Barry Bennell sex abuse trial set for January
Cheshire CCG given 'inadequate' rating
Election candidate charged over blogs
Kurt Zouma: Chelsea defender joins Stoke on season-long loan
Updates on Friday 21 July
Graham McGarry
Crewe Alexandra commentator, BBC Radio Stoke
Crewe Alexandra are in action again, just 24 hours after they played out a goalless draw at Barrow.
Image source, Christopher Furlong/Getty ImagesThe Alex are taking a side tonight to Alsager Town as part of the transfer which took midfielder Ryan Wintle to the Alexandra Stadium.
Allen Cook
BBC Local Live
The Tour of Britain could return to Cheshire next year as a report to Cheshire East Council says it generated £3.5m for the local economy last year. , external
The study for the council recommends councillors talk to organisers about hosting a stage of the bike race in 2018.
Image source, Getty ImagesIt'll be discussed by the cabinet next week and says the 2016 hosting attracted 300,000 spectators with almost two thirds of them from outside the area. , external
The council's report says the event did cost the authority £397,100 to stage but says over £129,000 was offset by sponsorship.
John Acres
Journalist, BBC Radio Stoke
A charity says it is trying to increase the number of affordable homes for young people in Stoke-on-Trent by buying some.
The YMCA North Staffordshire says it's purchasing them to rent out to workers, external aged between 18 and 30.
They say they charge a lot less than normal letting agents and want to make life easier for young workers who need a home.
Quote MessageThey've got little money or there's a high proportion of low paid jobs in Stoke-on-Trent. It's just one less thing to think about because life can be hard enough. So it just takes away that worry about budgeting to keep the roof over your head."
Peter Flynn, Facilities manager at YMCA North Staffs
BBC News Scotland
A team of divers, including ones from Cheshire and Cannock, is planning to recover two historic Highball bouncing bombs from a loch in Scotland.
More than 200 of the spherical bombs were tested at Loch Strivenm Argyll during World War Two but were never used.
Members of the British Sub-Aqua Club and the Royal Navy will attempt to lift two of them.
The recovered bombs will then be displayed at the de Havilland Aircraft Museum in Hertfordshire and at the Brooklands Museum in Surrey.
The British Sub-Aqua Club is sending divers from Cheshire, Tyneside, Dundee, Cannock, London and Swindon.
BBC Radio Stoke
The owner of a fireworks factory that was destroyed in a fatal fire has appeared in court charged with the manslaughter of two men who died in a blaze.
Image source, JodiphotographySimon Hillier, 41, and Stewart Staples, 57, died in the blaze on 30 October 2014 at SP Plastics in Baswich, Stafford.
Richard Pearson, 43, from Stafford, owned the business and is accused of causing the pair's deaths by gross negligence by failing to take reasonable care in the storage and handling of explosives.
Today he appeared before magistrates in Cannock and was given unconditional bail and ordered to next appear at Stafford Crown Court in August.
Lee Blakeman
Port Vale commentator, BBC Radio Stoke
Port Vale were beaten only by a second-half penalty from Derby County's Darren Bent in last night's pre-season friendly at Vale Park.
Image source, Pete Norton/Getty ImagesThe two managers played strong teams and Vale boss Michael Brown told BBC Radio Stoke afterwards that he felt it was a good opportunity for his new look squad.
Quote MessageIt was a good workout, fantastic Derby team, I'm sure they'll be not far away with his signings, a good manager. They move the ball well, I thought it was a good, solid performance from us."
Michael Brown, Port Vale manager
Eleven homes could be demolished to make way for a proposed rail freight hub at Four Ashes., external
Image source, Express and StarAllen Cook
BBC Local Live
A woman who died on a dual carriageway in Staffordshire has been identified, external, almost a fortnight after it happened.
Staffordshire Police says Veronika Pugaciova, 33, was from Lithuania but was living in Hull.
Image source, West Midlands Ambulance ServiceThey say she was travelling in a van with a 39-year-old man on 6 July when she was hit by a car on the A38 near Burton after leaving the vehicle.
The man's been charged with breaching a restraining order and remanded in custody, and will appear in court next month.
He was also arrested on suspicion of causing Ms Pugaciova’s death, police say, but has been released pending further investigation.
Allen Cook
BBC Local Live
Three masked men are still being hunted by police, more than a week after they forced their way into a house and threatened people inside with knives. , external
Staffordshire Police says the burglary happened on 11 July on Liberty Court, Cheslyn Hay.
Image source, GoogleThey say two of the three had knives and stole cash after threatening the occupants, making off in a blue Audi A3.
Officers say no-one was hurt but the victims were left very shaken.
Lee Thomas
Newsreader, BBC Radio Stoke
Engineers are working to fix a burst water main on Middlewich Road outside Nantwich., external
Image source, Nantwich NewsUnited Utilities says it's led to no or low water pressure for some residents.
The firm also says some people in the town are reporting brown water coming from their taps but say it is unlikely to be harmful.
Liz Ellis
Presenter, BBC Radio Stoke
A woman from Stoke-on-Trent says people who don't receive the home care they've paid for are being short changed.
Miriam Crompton told BBC Radio Stoke she got a refund from the city council after discovering carers sometimes left her late aunt's house early.
She's now demanding to know what happened to the money when it happens to other people.
The city council says it pays companies in 15-minute blocks, adding that the quality of care has not been questioned and it's committed to ensuring people get fair and affordable care.
Quote MessageMy auntie passed away five years ago and I'd carried on with this because, to me, the issue is not money. The issue is that there's something not quite right here and also that there are other people who were affected as well by this who are probably not aware at all."
Miriam Crompton, Niece in Stoke-on-Trent
A £35m transport plan to ease congestion will see junctions revamped, lower speed limits introduced and cycle routes created., external
Image source, The Sentinel
Matt Sandoz
Stoke City commentator, BBC Radio Stoke
It looks like it's third time lucky for West Ham in their bid to sign Stoke City winger Marko Arnautovic.
BBC Radio Stoke understands that the Potters have accepted a £24m bid from the Hammers.
Image source, Alex Livesey/Getty ImagesStoke had previously turned down offers of £15m and £20m.
The player is now expected to discuss personal terms ahead of completing his medical.
Rich Davis
BBC Weather presenter
Thundery showers pushing north early this morning, with some bright, warm and humid sunshine elsewhere.
Further heavy thunderstorms are possible in the afternoon, with a risk of hail, strong winds and torrential downpours, mainly across north counties. Highs of 25C ( 77F).
Weather for the West Midlands.
BBC News Travel
Drivers are being warned about a burst water main on Middlewich Road Nantwich.
Cheshire Police say, external United Utilities and Cheshire East are aware.
Allen Cook
BBC Local Live
Morning everyone, it's a cloudy start to the day over Stoke-on-Trent but there's the odd hint of brightness around.
BBC Weather Watcher Gadjet took this in the city this morning:
Image source, GadjetWe'll have a full look at the morning's weather shortly and there'll be updates on the day's news, sport, travel and more through the day.
You can also share your photos of Staffordshire and Cheshire with me via email or you can post on Instagram, adding the tag #bbcstoke , externalto show you agree to share them.
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.
Burton Albion sign former Blackburn Rovers midfielder Hope Akpan on a one-year contract.
Read More
Tim Wedgwood
BBC Local Live
The newly-elected MP for Stoke South has made his maiden speech in the Commons doing some of it in a Potteries dialect.
Jack Brereton, who took the seat for the Conservatives in last month's general election, used the occasion to deliver a well-loved local expression.
He was spurred on by other MPs sitting nearby who were intrigued as to what he would say.
Jack Brereton gives maiden speech
The phrase 'Cost kick a bo agen a wo en yed it till it bosts?' is loosely translated as 'can you kick a ball against a wall and your head until it bursts.'
It's a phrase that's been used in the Potteries for as long as anyone can remember and is often used to verify one's 'Stokie' credentials.
At least he didn't say 'Ay Up Duck' to the deputy speaker.
Do you know any other sayings? Let us know on Facebook, external or Twitter, external.
Charlie Slater
BBC Weather presenter
A band of heavy thundery showers will push northwards with a risk of hail.
Some places staying dry, but where thunderstorms occur there could be some torrential downpours and frequent lightning. Lows of 18C (64F).
Weather for the West Midlands.
