Ten years for man who drove off after hitting police officer
Teacher guilty of 'unacceptable professional conduct' over pupil emails
Lifeline for new football stadium plans
Allowances rises a 'slap in the face for local people'
Early opening for Cathedral square restaurants
Rare butterfly numbers on the rise
Updates on Friday 14 July 2017
Rich Davis
BBC Weather presenter
Enjoy this gloomy, oppressive cloud while you can - tomorrow we're getting heavy rain across the West Midlands.
And it's forecast to stay through the week.
Weather forecast for the West Midlands
BBC News Travel
There has been a serious crash in Ross-on-Wye, police say, with the B4234 currently blocked.
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A thief who proposed to a woman with an engagement ring he stole from a 91-year-old during a burglary, external has been jailed, police said.
A Herefordshire fruit grower says it's a great year for blackcurrants, thanks to the almost perfect weather conditions over the last six months.
The winter was relatively cold, providing the necessary 1,500 - 2,000 hours of temperatures below 7C between November and February, and then the recent sunshine has helped to sweeten the berries.
James Wright at Whittern Farms near Kington says it's not so much a bumper, as a high quality crop.
Quote MessageWe had quite an easy time during May and June. It's been lovely weather which has led to fantastic quality fruit, so it's far better than it was last year."
James Wright, Farm manager at Whittern Farms near Kington
A Worcestershire woman who's raised £40,000 to pay for private treatment in Moscow has flown out this morning, saying she's full of hope.
Janet Voyce from Kidderminster has multiple sclerosis and is hoping the procedure abroad will improve her quality of life.
Although stem cell therapy for MS is being trialled on the NHS, fewer than 100 people have had it and Janet doesn't qualify.
Quote MessageThere's a good 80% chance that it should stop the MS in its tracks and that's really what I'm hoping for and if I can get some improvement in my symptoms, that'll be a huge bonus. A lot of people see that, so I'm hopeful, I'm really hopeful."
Janet Voyce
BBC News England
Image source, @OPUWORCSOne person was killed when four cars and a lorry crashed on the M42 near Redditch and Bromsgrove.
Three of the cars went up in flames after the smash on the southbound junction of the motorway last night.
One woman was pulled from a flaming car by an off-duty paramedic who ran to her aid.
A 52-year-old man from Exmouth, Devon, has been arrested on suspicion of death by dangerous driving, police say. He remains in police custody.
Claudia Berry
Producer, BBC Hereford & Worcester
A bus company that operates about 30 routes in Worcestershire has defended its record, following complaints about its service in Stourport.
Diamond Bus says recently introduced ticket machines which are GPS enabled allow them to monitor their service more closely and the data shows an improved service in the Wyre Forest Area.
However, Stourport Town Councillor Rob Lloyd says he's been inundated with complaints about the company in the last few weeks, indicating a significant decline in reliability and punctuality over the summer.
Diamond Bus says unpredictable traffic and congestion can impact its performance.
Seven have been injured in the M42 collision in which three cars burst into flames.
Read MoreA woman has been sexually assaulted by a man on a bike , externalas she was walking home in Worcester.
The woman who's in her 40s was grabbed inappropriately from behind as she walked on Bath Road in the early hours of Sunday 2 July.
He then rode off towards the Anchor Inn on Diglis Road, where he was later seen outside.
Image source, GoogleEnglish wine producers enjoyed a bumper year in 2016, with sales totalling £132m - up 16% on the year before.
Research by Funding Options also found 64 new producers obtained licences to produce wine in 2016 - another record for the industry.
Bev Haywood from Astley Vineyard near Stourport says they regularly sell out because demand for English wine is growing.
Image source, Astley VineyardQuote MessageThe English public is much more open-minded these days. When it comes to English wine they say, 'OK I'll give it a go,' and then, 'this is really good,' with surprise in their voice."
Bev Haywood, joint owner of Astley Vineyard
Quote MessageThe English wine industry is not only gaining traction amongst domestic consumers, but is now being ranked with wines from traditional white wine-producing countries such as France and Germany.”
Conrad Ford, Founder of Funding Options
BBC News Travel
Traffic is easing on the M5 southbound, Highways England says., external
An accident had earlier shut the motorway between J4A and J5, but all lanes are now open.
With the 2017 county season here, keep up to date with the latest signings, departures and rumours ahead of next season.
Read MoreThere are still severe delays southbound on the M5 near Droitwich.
Two lanes have opened after the earlier accident, but there are long tailbacks
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Some fruit and vegetable farmers say they are already struggling to recruit enough overseas staff due to fears over Brexit and a weak pound making picking less lucrative when converted into euros.
Fruit farmers warn of acute staff shortages after Brexit
A 29-year-old who was caught driving with cocaine in his system said he lost control of his car because he sneezed. , external
A BBC Investigation has found that one of the UK's biggest fresh vegetable producers is threatening to move production abroad from Worcestershire, if Brexit results in labour shortages or adverse trade conditions.
G's Fresh in Evesham uses about 3,000 foreign workers mainly drawn from around Europe.
The company has told the Panorama programme that it can't recruit seasonal British workers in enough numbers and is worried about losing its pickers when Britain leaves the European Union.
The organisers of a major cycling event are considering making further changes to the route, following complaints from rural communities in Worcestershire.
Traders in Ombersley and the surrounding villages are angry that the A4133 will be closed for more than seven hours during the Velo Birmingham race on 24 September.
Image source, GoogleQuote MessageI think there's been a complete lack of consultation. I think the council have largely underestimated the feeling about this. On paper, it looks a great event and nobody wants to be a kill-joy. It's fabulous that money is going to be raised for charity, but you don't need to turn the Worcestershire countryside into gridlock in order to do that."
Colin Broomfield,, Owner of Broomfields Farm Shop in Holt Heath near Ombersley
CMS Active who're organising the event have confirmed that whilst they're listening to complaints about the route, anyone affected by road closures would not be compensated.
An off-duty ambulance worker has been praised for pulling a woman from a burning car in Worcestershire.
The technician was in traffic just behind a fatal crash involving a lorry and four cars on the M42 shortly before 21:00 on Sunday.
The woman was treated for minor burns and an arm injury and taken to Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Birmingham.
Quote MessageAn off-duty technician... immediately went to assist upon seeing the collision and with the help of bystanders, managed to pull a woman from one of the burning cars. The quick-thinking actions of those who rescued the woman undoubtedly saved her from suffering far more significant injuries."
West Midlands Ambulance spokesperson
After fire crews put out the fires, one person was found dead in a burnt out car. Two others were taken to hospital with non-life threatening injuries.
There were some amazing sunsets across Herefordshire and Worcestershire last night. Thanks to BBC Weather Watchers HappySnapper71 in Eaton Bishop and Toppo in Doddenham for these great photographs.
Image source, HappySnapper71
Image source, Toppo
Image source, OtherGloucestershire Police first heard of the incident shortly after 9pm last night.
A report was received of a car which had "lost control and collided with a parked vehicle and a number of pedestrians".
"Some of the pedestrians were injured and attended hospital. Their injuries are not believed to be life threatening," added a force spokeswoman.
"Investigations continue and anyone with information is asked to call police on 101 quoting incident 541 of 9 July."
A man from Worcestershire has been reported for dangerous driving.
