BBC Local Live: Herefordshire & Worcestershire on Friday 26 May 2017

Summary

Vigils in Kidderminster and Redditch for victims of Manchester attack
Van driver jailed for killing Malvern teenager
Hundreds of council staff could be underpaid by new IT system, union says
Preparations for Grimley Raceway meet
Updates on Friday 26 May 2017

Live Reporting

Jerry Chester

WW1 refugee link remembered in flag ceremonypublished at 09:19 British Summer Time 24 May 2017
Nicola Goodwin
Reporter, BBC Hereford & Worcester
The people of Herefordshire and Worcestershire who welcomed Belgian refugees into their homes a century ago were honoured in a special ceremony in Hereford last tonight.
Hereford was the first city in the UK to offer hospitality to Belgians fleeing from their homeland - 102 years ago a small group of refugees presented the city with a hand-made silk flag in gratitude for all that had been done for them.
Stuart Dove's mother, Irene, fled Belgium as a baby - he's donated a replica flag to Hereford Town Hall which was dedicated alongside the newly restored original.
Man fights for boyfriend's life after he loses arm in train accidentpublished at 09:00 British Summer Time 24 May 2017
Bromsgrove Advertiser
A man fought to save his boyfriend's life after he got his arm caught in a train travelling to Bromsgrove, external.
Manchester attack: 'I think probably over the next few days it will sink in'published at 08:39 British Summer Time 24 May 2017
BBC Hereford and Worcester
A Worcester woman caught up in the attack in Manchester says the enormity of what happened still hasn't sunk in.
Lydia Watkins and her 11-year-old daughter Madison were at Monday night's Ariana Grande concert and were left stranded in the city overnight.
Image source, EPA
Lydia says her daughter is recovering from the shock of what happened to them.
Quote Message
She's a lot better. A local hotel put us up for the night, which was very nice of them, so she's had a bit of a sleep. I think probably over the next few days it will sink in for both of us
Lydia Watkins
Watch: Your 50-second weather forecastpublished at 08:20 British Summer Time 24 May 2017
Charlie Slater
BBC Weather presenter
It will be another dry day with partly cloudy skies.
There will be increasing bright or sunny spells through the afternoon and it will feel warm in light winds. Highs of 23C (73F).
Media caption,
The latest West Midlands forecast
Good morning from today's Herefordshire and Worcestershire live pagepublished at 08:00 British Summer Time 24 May 2017
Jerry Chester
BBC News Online
Welcome to the Local Live service for Herefordshire and Worcestershire on Wednesday morning.
BBC Weather Watcher Tubbsnook53 took this amazing picture of a sea of mist across Worcestershire, seen from the Malvern Hills.
Image source, Tubsnook53
I'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 @bbchw, external or message via Facebook, external.
Our live coverage across the daypublished at 17:59 British Summer Time 23 May 2017
We'll be back with our usual mix of news, sport, travel and weather from 08:00 tomorrow, but keep an eye out here for more updates this evening and into the morning.
Football: Harriers announce pre-season derby gamespublished at 17:49 British Summer Time 23 May 2017
BBC Hereford and Worcester
Kidderminster Harriers have arranged two more high-profile pre-season games ahead of the new football season.
They will play Birmingham City on 26 July and West Bromwich Albion on 1 August.
Weather: What will Wednesday bring?published at 17:39 British Summer Time 23 May 2017
Charlie Slater
BBC Weather presenter
We're expecting more of the same tomorrow with cloud remaining over most of the region.
It might be a little warmer though, with temperatures forecast to reach 22C (72F).
Media caption,
Charlie Slater has your forecast
Gold medal ambitions for canoeistpublished at 17:25 British Summer Time 23 May 2017
A canoeist from Worcester Canoe Club says she's aiming for Gold in Tokyo 2020 after picking up a silver at the World Championships in Portugal.
Sian Mills (below left) won the 200m canoe sprint in the first of three races making coming second in the finals.
Image source, Sian Mills
Hundreds gathered to remember those who lost their lives during the Falklands Warpublished at 16:55 British Summer Time 23 May 2017
Hereford Times
More than 700 people enjoyed a concert by the Band of the Royal Marines Plymouth on Saturday evening to commemorate the 35th anniversary of the Argentine invasion of the Falkland Islands, external.
Allegations a resident was strapped into bed overnightpublished at 16:35 British Summer Time 23 May 2017
Alistair Binney
Reporter, BBC Hereford & Worcester
Allegations a resident at a Worcestershire care home was strapped into their bed overnight are being investigated, police have confirmed.
West Mercia Police say they are investigating after reports of "an incident" at Lickey Hills Care Home earlier this month.
Image source, Google
A spokesperson for the home says the allegations are being taken "extremely seriously" but its initial findings show there is "no evidence to suggest velcro straps were used" on a resident.
The home says it is "working closely with police and other agencies".
How many weapons can you see?published at 16:09 British Summer Time 23 May 2017
Police in Worcester have issued this challenge.
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Your photos: Broadway and Arleypublished at 15:48 British Summer Time 23 May 2017
BBC Midlands Today
You've been sharing all sorts of photos via the BBC Midlands Today Facebook page, external.
They include this pair, taken in Broadway (top) and Arley (below).
Image source, Janine King
Image source, Jimmy Apps
Cathedrals are a 'focus for prayer, reflection and comfort' says deanpublished at 15:24 British Summer Time 23 May 2017
The dean of Hereford Cathedral says its 'thoughts and prayers" are with the victims of the suicide bombing in Manchester, as well as with "the bereaved, the injured and the emergency services".
Quote Message
We know that at times like these, cathedrals become a focus for prayer, reflection and comfort, and we'll be thinking of the community at Manchester Cathedral as they seek to offer support and comfort at this most difficult time."
Michael Tavinor, Dean of Hereford Cathedral
Homeless charity is mayor's choicepublished at 15:06 British Summer Time 23 May 2017
Charities helping homeless people and people with mental health issues have been chosen by the new mayor of Redditch for support in her year in office.
Jenny Wheeler was elected mayor at last night’s annual meeting of Redditch Borough Council.
Image source, Redditch Borough Council
Prayers instead of hustingspublished at 14:45 British Summer Time 23 May 2017
Alistair Binney
Reporter, BBC Hereford & Worcester
Election hustings due to take place at Pershore Baptist Church tonight have been cancelled.
In their place the organisers, Churches Together in Pershore, are to hold a short service at 19:00.
There will be candles and periods of silence for reflection and prayer as people remember those who have been affected by the suicide bombing in Manchester.
Image source, Google
Suspected 'potent' drug fentanyl seizedpublished at 14:31 British Summer Time 23 May 2017
A man has been arrested after a property was searched by police in Malvern.
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Seriously ill dog dumped from vanpublished at 14:16 British Summer Time 23 May 2017
A seriously ill dog has been "heartlessly" dumped from a van in Redditch, the RSPCA say.
Despite being taken to a vets after a member of the public reported the incident, the dog was later put down.
The animal welfare charity is appealing for anyone who has information about the female Shar Pei to come forward.
Image source, google
Quote Message
This poor dog was heartlessly abandoned in the most callous way in her hour of need. It's heartbreaking to think such a poorly dog was simply dumped and left to die."
Mark Lewis, RSPCA
The dog was abandoned in Edgeworth Close, Redditch, at around midnight on Thursday.
Kidderminster’s new civic leader chosenpublished at 13:51 British Summer Time 23 May 2017
Kidderminster Shuttle
Conservative councillor Nicky Gale has been elected as Kidderminster's new mayor, external for the forthcoming municipal year.
Rugby: Warriors' talisman selected for Boks tourpublished at 13:30 British Summer Time 23 May 2017
Worcester Warriors' scrum half Francois Hougaard has been named in the Springboks' squad for their test series against France.
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Image source, Getty Images