By Elliot Richardson: Port Vale director Mike Thompstone dramatically resigned last night after fan pressure at the club’s annual general meeting.

Mr Thompstone took the decision as he was voted off the board following a a show of hands by shareholders.

By John Hudson: Trees in a Stoke-on-Trent park are to be planted and pruned ahead of a multi-million pound restoration project.

More than 70 new trees and 35,000 plants to be planted over the next month to pave the way for a £2million scheme to restore the park’s pavilion, terracotta fountains and rose garden.

By Holly Penkethman: Former England goalkeeper Gordon Banks will lead a charity walk to raise money for North Staffordshire’s Alzheimer’s Society.

By Beth Hepple and Michelle Sarel: There are fears of further job cuts in Stoke-on-Trent after a merger was announced between two companies.

 
By Margaretha de Clercq:
The body of a woman stabbed to death in Burslem last month has been released.
North Staffordshire Coroner Ian Smith ordered the release so that the family of 41-year-old Kerry Ann Day can proceed with funeral arrangements.
Ms Day, from Astbury Court, Westport Road, was found dead at her home on April 25 with a stab wound to the chest.
Anthony Lewton, 46, of the same address, appeared at Stoke-on-Trent Crown Court on April 30 charged with murder and was remanded in custody until July 9.
The inquest heard a second post …

By James Truswell: Port Vale star Gareth Owen will start the charity “Six Towns Challenge” walk this Saturday.
The event begins at 9.30am outside Tunstall Town Hall.
Walkers will make their way through Tunstall, Burslem, Hanley, Stoke and Fenton before finishing outside Tesco in Longton.
It’s hoped it will raise money for local charities and will be started by Owen and Lord Mayor Cllr Jean Bowers.
Stoke-on-Trent City Council is supporting the walk, a charity event to tie in with the centenary of the federation of Stoke-on-Trent.
Organiser Martin Kettrick said: “What better way …

By Andrew Stuart: A man has been remanded in custody after being charged with murder of a woman from Burlsem.
Kerry Ann Day, 41, was found in her flat at Astbury Court in Westport Road, Burslem, Stoke-on-Trent on Sunday night (April 25). She died from a single stab wound to the chest.
Forty-six year old Anthony Paul Lewton, of the same address, appeared before Fenton magistrates court on Thursday morning (April 29), charged with murder.
He has been remanded in custody to appear at Stafford Crown Court today (April 30).

By Gary Hammersley:
A 46-year old man has been arrested on suspicion of the murder of a 41 year old grandmother in Burslem.
Kerry Ann Day died from a single stab wound to the chest, following an attack at her home on Westport Road on Sunday night.
The man from Stoke-On-Trent has been detained by the Staffordshire Police Major Investigations Department.
Kerry Ann Day’s family have paid tribute to her, saying she was a colourful character and a loving mother and grandmother.

By Andrew Stuart: Police have launched a murder investigation after a woman died at a flat Burlsem.
After reports of a woman being injured, police and ambulance crews were called to a flat in Astbury Court on Westport Road just before 9pm on Sunday (April 25).
Despite the efforts of paramedics, the 41-year-old woman was pronounced dead at the scene.
Police are confident they know who the woman is, although she has yet to be formally identified. A post mortem examination to determine the cause of death is expected to take place …

By Andrew Stuart: Police are are investigating a death at a house in Burlsem.
Paramedics and police were called to the property in Westport Road shortly after 9pm on Sunday (April 25).
A 41-year-old local woman was pronounced dead at the scene.
A post mortem is expected to take place later today.
Police are asking for anyone who may have seen any suspicious activity in the area to call them on 0300 123 4455, or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.