QUOTE(New Gnu @ Apr 18 2008, 12:54 PM)

Stoke is midlands not NW.
Only if you are a geographical pedant

.
Culturally Stoke has more in common with the 'official' NW region than the Midlands and if you are based in the southern NW counties, Stoke is only spitting distance away.
Admittedly it's a bit of a trek from Morecambe, but if you've got a car it's probably worth the trip.