Woman dies after hit by car
Refugee praises "good hearts" of Stoke-on-Trent
Stafford hosts 'largest Shire horse competition in the world'
Football: Stoke's Butland 'out on the grass' after almost a year out
Updates on Friday 17 March 2017
Two cash-strapped councils in the Black Country and Staffordshire have made almost £60m from selling off council-owned land over the last four years, the Express & Star can reveal. , external
A 21-year-old man will face death by dangerous charges after two people were killed in a crash.
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Matt Sandoz
Stoke City commentator, BBC Radio Stoke
The Stoke City manager Mark Hughes says there is some sort of deal in place to make Dutch defender Bruno Martins Indi a permanent signing.
Image source, Steve Bardens/Getty ImagesMartins Indi is on loan from FC Porto until the end of the season and has been a regular for Stoke this season.
Quote MessageThere is already an agreement in place with Porto, so it is just a matter of ironing things out with Bruno, which we expect to do. It isn't easy when you come to a new country and a new league, but he adapted quickly and embraced what we are about."
Mark Hughes, Stoke City manager
Lee Thomas
Newsreader, BBC Radio Stoke
Firefighters say a sprinkler system stopped a fire at a retirement complex in Stoke-on-Trent from becoming "far more serious".
Staffordshire Fire and Rescue Service say their crews were called to the Oak Priory housing block on Holdcroft Road, Abbey Hulton early yesterday morning.
They say the blaze started accidentally in one of the flats and the smoke detection system gave staff an early warning.
As a result they say they were able to help the person inside the flat to safety and no residents were at risk.
Chris King
Reporter, BBC Radio Stoke
A man from Leek is set to appear in court in North Wales next month accused of causing death by dangerous driving.
North Wales Police say it follows a crash on the A543 near Pentrefoelas on 27 February last year in which two people died.
Image source, GoogleThe force says a Mercedes and a Renault Clio collided and the female passenger in the Mercedes died at the scene.
Officers say the driver of the Mercedes died a few weeks later.
The 21-year old will appear before Llandudno magistrates on 5 April.
Allen Cook
BBC Local Live
I've been looking through the pictures you've sent in of Staffordshire and Cheshire and here's another five I've picked out.
You can share yours on email or put them on Instagram, adding the tag #bbcstoke if you agree to share., external
Your pictures
Emma Thomas
Political reporter, BBC Radio Stoke
A refugee from Pakistan has told BBC Radio Stoke that the people of Stoke-on-Trent have "good hearts" and have helped her to make the Potteries her home.
Single mother Kiram was relocated to Longton from London by the Home Office after seeking asylum with her twin daughters.
Giving birth as an unmarried Muslim woman meant she'd face persecution if she returned to Pakistan, she said.
She now volunteers to support other migrants at the Sanctus support group for refugees, external , run by St Mark's Church in Shelton (pictured).
Quote MessagePeople here as compared to London are really very good and welcoming. They have feelings for everyone, they are good people here."
Kiram, Refugee from Pakistan
BBC Sport
It's a week short of a year since Stoke keeper Jack Butland fractured an ankle while playing for England against Germany. He hasn't played a first-team game since .
The good news for fans is that he is "back with us now and progressing," according to the Stoke City manager Mark Hughes.
Image source, Getty Images
Ben Godfrey
BBC Midlands Today
A Shire horse contest, billed as the "world's largest", gets under way in Staffordshire today, external .
Shire horse preparations
About 250 horses will be paraded in front of crowds at the Stafford County Showground over the next three days.
Tomorrow, the "most impressive stallion" will be awarded the King George V cup.
Lee Blakeman
Port Vale commentator, BBC Radio Stoke
The Port Vale boss Michael Brown says his players need to embrace the bigger crowd expected at today's game against Shrewsbury Town .
Image source, Gareth Copley/Getty ImagesThe Vale start the game in the bottom four and five points behind their opponents.
BBC Radio Stoke will have live match commentary on the match with build-up from 19:00 .
Quote MessageI think as a young player, big crowd on Friday, whether it be a shot, a chance, a tackle - just be noticed on that pitch. They're the great games, pressure games."
Michael Brown, Port Vale caretaker manager
A popular town centre pub has been forced to close - after running out of beer., external
Image source, The Sentinel
Mark Elliott
Reporter, BBC Shropshire
Shrewsbury are in action tonight against fellow League One strugglers, Port Vale.
Town are currently five points above them, and manager Paul Hurst admits it's an important game, with both sides needing the points.
Quote MessageI'm not putting masses of pressure on my players. If we lose can we stay up still? Course we can. You know again the truth of it is, it is a big game. There's no getting away from that. But I don't feel that I need to build it up for anything that it isn't."
Paul Hurst, Shrewsbury Town Manager
Chris King
Reporter, BBC Radio Stoke
A woman's died after she was hit by a car in Leek.
It happened yesterday evening, say Staffordshire Police, as she crossed Ashbourne Road.
Image source, GoogleThe force say the victim died at the scene and the road was closed for several hours as they investigated.
They add that her family is being supported by specially trained officers although she hasn't been formally identified.
Charlie Slater
BBC Weather presenter
After a dry start, with some bright spells, a cloudy day with showers possible this afternoon and highs of 9C (48F).
You can find a detailed weather report for your area here.
Latest weather for the West Midlands
Allen Cook
BBC Local Live
Hello everyone, it looks slightly like the calm before the storm as it's a fairly bright, cloudy start to Friday but we're told heavy rain's due later on.
For now though, this was the scene in Nantwich this morning as photographed by BBC Weather Watcher Dragonlady.
Image source, DragonladyWe'll have a look at that all-important weather forecast shortly and there'll be plenty of updates through today on the area's news, sport, travel and more.
Keep those pictures of Staffordshire and Cheshire coming - send them on email or, if you use Instagram, put them there, external and add the tag #bbcstoke to show you agree to share them.
BBC football expert Mark Lawrenson takes on boxer and Manchester United fan Anthony Crolla in this week's Premier League predictions.
Read MoreWe'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.
Lee Blakeman
Newsreader, BBC Radio Stoke
A mother's been punched in what police are calling an unprovoked attack in Newcastle-under-Lyme. , external
Staffordshire Police say it happened just outside the Co-op on Bradwell Lane at around 18:45 on 7 March.
Image source, GoogleThey say the woman, who was with her daughter at the time, got into an argument with an unknown woman.
Officers say she was punched in the head and had her hair pulled, suffering a cut to a finger and a bruised cheek.
BBC Midlands Today
On Midlands Today this evening - a multimillion-pound plan to combat overcrowding on trains in the West Midlands has gained government backing.
The Midlands Rail Hub will provide much needed extra capacity on the rail network over the next decade.
On BBC One from 18:30 we'll be looking at whether is can deliver and what the benefits will be to you.
BBC Derby Sport
On loan midfielder Luke Murphy said he's relishing the chance to play regular first team football with Burton Albion.
Murphy had only featured once for Leeds in the first half of the season, but has only missed one game since joining the Brewers in January.
Image source, Rex Features
