BBC Local Live: Staffordshire & Cheshire on Friday 18 August 2017

Summary

Mother says MoD apology over Iraq death 'bitter sweet'
Staffordshire Police officer disqualified for drink driving
A teenager tried to smuggle 200 pills into V Festival
Updates on Friday 18 August 2017

Live Reporting

Allen Cook

Travel: Rugeley fault affects southbound trainspublished at 08:33 British Summer Time 17 August 2017
BBC News Travel
Some London Midland trains are having to go at slower speeds this morning due to a fault at Rugeley Trent Valley.
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Watch: Today's weather in 54 secondspublished at 08:27 British Summer Time 17 August 2017
Alex Hamilton
BBC Weather
It's been a wet start for many of us in the West Midlands - here's how the rest of Thursday is looking.
You can also find the latest forecasts at any other time on the BBC Weather website.
Media caption,
Alex Hamilton
Welcome to Thursday's live coveragepublished at 08:02 British Summer Time 17 August 2017
Allen Cook
BBC Local Live
Good morning everyone, the rain has been coming down this morning as BBC Weather Watcher The Chase Cat reports from Hednesford with this photo:
Image source, The Chase Cat
We'll see if it's continue through today shortly with a full weather forecast and there'll be updates through today on the news, sport, weather and more for Staffordshire and Cheshire.
You could also get photos you take of the area featured today by sharing them with us either via email or put them on Instagram, external, adding the tag #bbcstoke to show you agree to share them.
Our live coverage across the daypublished at 18:00 British Summer Time 16 August 2017
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.
On Midlands Today from 18:30: Preparing for cricket historypublished at 17:56 British Summer Time 16 August 2017
Nick Clitheroe
BBC Midlands Today
On Midlands Today from 18:30 we'll be looking ahead to a bit of cricket history that'll take place in the region tomorrow.
Image source, Getty Images
That's because the first day-night Test ever played in this country will start at Edgbaston.
We've been looking ahead to this bit of history and I'll have more from 18:30 on BBC One.
Stunning sunsets in today's pick of audience photospublished at 17:50 British Summer Time 16 August 2017
Allen Cook
BBC Local Live
There are some stunning photos of sunsets among today's pick of the best images from the ones you've shared of Staffordshire.
You can send your photos of the area in on email or share them on Instagram - just add the tag #bbcstoke, external to the description to show us you agree to share them.
Media caption,
Audience photos
Business centre plans for Grade II-listed buildingpublished at 17:46 British Summer Time 16 August 2017
Chris King
Reporter, BBC Radio Stoke
A Grade II-listed building in Stoke-on-Trent is set to get a new lease of life as a business enterprise centre.
The Wedgwood Institute in Burslem is the focus of a restoration bid between the city council and the UK Historic Building Preservation Trust.
A report to the authority's cabinet says £5m will be invested, external with the aim of turning the much-loved landmark into a centre for small and medium businesses.
Unemployment up in the West Midlandspublished at 17:42 British Summer Time 16 August 2017
Monica Rimmer
Journalist, BBC Online
Unemployment went up by 5.8% across the West Midlands in the three months to June, according to data.
Image source, PA
Figures from the ONS show 164,000 people are registered as out of work across the region - an increase of 3,000 people compared with the first three months of the year.
Man almost sets fire to house with garden blazepublished at 17:39 British Summer Time 16 August 2017
Allen Cook
BBC Local Live
A man burning rubbish in his garden almost set fire to his house, the fire service says, when it spread to trees near the house. , external
They say the blaze started yesterday afternoon at the home in Rising Brook, Stafford.
Image source, Staffordshire Fire Service
Fire crews found the waste fire had spread to some nearby conifers which were next to the house.
They put the blaze out which had slightly damaged the house, an outbuilding and a car.
Watch: Your 50-second weather forecastpublished at 17:32 British Summer Time 16 August 2017
Shefali Oza
BBC Midlands Today
Skies will cloud over this evening as rain erratically moves east with brisk winds.
Rain will continue overnight, with some heavy bursts at times.
However, rain will start to clear towards dawn. Lows of 15C ( 59F).
Media caption,
Weather for the West Midlands.
Armed police swoop on Uttoxeter car park youthspublished at 17:25 British Summer Time 16 August 2017
Burton Mail
Armed police dramatically swooped on Uttoxeter's main car park last night after reports young men were brandishing guns. , external
Image source, Burton Mail
Huge care bill blamed on 'admin error'published at 17:19 British Summer Time 16 August 2017
Chris King
Reporter, BBC Radio Stoke
A woman from Newcastle-under-Lyme has been landed with a massive bill for her husband's care after an administrative error.
Media caption,
Marie George and her husband.
He has cancer and dementia - Marie George was originally told by her local council last year that she'd only have to pay £9.70 a week for nine hours of home care.
However the cost was increased to £78.67 a week after Staffordshire County Council spotted an "administrative error" in how the care needs had been assessed.
But the first Marie knew was when the money was taken out of her account.
The county council's now apologised, saying a small number of residents received an incorrect calculation and they're now getting care based on their financial circumstances.
Football: Stoke midfielder linked again to Swanseapublished at 17:07 British Summer Time 16 August 2017
BBC Sport Wales
Stoke City midfielder Joe Allen is again being talked about as a possible target for Swansea City as they look to replace Gylfi Sigurdsson.
Image source, Jan Kruger/Getty Images
The Iceland midfielder has been bought from the Swans by Everton and Stoke have already told them once this month Allen is not for sale.
However, with the Everton deal now done, the Potters midfielder is again being linked with the Welsh club.
Quote Message
Swansea have got a lot of hard work now, [Swansea manager] Paul Clement has got to have two or three players in the pipeline ready to go. They've got the money now, but they have to use it wisely. Joe Allen is talent but his price has gone up about £10m after his performances for Stoke last season
Ian Walsh, Former Swans and Wales striker
Masked trio attack teenage girlpublished at 16:55 British Summer Time 16 August 2017
Allen Cook
BBC Local Live
A teenager girl's been knocked to the ground in an assault by masked attackers in a Staffordshire village. , external
Image source, Google
Staffordshire Police says the 17-year-old was walking alone on Mount Road, Wombourne on Monday.
They say she was confronted by three people wearing ski masks and dark clothing who hit her in the ribs, knocking her down and then ran off.
Football: Call for trio of new signings by former Port Vale skipperpublished at 16:40 British Summer Time 16 August 2017
Lee Blakeman
Port Vale commentator, BBC Radio Stoke
Former Port Vale captain Phil Sproson says he'd like to see three new players added to the team before the transfer window closes.
Image source, Clint Hughes/Getty Images
Manager Michael Brown has already told BBC Radio Stoke he's looking to strengthen his squad, despite bringing in 15 players this summer.
The current window closes on 31 August.
Quote Message
I think we need either another winger, somebody who can whip crosses in a bit more dynamically. I'm thinking of another striker down the middle and certainly another midfield player
Phil Sproson, Former Port Vale captain
Factory fire: Blaze put outpublished at 16:17 British Summer Time 16 August 2017
Allen Cook
BBC Local Live
The fire at the factory in Norton Canes has been put out, external after more than 30 firefighters spent just over four hours tackling it.
Image source, Staffordshire Fire Service
All the workers were evacuated from the site off Norton Green Lane as Staffordshire Fire Service says it found that the blaze was in a hopper and some ducting. , external
They say they're keeping two fire engines at the site to check for any "hot spots" in case it isn't fully out.
Rail investment leaves Staffordshire 'forgotten'published at 15:58 British Summer Time 16 August 2017
Chris King
Reporter, BBC Radio Stoke
A near £1bn of investment in railways in the West Midlands isn't doing enough for Staffordshire, according to business leaders.
West Midlands Rail Ltd will takeover routes currently operated by London Midland from December.
Image source, West Midlands Trains
However, when it brings in timetable changes from December 2018, its Crewe to London Euston services will not call at Alsager, Kidsgrove, Stoke-on-Trent and Stone.
The chief executive of Staffordshire Chambers of Commerce, Sara Williams, says the region's been "forgotten" by Westminster, calling for a more "consistent rail network" and cheaper fares.
The Department for Transport says the almost £1bn of investment is good for passengers and will bring new trains and better stations.
Fred goes viral for his birthdaypublished at 15:42 British Summer Time 16 August 2017
Express and Star
Millions of people shared a Cannock pensioner's birthday with him after a photo of him celebrating went viral., external
Image source, Fred Wright/Express and Star
Listen: Brewers boss Clough upbeat despite Middlesbrough defeatpublished at 15:21 British Summer Time 16 August 2017
Gavin Bevis
BBC Local Live
Burton Albion boss Nigel Clough said he was "delighted" with the effort put in by his side during last night's 2-0 defeat to Middlesbrough.
He said: "It's hard enough under any circumstances [playing at Middlesbrough] but to come without the boys Turner, Warnock, Irvine, Mousinho, and give Middlesbrough a game, I can't tell you how pleased I am with the players."
Factory fire affecting pipes and hopperpublished at 15:13 British Summer Time 16 August 2017
Allen Cook
BBC Local Live
The fire at a factory in Norton Canes near Cannock's been revealed to be inside a hopper as well as some of the pipes next to one of the buildings., external
Staffordshire Fire Service says they're continuing to work to put it out, using two main jets of water on the blaze.
Image source, Staffordshire Fire Service