What, where, when and who...

WATER

The emergency number for the Worcester, Wyre Forest, Malvern, Pershore, Droitwich, Evesham and Bromsgrove, Hereford and Ledbury areas is 0800 783 4444.

ELECTRICITY

If your electricity goes off, look out of the window to see if the problem is across the whole street. If you are the only house in darkness it may be a problem in your home. If the supply goes off in a number of houses or you need further information, call the Power Loss Helpline on 08457 331331.

GAS

If you smell gas, switch off the supply at the meter and open the doors to ventilate the premises. Don't operate any electrical switches either on or off and don't smoke or use any naked flames. Call British Gas on their 24-hour emergency number on 0800 111999.

RAIL

Great Western Trains: Some services may be retimed on Thursday, 27 due to engineering work. Normal services Friday-Monday, December 28-31.

Limited services on Tuesday, January 1. Normal service resumes on Wednesday, January 2.

For timetables and fare inquiries, call 08457 484950.

BUSES

Midland Red West: On New Year's Day there will be a Sunday service. On other days there will be a normal service.

BINS

WORCESTER

Collections due on Tuesday, December 25 will be made on Thursday, December 27. Collections will be made two working days (including Saturday as a collection day) after the normal collection dates. Normal services resume Tuesday, January 8.

WYCHAVON

If your normal collection day is Tuesday, December 25, your refuse will be collected on Monday, December 24. Wednesday, December 26's rubbish will be collected on Thursday, December 27. Thursday 27's on Friday, December 28. Normal refuse collection on December 31. Tuesday, January 1 will be collected on the 2nd and so on until normal services resume on Monday, January 7.

MALVERN HILLS

Normal collection on Tuesday, December 25 will now be collected on Thursday, Thursday 27, and Wednesday 26th's collection on Friday, December 28. Collection on Thursday 27 will be on Thursday, January 3 and Friday 28th's collection on Friday 4th. Monday, 31 will be as normal and Tuesday, 1 will be collected on January 8. The sevices will return to normal after this point.

BROMSGROVE

Leaflets are being distributed throughout the area to explain details of the special collection between Monday, December 24 and Friday, January 4.

HOSPITALS

WORCESTER ROYAL INFIRMARY

In the event of an emergency the public are advised to contact 999 or the hospital switchboard on 01905 763333. The operator will direct you to the appropriate department.

HEREFORD GENERAL

In an emergency contact the hospital on 01432 355444.

ALEXANDRA, REDDITCH

For emergency hospital information in the Redditch and Bromsgrove area, call 01527 503030.

KIDDERMINSTER

In an emergency contact the hospital on 01562 823424. Minor injuries, wards and primary care numbers will remain as normal.

DENTISTS

Emergency dental advice from 01905 724633 (Lowesmoor) or 01905 681625 (Moor Street).

COUNCILS

WORCESTERSHIRE

Monday, December 31 offices close at 4pm and are closed New Year's Day. Back to normal on Wednesday January 2. The switchboard will be manned throughout the holiday period for emergencies on 01905 763763.

HEREFORDSHIRE

Closed over the New Year. Re-open Wednesday, January 2.

WORCESTER

Offices will close for New Year and open again on Wednesday, January 2. Emergency number: 01905 723471.

WYCHAVON

New Year's Eve will operate as normal, but will be closed New Year's Day.

WYRE FOREST

Council offices open as normal on Monday, 31. Closed New Year's Day and then re-open on Wednesday, January 2.

MALVERN HILLS DISTRICT

Open Monday, 31 as normal. Closed Monday, December 31. Emergency number 01684 892701.

BROMSGROVE

Open as normal Monday, December 31. Closed Tuesday, January 1 resume Wednesday, January 2.

LIBRARIES

All libraries will be closed on New Year's Day. Usual opening hours apply after that.

SAMARITANS

Telephone lines will be open 24 hours a day, seven days a week over the New Year period, on 08457 909090.

DRUGS AND ALCOHOL

Substance Misuse Unit, Worcester Royal Infirmary, Newtown branch. Telephone 01905 29955.

Closed Tuesday, January 1. All other days operate as normal. Call the above number for further information.

GP SURGERIES

GP surgeries in Worcester City will be closed on Tuesday, January 1, 2002.

ALCOHOL

Hereford-Worcester Alcohol Advisory Service, 10 Sansome Place, Worcester. Telephone 01905 27417. Re-opens Wednesday, January 2. Drinkline is 0800 9178282 or call the above number.

North Worcestershire Alcohol Advisory Service at Bromsgrove. Telephone 01527 870707. The office will be closed until Wednesday, January 2. An answerphone will give details of the national drinkline number.

SCAD -- Support for Children of Adult Drinkers, 10 Sansome Place, Worcester. Telephone 01905 23060.

Same as Hereford-Worcester Alcohol Advisory Service.

CHEMISTS ROTA

WORCESTER

Scales Pharmacy Dec 31, 8.30-6. D G Pharmacy Dec 31, 8.30-6. Superdrug Stores Dec 31, 8.30-5.30. Lloyds Pharmacy (Cornmarket) Dec 31, 9-6. Lloyds Pharmacy (Tesco complex) Dec 31, 9-6. Boots the Chemist Dec 31, 8.30-5.30; Jan 1, 11-1pm. Tesco in-store (Warndon) Dec 31, 8-6. Giles Pharmacy Dec 31, 9-5. Claines Dec 31, 9-6. A Cowe Dec 31, 9-1.15, 2.15-6. Kitsons Dec 31, 9-5. Moss Dec 31, 8.45-6.45; Jan 1, 6-7. Barbourne Dec 31, 9-5.30. St John's Dec 8.30-5.30; Jan 1, 11-1pm. Ogles Dec 31, 8.30-6. Astwood Pharmacy Dec 31, 9-5.30. Ronkswood Dec 31, 9-5.30. A W Sandles Dec 31, 8.45-1; 2.15-5.

EVESHAM/PERSHORE

Bengeworth Pharmacy Dec 31, 8.30-5.30. Safeway Dec 31, 9-5. Boots the Chemist Dec 31 9-5.30; Jan 1, 11-1pm. Waterside Pharmacy Dec 31, 8.30-6; Jan 1, 5-7. Droitwich Pharmacy Dec 31, 9-3; Jan 1, 11.30-1. Moss Dec 31, 8.30-6.30. Lloyds Dec 31, 9-5.30. Worsdall Dec 31, 8.30-6. C M Ogle Dec 31, 8.30-1, 2.15-6.

MALVERN/TENBURY

Lygon Pharmacy Dec 31, 9-5.30. Victoria Pharmacy Dec 31, 9-5.30. Evans Pharmacy Dec 31, 9-5.30. Tenbury Pharmacy (Tenbury) Dec 31, 9-6.30. Boots Dec 31, 9-5.30. Lloyds Dec 31, 9-6. Claremont House Pharmacy Dec 31, 9-5.30; Jan 1, 5-6pm. Barnards Green Dec 31, 8.45-5.30. Malvern Pharmacy Dec 31, 9-5.30; Jan 1, 11-1pm.