Rider left in coma: 'Bikes are bad'published at 10:30 British Summer Time 24 August 2017
A motorcyclist seriously injured a crash has been speaking about the ordeal, as a safety event for bikers is held in Staffordshire.
Read MoreSummary
Cannabis, cocaine and thousands of pounds in cash seized in raid
Former head 'admitted changing pupil's exam answers'
Severe delays as pop fizzes on to motorway
Updates on Friday 25 August 2017
Rider left in coma: 'Bikes are bad'published at 10:30 British Summer Time 24 August 2017
Major plans unveiled to expand Festival Parkpublished at 10:09 British Summer Time 24 August 2017
Major plans have been unveiled to extend Stoke-on-Trent's biggest retail park with four new shops, a drive-through restaurant and garage., external
Image source, The SentinelFootball: Joe Allen spearheads Stoke cup winpublished at 09:48 British Summer Time 24 August 2017
BBC SportJoe Allen scored twice as Stoke City progressed to the EFL Cup third round with a comfortable win against League One Rochdale.
Image source, Getty ImagesFormer Liverpool midfielder Allen, captain for the night, opened the scoring with a header.
Peter Crouch then struck from close range before Allen turned in Erik Pieters' cross for the Premier League side's third.
Ramadan Sobhi completed the victory when he rounded the goalkeeper late on.
Ancient woodland 'facing destruction' in HS2 planspublished at 09:27 British Summer Time 24 August 2017
David Gregory-Kumar
Science correspondent, BBC Midlands TodayAn ancient wood near Newcastle-under-Lyme could be devastated by the planned high-speed rail line's route between Birmingham and Crewe, according to the Woodland Trust.
HS2 bosses have been in Madeley this week, speaking to residents concerned about the proposed route through the north of Staffordshire.
In the current plans, the Woodland Trust says Whitmore Woods near Madeley could be destroyed by the line and they are proposing an alternative.
Quote MessageWhat we'd love to see is a tunnel under Whitmore Woods, that would be fantastic and that would avoid six hectares of loss that you would get there. We did manage to achieve that on phase one of HS2 in the Chilterns and that saved over nine hectares of ancient woodland in that case."
Jack Taylor, Woodland Trust spokesman
HS2 Limited says any alternative plans will be taken in to account and people have until the end of September to have their say.
GCSE results: Adult learners join teenagers after their gradespublished at 09:15 British Summer Time 24 August 2017
Hazel Morgan
Journalist, BBC Radio StokeIt's not just teenagers waiting nervously to get their GCSE results today, one Staffordshire college says it's got plenty of adult learners getting theirs as well.
It comes amid changes meaning a new numerical grading system and tougher exams in England.
Image source, GoogleMore than 10,000 candidates are set to get the top grade 9 in each of the three new O-level-style GCSE subjects: English, English literature and maths.
Stoke-on-Trent College says it's had mature students coming to them wanting to get better results than they did first time around at school.
Quote MessageWe get a lot of adults who come back to us, you're talking adults who may be in their 40s or 50s who sat potentially even O-levels and they've come back now and said you know I never got a pass grade at the level I wanted when I was at school, I want to start all over again."
Mark Whittaker, Stoke-on-Trent College spokesman
Car destroyed in M42 vehicle firepublished at 08:43 British Summer Time 24 August 2017
Allen Cook
BBC Local LiveDramatic photos of a vehicle fire being tackled this morning on the M42 near Tamworth have been tweeted by Highways England.
They say it happened at around 07:00 between junctions 11 and 10 but haven't said if anyone was hurt.
Image source, Highways England
Image source, Highways EnglandWatch: Today's weather in 52 secondspublished at 08:23 British Summer Time 24 August 2017
Alex Hamilton
BBC WeatherHere's how your forecast is looking for today across the West Midlands.
You can also get the latest weather for your area at any other time by going to the BBC Weather website.
Media caption, Alex Hamilton
Welcome to the start of Thursday's live coveragepublished at 08:01 British Summer Time 24 August 2017
Allen Cook
BBC Local LiveMorning everyone, the sun is out and bright this morning over the BBC Stoke headquarters in Hanley, Stoke-on-Trent.
BBC Weather Watcher Wendles took this photo today in Yoxall:
Image source, WendlesAlex Hamilton will be here shortly with today's weather for the region and I'll bring you the latest news, sport, travel and more for the area.
You can also share your photos of Staffordshire or Cheshire via email or, if you use Instagram, you can put them there and add the tag #bbcstoke, external so I know you agree to share them.
Stoke City 4-0 Rochdalepublished at 22:56 British Summer Time 23 August 2017
Joe Allen scores twice as Stoke City progress to the EFL Cup third round with a comfortable win against League One Rochdale.
Read MoreOur live coverage across the daypublished at 18:00 British Summer Time 23 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.
GP practices set for more overseas doctorspublished at 17:59 British Summer Time 23 August 2017
Jennie Aitken
Reporter, BBC Radio StokeMore doctors from overseas will be recruited to GP practices in Staffordshire. , external
NHS England is investing more than £2m across the country in its international GP recruitment programme.
It says it’s because too many general practitioners are retiring and the number of doctors is not increasing fast enough to meet demand.
NHS England is currently running a pilot in three areas and Staffordshire is one of 11 areas they are looking to expand the programme to in 2017-18., external
On Midlands Today from 18:30: Opponents prepare for HS2 fightspublished at 17:57 British Summer Time 23 August 2017
David Gregory-Kumar
Science correspondent, BBC Midlands TodayOn Midlands Today this evening, we're talking about the impact of the planned new high-speed rail line HS2.
Image source, HS2That's because, with plans approved for its first phase, initial work is already under way and opponents are gearing up to fight the next stage after it passes Birmingham and heads for Crewe.
I've been speaking to some of them in Staffordshire and will have more from 18:30 on BBC One.
Vintage bike stolen in burglarypublished at 17:50 British Summer Time 23 August 2017
BBC Radio StokeA vintage motorbike's been stolen in a burglary in Lichfield.
Image source, Staffordshire PoliceStaffordshire Police says tools were also taken in the break-in at a shed in the Hilton area overnight.
The force says the bike, a blue Suzuki GT550, is described as vintage and is likely to be difficult for the burglars to sell on.
HS2 plans set to 'devastate' family farmpublished at 17:41 British Summer Time 23 August 2017
David Gregory-Kumar
Science correspondent, BBC Midlands TodayA Staffordshire dairy farmer says his family business will be destroyed by the proposed high-speed rail line through north Staffordshire.
John Slater (pictured) says his farm in Whitmore Heath will close unless HS2 bosses change the plans to join up two tunnels to the north and south of the farm.
But under the current plans,he says there's no way back.
Quote MessageIt's devastating, it's the end of the farm, that much land. You struggle to motivate yourself to get up in the morning as it is, when you're getting up thinking is it all worth it? Mum and dad have been working here for 40, 50 years and it's all for nothing."
John Slater, Farmer
HS2 Limited says any alternative plans will be taken into account and people have until the end of September to have their say.
Football: Burton boss 'not ruling out' another summer signingpublished at 17:35 British Summer Time 23 August 2017
BBC SportBurton Albion's manager Nigel Clough says the club could still make another signing before the transfer window closes this summer.
Image source, Getty ImagesIt comes as the Brewers have announced they've signed Joe Mason on loan from Wolves.
The 26-year-old has joined until 2 January and adds to the club's attacking options after a long-term injury to summer signing Liam Boyce.
Quote MessageWe need goals and we are building up other options. We are not ruling out getting someone else in as well."
Nigel Clough, Burton Albion manager
Weather: A dry night and some sunshine tomorrowpublished at 17:31 British Summer Time 23 August 2017
Shefali Oza
BBC Midlands TodayIt's not going to be especially warm tomorrow, but it should be dry, with some sunshine appearing from behind the clouds.
And we are forecast a dry and cloudy night.
Media caption, The BBC weather forecast for the West Midlands
Watch: Driver hurt after car overturnspublished at 17:25 British Summer Time 23 August 2017
Allen Cook
BBC Local LiveA driver's been taken to hospital after the car they were in overturned on a Stoke-on-Trent street this afternoon. , external
Media caption, The overturned car
Staffordshire Fire Service says they sent two crews to Eaton Street, Hanley at 13:20.
Staffordshire Police says the Audi overturned after colliding with a stationary van.
Officers say the driver's injuries are not life-threatening or life-changing.
New host for last leg of endurance eventpublished at 17:13 British Summer Time 23 August 2017
Sarah Robertson
Journalist, BBC Radio StokeStafford town centre will host the final leg of the county's Ironman endurance race from next year.
The county council says the finish line and athlete's village will be in Market Square.
Image source, Staffordshire County CouncilIt comes after it was announced earlier this year that the Shugborough Estate would no longer host the event.
The authority says in June athletes will complete three laps of the town centre after a swim at Chasewater and cycling through Cannock Chase.
Image source, Staffordshire County CouncilYour Facebook stories after biker death figures revealedpublished at 16:51 British Summer Time 23 August 2017
FacebookWe've been hearing some of your stories on Facebook this morning as we bring you news that there's been an increase in the number of bikers killed on Staffordshire's roads.
The county council's revealed figures , externalshowing there were 66 motorcyclists killed or seriously injured in 2015 compared with 47 the year before.
On the BBC Radio Stoke Facebook page, Steven Malam posted, external: "I used to ride a motorcycle until I was knocked off and badly injured. Now I drive a car around the city every day."
While Karl Scally wrote, external: "I was knocked off my bike by someone pulling out in front of me. Luckily I survived with minor injuries. After 20 years of biking in 2007 I sold my last bike. I miss it and still look in bike shops from time to time dreaming but I decided to get out whilst I'm still breathing and able to walk."
Arrest after police chasepublished at 16:33 British Summer Time 23 August 2017
Allen Cook
BBC Local LiveA man's been arrested on suspicion of stealing a vehicle and attacking a police officer after a chase near Burton last night.
Image source, GoogleStaffordshire Police says it started at around 21:55 when officers saw a vehicle being driven "erratically" on the A38 in the Branston area.
They say the driver eventually lost control and stopped because of a minor collision. He's also been arrested on suspicion of dangerous driving.
