The Storesbrook Bridge on the B4214 between Staplow and Ledbury will be shut for 13 weeks from today, to allow it to be replaced.

Herefordshire Council says the original, Victorian bridge has now reached the end of its working life and hopes the new one will open on 5 April.

Image source, Herefordshire Council

The work was originally set to start in November, but the council postponed it after complaints it would affect Christmas trading.

Coventry Live

Some of Coventry Live's headlines today are:

• Witnesses to give evidence in Daniel Kennell murder trial, external
• Just Giving page set up in memory of Sean Fitzgerald, external
• Stop traveller “havoc” at Coventry park, says councillor, external

BBC Business News

Energy supplier Economy Energy, which was recently banned from taking on new customers, has collapsed.

Image source, Getty Images

The supply to the Coventry company's 235,000 domestic customers will continue, any credit they have will be protected, and a new supplier will take on their accounts.

Regulator Ofgem said a new supplier would be appointed as soon as possible. On Friday, it had ordered the company to improve customer service.

Economy Energy is the latest of a host of small suppliers to fold.

A 55-year-old woman hurt in a house fire in Tamworth on Sunday has died in hospital, Staffordshire Police says.

Fire crews were called to Parkfield Close, Tamworth, at 17:42 and said they rescued the woman, who hasn't been named, from the property.

Staffordshire Police says the force and the fire service are jointly investigating what caused the blaze.

Chelsea forward Tammy Abraham turns down a loan move to Premier League side Wolves to stay at Championship club Aston Villa.

A 19-year-old man has been attacked with suspected pepper spray while waiting at traffic lights in Shrewsbury, West Mercia Police says.

He was the passenger in a car at the junction of Whitchurch Road and Harlescott Lane in Battlefield at 17:40 yesterday when sprayed by an occupant of a VW Golf with blacked-out windows.

Image source, Google

The victim received hospital treatment after complaining of pain in his eyes, but has since been discharged.

About 20 men chant racial abuse and assault women while on a train, police say.

The RSPCA's Stapeley Grante wildlife centre near Nantwich says 2018 was the busiest in its 25-year history.

It cared for more than 6,600 animals over the course of the year, narrowly beating the previous record from 2016.

Image source, RSPCA

The charity says Stapeley Grange is one of four England centres that support "the rehabilitation of sick, injured, orphaned and confiscated wildlife".

Two people have been hurt, one seriously, after their car hit a tree in Evesham yesterday evening.

West Midlands Ambulance Service said it was called to Broadway Road at 19:45 and a female passenger had to be cut free before being taken to Birmingham for specialist trauma care.

The male driver was taken to hospital in Redditch with minor injuries.

Allen Cook
BBC News

Most of the Stoke City fans contacting BBC Radio Stoke have backed the club's sacking of Gary Rowett as manager after fewer than eight months in charge.

Image source, Getty Images

Rowett, 44, was appointed in May with the Potters one of the pre-season favourites to win promotion but they are currently 14th in the second tier of English football.

On Twitter, @davelockettscfc tweeted, external: "I wanted him, wanted it to work, it didn’t and we showed no signs it would work, he had to go."

@SCFC_Dalgarno added, external: "We are currently a mess of a team without any direction. Playing with no belief, plan or particular style of football."

And @thedanclarke tweeted, external: "We didn’t get the rebuild we needed this season, we need to look a lot stronger on and off the field before we think about promotion."

Meanwhile, on the subject of who will succeed Gary Rowett, Keele University touted Stoke City FC's former kit man and ex-clown Neil 'Nello' Baldwin, external:

Image source, Twitter/Keele University

Occupants of a house were threatened with a firearm when armed men forced entry to the Warwickshire property, police said.

Image source, Google

The pair stole jewellery in the "terrifying" raid, before making off in what officers believe was a silver Mercedes.

It happened on Howat Road, Keresley End, on Sunday at about 20:35.

A Labour MP has joined others in expressing concern for MPs' safety after Conservative Anna Soubry was verbally abused in London on Monday.

More than 50 MPs have called on Met Police to improve its response to abusive protesters outside Parliament.

Birmingham Yardley member Jess Phillips, Labour, said Brexit had caused a divide across the country, but that MPs shouldn't give in to "organised bullies".

A 16-year-old boy stabbed in Darlaston on Monday suffered serious injuries, police say.

Image source, Google

It happened just before 18:30 on The Flatts.

The road has been closed at Richards Street and Victoria Road for a forensic examination, said the West Midlands force.

Shropshire Star

From the Shropshire Star:

• Thieves target parts from Land Rover Defenders, external
• Two need treatment after Christmas tree fire, external
• Industrial park plan may go back to planning committee, external

Championship side Stoke City sack manager Gary Rowett after less than eight months in charge.

An overturned lorry is blocking one lane of the A5 Witherley Road Westbound in Warwickshire.

Image source, Lea Burgess

There's queuing traffic in the area between Drayton Lane and Harpers Lane.

BBC Hereford and Worcester

A portrait hanging in Hereford Cathedral's vestry is now thought to be the work of English artist Thomas Gainsborough.

Image source, John Lawrence/Hereford Cathedral

It has been in the cathedral's collection since 1850, and previously hung in College Hall, but was moved when it had a refit.

The cathedral had thought it was the work of Gainsborough's apprentice and nephew, Gainsborough Dupont, but art historian Hugh Belsey says it's an original.

The painting could now go on public display.

A man died after his car hit a tree in Warwick on Monday.

Paramedics were called to Primrose Hill just after 22:00, said the ambulance service.

The man died at the scene, it said.

If the thrills and spills of the FA Cup third-round action have got you excited - how about getting a flavour of it yourself?

The 2019 FA People's Cup is now open for entries.

There's no experience required, it's free and you get the chance to play at St George's Park and lift a trophy during the FA Cup final in May.

Don't take our word for it - have a look at how these players felt about taking part in 2018...

Find out more about the competition and how you can get involved here.

BBC Radio Stoke Sport

Stoke City are starting their search for a new manager after sacking Gary Rowett.

The club says his immediate coaching staff have also gone.

Rowett has only had the job for eight months, but after a disappointing first half of the season they found themselves 14th in the Championship table and eight points off the playoffs.

Image source, Getty Images

The club said "a new managerial appointment will be made as swiftly as possible" and in the meantime Rory Delap, Kevin Russell and Andy Quy will take charge of the first team.