The 24-year-old lock forward is 6ft8in (2.03m) tall.

Redditch Standard

A Redditch landscape gardener is blossoming after his skills, external were recognised by the British Association of Landscape Industries.

Stephanie Barnard
BBC Local Live

A £10.5m budget for Worcester City Council has been agreed, external for next year. Here's a breakdown of what's been agreed;

• Car park prices frozen
• Funeral charges for children under 17 will be scrapped
• Council tax increase of £5 for a band D property
• Council tax bills will rise by around 1p per day for Band A-C properties
• Council will receive £2m from the government’s New Homes Bonus scheme , external
• Small Projects Development Fund launched to "assess councillors’ money-making ideas"
• Feasibility studies into a new footbridge in the north of Worcester city centre and the possibility of installing solar panels at St Martin’s Gate car park
• £10k will be spent on making the Guildhall more energy efficient
• £20k on planting more trees in the city

The Conservatives had asked for £30k to be spent on 80 extra dog poo bins, external but the idea was rejected in a vote.

James Pearson
Journalist, BBC Hereford & Worcester

There’s been lots of speculation in recent weeks about the future of Worcester City Football Club - rumours the club might not make it through to the end of the season, might have to undergo voluntary relegation to cut costs, or may move to Worcester Warrior’s ground at Sixways to ground-share have all circulated.

The club’s chairman, Anthony Hampson, wouldn’t be drawn on the exact nature of the club’s finances, but admitted they’re on course to make a bigger loss than in previous seasons.

He confirmed the planning application for a new stadium at Perdiswell in Worcester had been submitted, and he hoped the city council would make a decision to approve it in April or May.

City have been playing at Bromsgrove Sporting Ground and, before that, ground-shared with Kidderminster Harriers.

While discussions had been held with Worcester Warriors and their facilities are fantastic, it would be too expensive an option for the club long-term.

Perdiswell could be a pipe dream but the club's bosses are attempting to ring fence as much money as possible to secure its future as a community club. 

Worcester News

Historic doors that were smashed down by thieves have been replaced at a cinema in Evesham.  , external

Stephanie Barnard
BBC Local Live

A police cordon put in place in Hereford after a WW2 shell was discovered earlier this afternoon has been lifted, West Mercia Police say., external

Officers closed Holme Lacy Road after a shell was found at about 13:00.

It wasn't deemed dangerous and has since been removed by the explosive ordnance disposal team.

A World War Two shell has been found during exacavation work off the Holme Lacy Road in Hereford, police say.

For safety reasons a 100m (330ft) cordon is in force and the road has been closed in both directions from the roundabout at Gate House Road to Fordshill Road.

The Rotherwas munitions factory (pictured), which made armaments in both WW1 and WW2, was once sited on either side of the road.

Alice Rosenthal
BBC WM

Bovis Homes have told us they will do all they can to fix issues for residents who have dealt with flooded sewage, damp and mould in their new homes.

It has set aside £7m to compensate customers who were sold unfinished builds or properties with electrical and plumbing faults. 

The house builders have properties for sale in Great Barr, Redditch and Lichfield. 

Bovis Homes say they are sorry for any issues and are talking directly to residents involved.

A cordon has been put in place around a site in Hereford after a World War Two shell was found during excavations, police say.

West Mercia Police say a bomb disposal unit is at the site on the Holme Lacy Road, and a 100m (330ft) cordon imposed for safety reasons.

Image source, Google

Holme Lacy Road has been closed in both directions from the roundabout at Gate House Road to Fordshill Road until further notice, police say. 

Gavin Kermack
Reporter, BBC Hereford & Worcester

Malvern Hills District Council has confirmed that Julian Roskams has resigned as a councillor.

The 53-year-old former Mayor of Malvern is set to appear at Worcester Crown Court next month charged with child pornography offences. 

He resigned at last night's council meeting.

Bromsgrove Advertiser

The front and back pages of this week's Bromsgrove Advertiser, external.

Image source, Bromsgrove Advertiser

Image source, Bromsgrove Advertiser

James Pearson
Journalist, BBC Hereford & Worcester

The chairman of Worcester City Football club has insisted its long-term future lies with a new stadium at Perdiswell. 

Anthony Hampson admitted that the club will make a bigger financial loss this season than previous years, but will survive and almost certainly spend another season ground-sharing at Bromsgrove Sporting. 

Image source, Getty Images

The club hopes a decision on plans to build a new 4,419 stadium at Perdiswell , externalwill be made by the city council in April or May.

The proposal for a community sports stadium includes a floodlit all-weather 3G pitch, secure cycle storage provision and two 20,000 litre below-ground rainwater harvesting tanks.

Worcester Observer

Experienced back row Phil Dowson will retire from rugby at the end of the season, external to return to former club Northampton Saints as an assistant coach.  

The sister of a former West Mercia Police dog handler says he has offered to pay £25,000 to keep his dog, Ivy, now he has retired from the force. 

Sgt David Evans was told his four-year-old dog was due to keep working beyond his retirement date as she was highly trained and it would be best to keep her in active service.

The money has been offered to cover the cost of training a new dog for the force.

Image source, JENNIE EVANS

More than 38,000 people have signed an online petition, external calling for him to be allowed to keep the dog permanently.

Sgt Evans, who's 59, has been told he will have to pass the animal - a Malinois-cross German Shepherd - on to another handler to continue working, say the family.

A weather warning is in place for stormy weather in Herefordshire and Worcestershire today. 

Earlier forecasts suggesting the area would miss any heavy rain and severe winds have now changed.

Trevor Owens
Sports Editor, BBC Hereford & Worcester

Stourport Swifts last night picked up an important 3-0 win over Shepshed Dynamo in the Midland Football League.

Alvechurch progressed in the League Cup with a 4-1 home win over Pelsall Villa.

Listen to live BBC local radio commentary from Saturday's action in the National League and National League North.

BBC Weather

There’s an amber warning in place across the West Midlands for strong winds associated with Storm Doris. 

Gusts of up to 50-60mph and up to 80mph on higher ground are expected between 06:00 and 18:00 tomorrow, the Met Office is warning.   

Hereford Times

A man was ordered to pay £74 by magistrates after stealing two cans of cider.  , external

Matthew Bone
Political reporter, BBC Hereford & Worcester

Worcester City Council has passed its greenest budget in years -  with plans to spend £30,000 on planting new trees and cutting energy costs at the Guildhall (pictured). 

The environmentally friendly measures were added to the budget by the Green Party, external, who have only two councillors but hold the balance of power between Labour and the Conservatives. 

The budget also includes a council tax rise of around £5 a year for the average household and a freeze on parking charges.