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Live Reporting

Allen Cook

All times stated are UK

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  1. General election 2017: How do I register to vote?

    Don't get left outside on polling day. Here are details of what you need and where you need to go to register for the general election on 8 June:

    Video content

    Video caption: The deadline to register is 22 May
  2. Watch: The London Marathon finish line

    Stephanie Barnard

    BBC Local Live

    Do you know someone who ran the London Marathon yesterday or maybe you ran it yourself?

    You can watch a feed of the finish line, showing everyone who finished between 2hrs 30mins and 6hrs.

    Find out their time and you can catch the moment they crossed the line.

    From tears of joy, limping over the line, through to some rather tired faces - watch six hours (or skip forward) and see friends/family/loved ones cross the finish line via the BBC iPlayer.

  3. Football: National League winners aiming to follow Burton promotion blueprint

    BBC Sport

    A football club which secured promotion to the English Football League at the weekend is using Burton Albion as an inspiration to get from non-league football to the Championship

    Lincoln City won the National League title on Saturday, eight years after Burton began their ascent up the Football League.

    Lincoln City players celebrating promotion

    "I think it's realistic [to reach the Championship]," managing director Kevin Cooke told BBC Radio Lincolnshire.

    "I don't see why we can't do that, as long as you put good foundations down."

    Burton were fighting to gain Football League status in 2008 but eight years later, in 2016,  were promoted to the second tier for the first time in their history.  

  4. Watch: Monday's selection of your pictures of Staffordshire and Cheshire

    Allen Cook

    BBC Local Live

    It's one of my toughest but best jobs, sorting through the many great pictures you send in of Staffordshire and Cheshire - here are five for today.

    If you've got a photo to share, you can send it in on email or put it on Instagram, adding #bbcstoke to your post's description so I know you agree to share it.

    Video content

    Video caption: Your pictures
  5. General election 2017: How do I register to vote?

    Don't get left outside on polling day. Here are details of what you need and where you need to go to register for the general election on 8 June:  

    Video content

    Video caption: The deadline to register is 22 May
  6. Weather: A chance of snow overnight

    Charlie Slater

    BBC Weather presenter

    It seems a bit late in the year for snow, but with chilly temperatures forecast overnight, there's a chance we might see some in Staffordshire.

    The rest of us will have a cold night, with showers in places.

    Video content

    Video caption: Charlie Slater has your forecast
  7. Watch: Passions revealed for Staffordshire oatcakes

    Allen Cook

    BBC Local Live

    The passion for Staffordshire oatcakes appears to be never-ending judging by the number of you wanting to chip-in on the BBC News Facebook page.   

    Video content

    Video caption: The passion for Staffordshire oatcakes

    We brought you the news at the weekend that this mighty "food of the gods" has travelled from Aberdeen to Arizona, well outside the Potteries.

    Many people wanted to reveal their memories of Staffordshire oatcakes, from their favourite toppings to growing up eating them.  

  8. Sofas, toys and roof waste fly-tipped in villages

    Allen Cook

    BBC Local Live

    Sofas, children's toys and building waste have been dumped in two villages in Staffordshire since the start of the month. 

    Stafford Borough Council says bitumen flat roofing waste was found in early April on Church Eaton Road between Church Eaton and Bromstead Heath.

    The bitumen flat roofing waste

    Then, over a couple of weekends, toys, household waste and sofas were discovered in Hanchurch Hills.

    The authority's appealing for help to find out who dumped the rubbish, saying in 2015 fly-tipping cost them around £25,000 to clean up.

    Sofas
  9. Free parking to boost town centre shopping

    Daz Hale

    BBC WM

    Free parking is being offered by a council as a way to get more people shopping on the high street.

    From today, if you're visiting Sedgley, Dudley, Brierley Hill and Halesowen you could park for up to two hours for free.

    Free parking for two hours - signs

    The trial will run until the 2 July at 16 car parks across the four areas. 

    Drivers will still need to get a ticket from the machine but it won't cost them a penny.

    Quote Message: Some of our residents and traders have expressed a belief that reduced parking charges could help to boost trade here in Dudley borough. The two-hour free parking scheme trial is being piloted in different types of retail centres across the borough and we are keen to see how this could affect the numbers of shoppers coming into the areas." from Alan Lunt Dudley Borough Council
    Alan LuntDudley Borough Council
  10. Arrest after lorry and car crash near health centre

    Allen Cook

    BBC Local Live

    A man's been arrested after a crash between a lorry and car this morning in Stoke-on-Trent which shut the A520 for several hours. 

    Staffordshire Police say they were called after the crash between the HGV and a Ford Focus on Weston Road near the health centre on Broadway, Meir. 

    They say the man was arrested on suspicion of driving while unfit due to drink or drugs. 

  11. London Marathon: Photo of fastest nun on the run

    Allen Cook

    BBC Local Live

    We told you earlier how Daniel Jordan from Stoke-on-Trent had set a new world record in the London Marathon for fastest marathon dressed as a nun. 

    Well he has now shared a photo of himself, dressed up for the run, and says he was running to raise money for the Chelsea Burley Trust.

    Daniel Jordan in nun costume
  12. Man charged after Stoke-on-Trent fights

    Sarah Robertson

    Journalist, BBC Radio Stoke

    Five of the six men who were arrested after two reports of men fighting in the street in Stoke-on-Trent have been released under investigation. 

    Police say they were called on Thursday to first Nelson Street and then Rochester Road, Sandford Hill and seized weapons including a machete and hammer.

    Cordoned off house

    They said they'd arrested six men, aged between 18-23, on suspicion of affray and say five of them have now been released under investigation. 

    The force says the sixth man, a 19-year-old from Stoke-on-Trent, has been charged with possession of cannabis.

  13. People urged to be more aware of signs of stalking

    Lucy King

    News Editor, BBC Radio Stoke

    People in Staffordshire are being urged by police to be more aware of the signs that someone's being stalked. 

    Shadow of man standing on pavement after dark

    The force says a new campaign warns that even minor or seemingly insignificant actions can cause people serious distress. 

    Officers say it can include damaging property, leaving abusive messages and following someone to work. 

  14. 'State of shock' for family over biker's death

    Allen Cook

    BBC Local Live

    The family of a biker who died in a crash on the A523 between Bosley and Leek says they are in a "state of shock". 

    Staffordshire Police say Mark Duncan Oarton died after his motorbike collided with a lorry in the Rudyard area.

    Mark Duncan Oarton

    The 56-year-old, of Astbury Lane Ends, Congleton was pronounced dead at the scene. 

    In a statement his family say they are "devastated" and "cannot begin to express our feelings of sadness".

  15. Wyre Forest Lib Dems name their parliamentary candidate

    The Liberal Democrats have announced that Councillor Shazu Miah will be their candidate for the Wyre Forest constituency in the general election. 

    Mr Miah says he will be campaigning against a hard Brexit and for keeping Britain in the single market.

    Shazu Miah
    Quote Message: Thirty six percent of Wyre Forest residents voted to remain in the EU and many more oppose the reckless decision of this hard-right Conservative government to pursue a 'hard Brexit'. Only the Lib Dems here in Wyre Forest are truly fighting her plans and fought to Remain." from Shazu Miah Lib Dem parliamentary candidate
    Shazu MiahLib Dem parliamentary candidate

    The deadline for nominating candidates is 11 May, but most parties will want their representatives in place well before that. 

    We'll bring you the latest on the election campaign as we get it.

  16. Football: No celebrations for Crewe boss on avoiding relegation

    Graham McGarry

    Crewe Alexandra commentator, BBC Radio Stoke

    The Crewe Alexandra manager David Artell says he won't be celebrating, despite his side securing their status in the Football League for another season.

    Crewe in action against Leyton Orient

    The 3-0 win at home to Leyton Orient means the Alex are now mathematically safe from relegation with two games to play in League Two. 

    But Artell says he was more pleased with not conceding any goals in Saturday's game.

    Quote Message: We've had good 45 minutes of football before on more than one occasion and we've ended up either scraping a win or drawing or losing. So to keep a clean sheet, that's always the aim in every game and that's another one." from David Artell Crewe Alexandra manager
    David ArtellCrewe Alexandra manager