Bethan Bell
BBC News Online

A series of painted symbols often claimed to help burglars target homes are in fact "innocent and explainable," police say.

South Worcestershire Police said it was aware of social media messages circulating describing the "Da Pinchi Code" - a criminals' code of paint or chalk markings outside properties.

West Mercia Police said signs indicated work planned by utility firms.

There is no evidence to link these symbols to anything else, external, it said.

Worcester News

The outgoing leader of Worcestershire County Council has been banned from the roads for 16 months, external after pleading guilty to drink driving this morning.

A man has been airlifted to hospital with serious injuries after a crash involving a bus in Redditch this morning, external.

It happened near the junction of Church Hill Way and Eagle Road, in Moons Moat, at about 08:50.

Image source, WMAS

A pedestrian, believed to be in his 20s, was found lying by the road, West Midlands Ambulance Service said.

He was airlifted to the Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Birmingham for further treatment on a serious chest injury.

Charlie Slater
BBC Weather presenter

A largely dull and cloudy day with limited brightness. Highs of 5C (41F).

Here are some of the stories we're looking at today:

- The former leader of Worcestershire County Council has been banned from driving for 16 months and fined £350 after pleading guilty to drink driving

- An investigation into the case of a woman who went missing on the Herefordshire/Gloucestershire border 21 years ago today is being reopened as part of a cold case review

- A former West Midlands UKIP MEP is to appear in court today on charges of money laundering and misconduct in public office

Matthew Bone
Political reporter, BBC Hereford & Worcester

Former leader of Worcerstershire County Council Adrian Hardman officially stepped down from his post last week, after being charged with drink-driving over Christmas.

Cheltenham Magistrates' Court heard he was 50% over the legal alcohol limit when was pulled over in Tewkesbury on the evening of 22 December.

New leader Simon Geraghty (pictured) was appointed on Thursday and at the time said he was taking over "under difficult circumstances".

BBC News Health

The NHS is its own "sugar tax" in hospitals and health centres across England to help tackle the growing problem of obesity, its head has said.

Chief executive Simon Stevens is proposing a 20% tax on all sugary drinks and foods in NHS cafes to be introduced by 2020.

He said the NHS's 1.3 million staff had a "responsibility" to lead by example, and urged MPs to take similar action.

Image source, Thinkstock

David Cameron has said he would not rule out a national sugar tax.  

A warning if you're driving around Worcester today.

Matthew Bone
Political reporter, BBC Hereford & Worcester

The former leader of Worcestershire County Council, Adrian Hardman, has admitted drink driving after failing a breath test over Christmas.

He has been fined £350 and banned from driving for 16 months after a hearing at Cheltenham Magistrates' Court. 

Trevor Owens
Sports Editor, BBC Hereford & Worcester

Worcester Warriors' head coach Carl Hogg says Saturday's home defeat in the European Challenge Cup by Zebre showed the need for the side to be far more clinical in both attack and defence. 

He said the Warriors needed to manage games more effectively, especially in defending set pieces.

Worcester Warriors suffered their fourth straight European Challenge Cup defeat as Zebre held on beat the English Premiership side at Sixways.

Image source, Getty Images

Ulrich Beyers' penalty and Kayle van Zyl's try helped the Italians lead 13-7 at the break, with Luke Baldwin grabbing Worcester's score.

While Dean Hammond added a further Warriors try, Edoardo Padovani sealed victory for Zebre with three penalties.

A woman had to be airlifted to hospital after a crash in Rushwick, external, Worcestershire, yesterday afternoon.

It happened at the junction of the A4103 and Clapham Lane at about 13:30.

Firefighters cut the woman free from her car, and was treated by ambulance crews before being taken to Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Birmingham.

Image source, Midlands Air Ambuulance

A 19-year-old man in a second car was treated for a suspected pelvic injury and taken by land ambulance to the Worcestershire Royal Hospital.

Worcester News

A council worker suspended amid Worcester's Ketch island fiasco has quit after getting a written warning, external from their bosses, it has emerged.

Patrick Burns
Political editor, Midlands

In case you missed it from the weekend - here's the headlines from the political week, reviewed in 60 seconds.

Get more from BBC Sunday Politics West Midlands on their website.

Kidderminster Harriers are expected to travel to Cheltenham tomorrow night, despite their hosts facing an FA Trophy replay on Wednesday.

The match was expected to be rescheduled, but Cheltenham opted to play two games in two days. 

West Mercia's deputy Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC) has said he will stand for the top job in May.

Barrie Sheldon says he wants to keep the job away from party politics, and put victims at the centre of the criminal justice system.   

Mr Sheldon will publish a full manifesto, setting out his views in the near future. 

His opponents will include another independent Andrew Catlin, and the Conservative John Campion. The LibDems and UKIP haven't yet named candidates. 

The current commissioner Bill Longmore has already said he won't stand for a second term.

Hereford FC are through to the last 16 of the FA Vase after thrashing visitors Leicester Nirvana 6-0, external at Edgar Street.

John Mills and Mike Symons each scored a brace, while Aaron Birch and Ross Staley sealed the victory.

It means Hereford will take on Hartley Wintney in the fifth round at the end of the month.

Image source, Getty Images

Here are some of the stories we're looking at today:

- A Woman from Worcestershire is battling to get her South African husband permission to stay in the country indefinitely

- Police re-open an investigation into a woman who went missing 21 years ago on the Herefordshire- Gloucestershire border

- A former West Midlands UKIP MEP is to appear in court today on charges of money laundering and misconduct in public office

Charlie Slater
BBC Weather presenter

  A cold and misty start to the day, but not quite as cold as yesterday.  

Welcome to the Local Live service for Herefordshire and Worcestershire on Monday morning.

We'll be bringing you all the news, sport, travel and weather as it happens.

If you'd like to get in touch you can email, tweet us on @bbchw, external or message via Facebook, external.