Video caption: Police urge public to surrender unwanted firearmsPolice urge public to surrender unwanted firearms
Anyone handing over a firearm at their local police station during the fortnight will not face prosecution for illegal possession.
Speaking at the launch in Birmingham, Assistant Chief Constable Helen McMillan, National Police Chiefs' Council lead for criminal use of firearms, said gun crime had risen in the past year and they wanted weapons out of harm's way.
Video caption: Latest weather for the West MidlandsLatest weather for the West Midlands
Envelope update
Severe disruption: M5 Worcestershire northbound
BBC News Travel
M5 Worcestershire northbound severe disruption, between J5 for A38 Droitwich and J4A for M42.
M5 Worcestershire - One lane closed and slow traffic on M5 northbound between J5, A38 (Droitwich) and J4a M42, because of a broken down vehicle.
To report traffic and travel incidents dial 0330 123 0184 at any time
Envelope update
Severe disruption: M5 Worcestershire northbound
BBC News Travel
M5 Worcestershire northbound severe disruption, between J5 for A38 Droitwich and J4A for M42.
M5 Worcestershire - One lane closed and slow traffic on M5 northbound between J5, A38 (Droitwich) in Wychbold and J4a M42 in Catshill, because of a broken down vehicle.
To report traffic and travel incidents dial 0330 123 0184 at any time
Envelope update
Severe accident: M5 Worcestershire southbound
BBC News Travel
M5 Worcestershire southbound severe accident, between J7 for A44 Worcester and J8 for M50.
M5 Worcestershire - Two lanes blocked and slow traffic on M5 southbound between J7, A44 (Worcester) and J8 M50, because of an accident.
To report traffic and travel incidents dial 0330 123 0184 at any time
Postcard auction aims to raise thousands for hospice
St Michael's HospiceCopyright: St Michael's Hospice
The hospice says they've all been donated for free and are on display at the Bishop's Palace for three days from today, with people getting the chance to bid for them online.
Organisers say they hope to raise tens of thousands of pounds for the charity.
Warriors have made seven changes to their starting line up with Kurt Haupt and Simon Kerrod due to make their first starts for the club.
While Ben Howard and academy winger Alex Hearle are among those set for their first appearances of the season.
Police officer 'asked to help pick Christmas jumper'
What do you do if you can't work out what Christmas jumper to buy for a relative? Well, if you are in Worcestershire, it looks like you ask a police officer:
The mid-year accounts have been released for the authority and show that the Adult and Wellbeing sector will overspend by £641,000, despite getting £2.5m from the government’s Better Care Fund.
GoogleCopyright: Google
On top of that, Children's Wellbeing is also expected to overspend by £2.33m because, the report says, the team is caring for an "unexpectedly high number of looked after children, including complex disability cases".
However, the accounts show other budgets and reserves are set to produce an underspend at the moment of £800,000, meaning a total overspend of £2.172m for the council.
Envelope update
Severe disruption: M50 Herefordshire westbound
BBC News Travel
M50 Herefordshire westbound severe disruption, between J3 for B4221 and J4 for A449.
M50 Herefordshire - One lane closed on M50 westbound between J3, B4221 (Newent) and J4, A449 (Ross-On-Wye), because of a broken down vehicle. Traffic is coping well.
To report traffic and travel incidents dial 0330 123 0184 at any time
Envelope update
Severe disruption: M42 Worcestershire southbound
BBC News Travel
M42 Worcestershire southbound severe disruption, between J2 for A441 Alvechurch and J1 for A38.
M42 Worcestershire - One lane closed and heavy traffic on M42 southbound between J2, A441 (Alvechurch) and J1, A38 (Bromsgrove), because of a lorry having a tyre changed.
To report traffic and travel incidents dial 0330 123 0184 at any time
In the papers: Town set for new shopping destination
M5 Worcestershire northbound severe disruption, between J5 for A38 Droitwich and J4A for M42.
M5 Worcestershire - One lane closed and heavy traffic on M5 northbound between J5, A38 (Droitwich) and J4a M42, because of a broken down vehicle. In the roadworks area.
To report traffic and travel incidents dial 0330 123 0184 at any time
Equal pay day: What is the gender pay gap like where you are?
Campaigners highlight 10 November as the point in 2017 when a woman on an average wage stops being paid relative to their male counterparts.
BBCCopyright: BBC
But in some parts of the UK, the gender pay gap is so wide, it is as though women work unpaid from September.
Use our interactive map on this page to work out what the gender pay gap is in your area.
Envelope update
Severe disruption: M42 Worcestershire southbound
BBC News Travel
M42 Worcestershire southbound severe disruption, between J2 for A441 Alvechurch and J1 for A38.
M42 Worcestershire - One lane closed on M42 southbound between J2, A441 (Alvechurch) and J1, A38 (Bromsgrove), because of a broken down lorry. Traffic is coping well.
To report traffic and travel incidents dial 0330 123 0184 at any time
Canal and River TrustCopyright: Canal and River Trust
They say they found 500 European eels as the last few inches of water were draining out.
According to the trust, the eel population had fallen by more than 90% since the 1970s and these ones have been rehomed in a nearby canal.
Quote Message: In 20 years working with fish I’ve never seen or heard of this many eels in one place before. In most fish rescues like this we might come across one or two, a couple of dozen maximum, but this was unreal." from Carl Nicholls Canal & River Trust fisheries manager
In 20 years working with fish I’ve never seen or heard of this many eels in one place before. In most fish rescues like this we might come across one or two, a couple of dozen maximum, but this was unreal."
Envelope update
Severe disruption: M5 Worcestershire northbound
BBC News Travel
M5 Worcestershire northbound severe disruption, between J6 for A449 and J5 for A38 Droitwich.
M5 Worcestershire - One lane closed on M5 northbound between J6, A449 (Worcester) and J5, A38 (Droitwich), because of a lorry having a tyre changed. Traffic is coping well.
To report traffic and travel incidents dial 0330 123 0184 at any time
Live Reporting
All times stated are UK
Police urge public to surrender firearms
Police forces are urging the public to give up any guns under a two-week surrender starting today.
Video content
Anyone handing over a firearm at their local police station during the fortnight will not face prosecution for illegal possession.
Speaking at the launch in Birmingham, Assistant Chief Constable Helen McMillan, National Police Chiefs' Council lead for criminal use of firearms, said gun crime had risen in the past year and they wanted weapons out of harm's way.
Video: Your 50-second weather forecast
Rich Davis
BBC Weather presenter
After a bright and frosty start to the day, cloud will build but staying dry with highs of 7C (45F).
Video content
Envelope update
Severe disruption: M5 Worcestershire northbound
M5 Worcestershire northbound severe disruption, between J5 for A38 Droitwich and J4A for M42.
M5 Worcestershire - One lane closed and slow traffic on M5 northbound between J5, A38 (Droitwich) and J4a M42, because of a broken down vehicle.
To report traffic and travel incidents dial 0330 123 0184 at any time
Envelope update
Severe disruption: M5 Worcestershire northbound
M5 Worcestershire northbound severe disruption, between J5 for A38 Droitwich and J4A for M42.
M5 Worcestershire - One lane closed and slow traffic on M5 northbound between J5, A38 (Droitwich) in Wychbold and J4a M42 in Catshill, because of a broken down vehicle.
To report traffic and travel incidents dial 0330 123 0184 at any time
Envelope update
Severe accident: M5 Worcestershire southbound
M5 Worcestershire southbound severe accident, between J7 for A44 Worcester and J8 for M50.
M5 Worcestershire - Two lanes blocked and slow traffic on M5 southbound between J7, A44 (Worcester) and J8 M50, because of an accident.
To report traffic and travel incidents dial 0330 123 0184 at any time
Postcard auction aims to raise thousands for hospice
BBC Hereford and Worcester
More than 300 postcards created by artists from across Herefordshire are being auctioned off to raise funds for St Michael's Hospice.
The hospice says they've all been donated for free and are on display at the Bishop's Palace for three days from today, with people getting the chance to bid for them online.
Organisers say they hope to raise tens of thousands of pounds for the charity.
New signings prepare for cup starts
BBC Hereford and Worcester
Will Butler will again captain Worcester Warriors when they head to Harlequins on Sunday for their Anglo-Welsh Cup clash.
Warriors have made seven changes to their starting line up with Kurt Haupt and Simon Kerrod due to make their first starts for the club.
While Ben Howard and academy winger Alex Hearle are among those set for their first appearances of the season.
Police officer 'asked to help pick Christmas jumper'
What do you do if you can't work out what Christmas jumper to buy for a relative? Well, if you are in Worcestershire, it looks like you ask a police officer:
Video: Your 50-second weather forecast
Rebecca Wood
BBC Midlands Today
The cloud will increase this evening with outbreaks of rain developing.
There will be some heavy bursts in places before the rain begins to ease by morning with lows of 6C (43F).
Video content
In the papers: Party plans after drug den closure
Worcester News
These are among the top stories on the Worcester News website today:
Who was mystery stabbed cathedral skeleton?
Anna Russell
Newsreader, BBC Hereford & Worcester
Skeletons found in the grounds of Hereford Cathedral could be more than 1300 years old and date back to the very beginnings of the city.
Archaeologists were brought in during renovations to buildings and facilities in the College Cloisters beside the cathedral.
Headland Archaeology says they found three skeletons, dating back to the seventh and eighth centuries, of a man, a woman and a youngster.
The organisation says the male skeleton had died from stab wounds and radiocarbon dating showed he lived between 680-780AD.
Care pressures push council into £2m overspend
Claudia Berry
BBC News
The cost of looking after the most vulnerable children and adults in Herefordshire is being blamed as the council is set to go more than £2m over budget this year.
The mid-year accounts have been released for the authority and show that the Adult and Wellbeing sector will overspend by £641,000, despite getting £2.5m from the government’s Better Care Fund.
On top of that, Children's Wellbeing is also expected to overspend by £2.33m because, the report says, the team is caring for an "unexpectedly high number of looked after children, including complex disability cases".
However, the accounts show other budgets and reserves are set to produce an underspend at the moment of £800,000, meaning a total overspend of £2.172m for the council.
Envelope update
Severe disruption: M50 Herefordshire westbound
M50 Herefordshire westbound severe disruption, between J3 for B4221 and J4 for A449.
M50 Herefordshire - One lane closed on M50 westbound between J3, B4221 (Newent) and J4, A449 (Ross-On-Wye), because of a broken down vehicle. Traffic is coping well.
To report traffic and travel incidents dial 0330 123 0184 at any time
Envelope update
Severe disruption: M42 Worcestershire southbound
M42 Worcestershire southbound severe disruption, between J2 for A441 Alvechurch and J1 for A38.
M42 Worcestershire - One lane closed and heavy traffic on M42 southbound between J2, A441 (Alvechurch) and J1, A38 (Bromsgrove), because of a lorry having a tyre changed.
To report traffic and travel incidents dial 0330 123 0184 at any time
In the papers: Town set for new shopping destination
Evesham Journal
Here are some of the stories on the Evesham Journal's website this morning:
Envelope update
Severe disruption: M5 Worcestershire northbound
M5 Worcestershire northbound severe disruption, between J5 for A38 Droitwich and J4A for M42.
M5 Worcestershire - One lane closed and heavy traffic on M5 northbound between J5, A38 (Droitwich) and J4a M42, because of a broken down vehicle. In the roadworks area.
To report traffic and travel incidents dial 0330 123 0184 at any time
Equal pay day: What is the gender pay gap like where you are?
Campaigners highlight 10 November as the point in 2017 when a woman on an average wage stops being paid relative to their male counterparts.
But in some parts of the UK, the gender pay gap is so wide, it is as though women work unpaid from September.
Use our interactive map on this page to work out what the gender pay gap is in your area.
Envelope update
Severe disruption: M42 Worcestershire southbound
M42 Worcestershire southbound severe disruption, between J2 for A441 Alvechurch and J1 for A38.
M42 Worcestershire - One lane closed on M42 southbound between J2, A441 (Alvechurch) and J1, A38 (Bromsgrove), because of a broken down lorry. Traffic is coping well.
To report traffic and travel incidents dial 0330 123 0184 at any time
Hundreds of rare eels found in drained reservoir
Allen Cook
BBC News
Hundreds of "critically endangered" eels have been found in a Worcestershire reservoir.
The Canal and River Trust says staff made the find while draining Upper Bittell Reservoir ahead of repair work.
They say they found 500 European eels as the last few inches of water were draining out.
According to the trust, the eel population had fallen by more than 90% since the 1970s and these ones have been rehomed in a nearby canal.
Envelope update
Severe disruption: M5 Worcestershire northbound
M5 Worcestershire northbound severe disruption, between J6 for A449 and J5 for A38 Droitwich.
M5 Worcestershire - One lane closed on M5 northbound between J6, A449 (Worcester) and J5, A38 (Droitwich), because of a lorry having a tyre changed. Traffic is coping well.
To report traffic and travel incidents dial 0330 123 0184 at any time