Allen Cook
BBC Local Live

Tributes are being paid to Ugo Ehiogu, the former Aston Villa defender, who has died at the age of 44 after suffering a cardiac arrest.

Tottenham Hotspur announced his death this morning, where he worked as Under-23 coach.

Image source, Getty Images

A number of Stoke City players have taken to Twitter this morning to voice their sadness, with Charlie Adam describing him, external as "a gentleman on and off the pitch".

The Potters goalkeeper Shay Given tweeted that, external Ehiogu died "far far too young" and said his thoughts were with his family and friends.

Allen Cook
BBC Local Live

Armed police were called out last night in Stoke-on-Trent after two reports of men fighting in the city, some said to be armed with bats, poles and what was described as a gun, external. 

Staffordshire Police say they were first called to Nelson Street, Fenton at around 21:00, having been told car windows had been smashed in the area. 

They say when they arrived, the men had gone.

Image source, Google

The force say they were then called to Rochester Road, Sandford Hill (pictured) to more reports of people fighting and smashed windows.

Officers say in this case six men, all aged in their 20s, were arrested on suspicion of affray.

They say they are linking both incidents.

BBC News Travel

We've just been updated by Staffordshire Police that, despite earlier reports, the A523 Church Street remains shut between Bosley and Leek:

BBC News Travel

The A523 Church Street between Leek and Bosley has now reopened, Cheshire Police say, after the earlier crash between a motorbike and a lorry.

Allen Cook
BBC Local Live

A major road in the Staffordshire Moorlands has been shut after what police have called a serious crash, external involving a lorry and a motorbike.

Image source, Google

It's happened at around 07:30 on the A523 Church Street which is closed from St Edward Street in Leek to the Fold Lane junction in Bosley. 

Cheshire Police says the crash is causing delays in both Staffordshire and Cheshire and is urging drivers to avoid the area., external

Alex Hamilton
BBC Weather

A mostly dry day is in store with some sunny spells, but also the chance of light rain later with highs of 16C (61F).

You can find a detailed forecast for your area on the BBC Weather site., external

Allen Cook
BBC Local Live

Morning one and all, it is looking like a grey start to the day on the weather-front over Stoke-on-Trent this morning.

This was the sky over Hanley Town Hall just before 07:30:

We'll bring you a full weather forecast shortly and updates through today on Staffordshire and Cheshire's news, sport, travel and more.

And if you want to be part of it, take a photo today of your area and send it in on email or, if you use Instagram, put it there with the tag #bbcstoke, external to show you agree to share the picture.

Huddersfield are fined £12,500 and Burton must pay £5,000 after after their players clashed during a Championship match.

They used stolen cars hidden inside a lorry to carry out the raids across England and Scotland.

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. 

Gerard Coyne is suspended as a Unite official - as counting is set to begin in leadership ballot.

Mary Rhodes
Presenter, BBC Midlands Today

On Midlands Today this evening, we'll have more on the series of raids, three of them in Staffordshire, carried out to target people suspected of dumping waste illegally. 

Image source, Environment Agency

Plus the latest achievements by Uttoxeter's Adam Peaty at the British Championships. 

We'll also have the latest weather forecast with you and more, from 18:30 on BBC One.

BBC Politics

Parliament voted for an early general election on Wednesday, with 522 MPs in favour. However, 13 voted no.

BBC Politics has been looking at the 13 and they include Newcastle-under-Lyme's Paul Farrelly.

Image source, Labour Party

He first won the seat in 2001 and has one of the smallest majorities in the UK, with only 650, so it may be understandable why he was not keen for an election.

Mr Farrelly told BBC Radio Stoke he viewed the election as "opportunistic and unnecessary" and said he had to follow his convictions, rather than just "abstaining" in the vote.

You can see who the other 12 MPs are here on the BBC website.

Shefali Oza
BBC Midlands Today

Some cooler weather ahead - find out what the next few days have in store.

Allen Cook
BBC Local Live

An arson-hit nature reserve in Staffordshire, external has been the site of three more fires within 10 minutes this afternoon. 

Around 20 hectares of Gentleshaw Common near Burntwood was destroyed by a deliberate fire earlier this month. , external

Image source, Google

Staffordshire Fire and Rescue Service says crews were called at 14:13 today to Common Side on Gentleshaw Common and found a 10 x 3m area of heathland "well alight".

Within minutes of putting that one out, the service says a crew found a second area on fire nearby. 

And they say that at 14:23 they were then called to Chorley Road, also on the common, and put out another grass fire, also measuring 10 x 3m.

They say they're still investigating the causes of all three fires.

Crewe Chronicle

Cheshire East Council is this week launching a hard-hitting campaign in Crewe to help reduce the amount of waste illegally dumped on the borough’s streets.  , external

Graham McGarry
Crewe Alexandra commentator, BBC Radio Stoke

The Crewe Alexandra midfielder Billy Bingham says the team has to show more fight when they face Leyton Orient this weekend. 

Image source, crewealex.net

The Alex have lost three and drawn one in their last four games, equalling their worst record since David Artell took over as manager. 

BBC Midlands Today

BBC Midlands Today has moved into a temporary studio at the moment , externalas a brand new studio is prepared.

Here's a timelapse look at how work's going.

John Acres
Journalist, BBC Radio Stoke

A mother from Staffordshire has told BBC Radio Stoke about the shock and guilt she felt when one of her twins was born with what she calls "half a face". 

Charlie Beswick from Biddulph says she suffered postnatal depression after her son Harry, 11, was born with one eye, one ear and one nostril.

He has Goldenhar Syndrome which leaves babies with an underdeveloped face. 

His mother says he's undergone 20 operations and now has a prosthetic eye.

BBC Weather Watchers

There may be grey skies over Staffordshire and Cheshire but our BBC Weather Watchers are continuing to upload a wide range of photos.

These two are from users Mustnt in Alsager and Hickyman in Stone.

Image source, Mustnt

Image source, Hickyman