HERE are the stories making headlines in our part of the world, North Worcestershire and the Black Country, this Friday evening.

An inquest has opened into the death of a Halesowen pensioner who was found at the bottom of a Kidderminster gym’s swimming pool.

Raymond Short, of Blackberry Lane, Halesowen, was discovered in the pool at DW Sports and Fitness Centre in Weaver’s Wharf, Kidderminster on August 25.

The full story is here.

The Droitwich Advertiser reports a Spa woman who looked after black widow spider for 24 hours has thanked a butterfly farm who have given it a permenant home.

The extremely venomous spider was discovered living beneath a VW camper van after its owners took it out of storage and in to the Absolute VeeDubs garage in Pershore on August 11.

The story is here.

Meanwhile the Redditch Advertiser reports a long-awaited report into how allegations of bullying and harassment are handled at the organisation running Worcestershire’s three major hospitals has branded its policy for dealing with concerns “not fit for purpose”.

But, although the investigation into Worcestershire Acute Hospitals NHS Trust by the Good Governance Institute also found an “inconsistent and confusing” approach to addressing concerns raised by staff, it said there was “insufficient evidence to conclude that bullying and harassment is endemic at the trust”.

The full story is here.

People in Kingswinford have hit out after discovering travellers have set up camp in the village ahead of the Bank Holiday weekend.

Three large caravans have parked up on playing fields at the back of Kingswinford Community Centre, off the High Street.

Their arrival has sparked debate on the I’m From Kingswinford Facebook site.

To read the full story click here.