Construction work to permanently replace Eastham Bridge, which collapsed into the River Teme in May, is to begin next month, the council says.

Worcestershire County Council says it has been working closely with specialist contractors and the Environment Agency, Historic England, Natural England and Malvern Hills District Council to decide the best way to rebuild the Grade II listed bridge.

The new bridge cannot be a "like for like" copy of the 18th Century original, the council says - it collapsed after fast-moving water undermined its piers.

The bridge will be operational by April next year, a spokesman says.

Riba Stirling Prize shortlist 2016: The OutHouse, Forest of Dean

There were angry scenes at a public meeting to discuss the future of the Alexandra Hospital in Redditch and the other hospitals in Worcestershire.

Here are some of the key dates in the long-running saga of the hospitals' future:

- January 2013: Talks about Birmingham trusts running the Alexandra Hospital

- February 2013: Proposal to downgrade A&E at the Alexandra Hospital as part of a review of services by the Worcestershire Acute Hospitals NHS Trust (WAHT)

Image source, Google

- January 2014: Independent review says A&E should stay at the Alexandra 

- February 2015 - The entire team of four consultants running A&E services at the Alexandra resigns

- December 2015: WAHT rated inadequate after an inspection by the health watchdog, the Care Quality Commission

- June 2016: Paediatrics moved from Alexandra Hospital on a "temporary" basis

Kidderminster Shuttle

Angry Stourport people have launched a fight against a "sham" planning application they fear is a first step towards converting farm land into a huge housing development, external.  

Matthew Bone
Political reporter, BBC Hereford & Worcester

A former consultant at the Alexandra Hospital in Redditch, Dr Santi Vathenen, returned from West Sussex to hit out at his former bosses.

Hundreds of protestors took part in a rally and public meeting in Redditch last night about the running of Worcestershire's hospitals.

At the meeting, Dr Vathenen attacked the way services are being moved away from the Alexandra. 

Chris Tidman, the interim chief executive of the trust which runs the Alex and the Worcestershire Royal, says moving services will not put patients' lives in danger.

The Worcester distribution centre of a major UK plumbing and heating supplier is under threat.

Wolseley UK say they are reviewing the future of their site on the Berkeley Business Park as part of plans to restructure the company. 

They say the review is likely to see a reduction in staff and branch closures.

Lucy Martin
BBC Weather

Cloud in the south-east clearing early to leave a dry day with frequent sunny spells - highs of 18C (64F).

You can read a full forecast on the the BBC Weather page.   

Phil Maiden
Reporter, BBC Hereford & Worcester

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

- Hundreds of people took part in a rally and public meeting in Redditch about the running of Worcestershire's hospitals

- The Worcester distribution centre of a major UK plumbing and heating supplier is under threat

- A foraging expert from Herefordshire wants more people to take an interest in wild foods

Matthew Bone
Political reporter, BBC Hereford & Worcester

Hundreds of protesters took part in a rally and public meeting in Redditch last night demonstrating against the running of Worcestershire's hospitals. 

Residents in the north of the county are unhappy at children's, maternity and some Accident and Emergency services moving to the Royal in Worcester. 

Jerry Chester
BBC News Online

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

I'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.

Midlands poses questions to PM as party conference comes to Birmingham

Live updates for Herefordshire and Worcestershire have finished for the day but local stories will be added automatically through the night.

We'll be back from 08:00 on Thursday with more live news, sport, travel and weather.

Rebecca Wood
BBC Midlands Today

Cloudy through the evening, before a band of rain moves south-eastwards later in the night - lows of 17C ( 63F).

You can read a full forecast on the the BBC Weather page.  

James Pearson
Journalist, BBC Hereford & Worcester

An expert from Herefordshire says more of us should get out and forage for our food.

Foraging tutor Marlow Renton says fears forest floors will be stripped bare are just a myth, and many foods like mushrooms can benefit from being picked.

He showed me what's safe to eat.

Eight videos promoting the range of culture, shopping, countryside, transport links and amenities Redditch has to offer have been launched on social media, the council says.

The videos are part of a wider Promoting Redditch initiative which aims to change residents’ perceptions of the Borough and attract new businesses to the area.     

Image source, Redditch Borough Council

Thanks to Dave Bright for this stunning picture taken at the top of the Worcestershire Beacon.

If you stand there and look east, the next highest hills are the Urals in Russia.

Image source, Dave Bright

Two men have tried to rob woman in her 60s as she sat in her car, external, police say.

West Mercia Police the incident took place in Melen Street in Redditch between 21:30 and 21:45 last night

Image source, Google

The two men entered a silver Peugeot and demanded money from the woman. 

BBC Hereford and Worcester

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

- Health bosses will be defending plans to move some emergency services out of the Alexandra Hospital at a public meeting tonight

- A sculpture and stained glass window to be installed at Hereford Cathedral to mark the city's links with the SAS

- The former captain of Worcestershire says he's been "left deeply hurt" by the decision to remove him from the role

The driver of a 44-tonne truck was among motorists caught using their mobile phone as the BBC joined Central Motorway Police on patrol. 

It comes as data shows the number of motorists stopped across the country has almost halved in five years.

The National Police Federation said the drop was due to fewer traffic officers.

Under new rules expected to come in next year, drivers will get six points on their licence and face a £200 fine.  

Worcestershire Wildlife Trust looks after more than 75 nature reserves in the county.

The Knapp and Papermill reserve, external is near Alfrick - the dipping platform will allow school children to get closer to the pondlife in safety.