Police dismiss claims parts of Stoke-on-Trent like "a war zone"
Burton and Crewe get slice of £100m A&E cash
Blocked driveway note met with anger
Hidden 19th Century washroom set to open to public
Updates from Friday 21 April 2017
Don't get left outside on polling day. Here are details of what you need and where you need to go to register for the general election on 8 June:
The deadline to register is 22 May
Stephanie Barnard
BBC Local Live
Do you know someone who ran the London Marathon yesterday or maybe you ran it yourself?
You can watch a feed of the finish line, showing everyone who finished between 2hrs 30mins and 6hrs.
Find out their time and you can catch the moment they crossed the line.
From tears of joy, limping over the line, through to some rather tired faces - watch six hours (or skip forward) and see friends/family/loved ones cross the finish line via the BBC iPlayer.
BBC Sport
A football club which secured promotion to the English Football League at the weekend is using Burton Albion as an inspiration to get from non-league football to the Championship.
Lincoln City won the National League title on Saturday, eight years after Burton began their ascent up the Football League.
Image source, PA"I think it's realistic [to reach the Championship]," managing director Kevin Cooke told BBC Radio Lincolnshire.
"I don't see why we can't do that, as long as you put good foundations down."
Burton were fighting to gain Football League status in 2008 but eight years later, in 2016, were promoted to the second tier for the first time in their history.
Allen Cook
BBC Local Live
It's one of my toughest but best jobs, sorting through the many great pictures you send in of Staffordshire and Cheshire - here are five for today.
If you've got a photo to share, you can send it in on email or put it on Instagram, adding #bbcstoke to your post's description, external so I know you agree to share it.
Your pictures
Don't get left outside on polling day. Here are details of what you need and where you need to go to register for the general election on 8 June:
The deadline to register is 22 May
Charlie Slater
BBC Weather presenter
It seems a bit late in the year for snow, but with chilly temperatures forecast overnight, there's a chance we might see some in Staffordshire.
The rest of us will have a cold night, with showers in places.
Charlie Slater has your forecast
Allen Cook
BBC Local Live
The passion for Staffordshire oatcakes appears to be never-ending judging by the number of you wanting to chip-in on the BBC News Facebook page. , external
The passion for Staffordshire oatcakes
We brought you the news at the weekend that this mighty "food of the gods" has travelled from Aberdeen to Arizona, well outside the Potteries.
Many people wanted to reveal their memories of Staffordshire oatcakes, from their favourite toppings to growing up eating them.
Allen Cook
BBC Local Live
Sofas, children's toys and building waste have been dumped in two villages in Staffordshire since the start of the month. , external
Stafford Borough Council says bitumen flat roofing waste was found in early April on Church Eaton Road between Church Eaton and Bromstead Heath, external.
Image source, Stafford Borough CouncilThen, over a couple of weekends, toys, household waste and sofas were discovered in Hanchurch Hills.
The authority's appealing for help to find out who dumped the rubbish, saying in 2015 fly-tipping cost them around £25,000 to clean up.
Image source, Stafford Borough CouncilCheshire East Council is launching a new weight management service to help overweight primary-age children get healthier. , external
Port Vale caretaker manager Michael Brown says his side have to win their last two games, starting at Walsall on Tuesday.
Read More
Daz Hale
BBC WM
Free parking is being offered by a council as a way to get more people shopping on the high street.
From today, if you're visiting Sedgley, Dudley, Brierley Hill and Halesowen you could park for up to two hours for free.
The trial will run until the 2 July at 16 car parks across the four areas.
Drivers will still need to get a ticket from the machine but it won't cost them a penny.
Quote MessageSome of our residents and traders have expressed a belief that reduced parking charges could help to boost trade here in Dudley borough. The two-hour free parking scheme trial is being piloted in different types of retail centres across the borough and we are keen to see how this could affect the numbers of shoppers coming into the areas."
Alan Lunt, Dudley Borough Council
Allen Cook
BBC Local Live
A man's been arrested after a crash between a lorry and car this morning in Stoke-on-Trent which shut the A520 for several hours.
Staffordshire Police say they were called after the crash between the HGV and a Ford Focus on Weston Road near the health centre on Broadway, Meir.
They say the man was arrested on suspicion of driving while unfit due to drink or drugs.
Allen Cook
BBC Local Live
We told you earlier how Daniel Jordan from Stoke-on-Trent had set a new world record in the London Marathon for fastest marathon dressed as a nun. , external
Well he has now shared a photo of himself, dressed up for the run, and says he was running to raise money for the Chelsea Burley Trust.
Image source, Daniel JordanThree people were taken to hospital over the weekend after a collision near Tamworth. , external
Sarah Robertson
Journalist, BBC Radio Stoke
Five of the six men who were arrested after two reports of men fighting in the street in Stoke-on-Trent have been released under investigation.
Police say they were called on Thursday to first Nelson Street and then Rochester Road, Sandford Hill and seized weapons including a machete and hammer.
They said they'd arrested six men, aged between 18-23, on suspicion of affray and say five of them have now been released under investigation.
The force says the sixth man, a 19-year-old from Stoke-on-Trent, has been charged with possession of cannabis.
Lucy King
News Editor, BBC Radio Stoke
People in Staffordshire are being urged by police to be more aware of the signs that someone's being stalked. , external
Image source, iStockThe force says a new campaign warns that even minor or seemingly insignificant actions can cause people serious distress.
Officers say it can include damaging property, leaving abusive messages and following someone to work.
Allen Cook
BBC Local Live
The family of a biker who died in a crash on the A523 between Bosley and Leek says they are in a, external "state of shock".
Staffordshire Police say Mark Duncan Oarton died after his motorbike collided with a lorry in the Rudyard area.
Image source, Staffordshire PoliceThe 56-year-old, of Astbury Lane Ends, Congleton was pronounced dead at the scene.
In a statement his family say they are "devastated" and "cannot begin to express our feelings of sadness".
An unreported relegation and a Huddersfield striker with the birthday blues are among five things you might have missed from the EFL.
Read MoreThe Liberal Democrats have announced that Councillor Shazu Miah will be their candidate for the Wyre Forest constituency in the general election.
Mr Miah says he will be campaigning against a hard Brexit and for keeping Britain in the single market.
Image source, Wyre Forest Liberal DemocratsQuote MessageThirty six percent of Wyre Forest residents voted to remain in the EU and many more oppose the reckless decision of this hard-right Conservative government to pursue a 'hard Brexit'. Only the Lib Dems here in Wyre Forest are truly fighting her plans and fought to Remain."
Shazu Miah, Lib Dem parliamentary candidate
The deadline for nominating candidates is 11 May, but most parties will want their representatives in place well before that.
We'll bring you the latest on the election campaign as we get it.
Graham McGarry
Crewe Alexandra commentator, BBC Radio Stoke
The Crewe Alexandra manager David Artell says he won't be celebrating, despite his side securing their status in the Football League for another season.
Image source, Rex FeaturesThe 3-0 win at home to Leyton Orient means the Alex are now mathematically safe from relegation with two games to play in League Two.
But Artell says he was more pleased with not conceding any goals in Saturday's game.
Quote MessageWe've had good 45 minutes of football before on more than one occasion and we've ended up either scraping a win or drawing or losing. So to keep a clean sheet, that's always the aim in every game and that's another one."
David Artell, Crewe Alexandra manager
