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: No services on Tuesday or Wednesday, December 25 or 26. 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: No services on Christmas Day or Boxing Day. 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

WORCESTER ROYAL INFIRMARY

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

COUNCILS

WORCESTERSHIRE

Closed from Monday, December 24, 4pm. Re-opens Thursday, December 27 and 28 as normal.

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

County council offices close on Friday, December 21. Open on Thursday, December 27-and Friday, 28 from 9am-5pm. Closed over the New Year. Re-open Wednesday, January 2.

WORCESTER

City council offices close on Friday, December 21 and re-open on Thursday, December 27 to Friday, December 28. Offices will close for New Year and open again on Wednesday, January 2. Emergency number: 01905 723471.

WYCHAVON

Offices will close at the end of Friday, December 21 and open again at 9am for a normal day on Thursday, December 27 and Friday, 28. Shops and reception will be closed Saurday, December 22 and open Saturday, December 29 till 12:30pm only.

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

WYRE FOREST

Council offices closed Monday, December 24, Tuesday, 25 and Wednesday, 26 and re-open as normal for Thursday, December 27, Friday, 28 and Monday, 31. Closed New Year's Day and then re-open on Wednesday, January 2.

MALVERN HILLS DISTRICT

Closed Monday, December 24,Tuesday, 25 and Wednesday, 26. Open Thursday, December 27 and Friday, 28 and Monday, 31 as normal. Closed Monday, December 31.Emergency number 01684 892701.

BROMSGROVE

Offices close Friday, December 21 at 4:45 and re-open as usual for Thursday, 27 and Friday, 28. Saturday, December 29 cashiers office open only until 11:30. All normal Monday, December 31. Closed Tuesday, January 1 resume Wednesday, January 2.

LIBRARIES

All libraries will be closed on Christmas Day, Boxing Day and 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 Christmas and New Year period, on 08457 909090. The centre in Sansome Place will also be open to walk-in visitors on Christmas Day and Boxing Day between 9am and 10pm. Telephone: 01905 21121.

DRUGS AND ALCOHOL

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

Closed Tuesday, December 25, Wednesday, 26 and 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 and Wednesday, December 25, 26 and Tuesday, January 1, 2002. Urgent and emergency advice will be available from practices between 8am and 12 noon on Saturday, December 29, please call first. Normal services will be available Thursday and Friday, December 27 and 28.

ALCOHOL

Hereford-Worcester Alcohol Advisory Service, 10 Sansome Place, Worcester. Telephone 01905 27417. Shuts Friday, December 21 at 4pm and 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 from Friday, December 21 at 4pm 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 24, 8.30-6; 31, 8.30-6. D G Pharmacy Dec 24, 8.30-6; 25, 9-11; 26, 9-11; 31, 8.30-6. Superdrug Stores Dec 24, 8.30-4.30; 26, 6-7; 31, 8.30-5.30. Lloyds Pharmacy (Cornmarket) Dec 24, 9-6; 25, 5-6; 31, 9-6. Lloyds Pharmacy (Tesco complex) Dec 24, 9-6; 31, 9-6. Boots the Chemist Dec 24, 8.30-5.30; 31, 8.30-5.30; Jan 1, 11-1pm.Tesco in-store (Warndon) Dec 24, 8-5; 31, 8-6. Giles Pharmacy Dec 24, 9-5; 31, 9-5. Claines Dec 24, 9-5; 25, 5-6; 31, 9-6. A Cowe Dec 24, 9-1.15, 2.15-6; same on 31st. Kitsons Dec 24, 9-5; 26, 11-1; 31, 9-5. Moss Dec 24, 8.45-7; 26, 6-7; 31, 8.45-6.45; Jan 1, 6-7. Barbourne Dec 24, 9-5.30; 25, 11-1pm; 31, 9-5.30. St John's Dec 24, 8.30-5.30; 31, 8.30-5.30; Jan 1, 11-1pm. Ogles Dec 24, 8.30-6; 31, 8.30-6. Astwood Pharmacy Dec 24, 9-5.30; 31, 9-5.30. Ronkswood Dec 24, 9-5.30; 31, 9-5.30. A W Sandles Dec 24, 8.45-1; 2.15-5; same on Dec 31.

EVESHAM/PERSHORE

Bengeworth Pharmacy Dec 24, 8.30-5.30; 31, 8.30-5.30. Safeway Dec 24 and 31, 9-5. Boots the Chemist Dec 24 and 31 9-5.30; Jan 1, 11-1pm. Waterside Pharmacy Dec 24, 8.30-2; 26, 11-1; 31, 8.30-6; Jan 1, 5-7. Droitwich Pharmacy Dec 24, 11.30-1; 25, 11.30-1; 26, 11.30-1; 31, 9-3; Jan 1, 11.30-1. Moss Dec 24, 8.30-6.30; 31, 8.30-6.30. Lloyds Dec 24, 9-5.30; 26, 5-6; 31, 9-5.30. Worsdall Dec 24, 8.30-2; 25, 11-1pm; 31, 8.30-6. C M Ogle Dec 24 and 31, 8.30-1, 2.15-6.

MALVERN/TENBURY

Lygon Pharmacy Dec 24 and 31, 9-5.30. Victoria Pharmacy Dec 24, 9-5.30; 26, 11-1, 31, 9-5.30. Evans Pharmacy Dec 24, 9-5.30; 26, 5-6; 31, 9-5.30. Tenbury Pharmacy (Tenbury) Dec 24, 9-1; 31, 9-6.30. Boots Dec 24 and 31, 9-5.30. Lloyds Dec 24 and 31, 9-6; Dec 28, 9am-12.30pm. Claremont House Pharmacy Dec 24, 9-5.30; 25, 11-1; 31, 9-5.30; Jan 1, 5-6pm. Barnards Green Dec 24, 8.45-5.30; 25, 5-6; 31, 8.45-5.30. Malvern Pharmacy Dec 24, 9-5.30; 31, 9-5.30; Jan 1, 11-1pm.