Nantwich News

Reaseheath College students in Nantwich have joined forces to help a young abandoned dog in desperate need of veterinary care.   , external

Image source, Nantwich News

Crewe boss David Artell warns his players they may end up "with a job as a milkman" if they are relegated from the EFL.

Allen Cook
BBC Local Live

The developers of a new shopping centre in the middle of Stoke-on-Trent, external say it will "bring back" shoppers from Birmingham and Manchester.   

The area around Hanley's old bus station has been boarded up and covered in graffiti for several years. 

Developers Realis Estates have been trying to get their plans for a new shopping complex off the ground since 2008 . 

After several setbacks and changes , the old shops are now set for demolition as planners approved the Unity Walk design.

The managing director of Realis Estates, Duncan Mathieson, told BBC Radio Stoke they believe it will encourage more people to shop locally and "link" across the city centre.  

Allen Cook
BBC Local Live

A huge art installation is being planned at the National Memorial Arboretum in Staffordshire to mark the centenary of the Battle of Passchendaele.  

Officials at the Alrewas site say they want someone to come forward and put together a "large scale" exhibit for their grounds.

Image source, Getty Images

Passchendaele was one of the muddiest and bloodiest battles of World War One - about 325,000 Allied troops and 260,000 Germans died in the battle. 

The arboretum says it wants the exhibit to reflect a theme of communication between the home front and the front line during the war. 

Last year thousands of wooden statues were planted in the grounds of the National Memorial Aboretum to mark 100 years since the Battle of the Somme.

Sarah Robertson
Journalist, BBC Radio Stoke

More than 20 drivers have been reported so far today in Staffordshire and Cheshire for mobile phone offences.

Both county's police forces, along with the Central Motorway Police Group (CMPG), are carrying out a crackdown, with new penalties in force from today.

Image source, PA

They mean drivers caught using a phone at the wheel will get six points and a £200 fine.

Cheshire's Chief Constable Simon Byrne tweeted that 15 motorists had been reported this morning for using a mobile phone , external while driving.

While CMPG said they'd " dealt with 10 motorists for mobile phone offences, external " in Staffordshire by 11:30.

Unblocking "bed blocking": A suitable case for treatment?

Graham McGarry
Crewe Alexandra commentator, BBC Radio Stoke

The Crewe Alexandra boss David Artell says the destiny of the football club is in the players' hands.

Image source, crewealex.net

The Alex lost 4-0 at Hartlepool last night , slipping to three places above the relegation zone and Artell told BBC Radio Stoke the whole club is in trouble if the players don't improve.

BBC Weather Watchers

The sunshine's come out today in Staffordshire and Cheshire and our BBC Weather Watchers have been snapping away with their photo-uploads.

Here are two from users Phyzzy lizzy in Stone and Videoman in Leek

Image source, Phyzzy lizzy

Image source, Videoman

Ben Godfrey
BBC Midlands Today

A Staffordshire mother who was diagnosed with ovarian cancer is warning women to look out for stomach problems lasting more than three weeks.  

Lynn Hill, from Burton, was diagnosed five years ago after being initially told she was suffering with irritable bowel syndrome.

Ovarian Cancer Action says 90% of women, external do not know the four symptoms to look out for. 

Despite her diagnosis, Lynn told the BBC she has remained positive and wants to "make the most of everything I've got".  

Allen Cook
BBC Local Live

It could be Monday before trains can run between Crewe and Liverpool Lime Street again, engineers say. 

Passengers are being advised to find alternative routes after a wall collapsed on to tracks between the Liverpool station and Edge Hill.

Image source, Network Rail

A Network Rail spokesman said: "An extensive clear-up needs to take place to make the location safe before repairs to the overhead wires can be undertaken."

Train operator London Midland says its Crewe services will terminate at Liverpool South Parkway.  , external

Virgin Trains says it's running replacement buses between Liverpool Lime Street and Runcorn. , external

Express and Star

A prison officer has been left with a fractured skull and a bleed on the brain after being hit by a single punch from an inmate at Oakwood prison.   , external

Image source, Express and Star

Allen Cook
BBC Local Live

Two restaurants robberies by masked men armed with knives and machetes in Tamworth are being linked by police. 

Staffordshire Police says the first, on Saturday, saw staff at The Pretty Pigs threatened with knives by two men who demanded keys to the safe and money from the till. 

Image source, Google

Officers say the pair made off with cash and the victims were left shaken but unhurt. 

The force says the second, on Sunday, happened at the Tam O'Shanter and three men threatened a member of staff with machetes and crowbars before getting away with cash, a wallet and a mobile phone. 

They say in both cases the men involved had Irish accents, kept their faces covered and detectives believe both robberies are linked.

BBC Midlands Today

Burton Albion have been named the Football League's Community Club of the Year for the Midlands.  , external

The Brewers' pioneering work to get fans checked for prostate cancer was particularly commended by judges with the English Football League.

Eleven of the 130 fans tested were referred to hospital for treatment as a result. 

Burton, along with the other five regional winners, will be honoured in Parliament on 6 March., external

Port Vale sign former Falkirk goalkeeper Deniz Mehmet on a short-term deal until the end of the season.

Ben Godfrey
BBC Midlands Today

On Midlands Today this lunchtime you can see and hear more about a sculpture that's marking 25 years of the Midlands Air Ambulance. 

It was unveiled this morning in Staffordshire and we'll have more from 13:30 on BBC One .

Emma Thomas
Political reporter, BBC Radio Stoke

Planners have approved proposals for a new shopping complex in the centre of Stoke-on-Trent.  , external

Six of the seven members of the city council's planning committee present this morning voted in favour of Unity Walk.

Image source, Realis Estates

They'd heard objections to the project, including from existing shopping centre Intu Potteries, which called it an "uncontrolled sprawl" and a threat to the city's retail economy. 

But the plan was approved and Realis Estates,the company behind the plan, says work could start as early as September to clear the land for construction.

The development is set to include the area's first IMAX Cinema, a hotel, shops and a multi-storey car park.

The  Midlands Air Ambulance, external  charity has unveiled a 20ft (6m) high sculpture to mark its 25th anniversary.

The Air Pulse memorial will be on display near Norton Canes services on the M6 Toll in Staffordshire.

Since it was set up in 1991, Midlands Air Ambulance helicopters have responded to over 47,000 incidents.

Allen Cook
BBC Local Live

Here are another selection of the great pictures you take and then share with us of Staffordshire and Cheshire:

Sarah Robertson
Journalist, BBC Radio Stoke

Jewellery, which could be the oldest Iron Age gold discovered in Britain , has gone on display for the first time, in Stoke-on-Trent today. 

The three necklaces and bracelet are believed to be about 2,500 years old.

They were found by two friends, Mark Hambleton and Joe Kania, on Staffordshire Moorlands farmland.

Their find was declared treasure at an inquest led by coroner Ian Smith, who joked it was likely to be "worth a bob or two". 

The pieces are now on display at the Potteries Museum and Art Gallery in Hanley from today until 22 March. , external

The Sentinel

A couple left a man with injuries after attacking him with a set of hedge trimmers., external

Image source, The Sentinel