Summary

  • Updates on Thursday 11 February 2016

  • News, sport, travel and weather updates to resume at 08:00 on Friday

Live Reporting

Jerry Chester

  1. Flood warnings: River levels expected to peak Friday afternoon

    Pitchcroft, many of the riverside walks and the playing fields off New Road (pictured) are already deep under flood water.

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    Flooded playing fields

  3. Carpet factory announces 65 job cuts

    Brintons carpets announces 65 jobs are to go from its Kidderminster factory.

    This BBC News Online article looks at this and the long history of carpet making in Kidderminster.

    Tomkinsons carpet factory, pictured here in 1920Other

    Carpet factory announces 65 job cuts

    Brintons carpets announces 65 jobs are to go from its Kidderminster factory.

    Read More

  4. School expansions given the go-ahead at council budget meeting

    We'll be bringing you updates from the meeting of Worcestershire County Council throughout the day.

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  5. Travel: Warning to motorists to move vehicles from Worcester car park

    The city council posted signs this morning at the entrance to the Pitchcroft car park warning it is liable to flooding.

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    Flood warning

  6. Council tax rise and budget cuts approved

    Matthew Bone
    Political reporter, BBC Hereford & Worcester

    Worcestershire County Council have passed this year's budget at its meeting at County Hall in Worcester.

    There will be about £25m of cuts and council tax will rise by almost 4%.

    The Labour group's plan to freeze council tax were overwhelmingly rejected.

  7. Latest: Big take-up for voluntary redundancies at carpet firm; council approves tax rise and budget cuts

    Michael Perkins
    BBC Hereford & Worcester

    Here are some of the main stories we are looking at in Herefordshire and Worcestershire:

    - More than 40 people apply for voluntary redundancy as Brintons shed 65 jobs in Kidderminster

    - Council tax rise of 4% and £25m of budget cuts approved for Worcestershire

    - Police promise changes after stop-and-search criticism by watchdog

  8. Video: Floodwaters rise in Worcester spreading across the racecourse

    Jerry Chester
    BBC News Online

    I filmed this video from the Sabrina footbridge across the River Severn near Worcester racecourse.

  9. Big take-up for voluntary redundancy offer at carpet firm

    Brintons say they have had 43 applications for voluntary redundancy as it looks to shed 65 jobs at its Kidderminster plant.

    Brintons sign

    The company says the lay-offs are part of a restructuring process to bring in "newer and more modern methods of production".

    We are now going through this process, looking at consolidated job roles and also opportunities for new positions at our Telford plant.”

    Rob Greenfield, Brintons

  10. Your pictures: Bridge over flooded waters

    Jerry Chester
    BBC News Online

    This picture shows the Ron Carrington bridge which carries the southern ring-road around Worcester.

    You can send me your pictures by email, tweet us on @bbchw or message via Facebook.

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  12. Council tax rise of 4% debated by council

    Matthew Bone
    Political reporter, BBC Hereford & Worcester

    I’m up at County Hall in Worcester this morning as Worcestershire County Council debates its budget for this year.

    The council plans to cut another £25m of spending and wants to raise council tax by just under 4% as it tries to deal with cuts in central government funding.

    The Labour opposition group is calling for the council tax rise to be scrapped and for cuts to domestic abuse services and youth provision to be reduced - they’d pay for it by spending less on consultants and dipping into council reserves.

    I'll bring you the results of the debate throughout the day.

  13. Stop-and-search changes brought in by police after watchdog report

    Officers are to be given more training in when to use stop-and-search powers, West Mercia Police says, following a report from a watchdog.

    Her Majesty's Inspectorate of Constabulary (HMIC) said the force's use of the powers "requires improvement".

    Police officers

    Whilst HMIC have found that we are "almost fully complying" with the best use of stop and search, we have invested a significant amount of time to improving our compliance and will continue to do so."

    Steve Cullen, Assistant Chief Constable

  14. Brintons job losses: A carpet-making tradition dating back to the 18th Century

    Brintons has a long history of manufacturing carpets in Kidderminster:

    - 1783: Began manufacturing in Kidderminster

    - 1890: Brintons patents the Axminster loom

    Queen MaryPA

    - 1933: Supplies carpets for the Queen Mary liner (pictured)

    - 1958: Royal Warrant is granted in recognition of supplying carpets to royal residences

  15. Brintons must set realistic targets to keep Kidderminster plant open says union

    The union representing carpet workers at Brintons in Kidderminster says it hopes the company will honour its commitment to continue manufacturing in the town.

    The company is shedding 65 jobs, a third of its workforce in the town, after a consultation with staff.

    Brintons carpet lorrys

    Gavin Miller, from the Community Union, says Brintons' parent company, Carlisle Group, needs to show "patience" to allow the Kidderminster plant to meet any targets set.

    I hope this doesn't turn out to be a talking-shop exercise with targets set and then no patience, and that Kidderminster shuts as a result of this."

    Gavin Miller, Community Union

  16. Latest: Carpet manufacturer sheds a third of its workforce; police promise to act over stop and seach criticisms

    Kate West
    Journalist, BBC Hereford & Worcester

    Here are some of the main stories we are looking at in Herefordshire and Worcestershire:

    - Brintons in Kidderminster sheds 65 jobs

    - Watchdog says police use of stop-and-search powers and Tasers 'require improvement'

    - Flood warnings along the River Severn in Worcestershire

  17. Flood barriers in action as river levels rise in Bewdley

    The pictures come from Farson Digital Watercams, who have a network of webcams across the UK's rivers.

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  18. Hereford Times front page: City knife attack - man is charged

    Hereford Times

    A Hereford man has appeared in court charged with slashing his mother's lodger across the neck with an eskimo blade.

    Hereford Times front pageHereford Times

  19. Travel: Worcestershire bridge reopens after floods but with a warning of ice on road

    BBC Travel

    Eckington Bridge, near Pershore, is to reopen, but the council is warning that surface water is making the road icy. More from BBC Travel.

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  20. Police stop-and-search and taser use 'require improvement'

    Matthew Bone
    Political reporter, BBC Hereford & Worcester

    The way police deal with people in stop and search and tasering situations in Herefordshire and Worcestershire "requires improvement", according to a new report from a watchdog body.

    TaserPA

    Her Majesty's Inspectorate of Constabulary also found West Mercia Police are not good enough at treating people fairly and ethically.

    West Mercia was one of only five forces in England and Wales rated as "requires improvement" for how they engage with their local communities.

    Assistant Chief Constable, Steve Cullen, said they will look at the findings of the report, but stressed the use of stop and search was "intelligence based" and tasers are only used as a "last resort".