A group of nine people have spent much of their spare time over the last year searching for a dog they've never met. 

Max, a nine-year-old English springer spaniel, went missing from a house near Much Cowarne, in Herefordshire on Christmas Day last year. 

A Facebook group was set up by the group dedicated to trying to find him and now has than 10,000 members. Dawn Smith said: "Some people probably think I'm mad but there was just something that touched us about Max." 

Hereford Times

A 58-year-old grandfather was killed by a businesswoman driving home from a shopping trip, external as he waited on his motorbike to leave work in Herefordshire, a court has been told.  

There's a season-defining game for Worcester Warriors against bottom-of-the table Bristol on Boxing Day.

There are four changes in the Warriors' side, external.

You can hear full commentary on BBC Hereford & Worcester.  

Alex Hamilton
BBC Weather

Heavy rain and very strong gusty winds will sweep in this afternoon, bringing difficult driving and shopping conditions. Gusts of 40 mph will affect exposed spots. Highs of 11C (52F).

BBC Hereford and Worcester

A Kidderminster man has been sentenced to eight months in prison at Worcester Crown Court for possession of an offensive weapon in public and the use of threatening behaviour.

The 21-year-old was arrested in October after police were called to the Cross in Worcester (pictured).

Image source, Google

Health organisations in Worcestershire have held a "risk summit"  to "ensure that patient safety is maintained"following an inspection of the trust running hospitals in the county.

The meeting yesterday involved the Worcestershire Acute Hospitals NHS Trust (WAHT),  the three Worcestershire Clinical Commissioning Groups (CCGs) and Worcestershire County Council. 

Image source, PA

A spokesperson for NHS England said the summit was held "to agree a programme of action and support to ensure that patient safety is maintained".

BBC Hereford and Worcester

Here are some of the main stories we are looking at:

- Risk summit held to ensure hospital's "patient safety is maintained"

- Man jailed for possessing an offensive weapon in a public place

- Flood teams on standby for Storm Barbara

Worcester News

A van has hit eight sheep in common ground, external resulting in one dying and the vehicle being towed away.

This wonderful picture looking down the River Severn in Worcester at sunset comes from Dave Bright of Bright Skies Video.

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, Dave Bright

People in Herefordshire and Worcestershire who find themselves in need of help from the emergency services over Christmas could also have support from a charity. 

The British Red Cross work with the fire service to offer clothes, advice, emotional support, or even just a cup of tea, to those who've been involved in things like house fires. 

They work all year round, but are prepared to offer extra help over the festive break.   

Teams are on standby to deal with any sewer flooding, external caused by Storm Barbara, Severn Trent say.

The company says it has teams keeping an eye on those areas it knows have "a high risk of flooding", including Worcestershire.

Image source, Getty Images

If anyone sees a sewer flooding, the company says they should call 0800 783 4444.

The owner of a house in Bromsgrove was injured after confronting a burglar, police say, external.

West Mercia Police say the family returned to their house on Thursday, 15 December to find a man wearing a balaclava at the top of the stairs.

The burglar pushed his way passed the owner, causing a back injury, and left the house though the back garden, a spokesman said.

If you see a helicopter flying low over Hereford today, it belongs to Western Power Distribution, and it's checking overhead electricity lines.

A CCTV image has been released of a man police want to speak to, external after "a large amount of jewellery" was taken from a house in Droitwich.

West Mercia Police say the property was stolen from the house in Honeymans Gardens sometime between 08:15 and 18:30 on Thursday, 15 December.

Image source, West Mercia Police

BBC Hereford and Worcester

Here are some of the stories we are looking at this morning:

- Sick children had to be diverted to hospitals dozens of miles away after a hospital's ward became full

- Flood teams on standby as Storm Barbara approaches

- Police prepare for one of their busiest nights of the year

West Mercia Police are expecting a lot of people to be out partying on the last Friday before Christmas.

There's a Met Office yellow warning for high winds in place for the West Midlands.

Worcester News

A couple who met at a local village dance are set to celebrate their 65th wedding anniversary on Boxing Day, external.  

Michele Paduano
Health correspondent, BBC Midlands Today

Ill children had to be diverted to hospitals dozens of miles away after a children's ward became full.

The situation at Worcestershire Royal Hospital is now being monitored by the Care Quality Commission (CQC).

Image source, Google

The CQC, which tracks safety in hospitals, has confirmed it was made aware of two closures, on 18 November and 8 December. 

The hospital trust said it experienced increased pressure on 18 November.

"As a result, some ambulance conveyances were diverted to other hospitals to help us manage the pressure," a spokesman said.

On 8 December, it said it did not refuse admission to any child, but it may not have had available beds at the time of admission.  

BBC Hereford and Worcester

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

- Ill children are diverted to other hospitals after a children's ward became full

- Traders across the two counties are gearing up for one of the busiest days of the year

- Volunteers from the Red Cross prepare to offer help to people who need the emergency services over Christmas