Child on child sex offences double in West Mercia force area
Body found in the River Severn yet to be identified
Firm promises £2.5m investment after brook polluted
'Canary girls' tree tribute in Hereford
Updates on Friday 3 February 2017
Trevor Owens
Sports Editor, BBC Hereford & Worcester
Worcester City have signed the 19-year-old West Bromwich Albion winger Chay Scrivens on loan for the remainder of the season.
The teenager made seven appearances for Vanarama National League club Torquay United earlier in the season.
The union and train company had argued over the "proposed imposition" of security contractors on trains.
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BBC Travel
Temporary traffic lights have been installed on a Worcester road so cable repair work can be completed.
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A cow grazing on the Malvern hills was left wth "injuries and [in] severe stress" after being attacked by a dog, the organisation looking after the area says.
Malvern Hills Conservators say the Belted Galloway cow was grabbed jaw by the dog on Monday - a vet has examined the cow, whose wounds will take time to heal.
Image source, Malvern Hills ConservatorsThe charity warns that livestock worrying, which includes chasing, is a criminal offence and could lead to the destruction of the dog.
Sheep and cattle regularly graze on the hills as part of the landscape management programme.
Quote Message“The attacks are distressing for the dog owner and devastating for the farmer. The cattle and sheep are part of the farmer’s livelihood, the loss of an animal or vet bills can be very costly."
Beck Baker, Community and Conservation Officer
The Studley community are pulling together in a bid to clean up their town and deter those guilty of dog fouling, external.
A former Worcestershire teacher who is accused of committing sexual offences against two boys in the 1980s will appear in front of magistrates later this month.
The man, who's 73 and now lives in Stratford-upon-Avon, faces six charges of gross indecency with a boy under 16 years of age and six charges of indecent assault on a boy under the age of 14 years.
He will appear at Kidderminster Magistrates Court on 28 February.
Worcester Valkyries Shona Powell-Hughes (pictured) and Dyddgu Hywel have been named in the Wales Women's starting 15 for the beginning of their Six Nations campaign against Italy in Ancona on Saturday.
Kick off is at 14:00 and the match will be streamed live on the Women's Six Nations Facebook page and YouTube channel.
Image source, Getty ImagesThe West Worcestershire MP has officially opened the Malvern-based factory, external of a growing manufacturing company.
Jerry Chester
BBC News Online
Here's a slideshow of images from one of our regular contributors, Paul Wilde, taken in Abbey meadows in Redditch.
I'd love to feature your photos - you can email, tweet us on @bbchw, external or message via Facebook, external.
Nature in sunshine in the park
Charlie Slater
BBC Weather presenter
It's a day for robust umbrellas - it will be wet and windy, but it should improve in the afternoon.
It is mild, but the wind chill will make it feel colder.
Highs of 12C (54F). Find out more.
Weather for the West Midlands.
The Met Office is warning about wet and windy weather, external on Friday which could affect travel and produce some minor damage.
A weather warning is in place from 06:00 tomorrow until 23:55.
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This article contains content provided by Twitter. We ask for your permission before anything is loaded, as they may be using cookies and other technologies. You may want to read Twitter’s cookie policy, external and privacy policy, external before accepting. To view this content choose ‘accept and continue’.
Phil Maiden
Reporter, BBC Hereford & Worcester
A cowboy builder from Pershore is due to be sentenced later on Thursday for falsely claiming to be certified.
Robert Hughes, aged 25, from Lower Priest Lane is due in court later.
The case follows an investigation by the Health and Safety Executive.
The special friendship between a Hereford student and his guide dog has led them through to the final of the Crufts Friends for Life competition.
Nathan Edge, aged 22, who is a member of England's blind football team, was already working with his labrador Hudson when he lost his sight three years ago.
Nathan, who studies at the Royal National College for the Blind, says it feels like Hudson and him "taking on the world together now".
He said Hudson was "too cheeky" to win an award as a guide dog normally but when he puts on his harness he "becomes a true working professional".
Could diesel cars be taxed as levels of air pollution soar?
Read MoreThe mother of a transgender pupil is taking legal action against a school which she claims treated her child like "a freak".
Transgender pupil from Hereford treated 'like a freak'
Jackie* said the treatment had been "appalling". Her child Aidan*, who's 16 and was born female, claims he was effectively excluded by Hereford Cathedral School, which refused to let him wear a boy's uniform.
The legal action is currently going through the courts.
It is understood as part of the school's defence, it claims Aidan was withdrawn by his family before a final decision was made by the school about whether it could accommodate his needs.
* Not their real name
Listen to BBC local radio commentary from Dulwich Hamlet v Braintree in the FA Trophy and Stalybridge Celtic v Kidderminster in the National League North.
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Alex Homer
BBC Local Live
Here are the top stories on Thursday so far:
- A Worcestershire paedophile faces jail when he is sentenced later
- A transgender pupil whose mother claims he was "treated like a freak" is taking his former school to court
- A blind footballer and his guide dog have made the final of the Crufts Friends for Life competition
Charlie Slater
BBC Weather presenter
A dull, drizzly and showery start to the day, however this afternoon should be a little drier.
Becoming breezy with highs of 12C (54F).
The chair of Worcestershire Acute Hospitals NHS Trust says staff were "shocked" about a Care Quality Commission report which raised fresh concerns about healthcare governance.
Image source, PAThe trust was given less than six weeks to improve its performance following recent inspections, or face sanctions, which could lead to the county's hospitals being taken out of its hands.
Caragh Merrick says staff recognise they must confront the challenges together.
Quote MessageThey were shocked, hugely disappointed and upset that their work had got this assessment but they have recognised the importance of being in a culture that learns and improves."
Caragh Merrick, Chair of Worcestershire Acute Hospitals NHS Trust
A prolific paedophile who used to live and teach in Worcestershire is due to be sentenced later on Thursday after admitting 45 sex offences against children in the UK and abroad.
Image source, PARetired English teacher Mark Frost, 70, formerly known as Andrew Tracey, admitted abusing nine children in Thailand between 2009 and 2012.
He pleaded guilty to 23 charges at the Old Bailey after admitting 22 charges last year.
Six of the charges relate to abuse of two pupils at a Worcestershire school during the 1980s and 1990s.
