BBC Local Live: Herefordshire & Worcestershire

Former workers have been reunited at the Severn Valley Railway (SVR) today.

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They were invited to Bridgnorth station to lay the first bricks for a major new development.

We'll have a report from Kevin Reide, who is pictured here with SVR chief executive Nick Paul (right).

Join us for BBC Midlands Today at 18:30 on BBC One.

It's going to be overcast again tonight, but we should see some sunshine across the region tomorrow.

Worcester Wolves are making the long trip north today for their BBL play-off semi-final first leg tie against Newcastle Eagles. 

The Wolves will then host Newcastle in the home leg on Friday evening. 

Danny Huffor top-scored for the Wolves in their win over Sheffield Sharks in the last round. He says they are in a confident frame of mind, but insists they respect Newcastle.

Quote Message: It's definitely a thrill just to make it to the semi-finals but it's going to be another challenge for us. You never take anything [for] granted so you just want to keep focused throughout the whole series." from Danny Huffor Worcester Wolves

It's definitely a thrill just to make it to the semi-finals but it's going to be another challenge for us. You never take anything [for] granted so you just want to keep focused throughout the whole series."

An election leaflet row features on the front page of this week's Bromsgrove Advertiser.

Bromsgrove AdvertiserCopyright: Bromsgrove Advertiser

Bromsgrove AdvertiserCopyright: Bromsgrove Advertiser

Three "cold-blooded" killers jailed for murder, including a Worcester man, have had their minimum jail terms cut on appeal.  

South Wales PoliceCopyright: South Wales Police

Jake Whelan, 24, from Norwich, was involved in a "violent disagreement about drugs" with 29-year-old Lynford Brewster (pictured) in June last year.

Later the same day he stabbed Mr Brewster in Llanedeyrn, Cardiff, helped by Dwayne Edgar, 29, from Cardiff, and Robert Lainsbury, 23, from Worcester.

Whelan, Edgar and Lainsbury were all convicted of murder at Cardiff Crown Court and were jailed for life on 21 December last year.  

On Wednesday, the three men's lawyers argued at London's Court of Appeal the minimum term was too long and should be reduced and senior judges agreed.

Whelan's was reduced to 28 years, Lainsbury's to 26 years and Edgar's to 25 years.

Kidderminster Harriers head into the Vanarama National League North play-offs this evening when they go to Chorley for their semi-final first leg.

Julian Finney/Getty ImagesCopyright: Julian Finney/Getty Images

Harriers finished second in the league while Chorley were fifth. 

Tonight's game is due to kick off at 19:45.

A district councillor has hit out at the Community Housing Group for failing to maintain and clear up land it owns in Broadwaters.  

Voters go to the poll tomorrow to elect seats on Worcestershire County Council.

A full list of those standing can be found on the local authority's website.

To hear interviews and local mini manifestos from all the major parties, visit BBC Hereford & Worcester's election page.

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Fire crews in Worcestershire have been busy rescuing animals today. 

Hereford & Worcester Fire and Rescue Service says a specialist team from Bromyard travelled to Stourport to release a horse from a wire fence in Timber Lane.

They add that a boat was earlier launched in Worcester to capture a sick swan on the river near to the cricket ground. 

A Hereford man whose wife was deported back to the Philippines says he does not know when he will see her again.  

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Marinel Bristow was flown back to Manila in April after her application to stay here was rejected due to the government's immigration rules. 

Her husband, Rob, who is trying to find an immigration lawyer to take their case to the European Court of Human Rights, says his wife is struggling to come to terms with what has happened. 

The Home Office said Mrs Bristow could not provide evidence of her husband's earnings needed for the application.  

Quote Message: She's finding it difficult to readjust. When I am able to communicate with her, I'm just trying to give her moral support and try and tell her to keep her chin up and things but it's not so easy because I'm not so cheerful." from Rob Bristow Husband

She's finding it difficult to readjust. When I am able to communicate with her, I'm just trying to give her moral support and try and tell her to keep her chin up and things but it's not so easy because I'm not so cheerful."

The police investigating a fire at a Worcestershire tennis club say they are now treating it as suspected arson. 

The wooden clubhouse at Ombersley was set alight at about 02:00 this morning. 

Nobody was injured, but the building was completely destroyed. 

The tennis club's chairman, Diane Grove, says it is a massive blow to the local community.   

Quote Message: It's a very well-used facility in the village. The school also [uses] it, the school which is next door, for coaching and a sports lesson. We’re going to have to start from scratch." from Diane Grove Chairman

It's a very well-used facility in the village. The school also [uses] it, the school which is next door, for coaching and a sports lesson. We’re going to have to start from scratch."

An arts partnership has been given a funding boost courtesy of the police and crime commissioner with a scheme to help offenders explore their creative side and keep them on the straight and narrow.  

Worcestershire's cricketers are resuming their Royal London Cup campaign with a trip to Northamptonshire. 

Getty ImagesCopyright: Getty Images

Worcestershire have two wins from two games so far, while Northants have lost to both Derbyshire and Warwickshire. 

Play is due to begin at 14:00 and there will be full commentary on that game on 738 AM and online on BBC Hereford & Worcester. 

Despite the results, Worcestershire director of cricket Steve Rhodes (pictured above) feels today is likely to prove a very stiff test.

Quote Message: We're really pleased that we've got this far in the season and we're unbeaten, but we also recognise and respect opposition and Northants are a very, very dangerous team. They’ve proved their worth in 20-over cricket and in their patch as well they're going to be a very difficult side to beat." from Steve Rhodes Director of cricket

We're really pleased that we've got this far in the season and we're unbeaten, but we also recognise and respect opposition and Northants are a very, very dangerous team. They’ve proved their worth in 20-over cricket and in their patch as well they're going to be a very difficult side to beat."

Former railway workers have been the guests of honour at the Severn Valley Railway today.

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They were there to lay the first bricks of a major new development project in Bridgnorth. 

You can find out more on BBC Midlands Today at 13:30 on BBC One. 

A Worcester pub landlord and some of his customers have purchased their own racehorse. 

Mike Daniels, who owns the Brewers Arms in St John's, decided along with a few of his regulars to purchase Destiny's Gold and hope the horse will be at Worcester races on 11 May.   

Quote Message: Basically myself and a few friends and locals from the pub all have an interest in horse racing. So it's something that we’ve been thinking about as a group for a while now. We just wanted to buy a horse for a bit of fun really, a few days out." from Mike Daniels Brewers Arms

Basically myself and a few friends and locals from the pub all have an interest in horse racing. So it's something that we’ve been thinking about as a group for a while now. We just wanted to buy a horse for a bit of fun really, a few days out."

It's been a fine start to the day, as these photos from BBC Weather Watchers show.

Our thanks to Johnqa in Lyonshall and Toppo in Doddenham.

JohnqaCopyright: Johnqa

ToppoCopyright: Toppo

A Herefordshire girl who has undergone major spinal surgery in the US says she could be playing sport again within two months. 

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Ella Tomlinson, 14, who lives near Leominster, had to fly out for surgery to correct a severe curvature in her spine in an operation that cost her parents £140,000.  

Quote Message: There was a lot more things than just my back, it was my lungs being collapsed, my diaphragm being split, all those things so I've had to deal with all that pain as well as my back. So it's been a long journey but we're getting there." from Ella Tomlinson Herefordshire girl

There was a lot more things than just my back, it was my lungs being collapsed, my diaphragm being split, all those things so I've had to deal with all that pain as well as my back. So it's been a long journey but we're getting there."