who provide regular support to him to assist with his ARMD (age related macular degeneration) and glaucoma.

Ed Dawes
BBC Radio Derby Sport

Burton Albion won't be able to relax despite already having three Championship points in the bag from their scheduled fixture. 

Instead of playing QPR later they managed to beat them 2-1 back on 28 January in a gap created by the Brewers loss to Watford in the FA cup. 

Image source, Getty Images

Nigel Clough's side are just two points above the relegation zone though, with all the teams below them playing tonight.  

Emma Thomas
Political reporter, BBC Radio Stoke

UKIP leader and Stoke Central by-election candidate Paul Nuttall has apologised after his website wrongly posted claims that he'd lost a close personal friend in the Hillsborough disaster.

In an interview with BBC Radio Merseyside's Roger Phillips, he put that down to a misunderstanding:

Mr Nuttall's under pressure to prove he was present on the day of the 1989 tragedy after The Guardian newspaper suggested he wasn't telling the truth. He's described those allegations as disgusting.

Click here for a list of the 10 candidates standing in the Stoke Central by-election.

A man has been arrested in Stoke-on-Trent this morning on suspicion of terrorism offences, police say.

West Midlands Police say the 39-year-old is being held in the West Midlands.