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
The increasing number of people taking a former legal high, known as Black Mamba, which leaves users in a zombie-like trance, is a worrying trend which has come to Burton, according to the founder of the town's addiction centre., external
Image source, Burton Mail/Derbyshire Police
Allen Cook
BBC Local Live
Three people have been hurt after a car crashed into a stationary vehicle in Tamworth. , external
It was last night on the A5 in Fazeley says West Midlands Ambulance Service.
Image source, GoogleThey say there were two people in the stationary car and the passenger had climbed out of the window to get out.
Paramedics say the two drivers both got out themselves and all three were treated for injuries at the scene and then taken to hospital.
Allen Cook
BBC Local Live
A shredder and a huge pile of wood shavings have been destroyed in a fire in Cheshire.
Five fire engines had to be called to the blaze on Green Lane, Wardle near Nantwich on Saturday morning.
Image source, Cheshire Fire and Rescue ServiceCheshire Fire and Rescue Service says crews had to use a digger to shift piles of debris as they fought the blaze.
They add that everyone at the site was accounted for and no-one was hurt by the fire.
BBC Sport
A South African batsman who also plays for a Stoke-on-Trent cricket side has hit the highest score in the 125-year history of the Lancashire League.
On Sunday, Kelly Smuts made 211 out of a total of 323-6 for Todmorden against Enfield.
Image source, Mark ClaytonThat was the day after he played as substitute professional for Hem Heath and taken four wickets. , external
The 27-year-old, who is his amateur team's paid professional, also surpassed ex-Australia captain Michael Clarke's unbeaten 200 for Ramsbottom in an abandoned match in 2002, external.
Clarke, who is currently commentating on the Indian Premier League, tweeted Smuts his congratulations and joked: "This means I need to have another year with Rammy."
Allen Cook
BBC Local Live
In case you missed it at the weekend, we brought you news that the Staffordshire oatcake has gone global.
The unique "oat pancake" is enjoyed not just in the Potteries but in places ranging from Ottawa, Canada, Arizona, New Zealand and Dubai.
Larraine Eastwood told us how she "smuggled" them overseas to her expat family in the early 1970s.
Image source, Vanessa CarrollWhile Vanessa Carroll (pictured) now just turns on the hob in her USA home and makes her own.
All those stories and more, including facts on oatcakes and even a recipe, here on the BBC website.
Allen Cook
BBC Local Live
Four arrests were made by police during Port Vale's game at the weekend against Bolton which was marred by crowd trouble.
Bolton's fans brought play to a halt with a pitch invasion following their first goal in a 2-0 win over the Vale.
Then in the second-half, the referee took the players off the pitch for 10 minutes after clashes broke out between both sets of fans.
Image source, Nathan Stirk/Getty ImagesStaffordshire Police say four men, two from Bolton and two from Stoke-on-Trent, were arrested for public order offences.
They say a fifth man, aged 20, was given a community resolution and evicted from the match for pitch disorder.
The force says there was also trouble before the game as a 20-year-old from Manchester was arrested for criminal damage after reports that a flare went off on a bus, causing around £2,000 of damage.
BBC Derby Sport
Have Burton Albion done it?
Manager Nigel Clough will be reminding his players they still need one point to ensure the keep playing their football in the Championship next season.
The 2-1 victory over Leeds means that's all they require.
Image source, Rex FeaturesQuote MessageTo be one point away, as it stands, we won't be celebrating or anything until we get that point, hopefully at Barnsley. The dressing room is euphoric right now but tinged with an element of disappointment that it is not done yet. We thought we might do it today but it hasn't worked out that way so we keep battling on."
Nigel Clough, Burton Albion manager
BBC Midlands Today
Art lovers can discover work by Joseph Turner as an exhibition of paintings opens in the region today.
Mr Turner comes to Lichfield, external is at the Cathedral until 11 June and shows how artists have portrayed the building over five centuries.
The centrepiece is a watercolour painted in 1832, which has been in a private collection.
Liz Ellis
Presenter, BBC Radio Stoke
A Cheshire band says they've been left bemused after a muddle-up led to fans of the boyband JLS mistakenly buying tickets for their acoustic rock gig, thinking it was a reunion.
Guitarist Jim Kirkpatrick from Nantwich says in 2008, before the boyband formed, he set up JLS with his friends Les and Steve - naming the band after their three initials.
But last week, ahead of a gig in Warrington, he told BBC Radio Stoke that the venue started "getting inundated with calls" from fans of the boyband who thought they were reuniting.
The X-Factor finalists JLS split in 2013, but Mr Kirkpatrick says the confusion came after their tickets were advertised on major music websites.
He says the venue did have to do returns and it all looked to have been sorted out ahead of last night's event - but they did play 10 seconds of a song by the other JLS "for a laugh".
Quote MessageThe venue started getting inundated with calls about 'is this the real JLS?' Are they reforming, is this a reunion gig?"
Jim Kirkpatrick, Guitarist in JLS
Jodie Looker
Newsreader, BBC Radio Stoke
A Stoke-on-Trent man's set a new world record for running the fastest marathon dressed as a nun. , external
Daniel Jordan from Trentham Running Club finished the London Marathon in just over three hours and seventeen minutes. , external
Image source, PAA record number of competitors took part in yesterday's event with organisers saying 40,382 people were on the gruelling 26.2-mile run.
After the race, Guinness World Records confirmed Mr Jordan now held the record for "fastest marathon dressed as a nun", among 39 official world records which were broken in the event.
Awaiting quote pic
Matt Sandoz
Stoke City commentator, BBC Radio Stoke
The Stoke City midfielder Joe Allen says his side must turn around their stuttering away form.
Image source, Stu Forster/Getty ImagesFollowing their 2-0 defeat at Swansea, the Potters have now gone six games without scoring away from home.
Allen told BBC Radio Stoke that the away performances are causing concern for everyone.
Motorists could face £70 fines if they stop on busy city centre roads, with the introduction of red routes in Stoke-on-Trent., external
Image source, The SentinelBBC Midlands Today
Art lovers can discover work by the early 19th Century artist JMW Turner as an exhibition of paintings opens in Staffordshire today., external
Image source, Lichfield Cathedral"Mr Turner comes to Lichfield" is at the cathedral until 11 June and the exhibition shows how a range of artists have portrayed the building over five centuries.
The centrepiece will be a watercolour painted by Turner in 1832 and is the first time it's been seen by the public, having been part of a private collection.
John Acres
Journalist, BBC Radio Stoke
A public meeting is going to be held to discuss problems on a Stoke-on-Trent housing estate, according to a community leader in the city.
Last week armed police were called to two reports of men fighting in the street, some said to be armed with bats, poles and what was described as a gun.
Police say they'd happened on Nelson Street, Fenton and Rochester Road, Sandford Hill and they arrested six men, aged between 18-23, on suspicion of affray.
They say they seized "a machete and hammer along with a red Mercedes" and were linking both incidents.
Quote MessageThere's an increased police presence around the area of late and that's what we need, we need greater investment in policing, we need greater investment in social care and that will hopefully bring about an end to these sort of problems."
Glen Parkes, Chairman of Great Fenton Community Association
Charlie Slater
BBC Weather presenter
After a cloudy start with some light showers, it should be a dry and bright day with highs of 12C (54F).
You can find a detailed forecast for your area on the BBC Weather site.
Latest weather for the West Midlands
BBC football expert Mark Lawrenson takes on Jermaine Jenas and Trevor Nelson in this week's Premier League predictions.
Read MoreLeyton Orient's relegation from League Two is confirmed after they suffer a resounding defeat at Crewe Alexandra.
Read MoreStoke City manager Mark Hughes admits that, retrospectively, he wishes Xherdan Shaqiri had taken the vital penalty in their 2-0 defeat to Swansea.
Read MoreSwansea head coach Paul Clement says his team now have the "momentum" in the battle for survival in the Premier League, after their 2-0 win against Stoke City.
Read MoreBolton close in on promotion to the Championship with victory at 10-man Port Vale in a game marred by crowd trouble.
Read More
