Several residents evacuated following Crewe house firepublished at 15:55 British Summer Time 5 April 2017
Several residents were evacuated from their homes late last night after fire ripped through a house on Nelson Street in Crewe. , external
Summary
Man dies in house fire
Getaway car photo released after security guard robbery
Lab tests carried out to solve cracked paving problem
Self-mutilating dog costs charity £10k in vet bills
Updates from Friday 7 April 2017
Several residents evacuated following Crewe house firepublished at 15:55 British Summer Time 5 April 2017
Government rules out HS2 inquirypublished at 15:33 British Summer Time 5 April 2017
Oral questions
House of Lords
Parliament
Image source, PALib Dem Baroness Randerson says engineering firm CH2M's withdrawal from the HS2 project is a "depressing indictment" of the way it is being carried out, but Transport Minister Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon rules out an inquiry.
CH2M's £170m contract was to develop Phase 2b, stretching from Crewe to Manchester and Birmingham to Leeds.
But the contract signing was delayed as officials were reportedly investigating concerns from rival bidder Mace over alleged conflicts of interest.
CH2M blamed the exit on "protracted delays and ongoing speculation".
Wednesday's pick of pictures of Staffordshire and Cheshirepublished at 15:26 British Summer Time 5 April 2017
Allen Cook
BBC Local LiveHere are four of the latest photos you have sent in of Staffordshire and Cheshire.
If you have photos you'd like to share of the area, drop them in on an email or, if you use Instagram, put them there and add the #bbcstoke tag, external .
Media caption, Your pictures
Lloyds names Staffordshire branches for closurepublished at 15:00 British Summer Time 5 April 2017
Brian Milligan
Personal finance reporterTwo Lloyds Bank branches in Staffordshire have been confirmed among the locations announced by the bank of 100 it plans to close between July and October.
They are among a programme of 400 branch closures already announced in principle.
Image source, GoogleSome 54 Lloyds branches will be affected, alongside 24 Bank of Scotland and 22 Halifax branches.
There will also be a net reduction of 325 staff, who were told about the plan on Wednesday morning.
The two branches affected in Staffordshire are in Brewood and on Lichfield Road, Stafford.
Waitrose confirms closure of Leek store in Septemberpublished at 14:38 British Summer Time 5 April 2017
Jack Dowling
Journalist, BBC Radio StokeThe Waitrose branch in Leek, which employs around 120 people, will close in September, the supermarket retailer's confirmed today.
Image source, GoogleThe firm says the store has traded at a loss since it opened and they haven't been able to find a way to turn it around.
Waitrose said it will support the 120 staff now looking for work.
Just 10% parking fine appeals succeed in Staffordshirepublished at 14:15 British Summer Time 5 April 2017
BBC News EnglandJust one in 10 drivers appealing a parking fine in Staffordshire have been successful, research has shown.
The figures were obtained from 98 English local authorities through Freedom of Information requests by the Press Association.
Image source, PAThe figures cover initial challenges to on-street parking fines received from drivers between January and October 2016.
They put Staffordshire County Council in the bottom five authorities in the country for accepting challenges.
The research shows the likelihood of getting off a parking fine varies widely, depending on which area of the country drivers get a ticket.
Staffordshire County Council have been asked for a response and, if and when they send one, we'll bring that to you.
Football: 'Best season yet' for Crewe midfielderpublished at 13:56 British Summer Time 5 April 2017
Graham McGarry
Crewe Alexandra commentator, BBC Radio StokeThe Crewe Alexandra midfielder James Jones says he thinks he's had his best season so far for the team.
Media caption, Crewe Alexandra midfielder James Jones
The 21-year-old was speaking after having his contract extended with the club for a further 12 months.
He told BBC Radio Stoke he's now looking to build on a successful season, including goals, for next year.
Midlands Today: The carpentry firm marking 150 years openpublished at 13:24 British Summer Time 5 April 2017
Joan Cummins
Midlands Today reporterOn Midlands Today this lunchtime, we'll hear about a family-run carpentry firm in the region which has made all kinds of products, from cricket bats to wooden bullets, and is celebrating 150 years of business.
The firm's expanded and survived two world wars and numerous recessions and we'll have more on its amazing story on BBC One from 13:30.
Public drinking and urination leads to council legal banpublished at 13:09 British Summer Time 5 April 2017
Ros Chimes
Reporter, BBC Radio StokePeople drinking alcohol on the streets and urinating in shop fronts in Leek are among the issues that have prompted police and the council to get tough on anti-social behaviour.
Residents and traders around Leek's bus station have told BBC Radio Stoke the problems also include noise and vandalism.
Image source, GoogleNow the district council and Staffordshire Police say they've introduced a Public Space Protection Order for the site, the first time they've done so in the Staffordshire Moorlands , external .
The force say it'll last for three years and ban certain activities in public and applies to the bus station and nearby areas such as the Smithfield Centre.
Council bosses suspended on full paypublished at 12:58 British Summer Time 5 April 2017
The bosses are paid over £150,000 between them and it not known when the matter will be resolved.
Read MoreIdentity theft warning as building society hit by hackerspublished at 12:54 British Summer Time 5 April 2017
Hackers have targeted a Staffordshire building society and accessed members’ personal information., external
Image source, Express and StarPAVA spray used in robbery suspect arrestpublished at 12:38 British Summer Time 5 April 2017
Allen Cook
BBC Local LivePolice officers have forced their way into a car and used an "incapacitant" spray to arrest a robbery suspect in Stoke-on-Trent. , external
Staffordshire Police say they were investigating after a man took drugs from a pharmacy on Derby Street, Hanley yesterday, after threatening staff with a knife.
Image source, Getty ImagesA 30-year-old man was arrested in connection with the robbery after officers say they used PAVA spray when he refused to get out of a damaged car.
PAVA spray is more potent than CS spray but it is claimed to be safer for users and bystanders.
Senior staff suspended on full pay, council confirmspublished at 12:15 British Summer Time 5 April 2017
Emma Thomas
Political reporter, BBC Radio StokeBosses at Staffordshire County Council have confirmed to BBC Radio Stoke that two senior staff members suspended last year are still receiving full pay.
The authority says Head of Resources Lisa Cartwright and Head of Strategic Property Jamie McDonald , external were put on gardening leave in December, pending disciplinary investigations.
The council says the two cases are unrelated.
Six fire engines needed to tackle 'severe fire'published at 11:56 British Summer Time 5 April 2017
Allen Cook
BBC Local LiveFire crews have tackled a "severe fire" in the roof of a house which, at its height, needed six fire engines to bring it under control.
Staffordshire Fire and Rescue Service says it was first called at 08:12 today to the home on Pattingham Road, Perton, external .
Image source, West Midlands FireMore fire engines were quickly called to the scene, but they're now scaling down the number of fire crews there, external .
No-one is believed to have been injured.
Residents evacuated as 'intense' fire spreads to housespublished at 11:31 British Summer Time 5 April 2017
Allen Cook
BBC Local LiveMore than 20 residents had to be evacuated after a fire in Crewe spread to neighbouring homes and caused a roof to collapse. , external
Cheshire Fire and Rescue Service says crews were called to Nelson Street last night and found the intense blaze spreading along a row of terraced houses.
Image source, Cheshire Fire and Rescue ServiceThey say police evacuated residents while they put out the fire and are now investigating the cause.
Cheshire Police say around 25 residents spent the night at a local school or hotel.
Researchers say Marmite feeds the brainpublished at 11:08 British Summer Time 5 April 2017
Andrew Barton
BBC Local LiveIt's only a yeast extract and yet it inspires implacable loathing or deeply felt affection and now researchers claim Burton's very own food of the gods, Marmite, could be good for you.
The high concentration of vitamin B12 is said to increase levels of chemicals that protect against neurological disorders, according to a study by the University of York.
They believe it encourages the body to produce the neurotransmitter that "regulates the delicate balance of activity needed to maintain a healthy brain".
Researchers tested 28 healthy volunteers, half of which were given Marmite, while the rest were given peanut butter.
Those who ate a teaspoon of Marmite every day for a month showed a 30% decrease in their brain's response to visual patterns.
For those not aware, Marmite was founded and produced in Burton and the factory produces about 50 million jars a year.
Households on 50p-a-week housing benefit - BBC Panoramapublished at 10:54 British Summer Time 5 April 2017
BBC Panorama
Investigative TV showMore than 80 families hit by the benefit cap in Stoke-on-Trent have been left with just 50p a week towards their rent, a BBC investigation has found.
A Panorama survey of hundreds of local councils across Britain discovered that 7,585 families had had their weekly housing benefit cut to this level.
In the Cheshire East Council area, 19 households are affected while 11 are in Stafford.
Image source, PACharities say some families affected could end up losing their homes.
The cuts are part of the government's drive to get unemployed people back to work by capping their payments.
Ministers say the benefit cap is fairer because it levels the playing field between families in work and those reliant on benefits.
Police warn children over bus station behaviourpublished at 10:33 British Summer Time 5 April 2017
Police have issued a warning to children after new rules were brought in to target anti-social behaviour in part of a town centre. , external
Image source, The SentinelSenior Cheshire East council officials' conduct probedpublished at 10:07 British Summer Time 5 April 2017
Phil McCann
Cheshire Political Reporter, BBC NewsA special committee will discuss "concerns" over the conduct of one or more of Cheshire East Council's most senior officials .
Image source, GoogleDisciplinary matters concerning chief executive Mike Suarez, monitoring officer Bill Norman or chief finance officer Peter Bates will be considered.
The authority will not reveal details of the allegations or which of the three officials they relate to.
The allegations are to be discussed on Monday.
Arrests after knife-point robberypublished at 09:47 British Summer Time 5 April 2017
Allen Cook
BBC Local LiveA shop's been robbed at knife-point in Burton with staff being threatened by two men , external .
Image source, GoogleStaffordshire Police say it happened at Hadfield Stores on Roslistion Road last night and the robbers made off with cash, leaving staff unhurt.
Officers say two men, aged 35 and 46, have been arrested in connection with the robbery.
