Worcester News

Three of the headlines from today's Worcester News:

• Residents have their say on Riverside development, external
• Several hundred homes and businesses without water, external
• Man who failed to attend court wanted on warrant, external

The government says it wants to "explore every option" but "no decisions have been made".

Victoria Derbyshire

The mum of a Warwickshire boy said the "lifeline" of a medical cannabis trial, promised by the Home Office, to help treat her son could be put in place within a month.

Hannah Deacon from Kenilworth told the Victoria Derbyshire programme that after meeting Home Office Minister Nick Hurd she still wanted a commitment from the government about the care of son Alfie Dingley.

"We've obviously done five months of a trial in Holland where we had a report done by a pediatric neurologist, where we had a report done", she said, "but they feel they want a UK clinician to do a trial as well".

"We are very positive that they've given us this lifeline", she said and "I think they see what a serious issue we have here".

But on the long-term treatment for her son she said: "I think they're still on the fence, which is upsetting."

National Grid has warned it may not have enough gas to meet UK demand today, and has asked suppliers to provide more.

In the event that there is still a deficit, large gas users such as industry and large businesses will be asked to use less gas.

Demand for gas on Wednesday hit a six-year high as cold weather swept the UK.

Image source, Getty Images

A teenager from Coventry who now goes to school in Florida said he left feeling "overwhelmed" about returning to school two weeks after a shooting that left 17 dead.

At Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School, a line of police officers, school staff and community members greeted some 3,000 students who returned to classes on Wednesday morning.

Lewis Mizen said there was so much of a police presence it felt "insane and didn't really feel real".

"I walked into school, it's something I've walked past hundreds of times, and there was the mayor, and the city commissioner, and people from all over the district."

"As much as that's fantastic that they're there to help, at the same time you get the feeling that you just want to go back to school, you just want to have a normal first day, and as much as I really do appreciate the support it did feel a little overwhelming at times."

Hundreds of homes and businesses are without water in the Upton-upon-Severn area of Worcestershire.

Severn Trent says three teams are currently in the area dealing with the problem.

Gritting teams will be working continuously in Staffordshire to deal with the expected snow today, says the council.

BBC Weather Watchers

Here are some more snow photos from the BBC Weather Watchers this morning.

These ones were taken in Staffordshire.

Image source, Z70

Image source, Blythe Bridge Photo

Christopher Soares sent a link to a 29-minute Islamic State group instructional video.

BBC News Travel

The A523 is now closed in Leek as police deal with a lorry blocking the road.

Staffordshire Police said it was at the junction with Common Lane, just outside of Waterhouses.

Officers said surrounding roads were "treacherous" and warned drivers to only travel if necessary.

We're expecting to hear news of more school closures, with the weather forecast to get worse later, but at this stage there are 29 closed across Shropshire.

Of those, 20 are in the Telford and Wrekin local authority area and only three are secondary schools - the majority are primary schools.

Image source, Savannahuk

Both Shropshire Council, external and Telford and Wrekin Council, external have online lists of school closures

The president of breakdown provider the AA has compared driving on many "atrocious" UK roads to skating on ice rinks.

Edmund King said those debating whether or not to risk the roads, should "bear in mind that being able to reach your destination this morning doesn't necessarily mean you will be able to get home again later".

Image source, Getty Images

By 08:30 GMT on Thursday morning the AA said it had already answered calls from more than 100 drivers stuck in snow.

Birmingham Airport says it's "open and operational" during the severe weather.

Some flights to the airport have been cancelled and travellers are being told to check details on their live arrivals and departures, external board.

This is currently the scene in Britain's highest village, Flash in Staffordshire.

The A537 Cat and Fiddle route is closed, along with the A53 between Leek and Buxton, due to the snow.

Image source, Flash Bar Stores

BBC News Travel

A bus replacement service is running between Rugby and Milton Keynes due to a fault with the signalling system between Birmingham and London Euston.

Better news about the disruption between Lichfield and Birmingham New Street where the line has now reopened.

More than 300 homes and businesses in the West Midlands are without electricity this morning.

Western Power Distribution said Bridgnorth, Wolverhampton and Dorstone in Herefordshire were worst affected, with about 100 properties without electricity in each of the areas.

Another accident and emergency consultant is due to leave the Shrewsbury and Telford Hospital Trust today, but the hospitals say this won't lead to an imminent closure of either A&E department.

The Royal College of Emergency Medicine suggests 20 consultants are needed, to run them both properly, but this latest departure would bring the total down to just eight, leading to concerns over patient-safety and unfair working conditions.

The trust has been looking at the possibility of shutting the Telford unit overnight for two weeks, with patients to be sent to Shrewsbury or Wolverhampton instead.

Chief executive Simon Wright said there had been "some interest from consultants" following a recruitment campaign and that efforts would continue to find more staff.

BBC News Travel

A lorry is blocking the A523, in Leek, Staffordshire Police say.

The force has tweeted, external to warn drivers of the dangers due to the weather.

Temperatures are set to be around -5C in many parts of the Midlands today, causing slippery conditions.

The death of a woman, found at her home in Walsall last night, is being treated as a suspected murder, police said., external

The 74-year-old was found collapsed at the address in Doveridge Place, Highgate, at about 18:15, and was pronounced dead at the scene.

Early indications are that she suffered knife injuries, said West Midlands Police.

The property has been sealed off to allow a forensic examination.

More than 200 schools are now closed across Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent. Many have made the decision to close in the last half an hour.

In Stoke-on-Trent, some of the schools say their grounds are treacherous, due to the ice.

• Staffordshire school closures, external
• Stoke-on-Trent school closures, external