Everyone hopes for a happy Christmas, but sometimes things go wrong, whether it's accidents, inconvenience or just a burning desire to get away from the family and go and watch some footie. Here's who to contact to get through it all...

Accidents and emergencies

In the case of severe injury or illness call 999. Typetalk relay service 0800 112 999. The accident and emergency unit is at Worcestershire Royal Hospital. Tel: 01905 763333. Hereford: General/County Hospital. Tel: 01432 355444.

Alcohol

Hereford-Worcester Alcohol Advisory Service, 10 Sansome Place, Worcester. Telephone: 01905 27417. Office is shut from noon, today until January 2.

National Drinkline: 0800 9178282.

Ambulance

In an emergency dial 999. Typetalk emergency relay service 0800 112 999.

Dentists

Worcester: Lowesmoor Dental Surgery, 10am - noon on December 25, 26 and New Year's Day. Tel: 01905 724633. Your own dentist may have made separate arrangements, see if there is a recorded message. NHS Direct can tell you of your nearest dental access centre on 0845 4647.

Hereford: Access Centre, Goal Street. Tel: 01432 378920. Christmas Day 9.30-11.30. Boxing Day 11.30-2. New Year's Day 1-4. Centre will not treat those registered with a dentist, so call your surgery first for instructions.

Doctors

Ring your own surgery for information from a recorded message. They will have surgery opening times and procedures for emergencies on them. NHS Direct is available 24/7 on 0845 4647.

Drug abuse

Community Drug Team, The Fish, 1 Fish Street, Worcester. Tel 01905 681460. Office hours Mon- Fri, 9 -5. Opening: Dec 24: 9-1, Dec 25: closed, Dec 26: closed, Dec 27: 9-5, Dec 30: 9-5, Dec 31: 9-1, Jan 1: closed. Jan 2: normal opening.

Flooding

The Environment Agency Floodline for 24 hour advice and info: 0845 988 1188.

Councils

Herefordshire Council. Tel: 01432 260000. Christmas Eve 8.45-3. Closed Christmas, Boxing and New Year's Day.

Malvern Hills District Council. Tel: 01684 892700. Christmas Eve 9-4. Closed Christmas, Boxing and New Year's Day.

Worcester City Council. Tel: 01905 723471. Christmas Eve, open until 3. Closed until Monday, December 30. New Year's Eve, open until 4.30. Closed New Year's Day.

Worcestershire County Council. Tel: 01905 763763. All enquiries please contact relevant department in phone book listing or call main switchboard (above).

Wychavon District Council. Tel: 01386 565000. Christmas Eve open until 1. Closed Christmas and Boxing Day. Closed Saturday, December 28. New Year's Eve normal opening. Closed New Year's Day.

Wyre Forest District Council. Tel: 01562 820505. Emergencies only 01562 850053. Christmas Eve open - normal hours, closed Dec 25,26,27,28,29. Dec 30, normal hours. Dec 31, Jan 1, closed. Jan 2, normal opening.

Police

Emergency - 999. Non-emergency, 08457 444 888. Minicom 08456 000 303.

Health

NHS Direct: Advice and information 24/7 on 0845 4647, or log on to www.nhsdirect.nhs.uk

Railways

No trains on Christmas Day and Boxing Day. December 27- 31 check timetables. New Year's Day, limited service. National timetable and fare enquiries: 08457 484950.

Samaritans

Lines will be open 24 hrs over Christmas and New Year on 08457 909090. The Sansome Place centre will be open to visitors between 9am and 10pm on Christmas Day, Boxing Day and New Years Day. Telephone: 01905 21121

Vets

Ring your normal veterinary surgery. Many have made arrangements to share services .

Water

For supply emergencies call 0800 783 4444.

Buses

First. All services are as normal with the exception of Christmas Day - no service, Boxing Day - no service and New Year's Day - Sunday service. All enquiries to the National Travel Line on 0870 608 2608.

Cathedral Services

Christmas Eve: Matins 7.30, Holy Communion 8, Prayers for Healing 1.05, Crib Service 3, Evening Prayer 5.30, Midnight Mass 11.30.

Christmas Day: Matins 7.30, Holy Communion 8, Cathedral Eucharist 10.30, Evensong 4.

Boxing Day: Matins 7.30, Holy Communion 8, Evening Prayer 5.30.

Electricity

If your electricity goes off check the rest of your street. It may be your own circuit so check your supply box. If the whole street is without lights the Power Loss Helpline number is 08457 331331.

Emergency Services

Ambulance, Fire, or Police 999. Typetalk emergency relay service 0800 112 999.

Gas

If you smell gas, switch off the supply at the meter. Open doors and windows and ventilate the premises. Do not operate any electrical switches either on or off. Do not smoke or use a naked flame. For any gas emergency call free on 0800 111999. For the deaf and hard of hearing, telephone minicom/textphone 0800 371787.

Bins/refuse collection

Malvern Hills: Today's collection as normal. Collection for Christmas Day on Friday, December 27. Collection for Boxing Day on Thursday, January 2. Collection for Friday, December 27, on Friday, Jan 3. Monday, December 30 as normal. Tuesday, December 31, as normal. Collection for New Year's Day on Wednesday, January 8.

Worcester City: Today's collection normal. Wednesday, December 25, collected on Friday, December 27 and Thursday, December 26 collected on Saturday, December 28. Friday, December 27 collection will be on Monday, December 30. Tuesday, December 31 as normal. January I collected on January 2, January 2 collected on January 3, January 3 collected on January 4. Normal collections will apply after this.

Wychavon: Today's collection was yesterday. Wednesday, December 25 collection will be today, Thursday, December 26, is on Friday December 27; Friday 27 December collection will be on Saturday, December 28. New Year week will be normal for December 30 and 31; January 1 will be collected on January 2, January 2 on January 3, January 3 on January 4. Normal collections will then apply.

Wyre Forest: No collections Christmas Day (next collection on Monday, December 30), Boxing Day (next collection on Thursday, January 2) or Friday, December 27 (next collection on Friday, January 3. No collections on Monday, December 30 (next collection Monday, January 6), Tuesday, December 31 (next collection Tuesday, January 7), or Wednesday, January 1, 2003 (next collection Wednesday, January 8).

Hereford: If normal collection day is Wednesday (Christmas Day) refuse was collected on Saturday. Refuse normally collected on Thursday (Boxing Day) will be collected on Saturday, December 28, and refuse normally collected on Wednesday (New Year's Day) will be collected on Saturday, January 4. Collections may be made earlier in the day than normal.

Chemists - Worcester

- Christmas Eve: Barbourne 47 Barbourne Road, Worcester. 9-4.30. Boots the Chemist, 8.30-5.30. Claines Pharmacy, 153-155 Ombersley Road, 9-5. Archibald Cowe, 86 Sidbury, 9-1.15 then 2.15-4.30. DG Pharmacy, 47 Gresham Road, Dines Green, 8.30-6. Giles,22 Cranham Drive, 9-5. Kitsons, 12 Broad Street, 9-3. Lloyds,10 Cornmarket, 9-5.30. Lloyds, St Peters Shopping Centre, 9-6. Moss, 18 Lowesmoor Terrace, 8.45-6.45. D L Ogle, 18-20 St John's, 8.30-6. A W Sandles, 177 Bath Road, 8.45-1 then 2.15-5. Scales, 42 Astwood Road, 9-1. Scales, 27 Lichfield Avenue, 9-1. Scales, 37-38 Upper Tything, 9-1. St John's, 23 St John's, 8.30-4.30. Superdrug, 4-5 St Swithins Street, 8.30-4 then 6-7. Tesco (in-store), Warndon, 8.30-5.

- Christmas Day: DG Pharmacy, 47 Gresham Road, 11-1. Kitsons, 12 Broad Street, 11-1. Archibald Cowe, 86 Sidbury, 5-6. Scales, 42 Astwood Road, 5-6.

- Boxing Day: Boots the Chemist, 11-1, Giles, 22 Cranham Drive, 11-1. Lloyds, St Peter's shopping centre, 5-6. Scales, 37-38 Upper Tything, 5-6.

- News Year's Eve: Barbourne, 47 Barbourne Road, 9-4.30. Boots the Chemist, 9-5.30.Claines, 153-155 Ombersley Road, 9-6. Archibald Cowe, 86 Sidbury, 9-1.15 then 2.15-4.30. DG Pharmacy, 47 Gresham Road, 8.30-6. Giles, 22 Cranham Drive, 9-5. Kitsons, 12 Broad Street, 9-3. Lloyds,10 Cornmarket, 9-5.30. Lloyds, 3-4 St Peter's shopping centre, 9-6, Moss, 18 Lowesmoor Terrace, 8.45-6.45. D L Ogle, St John's, 8.30-6. A W Sandles, 177 Bath Road, 8.45-1 then 2.15-5. Scales 42 Astwood Road, 9-1. Scales, 27 Lichfield Avenue, 9-1 Scales, 37-38 Upper Tything, 8.30-1. St John's 23 St John's, 8.30-4.30. Superdrug, 4-5 St Swithins Street, 8.30-4.Tesco (in-store) Warndon, 8.30-6.

- New Year's Day: D L Ogle, St John's, 11-1. Superdrug, 4-5 St Swithins Street, 11-1. Moss, 18 Lowesmoor Terrace, 5-6. Tesco (in-store) Warndon, 5-6.

Chemists - Malvern/Tenbury

- Christmas Eve: Barnards Chemist, 8.45-4.30. Boots the Chemist, 9-4.30. Claremont House, 9-3, Evans, 9-6.30. Lloyds, 9-2. Lygon, Pharmacy, 9-5.30. Malvern Pharmacy, 9-5.30. Victoria Pharmacy, 9-4.30. Tenbury Pharmacy, 7-9 Teme Street, Tenbury Wells. 9-1. Talbot Cooper, 12 High Street. Upton-upon-Severn. 9-5.

- Christmas Day: Evans Pharmacy, 231 Worcester Road, Malvern. 11-1.

Victoria Pharmacy, 146 Worcester Road, Malvern Link. 5-6.

- Boxing Day: Boots the Chemist, 33-35 Church Street, Malvern. 11-1.

Lloyds 93-95 Barnards Green Road, Malvern. 5-6.

- New Year's Eve: Barnards Chemist, 8.45-4.30. Boots the Chemist, 9-5.30. Claremont House 9-2, Evans Pharmacy, 9-5.30. Lloyds, 9-2. Lygon, 9-5.30. Malvern Pharmacy, 9-5.30, Victoria Pharmacy, 9-4.30. Tenbury Pharmacy, 7-9 Teme Street, Tenbury Wells.9-6. Talbot Cooper Chemists, 12 High Street, Upton-upon-Severn. 9-6.30.

- New Year's Day: Lygon Pharmacy, 11-1. Malvern Pharmacy, 5-6.

Chemists - Wychavon Area

- Christmas Eve: Lloyds, 22 High Street, Broadway. 8.45-4.30. Boots the Chemists, Droitwich. 9-5.30. Droitwich Pharmacy, 99-2.Moss Chemist, 36 Corbett Avenue, Droitwich. 8.30-4.

Bengeworth Pharmacy, 48-50 Port Street, Evesham. 8.30-5. Boots the Chemist, Evesham. 9-5.30. Lloyds 30-36 High Street, Evesham. 9-5, Safeway Pharmacy, Evesham. 9-5,

Waterside Pharmacy, Evesham. 8.30-1. J Worsdall Ltd, The Health Centre, Merstow Green, Evesham. 8.30-3. Boots the Chemist, Pershore. 9-5.30. C M Ogle, Church Street, Pershore. 8.30-1.

- Christmas Day: Droitwich Pharmacy, Ombersley Street, 11.30-1. Waterside Pharmacy, Evesham. 11-1.

- Boxing Day: Droitwich Pharmacy, Ombersley Street, 11.30-1. Boots the Chemists, Evesham 11-1. Lloyds Evesham. 5-6. C M Ogle, 36 Church Street, Pershore. Noon-1.

- New Year's Eve: Lloyds 22 High Street, Broadway. 9-6. Boots the Chemists, Droitwich. 9-5.30. Droitwich Pharmacy, 53-57 Ombersley Street, 9-2. Moss Chemist, 36 Corbett Avenue, Droitwich. 8.30-5. Bengeworth Pharmacy, 48-50 Port Street, Evesham. 8.30-5. Boots the Chemist, Evesham. 9-5.30. Lloyds Evesham. 9-5.30. Safeway Pharmacy, Evesham. 9-5, Waterside Pharmacy, Evesham. 8-6. J Worsdall Ltd, The Health Centre, Merstow Green, Evesham. 8.30-6. Boots the Chemist, Pershore. 9-4.30. C M Ogle, 36 Church Street, Pershore. 8.30-1, then 2.15-6.

- New Year's Day: Droitwich Pharmacy, 11.30-1. Safeway Pharmacy, Evesham. 11-1.J Worsdall Ltd, Evesham. 5-6. CM Ogle, Pershore. noon-1.

Chemists - Hereford City

- Christmas Eve: Boots the Chemist, 9-4.30, Chave and Jackson, 9-5.30, Tesco (Bewell St) 8-5, Tesco (Belmont), 8-9, Sainsbury 8-6, Taylors, Owen Street, 9-4, Matthews Medicines 8.45-4, Rowlands, Belmont, 9-4, Hampton Dene, 9-4, Safeway, 9-5, L Rowland and Co, 9-4.

- Christmas Day: Safeway, 6-7.

- Boxing Day: Matthews Medicines, 6-7.

- New Year's Eve: Chave and Jackson, 9-5.30. Tesco (Bewell St), 8-6, Tesco (Belmont), 8-6, Sainsbury 8-6, Taylors, Owen Street, 9-5, Matthews Medicines, 8.45- 5. Rowlands, Belmont, 9-4. Hampton Dene, 9-5.30. Safeway, 9-5. L Rowland and Co, 9-7.

Hospitals

Worcestershire Royal Hospital, Charles Hastings Way, off Newtown Road, Worcester. Tel: 01905 763333.

General Hospital/ County Hospital, Hereford Tel: 01432 355444

Kidderminster General Hospital. Tel: 01562 823424.

Alexandra Hospital, Redditch. Tel: 01527 503030.

Princess of Wales Community Hospital, Bromsgrove. Tel: 01527 488000.

Evesham Community Hospital. Tel 01386 502388.

Malvern Community Hospital. Tel: 01684 612630.

Pershore Cottage Hospital. Tel: 01386 502070.

Tenbury Community Hospital. Tel 01584 810643.

Sports Centres

Bewdley Leisure Centre: 01299 402595.

Dolphin Centre: 01527 877123.

Droitwich Sports Centre: Briar Mill, off Ombersley Way, 01905 771212.

Evesham Leisure Centre: 01386 47542.

Malvern Splash: 01684 893423.

Nunnery Wood Sports Centre: Spetchley Road, Worcester 01905 357842.

Perdiswell Leisure Centre: Bilford Road, Worcester 01905 457189.

Ryland Centre, Bromsgrove: 01527 875207.

St John's Sports Centre: Swanpool Walk, St John's, Worcester 01905 429900.

Worcester Citizens' Swimming Pool: Weir Lane, Lower Wick, Worcester 01905 421089.

Worcester Swimming Pool & Fitness Centre: Sansome Walk, Worcester 01905 20241.

Horse Racing

Hereford Races. Tel: 014323 273560 for details.

Rugby

Worcester RFC Sixways. Next game is January 4, 2003, at 3pm, at home to Coventry.

Supermarkets

Tesco, St Peters, Worcester. Tel: 01905 687400. Tesco, Warndon. Tel: 01905 877400. Tesco Metro, London Road, Worcester. Tel: 01905 687400. Sainsbury, Warndon. Tel: 01905 754747 Sainsbury, Lychgate. Tel: 01905 21731 Safeway, Droitwich. Tel: 01905 7955022 Safeway, Malvern. Tel: 01684 564415 Waitrose, Malvern. Tel:01684 560007 Waitrose, Kidderminster. Tel: 01562 753593.

Football matches - Kick-off times may vary - please check with clubs

BOXING DAY

Nationwide League Division Three: Kidderminster Harriers v Leyton Orient (3pm).

Nationwide Conference: Telford United v Hereford United.

Dr Martens Premier Division: Newport County v Worcester City (1pm).

Dr Martens Western Division: Cinderford v Evesham United; Bromsgrove Rovers v Rugby; Stourport Swifts v Redditch United.

SATURDAY DECEMBER 28

Nationwide Conference: Hereford United v Forest Green Rovers (3pm).

Dr Martens Premier Division: Worcester City v Welling United (3pm).

Dr Martens Western Division: Evesham United v Taunton (3pm); Shepshed v Bromsgrove Rovers; Weston v Stourport Swifts.

SUNDAY DECEMBER 29

Nationwide League Division Three: Bury v Kidderminster Harriers (3pm).

NEW YEAR'S DAY

Nationwide League Division Three: Exeter City v Kidderminster Harriers (3pm).

Nationwide Conference: Hereford United v Telford United. Dr Martens Premier Division: Worcester City v Hednesford Town (3pm); Evesham United v Stourport Swifts; Redditch United v Bromsgrove Rovers.

Please note that every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of the information in this guide. No responsibility will be accepted for any errors

Published: December 24, 2002