Crewe to be transformed by £48m plans
Nursery being 'creative' on care costs
Road reopens after weeks of repairs
Updates from Friday 1 September 2017
Jack Dowling
Journalist, BBC Radio Stoke
The crash on the A50 this morning involved two vans, Staffordshire Police says.
They say they don't yet know if anyone's been seriously hurt in the collision on the westbound side near Uttoxeter.
BBC Midlands Today
A health watchdog has called for care homes in Staffordshire to invest more time and money to provide activities for residents., external
Healthwatch Staffordshire says there are 251 nursing and care homes in the county and it has found an "inconsistent approach" when it comes to making residents' lives "meaningful".
The group says research it carried out has found examples of excellence including animal therapy, iPads for contact with families and a penpal letter exchange with a local school.
But it says such activities can often be seen as low priority and it wants to see more training for staff and a greater emphasis on sharing good ideas.
Owen Bradley
BBC Radio Derby Sport
I suspect Gary Rowett would have wanted a much more comprehensive overhaul of his squad this summer, but that doesn’t mean Derby County will be that busy on deadline day.
Outs are more likely than ins, though if Rowett can shift a bit of the deadwood, then don’t rule out a late move for someone.
He had talked about wanting two more attacking players in an ideal world, perhaps a mobile striker and another wide player.
Image source, Getty ImagesAs for Burton Albion, I wonder whether Nigel Clough was working under the assumption he would lose player of the year Jackson Irvine this summer, so don’t expect the Brewers to rush out to find a replacement.
The loan market is where Clough will try to get lucky today.
Lee Blakeman
Newsreader, BBC Radio Stoke
The A50 westbound from Uttoxeter heading towards Stoke-on-Trent is expected to be shut, police say, "for some time" after a crash this morning, external.
They haven't yet revealed what vehicles have been involved in the collision near the JCB World Parts Centre but say both lanes are shut.
The force says their crash investigation unit is now at the scene, external and trying to find out exactly what's happened.
Allen Cook
BBC Local Live
There could be good news in Staffordshire for Britain's wading birds according to the county's wildlife trust., external
Image source, Jon HawkinsThe group says eight threatened species have been seen breeding across its reserves this year.
They include lapwings, oystercatchers and common sandpipers.
Staffordshire Wildlife Trust says, across the UK, wading bird numbers have, in some cases, declined by more than 60% since the 1970s.
It says that's largely down to them relying on open habitats which makes them vulnerable to predators and habitat loss.
Allen Cook
BBC Local Live
We've got some more information on that serious crash on the A50 this morning between Uttoxeter and Stoke-on-Trent.
Staffordshire Police says the road westbound is completely shut after a collision near the JCB Heavy Products Ltd, Rocester at about 10:00.
The force says it looks like it'll be closed for several hours.
Allen Cook
BBC Local Live
Does this count as a deadline day signing? Well Stoke City have announced they've tied up skipper Ryan Shawcross's future until at least 2021 as he's signed a new deal today.
Image source, Stoke CityShawcross was out of contract at the end of this season and this is the 29-year-old's 11th at Stoke.
Today, the club says he's put pen to paper on a four-year contract., external
BBC News Travel
Drivers are being warned to try and avoid the A50 westbound between Uttoxeter and Stoke-on-Trent due to a "serious crash":
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Travellers have returned to playing fields, external - just weeks after security measures were brought in to try to keep them out.
Image source, The SentinelAllen Cook
BBC Local Live
Two people have been arrested and a large sword found, external after armed police were called to a "disturbance" in Stoke-on-Trent.
Image source, GoogleStaffordshire Police says they went to Sandbach Road at about 00:50 today.
They say a 36-year-old man and a 35-year-old woman, both from Stoke-on-Trent, were arrested on suspicion of affray and taken into custody.
BBC Sport
For football fans, today is the day when pretty much any players your club wants - or wants to get rid of - have to have moved, otherwise you'll have to wait until January.
Yes, it's deadline day for the summer transfer window and it shuts tonight at 23:00.
Locally, Stoke City, Burton Albion, Port Vale and Crewe Alexandra have already been making signings over the past few weeks.
But if there are any moves to be made, you will see them on BBC Sport's rolling Transfer Deadline Day page here.
A patient has made a report of rape against a member of West Midlands Ambulance Service.
It is among the "serious incidents" involving ambulances that have risen by 16% in five years.
The number of such events rose in seven of England's 10 ambulance areas.
Image source, Getty ImagesThe union Unison said the rise reflected "intolerable pressures" facing ambulance workers. The Association of Ambulance Chief Executives said the incidents amounted to a "tiny" number of patient journeys.
Reported cases include a patient conveyed by West Midlands Ambulance Service who ended up needing a leg amputation in 2014 after falling in an ambulance.
Police have so far not brought any charges in connection with the rape report, made in January.
Lee Blakeman
Newsreader, BBC Radio Stoke
A man's been arrested on suspicion of child grooming in Stoke-on-Trent. , external
Staffordshire Police says they were called to the Lightwood area last night following an altercation between the 27-year-old man and a number of other people.
The force says he's also been arrested on suspicion of inciting a child to engage in sexual activity.
James Bovill
Staffordshire Political Reporter, BBC News
Plans for Staffordshire's Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC) Matthew Ellis to take over the powers of the county's fire authority will be opposed today by the leader of Staffordshire County Council. , external
Councillor Philip Atkins will argue that Mr Ellis should merely have a role on the current fire authority which sets the fire service's budget.
The PCC has presented a plan to the government to take over the functions of the authority which he says could save millions of pounds.
The number of serious incidents rose in seven of England's 10 ambulance areas.
Read More
Charlie Slater
BBC Weather presenter
A mainly dry, bright and chilly start, but showers across the far west, will become more widespread through the day.
The showers will turn heavy and thundery in places, but in between some pleasant spells of sunshine will develop - highs of 18C (64F).
Weather for the West Midlands.
Allen Cook
BBC Local Live
Morning everyone, the sunshine's out already over Hanley, Stoke-on-Trent.
It's also out over Burton as BBC Weather Watcher Poeticverse took this photo earlier:
Image source, PoeticverseWe'll find out shortly if it'll continue through today with a full local weather forecast and there'll also be updates on today's news, sport, travel and more, including from our local newspapers.
You can also get your recent photos of Staffordshire and Cheshire showcased on our page - send them on email or post them on Instagram, adding the tag #bbcstoke, external so I know 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.
Pat Murphy
BBC Sport
Stoke City won't be bringing in any more players this window.
An enquiry for Manchester City's Fabian Delph has foundered so manager Mark Hughes will settle for his six new players.
Image source, Getty ImagesIn terms of exits, Philipp Wollscheid is on his way to Metz, Bojan is negotiating a loan deal to Alaves in Spain while record signing Giannelli Imbula (pictured) may be joining Toulouse on loan.
Allen Cook
BBC Local Live
We're down by the canal as well as viewing some of our local wildlife in my latest selection of photos sent in by you, our audience.
You can share your photos of Staffordshire or Cheshire by popping them on an email or posting them on Instagram, adding the tag #bbcstoke , externalso I know you agree to share them.
Audience photos
