The long-awaited redevelopment of Worcester's Shrub Hill station has been awarded £850,000 from the government's Getting Building fund.

The proposals were first put forward in 2012 and involve a new plaza in front of the railway station, offices, a multi-storey car park, shops and flats.

Image source, Network Rail

A masterplan , externaldrawn up by the city council last year set out proposals to also redevelop the wider Shrub Hill area and said the station should make "a positive first impression" to visitors.

The money will also be used to buy land for these developments.

Image source, Worcester City Council

In total, £12m was given to projects around Worcestershire, including £5m for those in Worcester itself.

The biggest award was £3m to help the University of Worcester create a medical school, with a cricket school next door on the site formerly used by the Worcester News.

A planned footbridge, which could also be used by cyclists, was awarded £1m and will link Gheluvelt Park and the old Kepax landfill site.

Another £500,000 has been given to connect more businesses to full fibre broadband.

A footpath near Ross-on-Wye has been reopened after protests by walkers.

More than 100 people took part in a demonstration after a bridge was removed, barriers put up and gates blocked.

The bridge was replaced and the barriers removed after Herefordshire Council took enforcement action.

Local Democracy Reporting Service

Here are three of the stories covered by the Worcestershire Local Democracy Reporter today:

• Almost £5m has been awarded to projects in Worcester, to build a new medical centre, cycling bridge and cricket centre, and to transform Shrub Hill railway station.
• The number of coronavirus deaths including care homes in Worcestershire remained at 528, the latest figures show.
• The government has given £2m to help create a new technology park in Malvern.

Another eight people linked to a farm in Herefordshire have tested positive for coronavirus, bringing the total to 142.

Herefordshire Council said a number of workers on the AS Green site at Mathon who previously tested positive have now completed their period of self-isolation and have been allowed to return to work or leave the farm

The council also said the people who recently tested positive were being asked to remain on the site and self-isolate and were being provided with food and other essential supplies.

It said the risk to people living in the wider area remained low.

Hereford Times

From the Hereford Times today:

• Outcry over glamping barns plan, external
• Child was bitten by dangerously out of control dog, external
• Fun loving Lily celebrates turning 100, external

Worcester News

Here are three stories from the Worcester News today:

• Two people suffer burns after gas explosion on a boat, external
• 'Cruel' cyclist ran over dog, external
• Calls for action to bring more women into politics, external

BBC Weather Watchers

The Weather Watchers are mainly sharing photos of the grey cloud which has been hanging over most of us today.

But it looks like Liam Ball has been to Attingham Park in Shropshire today and photographed some of the deer there.

Image source, Liam Ball

Image source, A Scottish Soldier

Image source, Mikesnapper

Malcolm Eyles married his partner Maureen Blackwell in an emotional ceremony arranged by staff.

Two people have been burned in an explosion on a river cruising boat in Stourport-on-Severn.

West Midlands Ambulance Service said it happened at about 18:40 and when paramedics arrived the injured man and woman were using water to cool their burns.

Image source, Google

Hereford and Worcester Fire and Rescue Service was also called to Stourport Marina. It said there was no fire when crews arrived, but they removed gas bottles and fuel cans as a precaution.

The hurt pair received hospital treatment.

BBC Weather Watchers

It seems there is a lot of grey cloud about today.

These photos from the BBC Weather Watchers were taken this morning near Bodenham, Bromsgrove and Atcham.

Image source, Step Counter

Image source, Boardwalk

Image source, Liam Ball

Leicester Tigers re-sign loosehead prop Ryan Bower from Worcester Warriors on a one-year contract.

Michael Darbyshire is currently suspended by West Mercia Police.

A cat had to be rescued on Sunday after it was found stuck in a car engine.

Firefighters from Kington in Herefordshire said he'd travelled 28 miles before the driver heard his cries for help.

Image source, Hereford & Worcester Fire and Rescue

They assisted a vet in removing the animal from deep in the engine bar.

The pet had a broken leg so was sent for x-rays and an operation.

Human remains found in Droitwich are "generations old" according to police.

Officers from the West Mercia Force were called to an area near the River Salwarpe at about 21:00 on Friday after bones were discovered.

It said most of the bones have now been identified as animal except for one which is believed to be human and generations old, but further tests are being carried out, the force said

"We would like to reassure residents the human bone is not believed to be linked to any ongoing investigations but enquiries are ongoing to determine the nature of findings," it added.

The railway, which runs between Kidderminster and Bridgnorth, has been losing about £500,000 a month.

Officers investigating the death of a father-of-three, 11 years ago, have issued a fresh appeal for information "to help bring his family some peace".

Image source, West Mercia Police

Jesse Richards, 40, died in Evesham, Worcestershire, in July 2009, but his remains have never been found.

Five men were jailed over his death in 2012.

A search was carried out in Corley, Warwickshire earlier this year but nothing of significance was found, said West Mercia Police.

His mother Lucy Richards has appealed for information saying: "Trying to come to terms with Jesse’s murder has been hard enough, as I’m sure any mother would understand, but not being able to lay him to rest has made it even worse.

"Please, if you know anything, put yourself in my shoes and get in touch with police if you have any information at all – no matter how small it may seem.”

BBC News Travel

Rail services are being affected between Birmingham Snow Hill and Kidderminster due to emergency services dealing with an incident.

Passengers are being advised to check their journey before travelling.

A visit to the outdoor pool in Droitwich sounds good on a hot day like this, so the decision to reopen it today is well timed.

But the maximum number of people allowed into the Droitwich Lido is being limited to 120 - down from the usual 550.

And it's also only open for two hours.

People will also have to book online and won't be allowed to queue outside.

The pool opens at 16:00 and then it will open for a full day tomorrow, but some areas, such as the splash pad will remain closed.

Queues for the beach and free drinks from struggling restaurants - what are holidays like now?

Hereford Times

Here are three stories from the Hereford Times today:

• Chef and waitress killed in car crash, external
• Police hunt man wanted on recall to prison, external
• Crash causes delays on A49, external