Charlotte Albutt

A man was injured in a multi-vehicle collision on the northbound M5 between junctions 7 and 8 in Worcestershire. He was treated at the scene and taken to Worcestershire Royal Hospital with injuries believed not to be serious. The crash blocked the carriageway, caused standstill traffic, and prompted a response from ambulance crews, West Mercia Police and National Highways.

Croome Court is undertaking several improvements, including work on its car park and conservation of the White Bridges and Tower Roofs. The National Trust says the projects will be completed on different dates over the coming year and will provide updates on progress.

Coughton Court near Worcester will host its annual village fete on August 1, offering free access to its gardens and grounds. The event will feature homemade cakes, craft stalls, games and a tombola, while entry to the house will be reduced to £9.50. Standard admission is £15.50 for adults, £6.50 for children and £40 for a family ticket. The estate is now managed by the Throckmorton family after previously being run by the National Trust.

Worcester’s Slug & Lettuce, located at The Cross for more than 15 years, will close next month after Stonegate concluded that the site was no longer commercially viable amid significant hospitality-sector challenges. Readers and former customers shared memories of first dates, marriages, first legal drinks, sporting events, birthdays and other celebrations. The venue occupies the former St Nicholas Church, a Grade II-listed building rebuilt in the 1750s that ceased operating as a church in 1989 and later became a restaurant and bar.

West Mercia Police are urgently searching for Phoebe Elliot, who was last seen at the BP Garage on Lower Wick in Worcester at about 1:08 a.m. on Monday, July 27. She is described as a white woman with long dark hair and several facial tattoos. Police and her family are increasingly concerned for her welfare and ask anyone with information to call 101, or 999 if they are currently with her.

West Mercia Police confirmed that a body was found during the search for a 45-year-old man reported missing from Overbury, Worcestershire. Formal identification had not yet taken place, but the man’s family had been informed.

A 35-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of rape after police responded to a report involving a woman in her 30s on St Paul’s Street in Worcester at about 3:20 a.m. on Sunday, July 26. West Mercia Police cordoned off a car park on James Close and an adjoining alleyway, while officers continued enquiries and increased neighbourhood patrols.

Four people were taken to hospital after a two-car crash involving a Renault Clio and Volvo XC40 on Drake Street in Welland. One driver suffered serious injuries and was airlifted to Queen Elizabeth Hospital Birmingham, while a woman with potentially serious injuries and two other casualties were taken to Worcestershire Royal Hospital. West Mercia Police are seeking witnesses and CCTV or dashcam footage to assist their investigation.

A motorcyclist suffered serious injuries in a collision involving a car on Temeside Way at Ketch Roundabout in Worcester and was taken by road to Worcestershire Royal Hospital. West Midlands Ambulance Service and West Mercia Police attended, while the crash caused heavy traffic and delays on the A4440. St Peter’s Parish Council said it was the second crash at the roundabout that week and planned to ask Worcestershire County Council for measures to improve safety on the Southern Link Road.

A prolific shoplifter responsible for numerous thefts from stores in Malvern was arrested following cooperation between local retailers and the Malvern Hills Safer Neighbourhood Team. The offender subsequently received a 20-week suspended prison sentence after court proceedings.

Malvern Hills Safer Neighbourhood Team conducted reassurance and traffic patrols along diversion routes on the A4103 near Leigh Sinton and Great Malvern. The patrols addressed community concerns following the closure of part of the A4103 near Worcester for drainage works linked to a new housing development. Worcestershire County Council introduced a roughly 35-mile diversion through Cradley, Bromyard, Broadwas and Rushwick.

A two-car crash on Drake Street in Welland left the driver and front-seat passenger of a Renault Clio seriously injured and in hospital. The occupants of the opposing Volvo XC40 were not seriously hurt. West Mercia Police are seeking witnesses and anyone with CCTV or dashcam footage of the collision.