BBC Local Live: Herefordshire & Worcestershire

1. Ten years for man who drove off after hitting police officer
2. Teacher guilty of 'unacceptable professional conduct' over pupil emails
3. Lifeline for new football stadium plans
4. Allowances rises a 'slap in the face for local people'
5. Early opening for Cathedral square restaurants
6. Rare butterfly numbers on the rise
7. Updates on Friday 14 July 2017

Denly & McKay shine, Roses rivals tie

The T20 Blast match between Yorkshire and Lancashire ends in a tie, while Kent enjoy a record-breaking night at The Oval.

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Our live coverage across the day

We'll be back with our usual mix of news, sport, travel and weather from 08:00 on Monday.

Police officer injured by hit and run driver back on duty

The police officer who was injured when he was deliberately driven into by a disqualified driver says the experience will "stay with me for life".

Michael Park, 46, of Evesham Road, Cleeve Prior, was jailed for 10 years at Worcester Crown Court for attempting to cause grievous bodily harm with intent.

In February, PC Paul Buffrey was hit by a car driven by Park in Oat Street, Evesham, when the officer attempted to stop him for driving while disqualified.

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Mr Buffery suffered injuries to his legs, shoulder and head, and was off work for four weeks.

Although my level of injury was relatively minor compared to what it could have been it was still a very unpleasant experience which will stay with me for life."

PC Paul Buffery

Charges over multimillion-pound art and jewellery burglary

Twelve men have been charged in connection with a burglary in which millions of pounds worth of artwork and antique jewellery was stolen from the home of a former MP.

The raid was at the home of Esmond and Susie Bulmer, members of the Bulmers cider family, in Bruton, Somerset, in 2009.

A total of 15 paintings were stolen, worth an estimated £1.7m, along with £1m of antique jewellery.

Those charged include two men from Birmingham and another from Solihull.

Mr Bulmer was Conservative MP for Kidderminster from 1974 to 1983. He was MP for Wyre Forest from 1983 until the general election of 1987 when he stepped down.

His family made their fortune when they sold their stake in their family's Hereford-based cider-making business.

Slideshow: Ferns, flowers and fields

As the sun comes out from behind the clouds, BBC Weather Watchers have been busy with their cameras.

This selection comes from Jenny Wren, MIkesnapper, J9 and Postman Les.

Ferns, flowers and fields

Watch: Your 50-second weather forecast

After a bright and dry evening with sunny spells, the region will tend to cloud over during the night. Low cloud, rain and drizzle will reach the region by morning. Lows of 14C (57F).

Weather for the West Midlands.

Your pictures: Eel wrestling flood prevention

Environment Agency workers go above and beyond the call of duty as they wrestle eels while they work on flood defences.

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Man deliberately drove car at policeman

Michael Park has been given ten years after being found guilty of trying to cause grievous bodily harm.

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Rugby stadium ready for Bryan Adams concert

Sixways, the home of the Worcester Warriors, now has an artificial pitch, but they've covered it up, just to make sure.

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View more on twitter

Coucillors' allowances rise: Your reactions

You've been giving your reactions to the news that councillors at Worcestershire County Council have voted for a rise in their allowances, including a 10% rise for the leader of the council.

The rises were recommended by an independent review.

Here are some of the comments you've been making on the BBC Hereford & Worcester Facebook page.

BBC

10% for the leader... 1000% more than Firefighters, Nurses, Police, Teachers and 500% more than their own Council colleagues!"

James Bainbridge

Why are we not all equally paid. We all do a job and all deserve to have a fair wage. We can't do without doctors and nurses. We could do without a few councillors."

Jean Matthews

Many councillors perform the role on top of full time jobs and family commitments. Some even use the allowance to fund childcare costs for when they're performing council duties. If they aren't compensated for the sacrifice they make elsewhere in their lives, we would end end up being represented only by those who are wealthy enough to do it."

Julian Phillips

Slideshow: Scudding clouds and blue skies

There's a lot of cloud about today but that hasn't stopped BBC Weather Watchers taking some great photos.

Thanks to Fuzzballpc, Morning Amble, Mikesnapper and Johnqa for this selection.

Scudding clouds and blue skies

Bulmers cider family raid: Twelve charged

Paintings and jewellery valued at £2.7m was stolen in the raid in 2009.

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Former ballet dancer takes gold in triathlon

Former ballet dancer Jemima Cooper is now winning medals in the very different sport of triathlon.

Man jailed for 10 years for driving at police officer

A man who drove his car into a police officer has been sentenced to 10 years in jail.

A jury a Worcester Crown Court found Michael Park, of Evesham Road, Cleeve Prior, guilty of attempting to cause grievous bodily harm with intent.

West Mercia Police

The 46-year-old also pleaded guilty to failing to stop after a road accident, dangerous driving, driving whilst disqualified and using a motor vehicle on a road without insurance.

In February, Park deliberately drove into PC Paul Buffery, in Oat Street, Evesham, when the officer tried to stop his car, knowing he was disqualified from driving, West Mercia Police say.

PC Buffery is a dedicated officer who is well respected in the Evesham community and was deliberately injured whilst doing his duty to protect local people."

Kevin PurcellWest Mercia Police Policing Commander for South Worcestershire

Malvern Hills Trust has 'very serious concerns' about proposed fire service cuts

The guardians of the Malvern Hills have "very serious concerns" about how proposed fire cuts will affect people using their land.

New funds for community housing projects

A £500,000 fund has been set up by Herefordshire Council to support community housing projects.

Grants of £1,000 and £10,000 will be available to offset the costs associated with setting up a community-led group.

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Separate grants of between £5,000 and £40,000 are available to "move a project forward to the planning process".

Teacher sent pupil 'flirtatious' emails

Laurence Paul, who taught at The King's School, sent "flirtatious" late-night emails to a pupil.

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Job centres to move to libraries

Two Worcestershire job centres are to move into libraries to help meet council saving cuts.

The Department of Work and Pensions has given permission for job centres in Kidderminster and Redditch to move into the town's libraries.

The council say this will help "meet savings targets by generating rental income".

BBC

We already have successful co-location with the job centre in Malvern Library and Bromsgrove Parkside, where customers have benefited from upgraded library facilities and improved services for jobseekers. It is anticipated that the work needed for the co-locations at Kidderminster and Redditch, which will include an upgrade of both libraries, will be complete by spring 2018."

Councillor Lucy HodgsonWorcestershire County Council

Woman killed in M42 pile-up named

Ann Goddard, 70, from Vale of Glamorgan, died at the scene of the crash earlier this month.

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Tower climb to raise money for Grenfell victims

Staff from Herefordshire housing association will be climbing up the cathedral today to raise money for the victims of the Grenfell Tower fire.

The team from West Mercia Homes will be given a blessing from the Dean of Hereford before climbing the 218 steps of Hereford Cathedral tower.

BBC

They'll also be joined on the 140ft (43m) climb by staff and tenants from the Supported Housing for Young People Project, which helps young people with housing in the county.

School to hold lessons on board new learning bus

Music lessons and other small teaching groups at a Barnt Green school will now be taught on board a bus, in an attempt to combat space constraints.

Slideshow: Prize-winning nature photos

Enjoy some of the stunning nature photos chosen in a competition to feature in next year's Worcestershire Wildlife Trust calendar.

This selection from the 12 winners come from Lyndon Bracewell, Kate Barry, Rebecca Fox, John Caswell and David Oliver.

Prize-winning nature photos

Cricket: Moeen aims to bamboozle South Africa again

Worcestershire's Moeen Ali, who took 10 wickets in the first Test and scored 87 runs in the first innings, will be hoping for more success with bat and ball as the second test against South Africa gets under way.

South Africa won the toss and chose to bat - you can follow the match on the BBC Sport live page.

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Poundstretcher store in Malvern re-opening after £350k refurbishment

A Poundstretcher store will be relaunching tomorrow after closing for a £350,000 makeover.

Teacher found guilty of 'unacceptable professional conduct' over pupil emails

A former teacher at King's School Worcester has been found guilty of "unacceptable professional conduct" and "conduct that may bring the profession into disrepute" over emails he exchanged with a pupil.

Laurence Paul admitted sending "inappropriate messages via email/social media including messages which were flirtatious and / or sexually suggestive" and that some of the messages were sent late in the evening or at night.

The disciplinary panel also ruled that he had asked the pupil to delete the messages.

However, it found that allegations he failed to take action when he knew the pupil had developed feelings towards him, and that his actions were sexually motivated were "not proved".

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A professional conduct panel from the National College for Teaching and Leadership found that Mr Paul's behaviour was "indicative of his naivety and lack of awareness".

But they decided not to ask for a prohibition order - banning Mr Paul from teaching - as this was not "a proportionate and appropriate response".

The school say Mr Paul is no longer working for them.

Worcester City stadium: 'Political world needs to be supportive'

Proposals for a new football stadium in Worcester are going back before planners.

The application from Worcester City FC's Supporters Trust was thrown out last month over concerns about the impact on Perdiswell Park.

But members of the committee are being told to reconsider after planning officers said their reasons for refusal weren't "sufficiently robust".

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The club have been without home in the city since 2013 when their St George's Lane ground was sold for redevelopment.

Rob Crean, from the supporters trust, says it's time the club came back to the city.

We should have football back in the city, we need it, and I don't know why it's taken so long. I think the political world needs to be supportive and not obstructive."

Rob CreanWorcester City Supporters Trust

Rugby: Pre-season games announced

Munster will be coming to Sixways for one of Worcester Warriors' pre-season games.

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View more on twitter

Allowances rise defended by council leader

The leader of Worcestershire County Council is defending an above inflation increase in his allowance.

From September Simon Geraghty will get just over £34,000 - an increase of £3,000.

Worcestershire County Council

The rise comes after councillors voted to accept the recommendation of an independent panel, despite moves from Labour and Liberal Democrat members to block the increase.

Mr Geraghty told BBC Hereford & Worcester the money reflects the responsibility of the job he does.

As leader of the council effectively you are accountable for over £800m of tax payers money and thousands of staff. So it has to be proportionate to a full-time job as that's what the leader of the council is."

Restaurants open early in new Cathedral Square

A new shopping and eating venue in Worcester city centre will today see the opening of its first new restaurants.

Three restaurant chains will start trading early at Cathedral Square, ahead of the official opening event on 29 July.

Porterfield

The £20m complex features a balcony with views towards Worcester Cathedral, and now only has one unit left to fill.

Worcestershire County Council is putting the finishing touches to the public open square created when a traffic roundabout was removed.

Allowances rise 'a slap in the face for local people'

An above-inflation increase in the allowance for the leader of Worcestershire County Council has been called "a slap in the face for local people" by an opposition councillor.

Councillor Simon Geraghty will see the money he gets as leader rise by more than £3,000, to just over £34,000, while cabinet members are getting an extra 8% in their allowances.

Worcestershire County Council

I think it's just extraordinary - we are about to face a budget process where we are cutting tens of millions of pounds of services from what we do as a council. To do this now is a slap in the face for local people."

Chris BlooreLabour councillor

Watch: Hunt for rare butterfly

The numbers of a rare butterfly on the Malvern Hills are increasing, according to a conservation group.

Butterfly Conservation say sightings of the Grayling butterfly are on the rise.

The group is just beginning its annual Big Butterfly Count survey.

Hunt for rare butterfly on Malvern Hills

Objections to stadium on park land not sufficiently 'robust'

Controversial stadium plans, which would give Worcester City Football Club a new home, have been handed a lifeline.

Last month, the city's planning committee said it would reject proposals for a 4,400-capacity ground next to Perdiswell Leisure Centre, on the grounds it would damage the area's green space.

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But planning officers have now told the committee their reasons aren't sufficiently "robust".

The application will now be considered again next Thursday.