Woman killed in Storm Doris was from Stafford
Remains found in well confirmed as missing tourist
Labour wins Stoke Central by-election
'Explosion' blows windows out of house
Updates on Friday 24 February 2017
BBC WM
Two lanes have been closed on the M6 northbound between J12 and J13 due to a fallen tree.
There are long delays from J11a, with traffic passing in two lanes.
Matt Sandoz
Stoke City commentator, BBC Radio Stoke
Stoke City academy defender, Ryan Sweeney, wants to follow in the footsteps of captain Ryan Shawcross.
The 19-year-old, who's currently on loan at Bristol Rovers, has helped his side go five games undefeated.
Image source, Getty ImagesQuote MessageBeing captain of a Premiership club is the ultimate goal. When I'm in my prime, playing week in, week out, in the top flight is the goal."
Ryan Sweeney, Stoke City defender
The Midlands Air Ambulance has been grounded by the high winds, so take care while Storm Doris continues to take hold.
The charity that runs the helicopter says the aircrew will still be on shift, using rapid response vehicles to attend incidents.
North West Ambulance Service is warning people to stay indoors unless absolutely necessary.
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Staffordshire Police is advising drivers to take extra care.
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BBC Radio Stoke
A grant of £20,000 has been given to two community groups in Crewe to try to get more people cycling.
The money, from Travel Cheshire, is being shared between not-for-profit bike shop, Community Recycle Cycles, and Christian Concern.
Image source, Cheshire East CouncilChristian Concern is hoping to take on a cycle maintenance trainee at its Hightown base.
BBC Radio Stoke
A campaigner who fought for miners' rights during the 1980s strikes has died.
Brenda Proctor, from Sneyd Green, who ran the North Staffordshire Miners Wives' Action Group, died yesterday after a short illness.
Image source, Getty Images/BBC/Hulton ArchiveQuote MessageShe was a very warm and kind person, and very, very honest. If she thought you were talking rubbish, she would tell you."
Helen Harrison, Staffordshire Fire and Rescue Service
Almost 300 jobs could be lost in Stone after it was revealed a supermarket warehouse is set to close, external.
A concession has been offered to parents concerned about their children walking to school in Nantwich over a level crossing which has been labelled dangerous.
Cheshire East Council had planned to scrap free school bus passes for pupils who live in Willaston.
But the council leadership has promised to suspend its proposals until the London Road crossing (pictured) is reassessed by Network Rail.
Image source, GoogleThe law needed to begin building the HS2 line between the West Midlands and London is expected to be given Royal Assent today.
The bill clears the way for construction of the first phase of HS2.
HS2 high speed railway reaches the end of the line for approval
Charlie Slater
BBC Weather presenter
Severe gales will blow across the Midlands today.
The worst of the rain will be first thing in the morning but gales will continue all day.
Gusts of 60mph are likely in the cities and valleys, and 80mph on hills. Highs of 8C (46F).
Weather for the West Midlands.
Welcome to the Local Live service for Staffordshire and Cheshire on Thursday morning.
We'll be bringing you all the news, sport, travel and weather as it happens.
If you'd like to get in touch you can email, tweet us on @bbchw, external or message via Facebook, external.
We'll be back with our usual mix of news, sport, travel and weather from 08:00 tomorrow.
Keep an eye out here for more updates this evening and into the morning.
The Ludlow MP, Philip Dunne, is urging women to make more use of rural maternity units like the ones in Bridgnorth and Ludlow.
After a meeting with NHS managers, Mr Dunne said "increasing the number of births at each location is important to help secure their long term future".
The MP is asking mums who have had babies at the midwife-led units to share their happy experiences, to encourage other women to use the facilities.
He says births and antenatal appointments at Ludlow have fallen over the past five years, but have risen in Bridgnorth.
Quote MessageIn order to be viable and to retain quality committed midwives, our midwife-led units need to have more babies born in our community hospitals each year, to improve upon the average of one or two per week."
Philip Dunne, MP for Ludlow
Eight anglers have been fined a total of more than £5,600 for fishing without a rod licence in Staffordshire.
Image source, The Environment AgencyThe Environment Agency says they were caught at four pools last summer, one in Stoke-on-Trent, another in Eccleshall and the other two in Rugeley.
Four of the anglers fined are from Stoke-on-Trent.
A fundraising appeal to replace fruit trees in Market Drayton which were damaged by vandals has raised over £200.
About 10 trees in the community orchard were lost and local businessman, Geoff Sherry, set up the online appeal, external, saying the vandalism by "mindless thugs" had upset people living in the town.
Image source, West Mercia PoliceThe appeal has 24 days to run and has already surpassed its target, so Mr Sherry says any extra money raised will be given to Market Drayton Town Council to plant more trees.
Lee Thomas
Newsreader, BBC Radio Stoke
Two GP surgeries in Crewe are to merge, with health bosses saying its to help make sure care in the town remains sustainable.
Millcroft and Delamere medical practices, which are both based at the Eagle Bridge centre, will become one in June.
Image source, Thinkstock
Rebecca Wood
BBC Midlands Today
A band of rain from the west will spread across the region this evening.
This will clear in the early hours when strong winds will develop, these strengthening close to gale force over hills by dawn - lows of 8C (46F).
Rebecca Wood has your forecast
Tomorrow, severe gales will bring disruption in the morning, with a band of rain moving eastwards, though brightening though the afternoon.
Sainsbury's says moving away from a warehouse in Stone is vital to the success of its distribution network.
The supermarket has a frozen food warehouse on Opal Way in the town.
Image source, Getty ImagesIt says it announced its move to a new facility back in August, the site is run by XPO Logistics.
Sainsbury's say 275 jobs will be affected.
Two men have robbed a Co-op near Crewe and stolen a worker's car to get away.
Cheshire Police say the masked pair targeted the store on Rope Lane in Shavington at 05:30 this morning.
They threatened staff with crowbars and stole a large amount of cigarettes and cash from the safe.
Detectives believe they arrived in a red car, and say they fled in a worker's black Kia Sorrento.
