We'll be back with our usual mix of news, sport, travel and weather from 08:00 on Monday.
Emma Bridgewater gives backing to Stoke-on-Trent city of culture bid
Liz Copper
Staffordshire reporter, BBC Midlands Today
Leading pottery manufacturer Emma Bridgewater has given her backing to Stoke-on-Trent's bid to be named UK City of Culture in 2021.
She's been back in the city ahead of a major international ceramics festival which opens tonight.
BBCCopyright: BBC
Quote Message: For this city it's [Stoke-on-Trent culture bid] bound to be flavoured about the tradition of making and ceramics are part of that." from Emma Bridgewater
For this city it's [Stoke-on-Trent culture bid] bound to be flavoured about the tradition of making and ceramics are part of that."
The Ceramics Biennial runs until the start of November.
The City of Culture judges will be coming here during that time, and everyone hopes they'll be impressed by what the Potteries has to offer.
Tomorrow there will be lots of cloud around throughout the day with some
brighter spells developing at times. Dry for most of the day with the risk of
just a shower or two in the morning. Highs of 18C (64F).
Video content
Video caption: Weather for the West Midlands.Weather for the West Midlands.
Mow Cop Killer Mile winners
Lamont Howie
Reporter, BBC Radio Stoke
The delayed 2017 Mow Cop Killer Mile race went ahead last night in glorious sunshine.
There were four races - the under 11s was won by Isaac Laydon and Patience Lamb (pictured).
BBCCopyright: BBC
The under 18s was won by Will Kesteven and 12-year-old Clarissa Rigby.
Simon Myatt from Trentham Running Club took the honours in the main race.
BBCCopyright: BBC
The 2018 race will be reinstated in spring next year, likely to be in May.
Kamran Hussain, 40, made no reaction as he was found guilty of eight counts - half of the verdicts were by a majority decision.
He was remanded in custody to be sentenced on 28 September, and faces a maximum sentence of seven years in jail for encouragement of terrorism and 10 years for support for a proscribed organisation.
Julia Quenzler/BBCCopyright: Julia Quenzler/BBC
The Old Bailey was told Hussain had one previous conviction in 2008 for perverting the course of justice at Stafford Crown Court for which he was handed 14 months in jail.
As he was led down from the dock, a supporter called down from the public gallery "see you soon".
Hussain smiled and replied "inshallah" - God willing.
Tunstall imam preached support for IS at mosque
A British imam who told children that martyrdom was better than anything they would achieve at school has been found guilty of supporting the so-called Islamic State terror group.
Kamran Hussain, 40, from Tunstall, was recorded by an undercover officer making a series of radical sermons at a charity-funded mosque, over four months last year, encouraging terrorism and supporting the terror group in Syria.
GoogleCopyright: Google
Following a trial at the Old Bailey, Hussain, was found guilty by a jury which deliberated for 10 hours on eight charges, two of supporting IS and six of encouraging terrorism on dates between June and September last year.
BreakingTunstall imam guilty of terror offences
Imam Kamran Hussain, 40, has been found guilty of eight offences relating to terrorism by a jury at the Old Bailey.
Rubbish dumped in Stafford... by council
A 12-foot wide pile of rubbish appeared in Stafford's Market Square
overnight.
It was unclear at first what had happened, but the council says it was to show the equivalent to a day's worth of rubbish collected from the streets.
The council says it costs £1m to keep the town clean.
Stafford Borough CouncilCopyright: Stafford Borough Council
Among the 12-foot-wide, five-foot-high rubbish heap was cigarette butts, dog poo, crisp packets, fast food boxes and cartons, newspapers, drink cans and bottles and bits of food.
The litter is cordoned off and is part of an anti-litter scheme.
Video caption: Emma Bridgewater backs Stoke-on-Trent's City of Culture bidEmma Bridgewater backs Stoke-on-Trent's City of Culture bid
Leading pottery owner, Emma Bridgewater, returned to the Potteries ahead of major international festival, the British Ceramics Biennial.
Football: Crewe Alex full-back out for season
Crewe Alexandra youngster Ross Woodcock has suffered a cruciate knee injury that will rule him out for the season.
Crewe Alexandra FCCopyright: Crewe Alexandra FC
The Alex said Woodcock was withdrawn at half-time of an under-23 match on Monday and their "worst fears were confirmed".
In a statement on the club's website they said: "Everyone at Crewe Alexandra wishes Ross a speedy recovery from his injury."
Arrests after alleged axe threats
Three men have been arrested following "disorder" in Stoke-on-Trent last night.
Staffordshire Police said officers were called to Penkhull New Road at around 17:00 on Thursday evening to reports of two men making threats with an axe.
A man was then hit by a vehicle on All Saints Road, the force said he received minor injuries.
Police have arrested a 21-year-old man on suspicion of affray, assault with intent, and possession of controlled drugs with intent to
supply.
A second man, aged 19, has been arrested on
suspicion of assault, possession of an offensive weapon,
possession of controlled drugs with intent to supply and dangerous driving.
A 16-year-old boy, also from
Stoke-on-Trent, who was arrested on suspicion of affray has been released under
investigation.
Your comments: Pottery firm makes limited edition Jeremy Corbyn jug
Facebook
We shared with you yesterday that a Stoke-on-Trent pottery firm has produced a toby jug resembling Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn.
Labour supporter Alexander Kirk, 19, from Lincoln, commissioned Hanley's Bairstow Manor pottery to make 500 jugs.
Some of you shared your thoughts on this on BBC Radio Stoke's Facebook page, it seems some of you may be receiving this as a present!
PACopyright: PA
Bobbie Mcguinness isn't a fan, saying: "You can put that one straight in the bin."
Wendy Foxall commented she'd rather have a Thomas Shelby from Peaky Blinders jug.
Kate Nicholson simply said: "YESSSS."
Football: Vale caretaker managers 'believe' in current squad
BBC Radio Stoke Sport
Port Vale coaches David Kelly and Chris Morgan who have been placed in temporary charge of the team say they still have "belief" in the current squad.
Quote Message: It's a difficult position to be in, the league table doesn't lie, but we do still believe and have the belief in the players that they can get themselves on to a decent run." from David Kelly Caretake manager
It's a difficult position to be in, the league table doesn't lie, but we do still believe and have the belief in the players that they can get themselves on to a decent run."
Live Reporting
By Monica Rimmer
All times stated are UK
Get involved
Thousands join 100-mile cycle race
The route sees 15,000 riders travelling through Worcestershire, Staffordshire and Birmingham.
Read moreThousands compete in 100-mile cycle race
Video content
Some 15,000 riders travelled through Worcestershire, Staffordshire and Birmingham.
Stoke City 0-4 Chelsea
Kal Sajad
BBC Sport
Kal Sajad
BBC Sport
A brilliant hat-trick from Alvaro Morata helps Premier League champions Chelsea to a dominant win at Stoke City.
Read moreYeovil Town 1-1 Port Vale
Port Vale draw at Yeovil to climb off the bottom of League Two but their winless run is extended to eight games.
Read moreOur live coverage across the day
We'll be back with our usual mix of news, sport, travel and weather from 08:00 on Monday.
Emma Bridgewater gives backing to Stoke-on-Trent city of culture bid
Liz Copper
Staffordshire reporter, BBC Midlands Today
Leading pottery manufacturer Emma Bridgewater has given her backing to Stoke-on-Trent's bid to be named UK City of Culture in 2021.
She's been back in the city ahead of a major international ceramics festival which opens tonight.
The Ceramics Biennial runs until the start of November.
The City of Culture judges will be coming here during that time, and everyone hopes they'll be impressed by what the Potteries has to offer.
Stoke's Regent Theatre celebrates 18th anniversary
Stoke-on-Trent's Regent Theatre celebrated its 18th birthday last night.
The first show there was Annie, starring Leslley Joseph, back in 1999 and now the theatre welcomes a quarter of a million visitors every year.
Panto regular Jonathan Wilkes attended the birthday bash.
Council boss who was suspended for nine months on full pay leaves
Express and Star
Staffordshire County Council said Jamie MacDonald, who had been the authority’s head of strategic property for nine years, was no longer working there.
Watch: Your evening and weekend weather forecast
Rebecca Wood
BBC Midlands Today
It will remain largely cloudy overnight with a few outbreaks of rain and drizzle likely. There will also be areas of hill fog.
Tomorrow there will be lots of cloud around throughout the day with some brighter spells developing at times. Dry for most of the day with the risk of just a shower or two in the morning. Highs of 18C (64F).
Video content
Mow Cop Killer Mile winners
Lamont Howie
Reporter, BBC Radio Stoke
The delayed 2017 Mow Cop Killer Mile race went ahead last night in glorious sunshine.
There were four races - the under 11s was won by Isaac Laydon and Patience Lamb (pictured).
The under 18s was won by Will Kesteven and 12-year-old Clarissa Rigby.
Simon Myatt from Trentham Running Club took the honours in the main race.
The 2018 race will be reinstated in spring next year, likely to be in May.
Imam guilty of encouraging terrorism
Kamran Hussain told children that martyrdom was better than anything they could achieve at school.
Read moreTunstall imam 'made no reaction' when sentenced
Kamran Hussain, 40, made no reaction as he was found guilty of eight counts - half of the verdicts were by a majority decision.
He was remanded in custody to be sentenced on 28 September, and faces a maximum sentence of seven years in jail for encouragement of terrorism and 10 years for support for a proscribed organisation.
The Old Bailey was told Hussain had one previous conviction in 2008 for perverting the course of justice at Stafford Crown Court for which he was handed 14 months in jail.
As he was led down from the dock, a supporter called down from the public gallery "see you soon".
Hussain smiled and replied "inshallah" - God willing.
Tunstall imam preached support for IS at mosque
A British imam who told children that martyrdom was better than anything they would achieve at school has been found guilty of supporting the so-called Islamic State terror group.
Kamran Hussain, 40, from Tunstall, was recorded by an undercover officer making a series of radical sermons at a charity-funded mosque, over four months last year, encouraging terrorism and supporting the terror group in Syria.
Following a trial at the Old Bailey, Hussain, was found guilty by a jury which deliberated for 10 hours on eight charges, two of supporting IS and six of encouraging terrorism on dates between June and September last year.
BreakingTunstall imam guilty of terror offences
Imam Kamran Hussain, 40, has been found guilty of eight offences relating to terrorism by a jury at the Old Bailey.
Rubbish dumped in Stafford... by council
A 12-foot wide pile of rubbish appeared in Stafford's Market Square overnight.
It was unclear at first what had happened, but the council says it was to show the equivalent to a day's worth of rubbish collected from the streets.
The council says it costs £1m to keep the town clean.
Among the 12-foot-wide, five-foot-high rubbish heap was cigarette butts, dog poo, crisp packets, fast food boxes and cartons, newspapers, drink cans and bottles and bits of food.
The litter is cordoned off and is part of an anti-litter scheme.
Bridgewater backs Stoke's culture bid
Video content
Leading pottery owner, Emma Bridgewater, returned to the Potteries ahead of major international festival, the British Ceramics Biennial.
Football: Crewe Alex full-back out for season
Crewe Alexandra youngster Ross Woodcock has suffered a cruciate knee injury that will rule him out for the season.
The Alex said Woodcock was withdrawn at half-time of an under-23 match on Monday and their "worst fears were confirmed".
In a statement on the club's website they said: "Everyone at Crewe Alexandra wishes Ross a speedy recovery from his injury."
Arrests after alleged axe threats
Three men have been arrested following "disorder" in Stoke-on-Trent last night.
Staffordshire Police said officers were called to Penkhull New Road at around 17:00 on Thursday evening to reports of two men making threats with an axe.
A man was then hit by a vehicle on All Saints Road, the force said he received minor injuries.
Police have arrested a 21-year-old man on suspicion of affray, assault with intent, and possession of controlled drugs with intent to supply.
A second man, aged 19, has been arrested on suspicion of assault, possession of an offensive weapon, possession of controlled drugs with intent to supply and dangerous driving.
A 16-year-old boy, also from Stoke-on-Trent, who was arrested on suspicion of affray has been released under investigation.
Your comments: Pottery firm makes limited edition Jeremy Corbyn jug
Facebook
We shared with you yesterday that a Stoke-on-Trent pottery firm has produced a toby jug resembling Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn.
Labour supporter Alexander Kirk, 19, from Lincoln, commissioned Hanley's Bairstow Manor pottery to make 500 jugs.
Some of you shared your thoughts on this on BBC Radio Stoke's Facebook page, it seems some of you may be receiving this as a present!
Bobbie Mcguinness isn't a fan, saying: "You can put that one straight in the bin."
Wendy Foxall commented she'd rather have a Thomas Shelby from Peaky Blinders jug.
Kate Nicholson simply said: "YESSSS."
Football: Vale caretaker managers 'believe' in current squad
BBC Radio Stoke Sport
Port Vale coaches David Kelly and Chris Morgan who have been placed in temporary charge of the team say they still have "belief" in the current squad.
The duo have remained at the club following the sacking of manager Michael Brown on Saturday.