Updates on Thursday 28 April 2016
News, sport, travel and weather updates to resume at 08:00 on Friday
Sarah Falkland
BBC Midlands Today
A garage owner in Worcestershire says he's sickened by the actions of a vandal who "keyed" every car in his compound, causing thousands of pounds worth of damage.
Image source, Mark EdgintonMore on Midlands Today from 13:30 on BBC One.
Hereford FC winning promotion features on the front and back pages of this week's Hereford Times, external.
Image source, Hereford Times
Image source, Hereford Times
Andy Giddings
BBC Local Live
West Mercia Police say officers discharged Tasers 21 times last year, external.
The stun weapons were at least drawn, but not discharged, another 143 times.
Image source, PAAcross England and Wales, Tasers were used more than 10,000 times last year and that figure has remained fairly stable for the past three years.
Watch the firefighters from Hereford and Worcester Fire & Rescue Service based in Droitwich rescue a duck stuck in a drain.
It's a story with quacking happy ending
Jerry Chester
BBC News Online
These stunning shots come from Chris Lyons - the first shows clouds over Penyard Hill and the second shows the sunset over Wilton.
I'd love to feature your photos on this page - you can email, tweet us on @bbchw, external or message via Facebook, external.
Image source, Chris Lyons
Image source, Chris LyonsWorcester Warriors' supporters could be regularly paying double to watch their heroes in the future, if the club can expand Sixways' current 12,000 capacity.
The club has already announced a 10% ticket increase across the board for next season.
Image source, Getty ImagesThe club's chief executive, Jim O'Toole, believes optimising the club's West Midlands fan base could help them significantly swell the coffers to help them attract top international rugby stars.
Quote MessageI personally think the optimum size [grounds in] the Premiership is what Harlequins have - 14,000 to 15,000. [Northampton] Saints have the same. They can charge £40 to stand because they are full every week and they are sweating the asset by getting the maximum for every seat or standing space."
Jim O'Toole, Chief executive, Worcester Warriors
Charlie Slater
BBC Weather presenter
It will turn increasingly cloudy through the afternoon with rain arriving later on. Highs of 9C (48F).
BBC Sport
England's Moeen Ali scores 136 not out on day four as Worcestershire draw with Gloucestershire at Bristol.
Image source, Getty ImagesNeeding 352 to win from 63 overs, the visitors lost Brett D'Oliveira and Daryl Mitchell to Liam Norwell and were 49-3 when Josh Shaw bowled Joe Clarke.
But Moeen (136no) calmed any fears of defeat, leaving both sides still waiting for a first victory of 2016.
A journey back in time to the 1950s with these pictures of Priory Park in Malvern.
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Newcastle Falcons have signed hooker Ben Sowrey from Worcester Warriors for next season.
The 24-year-old has made eight appearances for Worcester this season, three of them in the Premiership.
Image source, Getty ImagesThe trust running the Alexandra Hospital in Redditch says it is "disappointed" that consultant gastroenterologist, Dr David Aldulaimi, has resigned, but says it is "an opportunity for somebody else to join our team and help to shape the future of our hospital".
Quote MessageIt is clear that uncertainty around the future of hospital services in Worcestershire has had an impact on staff morale, but the final proposal agreed by our clinicians is now enabling us to move forward with confidence and with the message to patients and staff that 95% what is delivered at the Alexandra Hospital will remain at the Alex."
Chris Tidman, Chief executive of Worcestershire Acute Hospitals NHS Trust
Up to 13 members of non-teaching staff could be made redundant from a Kidderminster academy, external, The Shuttle can reveal.
A second stage of improvements to Diglis Playing Fields and the adjacent Cherry Orchard Nature Reserve are starting, using a fund of £665,000 paid by private developers.
Gates will be installed at all the entrances to make the area safer for children, and a new car park with space for up to 16 cars will be added, the council says.
Image source, GoogleThe resignation of another consultant at the Alexandra Hospital in Redditch is "another cause for concern", according to the head of a body representing local GPs.
Dr David AlDulaimi, a consultant gastroenterologist, will leave the hospital in three months - the reason for his departure is unclear.
Image source, GoogleFour accident and emergency consultants resigned from the hospital in February last year, along with a fifth based at the Worcestershire Royal Hospital.
Quote MessageThe news that he's resigned is somewhat of a shock and a great disappointment. It does make me worry about what's going on, about the sustainability of services at the Alexandra Hospital."
Dr Jonathon Wells, Redditch and Bromsgrove GP Advisory Forum
Gavin Kermack
Reporter, BBC Hereford & Worcester
Here are some of the main stories we are looking at in Herefordshire and Worcestershire:
- The resignation of another consultant from the Alexandra Hospital in Redditch is described as a "worrying development" by a local GP body
- Jess Varnish is told to "let her talent do the talking" by former cycling chief
- Worcester Warriors' Sixways stadium could be expanded to hold 14,000
Trevor Owens
Sports Editor, BBC Hereford & Worcester
The University of Worcester's netball team won a thrilling British Universities and Colleges Sports play-off final at Newcastle yesterday.
Worcester eventually came through 50-49 and so will replace Newcastle in the Premier Division for next season.
The former president of the British Cycling Federation, Tony Doyle, says Jess Varnish (pictured below with Victoria Pendleton) should take a leaf out of Jessica Ennis-Hill's book and "let her talent do the talking".
The technical director of British Cycling, Shane Sutton, resigned yesterday amid claims of sexism made by the Bromsgrove cyclist and of using derogatory words to describe Para-cyclists.
Image source, Getty ImagesQuote Message[Shane Sutton] is a top athlete, a real rough, tough Aussie who works hard and plays hard. Jess Varnish needs to take a leaf out of her namesake Jess Ennis-Hills' book, who's polite, unassuming and who lets her talent do the talking."
Tony Doyle, Former president of the British Cycling Federation
Trevor Owens
Sports Editor, BBC Hereford & Worcester
Redditch United conceded a goal deep into added time at the end of their play-off semi-final at home to Leamington and then suffered the heartache of losing a penalty shoot-out.
Ashley Sammons scored in the first half for the Reds but Leamington levelled and there was no further score in extra time.
The Reds then missed three of their four penalties in the shoot out.
James Pearson
Journalist, BBC Hereford & Worcester
The resignation of another consultant at the Alexandra Hospital in Redditch has been called a "worrying development" by the chair of the body representing GPs in Redditch and Bromsgrove.
The doctor who's resigned is David Aldulaimi, a consultant gastroenterologist. He's worked at Worcestershire Acute NHS Hospitals Trust since 2004.
The reason for his departure is unclear.
Four accident and emergency consultants resigned from the hospital in February last year, along with a fifth based at the Worcestershire Royal Hospital.
Gavin Kermack
Reporter, BBC Hereford & Worcester
Here are some of the main stories we are looking at in Herefordshire and Worcestershire:
- Another consultant resigns from Worcestershire's main hospital trust
- Warriors plan to expand Sixways to hold 14,000 but also expect to raise ticket prices
- Clubs and community groups in Herefordshire can apply for grants to help them to look after the county's green spaces
