Mary Rhodes
Presenter, BBC Midlands Today

Rower Alex Gregory (below left), who learnt how to row at Evesham Rowing Club, has won gold in the men's four at Rio 2016. 

The new chief constable of West Mercia Police has ruled out any possibility of a full merger with the Warwickshire force.  

And it's a proms with a difference - a very loud difference. This weekend thousands of people are descending on Ragley Hall on the Worcestershire/Warwickshire border for the Battle Proms.

You can find out more on BBC Midlands Today at 18:30 on BBC One.

BBC Hereford and Worcester

In the Southern League Premier Division, Redditch United will aim to make it three wins from three when they head to Weymouth. 

In Division One South and West, Hereford will also go in search of a third straight win when they entertain Bridgwater Town, while Evesham United will welcome Wimborne Town to Jubilee Stadium.

You can follow the action with Trevor Owens on BBC Hereford and Worcester from 14:00 tomorrow.

Time-lapse video captures the construction of Worcester's new swimming pool.

The £10.5m project was awarded a grant of £2m from Sport England in December, and is due to open next year.

Rio 2016 gold medallist Worcestershire's Alex Gregory used to train at Evesham Rowing Club, which was packed this afternoon as fans came together to watch the race.  

He won gold in the finals of the men's four alongside Moe Sbihi, George Nash and Constantine Louloudis. 

Keith Rafter, who used to coach Gregory, said earlier: "It’s absolutely packed in the club room and everybody's cheering and clapping and shouting. We're absolutely jumping up and down."

Image source, Getty Images

Hereford Times

A man who was caught drink-driving at more than three times over the limit has been told he has to carry out 100 hours of unpaid community work, external.  

BBC Hereford and Worcester

Today's headlines include:

- Worcestershire has its first gold medal at Rio 2016 as Evesham rower Alex Gregory achieves glory in the men's four

- The new Chief Constable of West Mercia Police rules out a full merger with the Warwickshire force

- Choir tribute to take place at grave of Led Zeppelin drummer John Bonham at Rushock

BBC Hereford and Worcester

Worcester City, external's tough start to the season continues as they head to FC Halifax Town tomorrow. 

City are still looking for their first win of the season in Vanarama North, but manager Carl Heeley feels there have been plenty of positives to take from their opening two matches.

"We've been very competitive in both games and it probably feels a bit harsh to have one point, but you've got to look at the critical moments in the game."  

Image source, Getty Images

BBC Midlands Today

The new chief constable of West Mercia Police has been talking about mergers, while on a tour of Worcester.

His force is currently involved in what is described as a "strategic alliance" with Warwickshire, which means they share some resources.

Anthony Bangham doesn't believe there will be a full merger, although he admitted it is not really within is power to make that decision.

Worcestershire's Alex Gregory says it was the "perfect race" as the Evesham rower won gold in the finals of the men's four at Rio 2016.

Image source, REUTERS/Carlos Barria

He said: "We just nailed that. That was our perfect race and we did it right at the right time on the right day and these boys, I mean, good lads."

Asked if he could compare this with 2012, following his second successive Olympic title, he said: "I didn't know what was happening four years ago, whereas this one I knew what was coming and sitting on that start line, oh, it's horrible."

Worcester News

One of Worcester’s most popular visitor attractions, The Museum of Royal Worcester, is staging a trio of events for the annual two-week Worcester Festival, external.   

James Cracknell
Double Olympic Rowing gold medallist

That is the most impressive of the five wins for Great Britain.

It was never in doubt all the way down.

Credit to the way they have trained for this.

BBC Hereford and Worcester

Alex Gregory, from Evesham, has won gold in the finals of the men's four at Rio 2016 alongside Moe Sbihi, George Nash and Constantine Louloudis.

BBC Hereford and Worcester

In Vanarama North tomorrow Kidderminster Harriers, external will look to get things back on track when they host Chorley at Aggborough.

Image source, Getty Images

Harriers felt they were victims of some poor decisions during Tuesday's 2-1 home defeat against Brackley Town, but Tyrell Waite says there's no point in dwelling on this and "sometimes on another day it could be given to us". 

He said: "So I think we've just got to get on with it as a team and... [not] concede soft goals." 

BBC Hereford and Worcester

Today's headlines include:

- The new chief constable of West Mercia Police rules out a full merger with the Warwickshire force

- A Worcestershire man criticises the response of mental health services over suicide call

- Choir tribute at grave of Led Zep drummer John Bonham at Rushock

Stephanie Barnard
BBC Local Live

Eight men have been arrested after a fight at Birmingham railway station last night in which one man was taken to hospital with a head injury, police say.

British Transport Police say they arrested the men, who were aged between 28 and 60., external

The men boarded the train at Worcester Foregate Street at around 19:30 and got off Birmingham's University station after a brawl broke out on the train and spilled onto the platform at about 20:00.

The head injuries the man sustained are not thought to be life threatening, police say. 

Ledbury Reporter

Plans to extend the delivery hours at a Ledbury supermarket have been opposed by people living nearby, external, who fear an increase in noise nuisance.  

BBC Hereford and Worcester

A special performance is taking place in Worcestershire later at the grave of Led Zeppelin legendary drummer John Bonham.

Image source, Getty Images

Like singer Robert Plant, Bonham was born and grew up in Worcestershire.

The Kidderminster Male Choir, external will be paying tribute to Bonham by singing the band's classic Stairway to Heaven.

The performance will take place by candlelight at St Michael's church in Rushock, near Kidderminster.

About 8,000 people are expected at Eastnor Castle this weekend for Lakefest 2016. 

The line up includes Primal Scream, Cast, Starsailor, Newton Faulkner, external.

There will also be a BBC Introducing Stage, featuring some of the best talent from across Herefordshire and Worcestershire.

BBC Hereford and Worcester

Luctonians, external have further strengthened their connections with Austria by signing another of their international players for the coming National Two north season. 

Director of rugby Alex Davidson says scrum-half Louis Silver's connections have worked well for them and they have high hopes for their latest recruit, second row Steffan Possteur.

"[We brought] Max Muller across who was a tight-head prop and Austrian captain and having given Max a great second half to the season both on and off field he's subsequently gone back to Austria.

"But [he] has passed on the word that this is the club to be at, so it's really helped with our recruitment drive."

Elizabeth Glinka
BBC Midlands Today

The new chief constable of West Mercia Police, Anthony Bangham, has ruled out any possibility of a full merger with the Warwickshire force.

The two forces formed a strategic alliance three years ago to help make savings. 

We'll also be looking at Rio 2016. Rower Alex Gregory, from Evesham, is due to compete in the finals of the men's four this afternoon.

Join me for BBC Midlands Today at 13:30 on BBC One.

Image source, Getty Images