IT is a decade since 'swine flu' swept the nation, X Factor star Cher Lloyd made her return visit to Malvern and a billionaire appeared in court for murdering his wife.

As we usher in a new decade we look back at some of the stories that made the headlines in the Worcester News in 2010.

In Worcestershire alone there were grim official predictions at the time that a flu pandemic could kill 7,000 people as the NHS and other bodies planned their response.

However, by February of 2010 concerns over the virus were dying down and it claimed far fewer lives than expected.

Swine flu in Worcestershire did contribute to the deaths of five people – roughly the same number who die of ordinary, seasonal flu.

The Worcestershire Excess Deaths Co-ordinating Group, comprising the coroner, police, fire service and funeral directors, was set up to deal with the potential aftermath.

Dr Richard Harling was director of public health for NHS Worcestershire, the organisation which oversaw the response to swine flu locally.

See how we reported the story about swine flu here.

Lucy Landry, aged 38, was found with stab wounds at her home on Besford Court estate, Besford, near Pershore, on February 1, 2010.

She was taken from the scene by ambulance to the accident and emergency department of Worcestershire Royal Hospital but later died.

A post-mortem examination revealed she died as a result of multiple stab wounds to her chest. The following year her American millionaire husband was sentenced to a 16-year life sentence for murdering her in what was branded an “unspeakable” attack by a judge.

Harold Landry had battered Lucy Landry over the head with a rolling pin before pursuing her through their luxury family home with a carving knife, stabbing her 23 times.

See how we reported the murder here and read about the sentencing of Landry here

2010 was also a year in which improvements for pedestrians and cyclists in Worcester were announced.

A plan was revealed to improve foot and cycle links between two University of Worcester campuses.

Work to widen and create a new footpath on Croft Road and Grandstand Road, near Sabrina Bridge, was to temporarily force pedestrians and cyclists to take a minor detour.

People were warned that the footpath running along Croft Road car park would be closed off during the works which would include the installation of lighting.

The scheme was a result of section 106 money from the University of Worcester to improve sustainable transport links in the area.

Read here how our former reporter David Paine reported the story in January 2010.

In December 2010 Cher Lloyd and Cheryl Cole arrived hand-in-hand at the then 17-year-old’s Malvern home today.

The pop starlet and her X Factor mentor stepped out of a black people carrier vehicle and into Cher’s family home without stopping to sign autographs, but Cher later peeked out of an upstairs window to wave at her screaming fans.

Well over 100 people waited in the freezing cold to catch a glimpse of the young rapper arriving home.

Mum and dad, Dinah and Darren, waited inside the house along with Cher’s siblings and grandparents, while more family and friends lined the pavements.

Read about how we reported Cher's return to Malvern home here

In 2010 four of the region’s top secondary schools were considering opting out of council control and applying for academy status for the first time.

Christopher Whitehead Language College and Nunnery Wood High, both in Worcester, The Chantry in Martley and Prince Henry’s High, Evesham all later became academies.

See how we reported the school changes here