Allen Cook
BBC Local Live

Unemployment fell by 5,000 in the West Midlands in the three months to March to 161,000, external, official figures show. 

Image source, DANIEL LEAL-OLIVAS/AFP/Getty Images

However, compared with the same three months in 2016, the number of people out of work in the West Midlands is up by 4,000. 

Overall, the Office for National Statistics' figures showed the unemployment rate across the country fell to its lowest level in 42 years.

James Pearson
Political reporter, BBC Hereford & Worcester

Worcester City Council has begun a new era of power-sharing, with a promise of "grown up politics" from its leader. 

A new constitution hands control from Labour to an all-party committee system. 

But after a bitter council meeting last night, Labour's Adrian Gregson has hung on to control of the top job, despite an 11th hour attempt by the Conservatives to share the role between two people. 

Councillor Gregson will now have to work with a Tory, Marc Bayliss, as his deputy.  

Worcester News

A terrified mum has spoken of the moment her two beloved dogs were attacked so savagely by a rampaging dog, external they have since had to be put down.  

Trevor Owens
Sports Editor, BBC Hereford & Worcester

Worcestershire Rapids last night booked themselves a home draw in the semi-finals of the Royal London One-Day Cup when they beat Derbyshire Falcons by five wickets in a rain-affected game in Derby.

Batting first, the home side made 209 for 8 in 36 overs, with Ed Barnard taking three wickets for Worcestershire.

Image source, Getty Images

But half-centuries from Tom Kohler-Cadmore (pictured) and Daryl Mitchell meant the Rapids made light work of their run chase reaching their revised target of 218 with four overs to spare.  

Charlie Slater
BBC Weather presenter

A mostly cloudy day with further spells of rain. The rain will be locally heavy and possibly thundery, mainly in the east.

It will gradually become drier in the far west later. Feeling cool - highs of 11C (52F).

BBC News Travel

Signalling problems at Bromsgrove mean that trains between Birmingham New Street and Worcester will be delayed by up to 15 minutes or cancelled, external, Network Rail say. 

Jerry Chester
BBC News Online

Welcome to the Local Live service for Herefordshire and Worcestershire on Wednesday morning. 

There's been a damp start to the day, as you can see from this picture from BBC Weather Watcher Solar Power - full video forecast to come in the next half hour.

Image source, Solar Power

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 on @bbchw, external or message via Facebook, external. 

A library in a Powys town made famous for its literature festival is given a "stay of execution", supporters say.

Worcestershire secure top spot in the One-Day Cup North Group and earn a home semi-final by beating Derbyshire.

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.

A man in his 70s has died after the car he was driving collided with an HGV, external, police say.

West Mercia Police say the collision happened on the A4440 in Worcester by the junction of Swinesherd Way at 11:48 this morning.

Image source, Google

The car driver was taken to Worcestershire Royal Hospital, where he later died.

The driver of the HGV was uninjured, a spokesman said.

Stockings Meadow, external is an area of grassland near Bromyard, with "a very rich flora, including a number of orchids", according to Herefordshire Wildlife Trust, who look after it. 

A rare film of an elephant being herded down a lane in Herefordshire is being shown as part of a film festival celebrating the 70th anniversary of Indian independence.

It's being staged between now and July by Flicks in the Sticks, an arts organisation who put on feature films in village halls and community centres across the region.

Ian Kerry, from Flicks in the Sticks, says the elephant had been left behind by a travelling circus just before the war, when there were restrictions on moving animals.

It was housed in a run-down building, which is still referred to as the elephant house.

Charlie Slater
BBC Weather presenter

You can also get the latest updates via the BBC Weather website.

Worcester Warriors' South Africa international flanker Dewald Potgieter signs a new, undisclosed-length contract.

Two Herefordshire buildings have given awards for their design by the Royal Institute of British Architects. 

Croft Lodge Studio in Leominster and St Michael's Hospice in Hereford (pictured) were named as winning buildings at RIBA's West Midlands awards. 

Image source, St Michael’s Hospice

Croft Lodge studio is a ruined 17th Century cottage which has been converted into a design studio while maintaining the look of the original building.

St Michael's Hospice is built next to a former convent in Bartestree.

The winners will now be considered for their national awards, which will be announced in June.  

Dave Bradley
Cricket commentator

Play between Worcestershire and Derbyshire will begin after a break for rain.

Derbyshire were on 35-1 when play stopped in the Royal London One-Day Cup. The game is now reduced to 36 overs a side.

You can hear full commentary on BBC Hereford & Worcester's 738AM frequency and online.

Residents are being asked to give their opinions on the what the future should hold for a 900-acre country park.

Arrow Valley County Park, which is managed by Redditch Borough Council, contains a 29-acre lake, and is the largest open space in the town.

Image source, Google

The park was created in the 1970s by the Redditch Development Corporation which built Redditch new town.

Local people can give their views via a park survey, external, which is available on the council's website.

BBC Weather Watchers

It takes more than some showers and cloudy skies to stop BBC Weather Watchers getting out and about with their cameras.

Thanks to LouNik for the bloom in Hereford and Toppo for the view from Doddenham.

Image source, LouNik

Image source, Toppo

Worcester News

A bungling burglar was caught after he left his blood on a safe during a botched raid at a family home in Worcester, external.