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

  1. Council move to speed up future traveller evictionspublished at 09:21 British Summer Time 5 April 2017

    Emma Thomas
    Political reporter, BBC Radio Stoke

    Travellers living illegally on land in Stoke-on-Trent could be evicted more quickly in the future, after the city council applied to use new powers to protect its property., external

    Stoke-on-Trent's Civic Centre HQ

    The authority's cabinet agreed to change its constitution to adopt the Criminal Justice and Public Order Act, which cuts the two-week time frame council officers must currently wait before an eviction.

    Councillors say they hope the change will reduce the financial burden on taxpayers and the social disruption to businesses and residents. 

  2. Football: Miserable night for Port Vale in Rochdale losspublished at 09:00 British Summer Time 5 April 2017

    Lee Blakeman
    Port Vale commentator, BBC Radio Stoke

    Port Vale's fight for League One survival suffered a setback last night as their opponents Rochdale ran out 3-0 comfortable winners. 

    It was a night when anything that could go wrong did go wrong for the Valiants, who were up against it from the 21st minute when Danny Pugh was dismissed for bringing down Matty Lund as the midfielder raced through on goal.

    Rochdale's home groundImage source, Richard Heathcote/Getty Images

    To compound Vale's misery, defender Kjell Knops suffered a nasty injury to his knee in the build-up to the first goal and was stretchered off. 

    The result left Michael Brown's men two points above the drop zone with a game in hand on most teams around them.

  3. Football: 'One of those nights' for Stoke in defeatpublished at 08:41 British Summer Time 5 April 2017

    Matt Sandoz
    Stoke City commentator, BBC Radio Stoke

    The Stoke City manager says his attacker Marko Arnautovic had "one of those nights" as his side failed to score and lost 1-0 at Burnley.

    Media caption,

    Mark Hughes after the game

    George Boyd scored the only goal at Turf Moor, sweeping home Jeff Hendrick's cross 12 yards out after the Republic of Ireland international had beaten two Stoke defenders on the left flank. 

    Stoke had the better chances in the 90 minutes but were not clinical with Marko Arnautovic wasting the visitors' best opportunities.

    Quote Message

    It was one of those nights for Marko [Arnautovic]. On another night we take at least one of those chances. As it was we couldn't get the goal we needed and when that happens you are always at risk at the other end."

    Mark Hughes, Stoke City manager

  4. Watch: Weather for the West Midlandspublished at 08:20 British Summer Time 5 April 2017

    Charlie Slater
    BBC Weather presenter

    Wednesday will be cloudier and feel a little cooler than Tuesday, but it will be a largely dry day with some bright or sunny spells . Highs of 12C (54F).

    Media caption,

    Weather for the West Midlands.

  5. Good morning and welcome to Wednesday's live coveragepublished at 08:00 British Summer Time 5 April 2017

    Allen Cook
    BBC Local Live

    Hello everyone, the day's started off bright and sunny over Hanley, Stoke-on-Trent and that looks to be the pictures elsewhere in Staffordshire and Cheshire.

    Jeff Stevens tweeted this picture from Enson Lane, external , Stafford this morning.

    Enson Lane, Stafford todayImage source, Jeff Stevens

    We'll have a fuller look at the day's weather shortly and there'll be news, sport, travel and other updates through today.

    I'll also feature some more of your pictures of Staffordshire and Cheshire - keep sending those in on email or put them on Instagram with the tag #bbcstoke, external .

  6. Rochdale 3-0 Port Valepublished at 22:38 British Summer Time 4 April 2017

    Port Vale's fight for League One survival suffers a setback at Spotland as Rochdale ran out comfortable winners.

    Read More
  7. Burnley 1-0 Stoke Citypublished at 22:34 British Summer Time 4 April 2017

    George Boyd scored the only goal as Burnley beat Stoke at Turf Moor to end their seven-game winless run.

    Read More
  8. Stoke were the better team - Hughespublished at 22:34 British Summer Time 4 April 2017

    Stoke City boss Mark Hughes believes the Potters were the better side and could have won the game after a narrow 1-0 defeat at Burnley.

    Read More
  9. Dyche relieved after Burnley's first win since Januarypublished at 22:31 British Summer Time 4 April 2017

    Burnley manager Sean Dyche is delighted after his side register their first win since 31 January with a 1-0 victory over Stoke City.

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  10. Our coverage across the daypublished at 18:00 British Summer Time 4 April 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.  

  11. Burnley v Stoke City: Lawro's predictionpublished at 18:00 British Summer Time 4 April 2017

    Mark Lawrenson
    BBC football expert

    BBC football expert Mark Lawrenson gives his prediction ahead of tonight's fixture at Turf Moor.

    Quote Message

    Six places separate these two teams, but only four points, which suggests they are evenly matched. Burnley have been so strong at Turf Moor this season but their mindset might be different now, and not in a positive way. Prediction: 1-1."

  12. Council launches strategy to target child neglectpublished at 17:59 British Summer Time 4 April 2017

    A new strategy to help prevent child neglect is being spearheaded by Cheshire East Council. , external

    The authority has joined forces with a number of partners and is calling on residents to help by reporting signs of neglect.

    Girl hiding on stairs

    Councillor Liz Durham, Cheshire East Council cabinet member for children and families, said: "Historically the challenge we have faced as a society in addressing this terrible problem is that many of us have been too unsure of ourselves to come forward. Hopefully this will now change."

  13. Public consultation supports proposed new leisure centrepublished at 17:53 British Summer Time 4 April 2017

    A proposed new leisure centre in Stone has been given the thumbs up during a public consultation exercise, Stafford Borough Council says. , external

    More than 200 people had their say, with over 90% saying they would use the new facilities earmarked for Westbridge Park, the authority said.

    The centre would house a six-lane, 25m swimming pool alongside gym and fitness studios.  

    The council-run swimming pool in Stone is currently based at Alleyne’s Academy and is used by the school under a shared agreement with the local authority. Sports facilities at the academy will still be part of the community leisure offer.

    A planning application for the new centre is due to be submitted later this month. 

    Artist impression of Stone Leisure CentreImage source, Stafford Borough Council
  14. Newcastle United v Burton Albion tomorrowpublished at 17:49 British Summer Time 4 April 2017

    BBC Derby Sport

    Burton Albion manager Nigel Clough told today's press conference he's expecting a bottle of something in the post from their next opponents Newcastle United.

    The Brewers' win at Huddersfield allowed Newcastle and Brighton to extend their lead in the automatic promotion spots. 

    Nigel Clough

    Marvin Sordell also said he believed he'll be able to enjoy the trip to Newcastle United.

    "The pressure on them isn't as great as in other games".

    Marvin Sordell

    Burton get ready to play Newcastle tomorrow.  

  15. Watch: Weather for the West Midlandspublished at 17:45 British Summer Time 4 April 2017

    Charlie Slater
    BBC Weather presenter

    Clear spells are expected this evening but it will gradually turn a little cloudier overnight . It will feel rather chilly by dawn, especially under clear skies. Lows of 6C (43F).

    Media caption,

    Weather for the West Midlands.

  16. Huddersfield and Burton charged by FApublished at 17:38 British Summer Time 4 April 2017

    Huddersfield and Burton are charged with misconduct by the Football Association following Saturday's Championship game.

    Read More
  17. Polish man freed from slavery after eight yearspublished at 17:14 British Summer Time 4 April 2017

    Spencer Stokes
    Journalist, BBC News

    Eight years in captivity and he's now adjusting to being a free man.

    Janusz, not his real name, was trafficked from Poland to the West Midlands picking vegetables from fields, as well as working at a a recycling plant for 12 hours a day, six days a week. 

    Figures show the number of potential victims of slavery and people trafficking in the UK has risen to 3,805 in 2016 - a 118% increase in three years.

    Many that are rescued are taken to safe houses run by the Salvation Army.

    "Janusz" speaking to the BBC

    Janusz was freed after a police investigation and now lives in one of these safe houses.

    Anne Read from the organisation says: "They are often trapped, not by keys or padlocks but by threats which we are seeing continually."

    One of the rooms inside a safe house

    See more on this story on BBC Midlands Today at 18:30.

  18. Police looking for witnesses a week after sexual assaultpublished at 17:08 British Summer Time 4 April 2017

    Police officers will be standing in a small wooded area on the outskirts of Market Drayton tonight, hoping to jog the public's memories about an evening in which a sexual assault took place.

    Police officers

    West Mercia Police says the attack happened near the roundabout at the junction of Shrewsbury Road and the A53, by Longford Turning between 21:15 and 21:45 last Tuesday.

    They want to speak to anyone who may have seen someone entering or leaving the wooded area, or walking at the nearby Muller factory.

  19. Daughter of house fire victim backs awareness campaignpublished at 16:35 British Summer Time 4 April 2017

    The daughter of a man killed in a house fire when he fell asleep cooking at Christmas  is supporting an awareness campaign, external .

    Toni Jones, from Kidsgrove, lost her father, Malcolm in a blaze on Boxing Day, 2015. He was 52.

    The fireImage source, Staffordshire Fire and Rescue

    Mr Jones fell asleep leaving cooking unattended, which sparked a kitchen fire and caused the property to fill with smoke.

    Staffordshire Fire and Rescue said there were no working smoke alarms in the property and although the flames burned themselves out, the level of carbon monoxide was extremely high.

    Quote Message

    If we can raise awareness and stop this happening to one more family I'll see it as a success personally."

    Toni Jones , Daughter bereaved after house fire

  20. Bravery of police and public to be celebratedpublished at 16:09 British Summer Time 4 April 2017

    The dedication and bravery of police officers and members of the public will be celebrated at a ceremony tonight., external

    Staffordshire Police will be holding its Commendation Ceremony at Police Headquarters in Stafford.  

    The event will recognise and celebrate the outstanding work of officers and members of the community.

    Chief Constable Jane Sawyers will present certificates of commendation during the evening.

    CC Jane Sawyers
    Quote Message

    Day in day out, officers and staff with the support of the public, carry out acts of bravery, save lives, protect people and show outstanding commitment to public service. It is my privilege, as the Chief Constable, to recognise some of these achievements."

    Chief Constable Jane Sawyers