Costa does himself no favours - Hughespublished at 21:29 Greenwich Mean Time 20 March 2017
Stoke boss Mark Hughes says he accepts Chelsea striker Diego Costa's on-field antics but 'you don't have to enjoy it'.
Read MoreSummary
M6 closed in Staffordshire due to 'unsafe' bridge
Man took wedding ring off the fingers of 98-year-old bedridden woman
Former Bishop of Lichfield, Keith Sutton, dies
D-Day veteran awarded French honour
Updates on Friday 24 March
Costa does himself no favours - Hughespublished at 21:29 Greenwich Mean Time 20 March 2017
Our live coverage across the daypublished at 18:00 Greenwich Mean Time 20 March 2017
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.
On Midlands Today from 18:30: Virtual reality test for football head injuries trialled published at 17:56 Greenwich Mean Time 20 March 2017
Nick Owen
Presenter, BBC Midlands TodayOn Midlands Today this evening we'll look at work being done in the Midlands to speed up the identification of concussion suffered by football players in a match.
If the research is successful, it's hoped players could instead be prevented from rejoining the game and risking more serious injury.
We'll have a look at this story from 18:30 on BBC One.
Rape accused cleared in student death casepublished at 17:54 Greenwich Mean Time 20 March 2017
Keele student Hannah Stubbs killed herself in August 2015 while the case was being investigated.
Read MoreCyclist seriously hurt in collision with carpublished at 17:50 Greenwich Mean Time 20 March 2017
Lee Thomas
Newsreader, BBC Radio StokeA cyclist has been left seriously injured after a collision with a car near Stafford. , external
Image source, GoogleStaffordshire Police says it happened on Thursday evening on Main Road near School Lane, Milford.
The force says the 50-year-old cyclist, who's from the Milford area, suffered a suspected head injury and is said to be in a "serious but stable condition" in hospital.
Football: Crewe striker 'a League Two Michael Owen' says Alex boss published at 17:44 Greenwich Mean Time 20 March 2017
Graham McGarry
Crewe Alexandra commentator, BBC Radio StokeThe Crewe Alexandra manager, David Artell, has compared his striker Chris Dagnall to one of England's greatest players.
Image source, Rex FeaturesHaving scored just five goals in his first 31 outings this season, the 30-year-old has netted seven times in his last six League Two appearances.
It's led to Artell dubbing him "a League Two Michael Owen" for scoring goals from inside the penalty box.
Quote MessageMichael Owen scored his goals from nought to eight yards, and Chris's latest two were both from nought to eight yards. I played against Chris and I didn't like playing against him. I didn't mind when he was playing out wide but, if you can get in the right areas, you'll score goals and he's a good finisher."
David Artell, Crewe Alexandra manager
Photos: Wet morning reflected by BBC Weather Watcherspublished at 17:36 Greenwich Mean Time 20 March 2017
The first half of today appears to generally have been a wet one in Staffordshire and Cheshire and that's been reflected by the pictures from our BBC Weather Watchers .
These two were uploaded in Staffordshire by users Videoman, in Leek, and Bucko, in Uttoxeter.
Image source, Videoman
Image source, BuckoWoman who died after collision named by policepublished at 17:24 Greenwich Mean Time 20 March 2017
Lee Thomas
Newsreader, BBC Radio StokeA woman who died after being hit by a car in the middle of Leek has been named by police. , external
Staffordshire Police says Susan Cooper, who was 66 and from Alton, was on Ashbourne Road when the collision happened.
House hit by car in Burtonpublished at 17:13 Greenwich Mean Time 20 March 2017
Allen Cook
BBC Local LiveA car has hit a house in Burton this morning, external .
Staffordshire Fire and Rescue Service say they were called to the junction of All Saints Road and Oak Street at 11:26 and evacuated the home.
Staffordshire Police were also called, and say two cars collided just before with one of them going on to strike the house.
The force say no-one was hurt and the house has been checked for damage but add that there's no immediate danger to the residents or passers-by.
'Large quantity' of cannabis found in police raidspublished at 17:00 Greenwich Mean Time 20 March 2017
Allen Cook
BBC Local LiveWeapons and a "large amount" of cannabis have been found in police raids this morning in Lichfield. , external
Staffordshire Police say they searched two places on Upper St John Street.
Image source, Staffordshire PoliceThey say they're still working out the value of the cannabis they seized.
The force says three people were arrested in the raids, external - two women, aged 25 and 18, and a 23-year-old man.
'Remarkable woman' remembered at funeralpublished at 16:53 Greenwich Mean Time 20 March 2017
Tim Wedgwood
BBC Local Live"A remarkable woman" is how the former miners' leader Arthur Scargill has described Brenda Procter, the Stoke-on-Trent woman who rose to prominence during the 1980's miners' strikes.
Media caption, The funeral of Brenda Procter
The 66-year-old was secretary of the North Staffordshire Miners' Wives Action Group and, in later life, became a city councillor.
Brenda and the group supported miners and their families through the disputes in the area, including manning kitchens to feed them.
She passed away last month after a short illness and her funeral was held in Longton.
Mr Scargill paid tribute at her funeral, telling the BBC she would "never be forgotten in Stoke-on-Trent".
Answering Your Questions: Where does 'duck' as a greeting come from? published at 16:37 Greenwich Mean Time 20 March 2017
Allen Cook
BBC Local LiveOn Your Questions, Maria Harrison asked : "Why do people call you 'duck' in Stoke-on-Trent?"
We posed this question back in 2005 and, at the time, spoke to Steve Birks from the area, a chronicler of the city.
He said firstly the word “duck” (a term of greeting, for man or woman) has nothing at all to do with the winged bird of the same name.
Image caption, Not this kind of duck
According to Mr Birks, it is said to find its origin in the Saxon word ‘ducas’ which was meant as a term of respect; similar to the Middle English ‘duc’ or ‘duk’ which denotes a leader or commander.
From those origins we also get the title ‘Duke’ and the Old French word ‘ducheé’ - the territory ruled by a Duke - as well as the Stokie greeting.
If you've got a question about Stoke-on-Trent or Staffordshire to pose, ask us here and your question could be making the news.
Councillor appointed as Cheshire deputy police and crime commissioner published at 16:25 Greenwich Mean Time 20 March 2017
Allen Cook
BBC Local LiveA Labour councillor has been appointed, external as the new deputy police and crime commissioner for Cheshire, despite councillors querying her suitability.
Sareda Dirir was nominated by Cheshire Police and Crime Commissioner David Keane to become his £50,000-a-year deputy.
Image source, Sureda DirirIn a confirmation hearing, members of the county's police and crime panel were not impressed by her performance but concluded she met the "minimum standard".
Today Mr Keane finalised her appointment to the role and called her "an outstanding candidate" in the application process.
Man charged with causing death by dangerous drivingpublished at 16:10 Greenwich Mean Time 20 March 2017
Allen Cook
BBC Local LiveA man has been charged with causing death by dangerous driving, external after a crash in Lichfield.
Image source, GoogleStaffordshire Police say Stephanie Grainger died a few days after the collision on Beacon Street in August .
The force says the 21-year-old man from Lichfield will appear before magistrates in Cannock next month.
Rapper 'had shoes stolen' in university gigpublished at 15:56 Greenwich Mean Time 20 March 2017
Allen Cook
BBC Local LiveA rap star has claimed he had his shoes stolen during a university gig in Staffordshire.
Image source, Getty ImagesAhead of an upcoming tour, Coolio - real name Artis Leon Ivey - has told the Press Association it happened in 2009 when he dived into the crowd at Staffordshire University.
The 53-year-old says his shoes and accessories were stolen.
He says that, for this tour, he'll be taking off his shoes and jewellery before mingling with the audience.
Car burnt out in firepublished at 15:35 Greenwich Mean Time 20 March 2017
Allen Cook
BBC Local Live
Image source, Cheshire Fire and Rescue ServiceThe front of a saloon car has been destroyed in a fire on a car park in Nantwich. , external
Cheshire Fire and Rescue Service say they found the vehicle "well alight" when they arrived on Coole Lane, Austerson on Friday evening.
Image source, Cheshire Fire and Rescue ServiceFootball: Port Vale 'on the path' to avoid relegation says midfielder published at 14:57 Greenwich Mean Time 20 March 2017
Lee Blakeman
Port Vale commentator, BBC Radio StokeThe Port Vale midfielder, Ryan Taylor, says he believes the side have what it takes to avoid relegation from League One.
Image source, Port Vale FCTaylor scored in Friday's 2-1 win against Shrewsbury but the result still leaves Vale in the relegation zone.
Quote MessageYou look at the next four fixtures now - if we can win quite a few of them, it's in our hands basically. You would like to have the points on board. We've got a job to do and that's to win football matches. We're on the path and we go again on Tuesday."
Ryan Taylor, Port Vale midfielder
Man 'critically ill' after collision with carpublished at 14:28 Greenwich Mean Time 20 March 2017
Jodie Looker
Newsreader, BBC Radio StokeA man is in a critical condition in hospital after a collision with a car, external in Stoke-on-Trent.
Image source, GoogleStaffordshire Police say the crash happened on Friday afternoon at the junction of High Street and Colclough Lane in Goldenhill.
Officers say the driver of the car wasn't hurt.
Council looking for town centre ideaspublished at 14:07 Greenwich Mean Time 20 March 2017
Stone Town Council has called a special General Purpose Committee meeting for Thursday 30th March to discuss issues in Stone town centre , external
Man acquitted of rape of Keele studentpublished at 13:45 Greenwich Mean Time 20 March 2017
Allen Cook
BBC Local LiveA man has been acquitted of the rape of a student who killed herself while detectives investigated the alleged crime.
Hannah Stubbs, who was 22 and a student at Keele University, took her own life at her home in Stafford in August 2015.
Image source, Amanda Patricia StubbsThe Crown Prosecution Service offered no evidence against 33-year-old Elgan Varney, formerly of Newcastle-under-Lyme, during a hearing at Stoke-on-Trent Crown Court.
Judge John Fletcher cleared Mr Varney of two counts of rape and one of sexual assault.
Last year an inquest ruled Ms Stubbs was suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder and recorded a narrative verdict.
