Updates from Friday 12 May 2017
Staffordshire Fire and Rescue Service confirms it has joined West Midlands Ambulance Service and Staffordshire Police at an incident at Drayton Manor theme park.
Tim Wedgwood
BBC Local Live
Fire crews, paramedics and an air ambulance have been called to a Staffordshire theme park following "an incident".
The park says the incident centres around its ride Splash Canyon, which has been closed.
West Midlands Ambulance Service say it was called to reports of a person in the water at 14:18.
Image source, David CharlesQuote MessageSplash Canyon has been closed following an incident this afternoon. Emergency services & our fully trained park staff are assisting."
Spokesperson, Drayton Manor Theme Park
Ros Chimes
Reporter, BBC Radio Stoke
Cannabis with a street value of about £600,000 has been found in Leek's old police station.
Officers discovered more than 750 cannabis plants at the building on Leonard Street yesterday afternoon.
The search is on for the growers - police say the unused compost has been given to a local charity.
Image source, Leek Police
BBC News Travel
Campbell Road in Stoke is blocked after a car ended up on its roof.
Image source, shift4responseParamedics say they were called by police at 14:00, and have treated a man in his 20s, who was "conscious and breathing" when they arrived.
One of North Staffordshire's biggest hotels has been handed a three-month booze ban, external after a major investigation into the venue.
Image source, The SentinelTim Wedgwood
BBC Local Live
There'll be a strike at Manchester Metropolitan University later this month after members of the University and College Union overwhelmingly backed industrial action.
The union say 79% of members backed strike action over 160 job losses from the closure of the Crewe campus.
Union members will walk out on Wednesday 24 and Thursday 25 May if the dispute is not resolved.
Image source, GoogleQuote MessageManchester Metropolitan University is wrong to try discard years of academic experience as it closes the Crewe campus and we want to properly explore all available options. The university needs to stop rushed plans for 16 job losses this summer and work with us to reach a fair resolution."
Martyn Moss, UCU regional official
A university spokesman says it's "disappointed that the union has secured a mandate for strike action.
It says the decision to close the university’s campus in Crewe was "taken with regret", but is the "sensible option to take to protect the future sustainability of the University as a whole".
IT company Synectics Solutions remain keen to buy Port Vale, despite having two bids rejected for the relegated club.
Read MoreTim Wedgwood
BBC Local Live
A woman has been robbed at knifepoint on a street in Stoke-on-Trent.
Police say cash was taken from her on Epworth Street, in Stoke, before 04:00.
Two men, a 39-year-old from Stoke-on-Trent and a 34-year-old of no fixed address, have been arrested in connection with the investigation., external
Jodie Looker
Newsreader, BBC Radio Stoke
A 34-year-old man has been arrested for arson with intent to endanger life, external following a fire in Newcastle-under-Lyme yesterday afternoon.
The fire broke out at 15:45 in flats on Creswell Avenue and police say significant damage has been caused.
No-one was in the building at the time - fire investigators say it was started deliberately.
A Newcastle-under-Lyme man has caught a 61lb 5oz (28kg) catfish in a pool at Marchamley in Shropshire.
John Birkin says it was his first attempt at landing one of the fish and he caught it using luncheon meat as bait.
Image source, The Bait BoxHe decided to name it Gypsee because a lady had brought a lucky charm into his bait shop a few days previously.
He believes it may be a record for pools in Shropshire.
Emma Thomas
Political reporter, BBC Radio Stoke
Bill Austin, the former leader of Staffordshire County Council and twice Lord Mayor of Stoke-on-Trent, has died at the age of 90. He was involved in local politics for four decades.
Labour councillor Kath Banks told BBC Radio Stoke he oversaw projects including the building of the A50 and improving care homes and education in the county.
Bill Austin, then Lord Mayor of Stoke-on-Trent, at the launch of BBC Radio Stoke in 1968
Quote MessageHe was very approachable, he was very understanding but very firm. I've got a lot to thank Bill Austin for. He taught me what to expect, how to do things, how to ask questions, where to go."
Councillor Kath Banks, Former colleague and friend
Tim Wedgwood
BBC Local Live
Rural campaigners are urging more people to report fly-tippers, as anyone caught dumping waste illegally in the Stafford area will now face higher fines.
The borough council previously offered a discount for early repayment and the fines started at £150.
But now there's no discount and fines will be set at the maximum of £400.
Thanks to Graham Mitchell for sending in these beautiful pictures of Eccleshall Road cemetery, Stafford.
It's a stunning view from above isn't it?
Image source, Graham Mitchell
Image source, Graham Mitchell
Phil McCann
Cheshire Political Reporter, BBC News
It's been revealed a senior official at Cheshire East Council lost her job only days after she warned bosses some staff may have been paid less than the legal minimum wage.
The Human Resources officer warned her managers in a report last October that the average monthly earnings of some social care staff may have fallen below it.
Image source, GoogleIt was because of the number of so-called "sleep-in" shifts some were working to care for vulnerable people overnight.
Cheshire East Council was paying them £34 for up to 10 hours.
The member of staff then lost her job five days after an official meeting with a manager about her concerns. Some councillors are now demanding an explanation.
The council won't comment on staffing matters, but says it hasn't breached wage laws.
Lee Blakeman
Port Vale commentator, BBC Radio Stoke
The IT firm which put in a bid for Port Vale says it's incredibly disappointed the owner has rejected both local offers to buy the club, but it is still keen to buy it.
Burslem-based Synectics Solutions initially offered £1.25m for the club.
Norman Smurthwaite says he doesn't expect to have further dialogue over the sale
Image source, Getty ImagesAnother offer of £1.25m was tabled by a Kidsgrove businessman.
That deal was also turned down yesterday.
Send us your questions about the general election in the West Midlands.
Read MoreCaptain John Mousinho says Burton's muted survival celebrations show how far they have come in the last three years.
Read MoreAn arson investigation is underway after a fire at a food wholesalers in Cobridge.
It started shortly after 02:00 this morning at Freshways wholesale food store on Portland Street.
Nobody is believed to have been inside the building, the fire service say.
Charlie Slater
BBC Weather presenter
Plenty of cloud around throughout the day with a few sunny spells and top temperatures of 13C (55F).
Latest weather for the West Midlands
Welcome to the Local Live service for Staffordshire and Cheshire on Tuesday morning.
We'll be bringing you all the news, sport, travel and weather as it happens.
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