Hospital trust 'has to save £50m by March'
'Nobody's been interested' in saving historic pottery firm
Marathon cancelled by 'lack of all round support'
Calf rescued after getting stuck in trees by canal
Updates from Wednesday 7 June 2017
Allen Cook
BBC Local Live
Image source, Paul GuestTo give you an idea how strong the wind was overnight and yesterday, Paul Guest posted on Instagram, external that he had a surprise on his usual morning dog walk in Stoke-on-Trent.
He says this tree had come down near Northwood and Birches Head and made it "an obstacle course".
Image source, Paul Guest
Jack Dowling
Journalist, BBC Radio Stoke
An appeal to raise £482,500 to keep a rare piece of Wedgwood pottery in Stoke-on-Trent has almost reached the halfway point, external, campaigners say.
The vase, created on the first day of Josiah Wedgwood's Etruria factory in the 18th Century, had been on loan to The Potteries Museum & Art Gallery.
But it was withdrawn by its owner and sold at auction to an overseas buyer last year, the city council said.
The authority says the campaign has until 14 July to raise the total and a £25,000 grant from the Headley Trust has moved them to just over £215,000.
At 03:10 today, the exact time to the minute 100 years ago that arguably the greatest Allied victory of World War One was launched, a delegation from Staffordshire and the Black Country paid tribute to the men who took part in the offensive., external
Image source, Staffordshire County Council/Express and Star
Patrick Burns
Political editor, Midlands
On Midlands Today this lunchtime, we'll be reflecting on the impact marginal seats could have on tomorrow's general election.
Image source, Anthony Devlin/Getty ImagesPoliticians are crisscrossing the country, including this region, as the final hours of campaigning play out.
I'll be looking at the whole picture on BBC One from 13:30.
Jeremiah Regis-Ngawah was left in agony before succumbing to peritonitis caused by a beating, police said.
Read MoreAllen Cook
BBC Local Live
Voters in Stoke-on-Trent Central will head to their polling stations on Thursday for the second time in just four months.
Labour's Gareth Snell won the seat in February, succeeding Tristram Hunt who quit as an MP to become director of London's Victoria and Albert Museum.
The returning officer reads the result of the Stoke Central by-election in February 2017
Labour's majority fell from the 2015 election. The turnout in February was 38.1% - 21,170 people.
Standing this time around is:
BBC Sport
Stoke City and England goalkeeper Jack Butland says the squad's visit to a Royal Marines boot camp was "one of the most rewarding experiences" he has ever had.
Image source, Ministry of DefenceEngland manager Gareth Southgate arranged the trip to a Commando Training Centre in Devon as part of their preparation for Saturday's World Cup qualifier against Scotland, and a friendly with France three days later.
Twenty England players were taken out of their comfort zones in the 48-hour boot camp designed for Marine recruits.
Quote MessageI think as a squad and players we all benefited from that. There was a lot to learn, stuff that we're keen to take forward in what we're trying to achieve. We always want to achieve as well as we can do but if you keep preparing the same, you'll get the same results."
Jack Butland, England goalkeeper
Jack Dowling
Journalist, BBC Radio Stoke
One of Stoke-on-Trent's oldest pottery firms has closed with the loss of 25 jobs.
Hudson and Middleton dates back to 1875 and made fine bone china products.
Image source, GoogleThe firm went into administration a year ago and was taken over in July 2016 by the BID Group who, at the time, said they worked to turn around struggling firms.
The Surrey-based company says it contacted numerous ceramics firms to see if they wanted to take on the business but there was no interest - it closed suddenly on Friday.
Allen Cook
BBC Local Live
Installing bigger sewer pipes in the centre of Stoke-on-Trent will stop homes and businesses in Hanley getting flooded in heavy rain, external, Severn Trent says.
Image source, GoogleThe firm's going to spend £170,000 on doing the work from Monday on Piccadilly and say they will try to minimise disruption. The pedestrianised area, used only for access, is not expected to shut.
According to the company it should all be finished within five weeks.
Twenty-five workers at one of Stoke-on-Trent's oldest pottery firms have lost their jobs after being locked out of their factory. , external
Image source, The SentinelAllen Cook
BBC Local Live
Three men have been arrested for alleged sexual offences in Burton. , external
Staffordshire Police says the trio were detained after they received information involving two victims earlier this year.
The force says the three men, one aged 17 and two 18, are all from Burton and remain in custody.
They add they won't reveal more information at this stage of their investigation.
BBC News England
Two men who stole more than £33,000 in pound coins from pub fruit machines, including in Staffordshire, in a six-week spree have been jailed.
Police pursuit ends in thief's canal plunge
Matthew Sadler and Richard Palmer burgled more than 50 pubs - targeting one premises four times in a matter of weeks - smashing the machines with a hammer and crowbar.
They were caught after a police chase in Birmingham which saw Sadler, on a motorbike, career into a canal.
Sadler, 41, of no fixed abode, was jailed for seven years and Palmer, 39, of Springthorpe Green in Erdington, six years and four months.
Mel Coles
Presenter, East Midlands Today
The region will have a mainly dry day with plenty of morning sunshine and lighter winds than yesterday.
It will cloud over during the afternoon and some rain will reach Herefordshire and Shropshire later. Highs of 18C ( 64F).
Weather for the West Midlands.
Allen Cook
BBC Local Live
Good morning and it's a much brighter start to the day in Stoke-on-Trent compared to the past couple, although it's still windy.
BBC Weather Watcher Big G in Nantwich took this photo this morning:
Image source, Big GThere'll be a full weather update along shortly and then there'll be news, sport, travel and more updates through the day for Staffordshire and Cheshire.
I'm also keen to keep featuring your photos of the area so keep those coming on email or put them on Instagram, adding the tag #bbcstoke, external to show you agree to share them.
Police have additional leads following the broadcast of Natalie Putt's image on Britain's Got Talent.
Read MoreWe'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.
Lucy Martin
BBC Weather
Strong winds will continue overnight with gales over hills and more exposed areas.
Showers will start to ease through the evening with some clearer spells developing. Lows of 11C (52F).
Weather for the West Midlands.
Two men burgled more than 50 pubs and were caught after a high-speed chase.
Read More
John Acres
Reporter, BBC Radio Stoke
The first baby monkeys of the year have been born at Trentham. They're a little later than usual but it looks like they're settling in well.
New born monkeys at Trentham
Tune into the Breakfast show on BBC Radio Stoke tomorrow with Liz Ellis to hear more about the two new additions from one of the keepers.
The disruption to rail services caused by an obstruction on the track at Five Ways, will now last until 6pm.
Trains may be delayed by up to 20 minutes or cancelled.
London Midland services between Lichfield Trent valley / Lichfield City / Four Oaks and Longbridge / Redditch and CrossCountry services between Nottingham and Cardiff Central are affected.
