Man jailed for causing Kayden Dunn's death
Sports centre to close due to £2.4m repair and maintenance bill
Ceramic firm aims to double staff numbers with £3m investment
Hundreds of police on Cheshire beat without current background checks
Updates from Friday 19 May 2017
Long-serving Nantwich councillor Arthur Moran was sworn in as the new mayor of Cheshire East today – crowning, external 31 years in public life.
Liz Copper
Reporter, BBC Midlands Today
On Midlands Today this evening, we'll look at the place in the region that might have said "oh no, not another one" about next month's snap election.
That's Stoke-on-Trent Central, which has just had a by-election after Labour MP Tristram Hunt resigned.
I've been seeing how voters there are feeling about a return to the polls so soon - see what their thoughts are on BBC One from 18:30.
Lee Thomas
Newsreader, BBC Radio Stoke
A woman is being treated at Royal Stoke University Hospital for "life changing" leg injuries after a crash last night. , external
Cheshire Police says she was hit by a vehicle while walking on Cledford Lane, Middlewich.
The force adds that a 47-year-old woman from Middlewich has been arrested on suspicion of failing to stop after a collision and failing to report it.
Evha Jannath was killed after falling from a water ride at Drayton Manor Theme Park.
Read More
Shefali Oza
BBC Midlands Today
After a cloudy and wet day for many of us, here's how tonight and tomorrow are looking.
You can also get the latest forecasts at any other time from the BBC Weather website.
Shefali Oza
Allen Cook
BBC Local Live
Here are six of the pictures of Staffordshire and Cheshire that I've picked out today from the ones you've sent in.
To share your photos of the area, email them in or put them on Instagram, adding the tag #bbcstoke to show you agree to share them, external.
Your pictures
A nine-year-old Superhero fan is shrugging off his own life-changing condition to tackle the Nantwich Duathlon this weekend. , external
Image source, Nantwich NewsThe ex-Crewe Alexandra youth coach is accused of 41 child sex abuse offences.
Read More
Jennie Aitken
Reporter, BBC Radio Stoke
The discovery of a body at an empty story in Stoke-on-Trent's being treated as unexplained by police.
Police say the man was found this afternoon at the former PC World on Festival Park and have sealed the area off while they investigate.
West Midlands Ambulance Service told BBC Radio Stoke the man had been there "for some time".
BBC News England
The government has committed £1m towards the planned new UK Police Memorial at the National Memorial Arboretum in Staffordshire.
Image source, UK Police Memorial TrustA national appeal's been launched towards the £4m cost with it being dedicated to the courage and sacrifice of the officers, who have lost their lives over the past 250 years.
The memorial will be made of a brass screen with leaf shapes cut out and given to the families of fallen officers, with the names of loved ones as a personal memorial.
Quote MessageWe need to establish a fitting memorial that recognises the vital contribution that policing makes to our society and acknowledges the courage and sacrifice made by police officers and police staff who have paid the ultimate price."
Sir Hugh Orde, Chairman of UK Police Memorial Trust
Lee Thomas
Newsreader, BBC Radio Stoke
Former football coach Barry Bennell has appeared via video link today at South Cheshire Magistrates' court accused of sexual offences against a 10-year-old boy.
The 63-year-old former Crewe Alexandra coach is accused of twice indecently assaulting the boy in the early 1980s.
During the 10-minute hearing he spoke only to give his name and date of birth.
A further 21 offences were put to him but he didn't enter a plea to them and was remanded into custody.
He'll next appear at Liverpool Crown Court on 3 July.
Allen Cook
BBC Local Live
The initial investigation into the death of an 11-year-old girl who fell from a theme park water ride has found she died from chest injuries., external
Evha Jannath was on a school trip when she fell from the Splash Canyon ride at Drayton Manor Theme Park on 9 May.
Image source, Family handoutStaffordshire Police says a post-mortem examination's been carried out and that an inquest has been opened and adjourned this afternoon.
The force says no date's been set for the full inquest and they and the Health and Safety Executive are continuing their investigation.
The Royal College of Surgeons has called for a review of the the way private hospitals are regulated following the case of the disgraced surgeon Ian Paterson.
He was convicted last month of unlawfully wounding 10 patients, including ones from Worcester, Birmingham and Burntwood, during breast surgery at private clinics in the West Midlands and is due to be sentenced at the end of the month.
Image source, Sutton Coldfield ObserverAllen Cook
BBC Local Live
Two masked men have robbed a post office and shop in Burton., external
According to Staffordshire Police, the pair went into the Rosliston Road Post Office and Spar yesterday afternoon and demanded money.
The force says they threatened staff before stealing cash from the tills and fleeing on mountain bikes - none of the staff were hurt.
Allen Cook
BBC Local Live
The new Remembrance Centre at the National Memorial Arboretum has won a West Midlands Awards from the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA), external.
Image source, Paul MillerCosting £15.7m, the new building aims to create a place for memories, external of those who've fought and died in conflicts across the ages - it opened in October.
Now the RIBA has named it West Midlands Building of the Year, saying it "does not disappoint", adding that all the judges were "visibly moved" by the experience of the building.
Allen Cook
BBC Local Live
Image source, Staffordshire Fire and Rescue ServiceA fire that destroyed a 4x4 car and several caravans was caused by a paraffin camping lamp being knocked over. , external
An investigation by Staffordshire Fire and Rescue Service's found the blaze on land at the back of The Haberdashers Arms, Knighton started accidentally.
Allen Cook
BBC Local Live
The police say they are keeping an "open mind" over what caused a house fire in Crewe which saw a woman and four children having to escape through a window.
Image source, GoogleCheshire Police says emergency services were called at 02:30 today to Selworthy Drive and found the blaze well alight in the home. , external
The 34-year-old woman and the four children, aged from nine to 15, were taken to hospital after breathing in smoke.
Officers say they're working with the fire service to work out what caused the fire.
A Lichfield mum has told the Mercury of her sadness after money collected in an honesty tub for the benefit of Rocklands Special School was stolen from Darwin Park, external recently.
John Acres
Journalist, BBC Radio Stoke
Staffordshire strongman Eddie Hall says he believes he will win this year's World's Strongest Man competition.
Eddie Hall
The event takes place in Botswana from this weekend, external and will feature 30 men battling it out.
The Newcastle-under-Lyme father-of-two came third last year but says he's very confident about winning this year.
BBC Midlands Today
This lunchtime on Midlands Today, we'll be looking at the damage caused by the World War Two bomb that was detonated yesterday in Birmingham.
The moment Army detonates WW2 bomb found in Birmingham
We'll also hear how a water mill dating back to the 14th Century has been restored to full working order in the region.
Both those stories from 13:30 on BBC One.
