Lisa Wright
Journalist, BBC News Online

The theft of two minibuses from a Kidderminster school is expected to severely harm its finances, the head teacher has said.

The theft at Continu Plus Academy follows a similar break-in in February, which saw three minibuses taken.

In that case, head Sara Devo said the insurance payout was worth only "about a third of the value of the three minibuses that were stolen".

Image source, Continu Plus Academy

She said the latest theft had affected its ability to transport about 45 pupils and had "really hit us hard". She said the school was attempting to find temporary replacements.  

A man and a boy had to be airlifted to hospital after their off-road vehicle overturned on a farm near Bromyard.

West Midlands Ambulance Service said a 52-year-old was left with a deep cut to his head, while the 10-year-old boy suffered an elbow injury. 

Both were taken to Hereford County Hospital. 

Image source, West Midlands Ambulance Service

BBC Sport

England star Moeen Ali is expected to feature for Worcestershire this weekend in their Championship Division Two match against Northamptonshire. 

Director of cricket Steve Rhodes described the 29-year-old spinner as a "wonderful character" as well as a "great cricketer".

Image source, Rex Features

The problem will be who will make way after the team's eight-wicket win over Glamorgan last week.  

BBC Hereford and Worcester

Robin Walker, the Conservative MP for Worcester, says he was "surprised" at Prime Minister Theresa May's announcement to call a snap general election but added he's happy to contest his seat.

Worcester is 58th on Labour's target list, with Mr Walker defending a majority of 5,646.

MPs are expected to vote this afternoon to back Theresa May's call for the general election on 8 June.

Image source, Robin Walker

You can follow live coverage and reaction of the announcement on BBC News' dedicated live page.  

Ben Te'o becomes the first Warriors player to be selected for a Lions squad and the club were quick to congratulate the New Zealand-born centre after he was presented with his jersey.

Bromsgrove Advertiser

Here's how the front page is looking for the Bromsgrove Advertiser this morning.

The top stories includes work planned for the M5.

Take a look at these stories and more here, external.

Image source, Bromsgrove Advertiser

ContinU Plus Academy unable to transport pupils to and from school.

Eight people were arrested as part of an investigation into a suspected human trafficking gang.

The arrests were made during early-morning raids in Lancashire, Tyne and Wear and Worcestershire.

Police said eight women suspected of being trafficked to the UK from Romania for prostitution were rescued during the raids in Blackburn, Preston, Blackpool, Gateshead and Evesham.

Police said it was one of the biggest operations of its kind in the country.  

Arrests are made during early-morning operations in Lancashire, Tyne and Wear and Worcestershire.

Trevor Owens
Sports Editor, BBC Hereford & Worcester

Worcester Warriors' centre Ben Te'o has been named in the British and Irish Lions squad for the tour of New Zealand.

Ben Te'o's inclusion in the party had been widely predicted, but it was felt it might come down to a choice between him and his fellow England centre Jonathan Joseph, however both made Warren Gatland's extended 41-man squad. 

Image source, Getty Images

Ben Te'o has started in only one of his eight internationals for England - against Italy in this season's Six Nations Championship, but he has clearly made sufficient impression on Warren Gatland to make the cut.

Monica Rimmer
Journalist, BBC Online

A man has been arrested in Worcester as part of an investigation into a suspected Romanian human trafficking gang. 

The 24-year-old was arrested at an address on St Margaret's Road, Evesham.

Lancashire Police say a series of raids were carried out in the early hours of Wednesday morning in Blackburn, Preston, Blackpool, Gateshead and Evesham. 

A total of eight women were found inside the addresses and were suspected of being trafficked to the UK from Romania for the purposes of prostitution.

Worcestershire boss Steve Rhodes says he is happy to change a winning team to bring in England's Moeen Ali.

BBC Weather Watchers

Our BBC Weather Watchers have sent in some stunning pictures this morning.

This one was taken in Chaddesley Corbett by Karlsskies. We can't believe how vividly pink the sky is. 

Image source, Karlsskies

Bromyard is our next location for another gorgeous pink sky, courtesy of BBC Weather Watcher Postman Les.

Image source, postman Les

If you have a picture you'd like to share, sign up and become a BBC Weather Watcher here. 

Ledbury Reporter

A Hereford man broke into a building belonging to an historic abbey, external after a night of heavy drinking because he wanted to "talk to a monk", a court was told.

A month on from the attack on Westminster, police officers from across the West Midlands will take part in a charity rugby match tonight. 

Officers from West Mercia and Warwickshire will take on their colleagues from West Midlands Police at 19:00 at Finstall Park in Bromsgrove. 

Image source, PA/Facebook

They're raising funds for the families of the officers who were affected by the attacks, which saw a police officer and four others killed.

Thieves have stolen two minibuses from a school in Kidderminster, just months after three other vehicles had been taken from the site. 

The ContinU Plus Academy caters for pupils who have had negative experiences in mainstream education, and says the minibuses provide vital free transport to and from school for pupils. 

BBC Midlands Today

Our top story this morning: Labour could have a fight on its hands if it's to hang on to its key marginal seats in the West Midlands, latest polls suggest.

The party is trailing by more than 20 points compared to the Conservatives.

Yesterday Prime Minister Teresa May said she intended to call an election in June.

Image source, Getty Images

While Labour would appear to have work to do, the Liberal Democrats say they're excited by the prospect of a snap election.

You can follow live coverage and reaction of the announcement on BBC News' dedicated live page.

Charlie Slater
BBC Weather presenter

A chilly but largely bright start to the day. Staying dry but the skies will gradually turn cloudier into the afternoon. 

There will still be some spells of sunshine, these best in the south, where it will feel pleasant - highs of 12C (54F).

BBC Weather Watchers

It's the time of the year when bluebells begin to put on a spectacular show.

These were captured in Doddenham by BBC Weather Watcher, Toppo.

I'd love to feature your photos - of bluebells or anything else that catches your eye in Herefordshire or Worcestershire - you can email, tweet us on @bbchw, external or message via Facebook, external.

Image source, Toppo

A Worcestershire wildlife artist who recently returned from a spell working in Antarctica will be demonstrating her skills at an open day at a Worcestershire nature reserve.

Shelly Perkins was artist-in-residence on board the HMS Protector in Antarctica and will be showing how she transfers her hand-drawn sketches and paintings to a computer to work on them further to complete each piece.

Image source, Shelly Perkins

Tiddesley Wood Open Day takes place between 10:00 and 17:00 on Sunday, 30 April.