News in Leek

Staffordshire County Council health chiefs are encouraging all eligible residents to book their vaccine appointment before a predicted slowdown of the roll-out from Monday (29 March).

Earlier this month a NHS letter stated the UK faces a "significant reduction" in coronavirus vaccine supplies from 29 March, for an estimated four-week period.

More coronavirus restrictions will be lifted on Monday as part of the Government's roadmap out of lockdown.

Here's a quick roundup of what's changing:

The Red Arrows are ready to make their second flight over Leek this afternoon, after their journey was delayed following a crash yesterday.

The Red Arrows flew just past Leek yesterday on their way to take part in a practice session in Wales.

Staffordshire Police are urging people to be vigilant and ignore phone calls requesting money be paid after fraudulently claiming it is owed to the police.

Over the past few days the force has received calls about successful and failed attempts to extort money.

Moorlands MP Karen Bradley has joined other MPs in signing a letter to the Chancellor, Rishi Sunak, asking him to consider a cut in duty for draught beer.

Mrs Bradley will be hosting a call with pubs in the Moorlands on 6th April at 2.30pm. Pubs that would like to join the call can register here.

Update: The Red Arrows are now being held at RAF Valley in Anglesey for the night due to an incident involving a Royal Navy Hawk crash in Cornwall earlier today. They may now be returning to RAF Scampton tomorrow.

The Red Arrows flew just past Leek today on their way to take part in a practice session in Wales.

A planning application is seeking permission for a "flexible" use of buildings on Leek's Market Place, which could see them turned into shops, restaurants, bars or apartments at any point over the next 10 years.

The plans relate to the buildings on the corner of 1-3 Market Place and 2-4 Stockwell Street, which includes a building previously used for Tourist Information by Staffordshire Moorlands District Council, the Old Fire Station and the Society bar.

More than 100 traffic offences were reported as officers staged a five-day operation to improve safety among commercial vehicle drivers.

Staffordshire Police's Road Policing Unit set up in a different location in the county on each of the days, running checkpoints in the Moorlands, as well as Tamworth, Lichfield, Uttoxeter, and Weston-under-Lizard.

Officers are warning bikers to stay away from nature reserves and beauty spots after a number of incidents across the county.

Staffordshire Police has been informed of land – some owned by Staffordshire Wildlife Trust – being damaged by off-road bikes, putting important habitats, which are crucial for wildlife, at risk.

Leek fire crews say they have encountered issues in not only local residential streets, but at beauty spots where parked vehicles have made it challenging for firefighters to drive their engines through.

Now residents are being asked by Staffordshire Fire and Rescue Service to make sure they are leaving enough space for emergency vehicles as people continue to be at home during the day time due to the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic.