Lorry crash and fire closes M42 at M5 junction
Rescue service to launch boat named after crew member killed in crash
Fly-tipper fined after being caught on camera dumping waste
London Midland conductors in strike vote
Top judge to open mock courtroom for students
Updates on Friday 20 January 2017
Charlie Slater
BBC Weather presenter
A grey, cloudy and drizzly day with light showers into the early afternoon before some slightly drier weather to end the day.
Highs of 9C (48F).
Latest weather for the West Midlands
A Hereford veteran of the Falklands says three new commemorative benches for the city are a perfect way to honour those who fought in the war.
The Mayor of Hereford, Jimmy Kenyon, came up with the idea for the seats which are in St Martin's Church's remembrance garden, St Peter's Square and at the army base at Credenhill.
Gordon Mather who fought in the Falklands says the benches allow for moments of reflection.
Quote MessageThe design on the benches shows the outline of the Falkland Islands. It reflects the joint service nature of the operation - army, navy and airforce. There is an aeroplane, there is a ship and there are quite clearly military soldier figures and underneath that is the motto of the South Atlantic Medal Association, which is appropriately 'From the Sea, Freedom'."
Gordon Mather, Falklands war veteran
Redditch MP Karen Lumley has suffered a health relapse, external following a serious surgical procedure at the Alexandra Hospital in October
This photo from BBC Weather Watcher Eskimoden in Evesham seems to sum up today's forecast well.
Image source, EskimodenA Herefordshire vet says people are being condemned to years of suffering because of the law against assisted suicide.
George Cooper has been a vet for 40 years and often had to put down animals.
He says his experience makes him strongly believe in a human's right to end their life how they choose.
Image source, George CooperQuote MessageIt's wrong where we are at the moment. They do nothing to help those who are facing a future of real suffering. So yes my position as a veterinary surgeon and the facility I have to do this certainly makes me think we should be offering this to humans as well - the choice to say 'my time is up now'."
Here are some of the main stories we are looking at this morning:
- A Kidderminster man who was on a beach in Tunisia where 38 people were killed in a terrorist attack, hopes the families will get closure from the inquests
- A Herefordshire vet is calling for a change in the law to allow assisted dying
- Three commemorative benches are being placed in Hereford city centre to remember the dozens of men from the county who were killed in the Falklands war
Kidderminster Harriers are through to the third round of the FA Trophy after a 3-0 win at home to Ebbsfleet United.
Worcester City drew 0-0 in their match against FC United of Manchester, but Hereford's unbeaten league record this season has gone - they were beaten 2-1 by visitors Taunton Town.
A councillor from Malvern has resigned over what he calls the town council's "prolific spending".
Mike Charles says he's dismayed by a series of purchases in recent years which have included a new PA system for £3,500 and three books for nearly £600.
The council is planning to put up council tax for the third year in a row and Mr Charles says enough is enough.
Image source, GoogleQuote MessageIn this time of austerity which we're in, every other council throughout the country is cutting back or cutting salaries or cutting something, but not Malvern Town Council - we're prolific spenders."
Mike Charles, Malvern Town Councillor
Malvern Town Council says the increase in council tax is to cope with a cut in government funding and to protect reserves and that a cheaper PA system would not have met their requirements.
An off-duty nurse from the Alexandra Hospital in Redditch performed life-saving CPR on a man who'd collapsed and banged his head while out with friends.
The man in his sixties was unconscious and had stopped breathing after he collapsed in Birmingham on Saturday afternoon.
Marie Hulston was out drinking with friends when she saw what was happening and rushed over to help.
Image source, BBcQuote MessageI don't like to say I'm a nurse if I'm out socialising and then once I'd seen he was unconscious, I thought, 'I need to sort him out'. I turned him over and obvioiusly he was purple. His friends were hysterical, they was just shouting his name constantly. I had to tell them to get away and then I had to start CPR."
Marie Hulston, Nurse
A popular figure in the running community and fitness fanatic has died aged 60, external.
BBC Sport
Worcester's hopes of European Challenge Cup progress were ended after the Premiership strugglers suffered a dramatic late defeat by Brive.
Image source, Rex FeaturesMarco Mama's powerful run and try put Warriors 7-0 up at half-time.
Twice the Group 3 leaders fought back to level after the break, Fabien Sanconnie the first to go over.
Val Rapava Ruskin then went over for Worcester, only for Fabian Guillaume's try and a last-gasp Gaetan Germain penalty to seal Brive's comeback win.
The inquests into the deaths of 30 British tourists, including a student from Worcester, killed at a Tunisian resort in June 2015 are to open later.
The attack saw 38 people killed and a similar number injured, as gunmen opened fire on a beach and resort near Sousse.
University of Worcester student Joel Richards (below right) was there on holiday and died alongside uncle Adrian Evans, grandfather Patrick Evans.
Image source, Suzy Evans
Phil Maiden
Reporter, BBC Hereford & Worcester
Here are some of the stories we're looking at this morning:
- The Inquests into the deaths of 30 British holidaymakers who died in Tunisia in June 2015, including the University of Worcester student Joel Richards, will begin today
- Call for a change in the law governing assisted suicide
- A councillor from Malvern resigns over what he calls the town council's "prolific spending"
BBC Midlands Today
The inquests into the deaths of 30 British tourists in a terror attack on a beach in Tunisia open today.
Joel Richards, his uncle Adrian Evans and grandfather Patrick Evans from Wednesbury were all killed. Sue Davey from Tamworth died alongside her partner Scott Chalkley
Staffordshire woman Alison Caine (pictured) was among those to survive.
Quote MessageI've never felt a fear like it in my life and I never want to feel it again. Trying to move on from this, you are frightened you are going to be in that situation again."
Alison Caine, Survivior of terror attack
Charlie Slater
BBC Weather presenter
Staying cloudy today, with some outbreaks of rain.
Highs of 9C (48F).
Latest weather for the West Midlands
Welcome to Herefordshire and Worcestershire Live on Monday morning.
We'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.
