THE MAYORESS of Worcester is preparing to take part in the Cancer Research UK Race for Life in the city this Sunday.

Carol Inman, the wife of Mayor Stephen Inman, will take part in the run, which starts at 11am.

Mrs Inman regularly takes part in the race, which last year attracted 5,500 women, raising £326,000 for Cancer Research UK.

Coun Inman will open the race when contestants depart from Pitchcroft racecourse, and will be on hand to greet each one at the finishing line.

The race will lead to closures to many Worcester city centre roads this Sunday to ensure competitors can run safely.

They include Grandstand Road, Croft Road, Castle Street, Farrier Street, the Butts, Angel Place and Broad Street, which will be shut between 9am and 2pm.

Car parks at the Cattlemarket, Croft Road, and Pitchcroft/Moors will also be closed at the same time, as well as the CrownGate bus station car park.

There are 280 races held each year by Cancer Research UK to help find a cure for cancer, with the Worcester event one of the most successful.

Jury can't agree if it is murder The jury in the case of a labourer who is accused of the murder of a student failed to reach a verdict yesterday after deliberating for six hours.

Ben Murphy, aged 20, of Kyreside, Tenbury Wells, denies murdering Adrian Palmer, who was found strangled near the town's post office in May last year.

He admits manslaughter and claims he gripped Mr Palmer's neck for 10 seconds in a fit of anger after being stalked.

His defence barrister alleges the 21-year-old victim, who lived in Bromyard Road, Tenbury, died from pressure on his vagal nerve, a rare condition.

The prosecution insist that Murphy was angry over a rape complaint made by Mr Palmer and deliberately throttled him.

The jury will resume their deliberations today.