We'll be back with our usual mix of news, sport, travel and weather from 08:00 on Tuesday.

Enjoy the bank holiday.

John Acres
Journalist, BBC Radio Stoke

A tattoo artist in Kidsgrove says she's been fully booked up by people wanting to get bee inkings in a show of solidarity after Monday's attack in Manchester.

The Manchester Tattoo Appeal was launched by Stalybridge-based tattoo artist Sam Barber, with those taking part donating £50 to help the families of those killed or injured.

Tattoo parlours across the UK are now taking part.

Among them is Jodie Bear Eardley in Kidsgrove, who says interest has been "absolutely massive" and she's fully booked this weekend with dozens of people.

Lee Thomas
Newsreader, BBC Radio Stoke

Cheshire Police say they're increasing the number of patrols of armed officers , externalat different places and events across the county this weekend.

The force says it's in response to the increase in the UK terror threat level following Monday's attack in Manchester and is aimed at reassuring people.

Image source, Family handout

It adds that it has also opened books of condolence for people to reflect as one of the victims of the attack was off-duty Cheshire Police officer Elaine McIver.

Jack Dowling
Journalist, BBC Radio Stoke

A dog's been found abandoned and sitting in her own urine at a petrol station in Stafford, external.

Image source, RSPCA

The RSPCA says Susie the female lurcher was discovered at the site on Lammascote Road early on 20 May after a man heard her barking.

They say she was tied to a traffic cone and is now getting care from their staff.

Nick Clitheroe
BBC Midlands Today

A Staffordshire canoe club's seen a rise in the number of people wanting to take up the sport since Joe Clarke's gold medal at the Rio Olympics.

He learnt to paddle at the Stafford and Stone club at Westbridge Park.

The club says it's been inundated with interest, especially from youngsters, and are now looking for more coaches to help train them.

You can see more on this story on BBC Midlands Today this evening from 18:30 on BBC One.

John Acres
Journalist, BBC Radio Stoke

A Cheshire animal rescue centre says it needs donations of washing-up liquid so it can keep cleaning oil off swans.

The RSPCA at Stapeley Grange says it sees between 20 and 50 a year from places like the docks at Liverpool and canals.

The charity says it needs the washing-up liquid to safely clean them as, without that, they can die because their waterproofing is damaged.

BBC Weather Watchers

A gorgeous day for much of Staffordshire and Cheshire in the sunshine today and our BBC Weather Watchers have been making the most of it.

Here's two of their local snaps today, from users Videoman in Leek and Sue Snaps in Codsall.

Image source, Videoman

Image source, Sue Snaps

Just one lane is now closed on the M6 near Stoke-on-Trent after a lorry overturned on to the embankment between junctions 16 and 15.

The BBC is running an election panel, asking voters for their thoughts ahead of 8 June.

We wanted to know: What should we be doing to address the need for more low cost housing? Does any party have policies you think would help?

Image source, Getty Images

Tarz, Birmingham: "Use up all avaliable brownfield sites. If landowners do no build within three years of purchase, then the councils should buy them back at the price that was paid. The council then gets houses built on the sites. This stops land-hoarding. Trouble is, each individual is responsible for his/hers situation, and should not rely on others to house them. All parties talk the talk then do sod all when in power."

Beatrice, Shrewsbury: "Use greenbelt areas to build more houses, decrease demand."

Carol, Stoke: "I think derelict buildings could be used. They could be renovated and either rented or sold at a reduced rate to people who would benefit from low cost houses. There are some old derelict factory buildings near where I live, they have been unused for years now, but could be put to good used if turned into flats."

BBC Newsbeat

A Staffordshire farmer says he couldn't run his business without the help of migrant workers.

Richard Bower's view comes as, for the first time in three years, net migration has fallen below 250,000.

In partnership with another farm, the 31-year-old employs hundreds of seasonal workers on his Lower Drayton Farm, Penkridge.

Around 90% of them are migrants who help with the strawberry harvest, cereal crops and cattle.

He says that British people could do these jobs but from his experience, migrant employees want the work more.

Jennie Aitken
Reporter, BBC Radio Stoke

Stoke City's old ground looks set to be turned into 200 new homes, a park and school sports fields. , external

The club left the Victoria Ground in 1997 to move to their current site and it's been vacant since then.

Stoke-on-Trent City Council says the current owner, developer St Modwen, is now going to formally submit the plans before the end of the month.

Lee Blakeman
Port Vale commentator, BBC Radio Stoke

The Port Vale manager Michael Brown says being relegated to League Two will have a knock-on effect when it comes to signing new players.

Image source, Port Vale FC

Fans' favourite Tom Pope (pictured) is the only new face to have arrived at Vale Park so far this summer and Brown says the players he's targeting may look to try and play at a higher level first.

Express and Star

More than 200 homes could be built near the site of the former police HQ in Stafford., external

Image source, Express and Star

Highways England have suspended 150 miles of roadworks across the West Midlands in anticipation of today's Bank Holiday getaway.

The RAC are warning drivers to expect the busiest spring bank holiday weekend for traffic in four years.

It estimates that 16.5m leisure journeys will be taken between today and Monday because of soaring temperatures.

Amy Woodfield
BBC Local Live

A stretch of the A38 will be closed next week as police escort an abnormal load through South Derbyshire and into Staffordshire .

The load is a number of huge brewery drums destined for the Molson Coors site in Burton.

At about 20:00 on Thursday evening the delivery will travel along the A50 from Doveridge, then along the A516 towards the A38.

The northbound carriageway will be closed from Egginton to Clay Mills so the convoy can use it to travel south.

An undercover officer accused of planting a pipe bomb to frame the alleged "Three Musketeers" terror cell has been described in court by his friend and colleague as "absolutely professional, honest and committed".

The anonymous officer, known only as Vincent, was cross-examined for days over his role in the discovery of an explosive device in the car of convicted terrorist Naweed Ali.

Image source, JULIA QUENZLER

Vincent has repeatedly denied the allegation of Mr Ali's defence team that he planted the incriminating evidence in the car before MI5 arrived to bug it.

The officer, who has around 35 years of experience in law enforcement, told jurors he had never been involved in any impropriety or had any disciplinary findings against him.

Mr Ali and Mr Hussain, 25, both of Sparkhill in Birmingham, and Mohibur Rahman, 32, and Tahir Aziz, 38, of Stoke-on-Trent, deny preparing terrorist acts. The trial continues.

Allen Cook
BBC Local Live

A statue of the Stoke-on-Trent writer Arnold Bennett is set to be unveiled this weekend outside the Potteries Museum and Art Gallery. , external

The monument is currently wrapped up on a new plinth outside the museum before it's revealed at noon on 27 May.

It's been commissioned by the Arnold Bennett Society to mark the 150th anniversary of his birth.

Bennett's been described as the JK Rowling of his day with his books selling in huge numbers and his novels immortalised the Potteries.

Matt Sandoz
Stoke City commentator, BBC Radio Stoke

On a day of new contracts at Stoke City, one new arrival which Mark Hughes probably wasn't planning on - a swarm of bees looks to have temporarily taken up residency outside the ticket office:

Lee Blakeman
Newsreader, BBC Radio Stoke

A Muslim woman working on the government's counter-terrorism strategy in Staffordshire says internet companies could do more to help.

Hifsa Haroon-Iqbal works as the West Midlands Regional Lead for Prevent, which has faced criticism following Monday's attack in Manchester.

Image source, Science Photo Library

Critics have called for it to be strengthened and have questioned its effectiveness, external after 22 people were killed at the Manchester Arena.

Hifsa Haroon-Iqbal told BBC Radio Stoke she believes the strategy has stopped radicalisation in some cases but says more needs to be done to tackle extremism online.

Graham McGarry
Crewe Alexandra commentator, BBC Radio Stoke

Crewe Alexandra have signed the central defender Michael Raynes from Carlisle United, external.

The 29-year-old becomes manager David Artell's second signing this week.

Image source, Pete Norton/Getty Images

Raynes comes with a wealth of experience having played nearly 500 games.

The former Rotherham Oxford and Scunthorpe defender was part of Carlisle United's side that reached the League Two play-off semi-finals this season.

He was offered a new contract by the Cumbrians.