BBC News Hereford & Worcester

Top Stories

Sport

Latest Updates

  1. Envelope update

    Severe disruption: M50 Herefordshire westbound

    BBC News Travel

    M50 Herefordshire westbound severe disruption, before J4 for A40.

    M50 Herefordshire - One lane closed and it's slow on M50 westbound before J4, A40 (Travellers Rest roundabout), because of a van which has broken down.

    To report traffic and travel incidents dial 0330 123 0184 at any time

  2. Warriors' departing 'club legend' wants to keep on playing

    BBC Sport

    Chris Pennell

    Worcester stalwart Chris Pennell insists he is fit enough to carry on playing despite parting company with the Premiership club at the age of 34.

    The once-capped ex-England full-back has been made offers - and will weigh it all up with his family before making a decision on his immediate future.

    "I'd love to carry on playing," he told BBC Hereford & Worcester.

    "I'm as fit as I've ever been. I genuinely feel really good. I don't think I've ever felt so fresh."

  3. Euro 2020: England pub expects 'brilliant atmosphere'

    Pubs across the country showing the England v Scotland game in Euro 2020 are preparing for full houses this evening.

    Flags outside the pub

    Emma Peach runs the Three Lions in Stourport, Worcestershire, and is expecting people from several hours before kick-off.

    "We can have a capacity of 140 people. We are getting a lot of enquiries, we operate on a first come first served basis so I am expecting people to start arriving pretty much from three o'clock," she said.

    Under current Covid rules, pubs can serve customers indoors with groups of up to six - or two households of any size - allowed.

    Even though there are restrictions, Mrs Peach said her customers were expected to follow them and she was ready for a "brilliant atmosphere".

  4. Covid coma survivor set for charity Snowdon climb

    BBC Radio Hereford and Worcester

    A father-of-three who spent almost three months in intensive care with Covid-19 is going to climb Snowdon to raise money for a hospice.

    Leighton with his family

    Leighton Webster, from Redditch, was rushed to hospital in April 2020 and spent more than six weeks in a coma after being put on a ventilator.

    The supermarket worker was given a 10% chance of survival but was reunited with his family in July.

    The trek up Snowdon on Saturday is in aid of the Primrose Hospice, Bromsgrove, after they supported his family "in a very tough time".

    Mr Webster said he will do the climb with his daughter Chloe which means everything to him.

    "I missed so much time with her last year. Just to have a photo at the top, that will be a good memory for us both," he said.

  5. Weather: A grey start across the West Midlands

    BBC Weather

    A change from all the sunshine today, with much cooler and soggier conditions across the region.

    Find your forecast here.

    Video content

    Video caption: A band of rain heads into the West Midlands from the east.
  6. Live updates for the West Midlands

    Welcome to the start of our live service for Friday.

    We’ll be bringing you all the latest updates for the West Midlands.

    You can let us know about stories in your area via email, Twitter and Facebook.

  7. A&E visits higher than pre-pandemic, figures show

    BBC Radio Hereford and Worcester

    The number of people visiting emergency departments at hospitals in Worcestershire is higher than before the pandemic, NHS figures reveal.

    Alexandra Hospital, Redditch

    Hospital bosses in Worcestershire are asking patients to only go to A&E in emergencies as they say many patient complaints are minor ailments which could be dealt with at a chemist or by a GP.

    They say, on average, current emergency department attendances at the Worcestershire Royal are 39 more per day compared to May 2019 and 16 per day at the Alexandra Hospital.

    Jason Seewoodhary, a GP in Worcester, says the increase may be partly down to long waiting lists at GP surgeries since the return of face-to-face appointments after lockdown.

    "There is a massive backlog of illnesses that need to be assessed.

    "The appointment system has been somewhat exhausted and it may be some patients are using it to bypass the GP or to try and get rapid access to diagnostic services," he says.

  8. Green algae spotted on River Severn

    The Environment Agency is monitoring green algae that's appeared on the River Severn in Worcestershire and Gloucestershire.

    It occurs naturally when river flows are low in hot, dry weather.

    View more on twitter
  9. Mandatory vaccines hurting recruitment already, says manager

    A care home manager claims staff have already threatened resignation if Covid vaccinations become compulsory.

    The government announced on Wednesday the vaccination would be mandatory for all care home staff in England.

    Generic image of carer

    Geoff Butcher, who runs six care homes in the West Midlands, said the approach was "incorrect".

    He said two of his staff had already said they would leave their roles if it was enforced and an applicant had walked out of an interview.

    "It's already impacting recruitment," Mr Butcher, who runs Blackadder Care Group, said.

    "This is my primary concern - if you're looking to make care homes safe, the first thing you need is to have them fully staffed.

    "So if you're having things that are going to impact those staffing levels and impact what is already a very difficult recruitment process... you're putting in a significant risk."

    The group runs homes in Malvern, Hereford, Bewdley, Stourbridge, Leicester and Cheltenham.

    Mr Butcher said he supported carers being vaccinated, but said the approach should be "to explain and encourage people, not to make it compulsory".

    Health Secretary Matt Hancock said it was a "sensible and reasonable step".

  10. West Midlands forecast: Scattered showers before turning drier

    BBC Weather

    Today is forecast to be mainly cloudy with scattered showers or spells of rain before turning drier this evening. High: 19C (66F).

    A yellow weather warning for thunderstorms is in place from the Met Office until 19:00 on Thursday with the area affected covering part of Warwickshire.

    Area affected by weather warning

    Tonight is expected to be dry with clear spells before turning cloudier towards dawn. Low: 13C (55F).

    You can stay up-to-date on the weather for your area by going to the BBC Weather website.

  11. Envelope update

    Severe disruption: M5 Worcestershire southbound

    BBC News Travel

    M5 Worcestershire southbound severe disruption, between J8 for M50 and J9 for A46.

    M5 Worcestershire - One lane blocked on M5 southbound between J8 M50 and J9, A46 (Tewkesbury), because of a breakdown.

    To report traffic and travel incidents dial 0330 123 0184 at any time

  12. Covid extension won't stop Sir Tom Jones visit

    BBC Radio Hereford and Worcester

    The extension to lockdown restrictions won't prevent Eastnor Castle from staging Lakefest later in the summer.

    Sir Tom Jones is still scheduled to make an appearance at the four-day festival, which starts on 12 August.

    Tom Jones

    The event organisers said it will be a tribute to "all of the wonderful gatherings that have been swept from the calendar" this year and they promised one last surprise announcement.

  13. Today's weather: A lovely start and clear conditions

    BBC Weather

    Temperatures could get up to 27C (80F) this afternoon, in a day full of sunny skies.

    Video content

    Video caption: A bright day, leading to showers and possible thunderstorms in the early hours of tomorrow