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
The BBC's Weather Watchers have been braving the chill air to snap some great photos.
Here's a selection from Mikesnapper, Postman Les, J9 Happysnapper71 and Lickey Steve.
Slideshow: Cold day's brings striking skylines.
The proposal was received last month, and outlines plans for four one-bedroom and six two-bedroom apartments, external, as well as seven retail units.
Lucy Martin
BBC Weather
Blue skies are likely in the afternoon, but it will feel chilly in the sunshine - highs of 5C (41F).
You can read a full forecast on the the BBC Weather page.
Latest weather for the West Midlands
James Pearson
Journalist, BBC Hereford & Worcester
A serious fire involving a HGV has closed the M42 southbound at junction 1, as it joins the M5, the fire service says.
Six fire crews are currently tackling a blaze caused by a heavy goods vehicle turning on to its side.
Image source, Lynne GeorgeFirefighters are using breathing apparatus, but the lorry is not containing hazardous substances, Hereford & Worcester Fire and Rescue Service says.
West Mercia Police says motorists are unable to join the M5 from the M42 and there is considerable congestion in the area.
The southbound carriageway will be closed for some time and drivers are advised to avoid the area if possible. More from BBC Travel.
Here are some of the stories we are looking at this afternoon:
- Train conductors who work on London Midland are to vote on whether to take strike action
- The number of buildings on Worcester's "heritage at risk" register has been reduced in the past four years
- Warriors make five changes to their squad for Saturday's European game at Sixays
Speaking ahead of Holocaust Memorial Day on January 27, Communities Secretary Sajid Javid MP called for communities to be "strong enough" to stand up to bigotry in all forms, external.
Worcester Warriors make five changes to the squad to face Enisei-STM at Sixways in the European Challenge Cup on Saturday.
You can hear full commentary on the game on BBC Hereford & Worcester - kick off is at the earlier time of 14:00.
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If you see a helicopter flying low over Worcester today, it's checking overhead electricity lines for Western Power Distribution, taking advantage of the clear weather.
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The number of buildings on Worcester's "heritage at risk" register has been reduced in the past four years.
There are currently 21 historic buildings, including factories, phone boxes, monuments and houses, identified as at risk of neglect - that's down from 28 in 2012.
Image source, GoogleThe waiting rooms at Shrub Hill train station and the bridge at Worcester Foregate Street have now been removed from the register.
The Scala cinema in Angel Place (pictured) and The Edgar Tower in the city are among those which remain on the list.
Kidderminster Harriers' have created a special "dementia friendly" area in their Aggborough stadium for fans who have the condition.
Dementia patients and their carers will be able to sit in a specially designated area of the ground for the first time at their game against AFC Telford United tomorrow.
Image source, Getty ImagesStaff have been trained by the Alzheimer's Society to support the fans.
Anita Fenton, who cares for her husband who has dementia says it's important that people with it aren't isolated.
Quote MessageA lot of people think that people with dementia are just going to sit at home and not do much [but] it does them good to get out. People don't understand because it's not a visible illness."
Anita Fenton, Dementia carer
The row is over the "proposed imposition" of security contractors on trains.
Read MoreA world-famous band will be making a special appearance in Worcester today to help inspire the next generation of musicians.
The Guards Brass Band will performing for primary school pupils at Bishop Perowne Church of England College, before running some workshops for budding brass musicians in the city.
Image source, PAQuote MessageThese are obviously the Queen's musicians, they've come from London especially to visit out school. They are the ones who stand outside Buckingham palace with the big bearskins on. They are a group of musicians from the five Foot Guards bands who have been chosen for their excellence on their instruments to represent the household division."
Ashley Dixon, Head of Music - Bishop Perowne college
Today's Worcester News, external has more on the raid on the village store in Kempsey that saw a cash machine ripped out with a stolen JCB.
Image source, Worcester News
BBC Sport
Worcester Warriors' Ben Te'o has been named in England's 34-man squad for the forthcoming Six Nations tournament.
Image source, Getty ImagesEngland have named three uncapped players in their squad - back rower Mike Williams, prop Nathan Catt and versatile back Alex Lozowski.
Phil Maiden
Reporter, BBC Hereford & Worcester
Here are some of the stories we are looking at this morning:
- School faces legal action over pupil who was restrained in the playground
- Anti-Trump banner displayed on Worcester footbridge
- Warriors player included in England's Six Nations squad
A protest banner against the policies of the new USA president Donald Trump has been put on the Sabrina footbridge in Worcester.
The banner, part of a wider campaign, says "Bridges not walls" - a reference to President Trump's campaign promise to build a wall between the USA and Mexico.
Image source, Phillip StonemanA Stourport primary school is facing legal action following a complaint at how teachers restrained a boy during a playground argument in 2014.
The family of the boy, who's not been named, are pursuing a personal injury claim against St Bartholomew's.
Image source, GoogleThey say excessive force was used by two teachers to deal with their son, which has left him mentally and physically traumatised.
The school says an apology was given to the family following the incident and it was dealt with at the time.
This week's Malvern Gazette, external has the story of the man who was attacked with a baseball bat as he withdrew money from a cash machine.
Image source, Malvern GazetteThere are signalling problems that mean the line is blocked between the two stations in Worcester.
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Conductors on London Midland are voting on whether to take industrial action in a row over the company's decision to put external security contractors on trains "by imposition and without agreement", the RMT says.
Image source, Hyperen at English Wikipedia CC BY-SA 3.0The rail union said the ballot of 523 conductor members opened yesterday and concludes on 2 February.
In a statement the union said the company had "failed to respond to our questions, proposals and suggestions that would have averted the need for a potential breakdown in industrial relations".
