A statue of Margaret Thatcher in Cripplegate Park? The Elgar statue moving to the Malvern Hills? Police shouting nee naw on push bikes? It can only be April 1.

Some people just can’t resist a good wind-up and when better to play a prank than on April Fool’s Day?

Worcester councillor Richard Udall decided to wind up some of his fellow Labour supporters by announcing that Worcestershire’s Conservative politicians were planning to erect a statue of Margaret Thatcher in Cripplegate.

It’s always good to put a bit of detail into an April Fool’s joke and Cllr Udall certainly did that - adding that Tory councillors were combining their divisional funds to pay for the £30,000 memorial to the former Prime Minister.

Malvern police entered into the spirit of the day and managed to make a comment on the cost of living crisis at the same time.

“Due to fuel prices, Malvern police have grounded all their diesel vehicles, bar a prisoner transport van,” they said on Twitter.

“All police bikes are now fitted with blue lights and officers are encouraged to shout Nee Naw to make their presence known on emergencies. Happy 1/4/22.”

Working along similar lines, Worcestershire Highways announced it would be trialling horse-friendly parking spaces in Worcester in response to the rising cost of fuel.

“Located at the Hive, the new spaces will be operational in the next week & if successful, may be extended throughout the county,” said the Highways Twitter account, before signing off with a horse emoji.

Worcestershire County Council said Worcester’s famous Elgar statue will be moved from its home in the city centre and take pride of place on the Beacon Summit in the Malvern Hills.

They said the move would add a new element to the Elgar Route and asked for suggestions as to whose statue should take the composer’s place in Cathedral Sqaure.

They even got “local composer Patricia Zoob” to say how brilliant the idea is.

Hereford & Worcester Fire and Rescue Service went with a twist on the classic 'cat stuck in a tree' story, instead claiming firefighters were rescued by a cat after getting stuck in a tree in "Jester Lane".