Ambulance workers say demand for their services is significantly up - with crews being 12% busier than expected.

A spokesman said anecdotally crews were seeing a lot of people who had slipped, tripped or fallen, for whatever reason. The roads seem ok, but pavements are icy in places, he said.

He urged people to be good neighbours and check on elderly people so they did not need to go out.

Image source, AFP / Getty Images

How are you finding travelling around in the icy condition, whether by road or or on foot. Let us know by via email, Twitter , externalor Facebook, external.

A man who attacked a women with a glass in a "frenzied" attack has been been jailed for nine years and 10 months.

Image source, West Mercia Police

John Reeves, 36, of Copthorne Road, Shrewsbury was sentenced at Stafford Crown Court today after being found guilty of causing grievous bodily harm with intent.

Police say the woman, who was known to Reeves, was left with life-threatening injuries after the "horrific" attack at an address in Shrewsbury in March this year.

Commending her bravery, Det Insp Mark Bellamy said he hoped the victim could take some solace knowing the "dangerous" Reeves "will be in prison for a long time".

Worcester News

Here are three of the main stories on the Worcester News website today:

• Arrest made following sexual assault on woman, external
• Dealer stabs user over 'rubbish crack cocaine' court told, external
• Police warn about black ice, external

Primary school league tables show pupils with special needs are dropping further behind their classmates.

James Bond
Sports Producer, BBC Shropshire

Jack Rea will be back in full training with AFC Telford tonight.

The midfielder has been out with a long-term ankle injury.

Image source, Mike Sheridan

But he’s not ready for a return to match action yet and the Bucks manager Rob Edwards says that’s still a few weeks away.

Express and Star

Here are some of the main stories from the Express and Star today:

• Driving instructor who sexually assaulted pupils has jail term increased, external
• Protest at Amazon Rugeley over 'hellish' working conditions, external
• 'Bab I'm going to go help': Hero driver rescues stranded health workers, external

Sarah Bishop
BBC Midlands Today

The family of a man stabbed to death outside a Birmingham pub in the summer are campaigning to place blood loss control kits across the city.

Daniel Baird, 26, from Yardley was killed in July, and now his family want the kits in public places, to treat victims of gun and knife attacks, and stem loss of blood.

Image source, Baird family

Daniel's sister, Holly, said he could still be alive if one of the blood-loss kits was around at the time her brother was stabbed.

She added: "You wouldn't dream of anybody going through this, and this is something we have to go through for the rest of our lives."

His mother Lynne Baird says she hopes the £30 bleeding control kits will become an essential part of first aid kits in the city.

Steve Rhodes leaves his role as Worcestershire director of cricket following an internal investigation into his conduct.

A money-saving merger between Shropshire's two clinical commissioning groups has been ruled out, for the time being.

The man in charge of the Shropshire Clinical Commissioning Group, Simon Freeman, said he was aware a number of other CCGs around the country had merged, to simplify decision making and save money.

Image source, Thinkstock

Some local politicians, including the MP for Shrewsbury, have suggested a merger to cut costs, but Mr Freeman went on to say "we are not having those discussions at the moment".

BBC Sport

Worcester Warriors have made two changes to their side for tomorrow's European Challenge Cup game against Oyonnax in France.

Chris Pennell comes in at centre, while Simon Kerrod is given a start at tight head as head coach Carl Hogg keeps faith with the majority of the side that beat Oyonnax at Sixways last Saturday.

Image source, Getty Images

A service set up by the Guide Dogs charity is helping blind people get out and about.

The Staffordshire bull terrier-type dog was covered in blood and had a broken neck, the RSPCA said.

Jennie Aitken
Reporter, BBC Radio Stoke

People in Stoke-on-Trent say they're outraged that a nativity scene in the city has been vandalised.

It happened in Fenton over the weekend, with offenders smashing their way into the display through a window.

They then took the figures of Joseph and two wise men which were later found nearby, broken into pieces.

On Facebook,, external the vandals have already been called "scumbags" and "mindless idiots" while police say they are investigating.

Speaking ahead of his final competitive tournament before retirement, Stoke-on-Trent's Phil Taylor says he understands why some darts players have envied him.

He's aiming to leave the sport at the top by winning his 17th world title.

Image source, Getty Images

The PDC World Championship kicks off today and Taylor, who plays tomorrow, says there'll be some people who'll be glad to see the back of him.

A 40-year-old man from Worcester has been arrested following a sexual assault in Worcester on Tuesday.

The offence is reported to have happened shortly before 05:30 when a woman in her 50s was walking under the viaduct by the entrance of the Cattlemarket Car Park.

Shropshire Star

Here are three of the headlines from the Shropshire Star website today:

• Relief road plea on route going to ministers, external
• Newport retail park gets go-ahead, external
• Police in fans appeal over racist chants after football match, external

BBC Weather Watchers

There are still patches of snow lying across the region.

BBC Weather Watcher Peter Steggles took this in All Stretton, Shropshire this morning showing a good covering.

Image source, Peter Steggles

It's a bit heavier up in Leek, Staffordshire, as shown in this taken by notvideoman.

Image source, notvideoman

But this picture, taken in Southam, Warwickshire, by Old Salt shows it's almost disappeared there.

Image source, Old Salt

Theatre Severn in Shrewsbury is putting on two extra pantomime performances, for people who weren't able to make it through the snow and ice to the shows on Sunday.

It decided to go ahead with those two performances at the weekend, but only half the audience were able to attend and some demanded refunds.

The extra shows will take place on 3 and 4 January and people who can't get to those performances will be offered tickets to next year's pantomime.

The theatre said it would also offer refunds to school groups which couldn't make it, but has made no mention of refunds to individuals with tickets.

A warning for ice across the region has been extended until 11:00 on Friday, external.

The Met Office said roads could be a hazard as heavy showers, rain, sleet and snow alternate with clearer periods, allowing temperatures to dip sharply.

Image source, Met Office

Andrew Hewkin
Newsreader, BBC Shropshire

Plans for a relief road around Shrewsbury are complete and will be delivered to the government next week.

Shropshire Council says the the North West Relief Road is likely to cost £105m, with the local authority paying between £20m and £30m of that.

Image source, Shropshire Council

The council says the road will ease congestion in the town and cut pollution. A decision is expected in the spring.