Summary

  • Extra funding for hospitals confirmed

  • Replacement bridge opening date announced

  • Sanctuary for sheep with abnormalities

  • WW1 pilgrimage for grandson

  • Worcestershire in first innings collapse

  • Updates on Friday 21 April 2017

  1. Council farmland sale gets under waypublished at 14:04 British Summer Time 24 April 2017

    Tenant farmers say they will have to leave if the new owners want to the land themselves.

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  2. O'Callaghan signs new Warriors dealpublished at 13:50 British Summer Time 24 April 2017

    Former Ireland and Lions lock forward Donncha O'Callaghan signs a new contract with Worcester, at the age of 38.

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  3. Wyre Forest Lib Dems name their parliamentary candidatepublished at 13:45 British Summer Time 24 April 2017

    The Liberal Democrats have announced that Councillor Shazu Miah will be their candidate for the Wyre Forest constituency in the general election. 

    Mr Miah says he will be campaigning against a hard Brexit and for keeping Britain in the single market.

    Shazu MiahImage source, Wyre Forest Liberal Democrats
    Quote Message

    Thirty six percent of Wyre Forest residents voted to remain in the EU and many more oppose the reckless decision of this hard-right Conservative government to pursue a 'hard Brexit'. Only the Lib Dems here in Wyre Forest are truly fighting her plans and fought to Remain."

    Shazu Miah, Lib Dem parliamentary candidate

    The deadline for nominating candidates is 11 May, but most parties will want their representatives in place well before that. 

    We'll bring you the latest on the election campaign as we get it.

  4. Hereford postman back doing his rounds after London Marathonpublished at 13:15 British Summer Time 24 April 2017

    Jerry Chester
    BBC News Online

    A day after completing the London Marathon, a Hereford postman who's still recovering from a dog attack is back delivering mail across the county. 

    Mike Chandler yesterday completed his 17th London Marathon for Breast Cancer Haven, in four hours and 54 minutes. 

    He's raised £18,000 so far this year, bringing his total fundraising tally through running to nearly £400,000.

    Mike ChandlerImage source, Mike Chandler
    Quote Message

    I’m feeling so proud and privileged to have represented the lovely and generous people of Herefordshire, my wonderful colleagues at Royal Mail and Hereford’s Breast Cancer Haven in the London Marathon. As always in memory of my Mum too.”

    Mike Chandler, Hereford postman

  5. Worcester 'super village' could expandpublished at 12:54 British Summer Time 24 April 2017

    Worcester News

    Worcester's controversial "super village", external is likely to expand to more than 2,600 homes - with the entire concept coming under sustained attack.

    map showing site of super villageImage source, Worcester News
  6. Your photos: Carpet of colour in Malvernpublished at 12:27 British Summer Time 24 April 2017

    Claudia Berry
    Producer, BBC Hereford & Worcester

    Thanks to Dave Bright from Bright Sky Videos for this stunning picture of bluebells and wild garlic growing at the foot of Ragged Stone Hill in Malvern.

    Woods at Ragged Stone HillImage source, Dave Bright
  7. Dog behaviourist admits his dogs killed dozens of lambspublished at 12:09 British Summer Time 24 April 2017

    Nicola Goodwin
    Reporter, BBC Hereford & Worcester

    A dog behaviourist from Shropshire has admitted that his two pets killed dozens of lambs on a Herefordshire farm.

    Charles Ross-Robertson pleaded guilty to owning two Rottweiler-cross dogs which killed the sheep, valued at £21,000, in Risbury last September.

    At the time, farmer Thomas Hadley (pictured) said his field was "scattered" with dead sheep.

    Ross-Robertson is due to be sentenced in May.

    Thomas Hadley

    The dogs called Brindle and Bourneville have been kept in kennels since the attack, at a cost to the public of £7,500.

    An application has been made for them to be destroyed.

  8. Warriors: O'Callaghan to stay at Sixwayspublished at 11:24 British Summer Time 24 April 2017

    Trevor Owens
    Sports Editor, BBC Hereford & Worcester

    Warriors Warriors' Irish international Donncha O’Callaghan has signed a new deal with the club.

    The former British Lion O'Callaghan, who made the move to Sixways in September 2015 after 17 seasons with Munster, has been captaining the side in recent weeks, as they avoided relegation from the Premiership.

    Donncha O’CallaghanImage source, Getty Images
    Quote Message

    Donncha is a phenomenon. He must be one of the most professional rugby players in the world and the manner in which he prepares for matches, mentally and physically, is an outstanding example for any young player."

    Gary Gold, Director of Rugby

    Since taking over the captaincy, O’Callaghan’s Warriors have been on a remarkable run which has seen them rack up 17 points in seven games, including wins over Bristol Rugby and Bath Rugby.  

  9. Two years to rebuild delivery firm site destroyed by firepublished at 10:40 British Summer Time 24 April 2017

    Phil Maiden
    Reporter, BBC Hereford & Worcester

    The delivery firm ArrowXL which suffered a major fire at its hub in Worcester last Thursday, says it could be two years before the warehouse is up and running again in the city. 

    In the meantime, the company is moving its operation to Chepstow, with work starting there on Wednesday. 

    Warehousing staff will be transported to and from Chepstow each day, whilst delivery staff will continue to be based in Worcester. 

    Media caption,

    Aerial shots of massive warehouse fire

    Quote Message

    Together, we are looking to the future in Worcester and everyone is fully determined to get back to ‘business as usual’ as soon as possible."

    Charlie Shiels, Chief operating officer at ArrowXL

  10. Puppy smuggling 'biggest animal welfare issue'published at 08:49 British Summer Time 24 April 2017

    Felicity Sanderson
    Journalist

    Puppy smuggling is the "biggest welfare issue of this decade," according to the RSPCA and it's happening here in Herefordshire and Worcestershire. 

    Sixty seven calls were made last year to the charity by people in the two counties concerned with the illegal trade of puppies. 

    Across the country, the charity says calls about animal smuggling to its cruelty line has more than doubled to 3,600 compared with five years ago

    PuppyImage source, AFP
  11. Watch: What's the weather doing today?published at 08:24 British Summer Time 24 April 2017

    Charlie Slater
    BBC Weather presenter

    After a cloudy start with some light showers, it should be a dry and bright day with highs of 12C (54F).

    You can find a detailed forecast for your area on the BBC Weather site.

    Media caption,

    Latest weather for the West Midlands

  12. Worcs seal stunning win over Northantspublished at 19:39 British Summer Time 22 April 2017

    Worcestershire pull off a remarkable win over Northants inside two days, in a match dominated by the bowlers at New Road.

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  13. Moeen 50 on bowlers' day at Worcesterpublished at 18:14 British Summer Time 21 April 2017

    England's Moeen Ali scores 50 in his first Championship game of 2017 for Worcestershire, as 16 wickets fall against Northants.

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  14. Our live coverage across the daypublished at 18:00 British Summer Time 21 April 2017

    Live updates for Herefordshire and Worcestershire have finished for the day but local stories will be added automatically. 

    We'll be back from 08:00 on Monday with more live news, sport, travel and weather.

  15. Watch: Lucts boss 'disappointed' over redundancypublished at 17:50 British Summer Time 21 April 2017

    Trevor Owens
    Sports Editor, BBC Hereford & Worcester

    Luctonians’ director of rugby, Alex Davidson, has confirmed he has been made redundant by the club and will leave at the end of the month.

    Davidson has been with the National Two North club for the past seven seasons and has helped establish them at the fourth tier of the pyramid.

    The former Birmingham Bees lock says he’s disappointed and plans to take a break, but insists he will then be looking to get back into the game.

    Media caption,

    Lucts boss 'disappointed' over redundancy

  16. Three things you wanted to knowpublished at 17:45 British Summer Time 21 April 2017

    You have been using Your Questions to ask about the West Midlands - here are some of our answers.

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  17. Weather: Cloudy, with some sunshine tomorrowpublished at 17:44 British Summer Time 21 April 2017

    Rebecca Wood
    BBC Weather

    It's going to remain cloudy overnight, but we should see a little sunshine tomorrow afternoon with temperatures expected to reach 13C (55F) in places.

    Media caption,

    The weather forecast for the West Midlands

  18. Slideshow: Blooms and treespublished at 17:31 British Summer Time 21 April 2017

    BBC Weather Watchers

    It may be cloudy overhead but BBC Weather Watchers have been out and about getting some great spring pictures.

    Thanks to Toppo, Postman Les, Mikesnapper and Johnqa for this selection.

    Media caption,

    Blooms and trees