City of Culture 2021 shortlist expected soon
School minibus crash inquiry to take months
Nails on the road cost almost £8k to clear up
College brings in security after travellers move on to land
Updates on Friday 14 July 2017
Supermarket chain Aldi has revealed that it will be creating 4,000 new jobs, external in the UK to support its expansion plans. The store chain currently has more than 700 stores in Britain, including ones in Burton, Hilton and Swadlincote.
A star no bigger than the planets in our solar system has been discovered by the help of scientists in north Staffordshire.
The star which is said to be one of the smallest ones ever discovered, external is about the size of Saturn.
Image source, Keele UniversityThe star, named EBLM J0555-57Ab which discovered by a team from the University of Cambridge and Keele University.
Quote MessageThis is a star which is the same size of a planet. It's smaller than the sun which is very unusual so it'll only about twelfth the size."
Coel Hellier, Astrophysics professor
Jennie Aitken
Journalist, BBC Radio Stoke
A former textile mill and antiques centre in Leek could be converted into flats for the over 55s.
Gladman Homes wants to convert Compton Mill into 57 self contained apartments, as well as a lounge, restaurant, hairdressers and crafts room.
Image source, GoogleThe application states, external there will be a mobility scooter store and parking for 30 cars.
The plans are recommended for approval and will be considered by Staffordshire Moorlands District Council today.
Charlie Slater
BBC Weather presenter
There will be some showers around this morning before a dry and bright afternoon with top temperatures of 21C (70F).
You can find a detailed forecast for your area on the BBC Weather site.
Latest weather for the West Midlands
Stephanie Barnard
BBC Local Live
Welcome to Stoke and Staffordshire Live on Wednesday morning.
I'll be bringing you the latest news, sport, travel and weather for the area between now and 18:00.
If you'd like to get in touch you can email, tweet us on @bbcradiostoke, external or message via Facebook, external.
Stoke reject a bid from West Ham for Austria forward Marko Arnautovic, who has three years left on his contract with the Potters.
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.
Tim Wedgwood
BBC Local Live
The government's being urged to help get Staffordshire's health system on a "sustainable footing".
Conservative MP for Stafford Jeremy Lefroy spoke at today's Prime Minister's Questions.
Quote MessageThe NHS in Staffordshire and Stoke is delivering fine care but under great financial pressure in common with other parts of the country. Can I encourage the government to bring together people from across this house to make this Parliament the one which puts the NHS and social care on a firm and sustainable foundation."
Jeremy LeFroy, Conservative MP for Stafford
First Secretary of State Damian Green, who's standing in for Theresa May today, says the government's committed to an extra £8bn of investment nationally, and to having a debate about the future of health and social care.
Lee Thomas
Newsreader, BBC Radio Stoke
A woman from Stoke-on-Trent has been arrested on suspicion of threats to kill.
Police say the 35-year-old from Fenton was detained last night after she was found in possession of a knife.
Officers say she's been released on bail, but with a conditional caution that restricts her movements.
Shefali Oza
BBC Midlands Today
It will remain dry overnight with largely clear skies and light winds leading to a cooler night than of late, especially in rural parts - lows of 15C (59F).
Weather for the West Midlands.
A Stoke-on-Trent man has been jailed for three years after admitting to possessing and intending to supply cocaine.
Police say 34-year-old Mazafar Hussain of Althorp Grove in Longton was seen leaving a property in Normacot last October - drugs were found on him and hidden under floorboards behind a toilet.
Image source, Staffordshire PoliceOfficers say he fled the country after he was arrested and released on bail, but was again arrested when he returned to the UK in February.
The boss of a post office targeted twice by a prolific armed robber has told of his anger after the thug was given bail by the courts despite facing three other robbery charges when he carried out a second terrifying raid at his business near Burton, external.
Sarah Robertson
Reporter, BBC Radio Stoke
Newcastle-under-Lyme College says it's trying to evict travellers as quickly as it can.
Around 15 caravans moved on to the college's car park late yesterday afternoon.
Travellers pitch caravans at Newcastle College
Quote MessageWe were able to, pretty quickly, put up some internal car park barriers so the vehicles are only on a proportion of the car park but obviously it is a difficult situation that you suddenly have to deal with."
Karen Dobson, Principal, Newcastle-under-Lyme College
BBC News Travel
The southbound M6 between the two Stoke junctions will be closed overnight from tonight for five nights. The closure is from 22:00 to 06:00 until 16 July and a diversion will be signed.
Highways England say the closure is to allow it to install narrow lanes.
The work extends to junction 14 for two nights, ending on 14 July, external.
Image source, Highways England
Chris King
Reporter, BBC Radio Stoke
Investigators say a fire at Bombardier in Crewe was accidental and caused by an electrical fault.
At its height yesterday morning, eight fire engines were sent to deal with the roof fire, external at the train maintenance firm on West Street in the town.
Ros Chimes
Reporter, BBC Radio Stoke
Olympian Joe Clarke MBE has told us he's nervous at having to give a speech when he accepts his honorary degree, external from Keele University today.
Joe Clarke given honorary degree
Sarah Robertson
Reporter, BBC Radio Stoke
Newcastle-under-Lyme College says it's put 24-hour security patrols in place after travellers moved on to its land on Tuesday.
It says a number of vehicles entered its grounds after 17:00 yesterday afternoon using the student car park entrance.
Image source, NULCThe college says its trying to evict the travellers, and has put what it calls 'extra safeguarding measures' in place. , external
Lee Thomas
Newsreader, BBC Radio Stoke
Two men have been arrested after they and two police officers were injured in a pursuit in Stoke-on-Trent.
Staffordshire Police say a van reversed into one of their cars on Little Chell Lane around 17:00 yesterday, and collided with a second police vehicle, external on Tunstall's James Brindley Way during a chase - leaving two officers needing hospital treatment.
Police say the two suspects, who are from Stoke-on-Trent, also needed treating for minor injuries before they were arrested.
A 25-year-old is being held on suspicion of taking a vehicle without consent and having cannabis, and a 28-year-old on suspicion of dangerous driving.
Johnathon Allison is accused of breaching a restraining order and remains under investigation for murder.
Read MoreAs well as an increase in the regional unemployment rate, many of those in work have seen their earnings drop in real terms in the last decade, due to sluggish wage rises and inflation.
PwC chief economist John Hawksworth says that "seems unlikely to change anytime soon ".
