Risk summit held to ensure hospital's 'patient safety maintained'
Man jailed for possessing an offensive weapon in a public place
Flood teams on standby for Storm Barbara
Facebook campaign for dog missing for a year
Updates on Friday 23 December
Hear are some of the stories we are looking at this morning:
- Former home secretary and Redditch MP Jacqui Smith calls for prison numbers to be cut
- Hopes that a major road out of Worcester may not face a lengthy closure
- Warriors' player faces European disciplinary hearing after red card
Worcester Warriors' flanker Sam Betty is due to appear before a European Rugby disciplinary committee this evening.
Betty was red-carded during last Friday night's Challenge Cup match at Newport Gwent Dragons (pictured).
Image source, GetHead coach Carl Hogg says they'll also consider internal sanctions but will await tonight's ruling first.
The A38 just outside Worcester may not have to be closed again to fix problems with a sewer, according to the highways manager at Worcestershire County Council.
Severn Trent originally closed the road through Kempsey earlier this month after it was thought a sewer had collapsed.
Jon Fraser says he has been in contact with the water company who now believe the problems may be caused by a blockage rather than a collapse.
Quote MessageWhat they are telling me now is that rather than an actual collapse of a sewer there is a lot of brick and debris in there. Rather than a repair that needs to be dug down to, which is what we thought last week, they may be able to bring in some high powered jets that can flush this clear."
Jon Fraser, Highways manager
The former Redditch MP and Home Secretary Jacqui Smith has joined Nick Clegg and Ken Clarke in writing an open letter calling for prison reform.
They've said they want to see the prison population in England and Wales cut by half to 45,000.
Image source, PAThe letter to The Times says jails have become unacceptably dangerous.
It did not explain how the three thought the reduction could be achieved.
If you want to find out which routes have been gritted in Worcestershire you can use the council's online map, external.
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Here are some of the main stories we are looking at in Herefordshire and Worcestershire:
- Two men from Worcestershire, found guilty of murdering a man in Cardiff, are beginning jail terms of a combined 62 years
- A former nurse says she's concerned about the standard of care received by A&E patients at the Worcestershire Royal Hospital
- Former Redditch MP and home secretary Jacqui Smith joins Nick Clegg and Ken Clarke in writing an open letter calling for prison reform
Sara Blizzard
BBC Weather
It will be a dry, bright and breezy day across all parts. There will be plenty of sunny spells, but the strength of the wind will mean that it will feel rather chilly when out and about - highs of 8C (46F).
Weather for the West Midlands.
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.
We'll be back with our usual mix of news, sport, travel and weather from 08:00 tomorrow, but keep an eye out here for more updates this evening and into the morning.
Shefali Oza
BBC Midlands Today
It's going to be a clear and cold night for most us, with temperatures staying just above freezing.
Shefali Oza with the weather forecast for the West Midlands
Your views are still wanted, external on what the Environment Agency is describing as the "largest river restoration project of its kind in Europe".
The Unlocking the Severn scheme aims to open the River Severn and its tributaries to fish and other wildlife, as well increase the economy connected with it.
The plan is to introduce fish passes and remove weirs, external.
Image source, Environment Agency
Trevor Owens
Sports Editor, BBC Hereford & Worcester
Worcester Warriors's head coach Carl Hogg says last weekend's red card incident changed the course of their European clash with Newport Gwent Dragons.
Despite Sam Betty's sending off for a punch after just 15 minutes, Warriors battled bravely against the Dragons, who were still smarting from their defeat at Sixways in the first leg of the competition.
Worcester Warriors coach Carl Hogg says red card incident changed course of Dragons game.
Three people were arrested during raids as part of a crackdown on crime, external.
Hereford FC officials and fans will be giving up part of their Christmas Day to help support the city's homeless population.
The club is working with other agencies and will open up the social club on Sunday evening.
Image source, Getty ImagesThe club will be offering a hot meal and warm clothing to those living on the city's streets.
Alistair Binney
Reporter, BBC Hereford & Worcester
Suckley Post Office in Worcestershire has become a beacon of festive fun for the village with 5,000 lights on display.
Last year, its display of 1,000 lights proved popular and co-owner Julian Wilklins (featured below) said they were keen to go bigger and better.
Suckley Post Office in Worcestershire puts up 5,000 lights for Christmas
Our headlines this evening include:
- Hereford FC granted lease extension for Edgar Street ground
- Worcester man one of three jailed after being found guilty of murdering a man in Cardiff
- Butcher creates 15-bird roast
A Worcester man accused of installing hidden cameras in toilets where he worked has been jailed for four and a half years at Worcester Crown Court.
Paul Hunt, 43, of Magdala Court, had pleaded guilty to three counts of trespass with the intent to commit a sexual offence and four of voyeurism.
Alistair Binney
Reporter, BBC Hereford & Worcester
Children across Herefordshire and Worcestershire have been taking part in Nativity plays, but one performer at Bodenham Arboretum is just five weeks old.
Lunar the donkey is part of the attraction's Nativity trail and proving popular with visitors.
Five-week-old donkey joins Nativity trail
A band of rain is expected to sweep in this afternoon, which could be heavy for some.
Otherwise it will be a bright and breezy day - highs of 10C (50F).
Stab victim Lynford Brewster, 29, died in the Llanedeyrn area of Cardiff in June.
Cardiff Crown Court heard Robert Lainsbury, from Worcester, joined drugs boss Jake Whelan in south Wales as he plotted to kill father-to-be Mr Brewster after "an altercation".
Armed with knives, including a large combat knife, they went to look for Mr Brewster before stabbing him in the back and once in each leg, the court heard.
