Somersetcounty
2 outlets2h agoPolice to deploy live facial recognition in Bath city centre
Avon and Somerset Police will deploy live facial recognition technology in Bath on 25 November to identify people on pre-authorised watchlists.
Avon and Somerset Police will deploy live facial recognition technology in Bath on 25 November to identify people on pre-authorised watchlists.
Avon and Somerset Police will use live facial recognition (LFR) technology in Bath city centre from 25 November. The technology uses CCTV cameras to compare faces against pre-authorised watchlists of people suspected of serious offences, wanted by courts, or posing immediate risk of harm. The force says the deployment will be overt and clearly signposted. SomersetLive reports the rollout is planned for 26 November, the day before Bath's Christmas Market opens. Police say trained officers review any matches the system identifies; images that do not match are automatically deleted. The technology is already in use in parts of London, Devon and Bradford.
3 outlets2h agoSomerset man sentenced to indefinite hospital order for killing
Graham Janes has been sentenced to an indefinite hospital order after fatally attacking Colin Lawson, who had taken him into his home.
Graham Janes has been sentenced to an indefinite hospital order after fatally attacking Colin Lawson, who had taken him into his home.
Graham Janes, 50, has been sentenced to an indefinite hospital order after he fatally attacked Colin Lawson on 22 August 2025. Lawson, 43, had taken Janes into his home in South Petherton while Janes was experiencing mental health difficulties. Janes was initially charged with murder but pleaded guilty to manslaughter by diminished responsibility after psychiatrists assessed that his mental state had substantially contributed to his actions.
via BBC Somerset3h agoLoading shovel operator still working at 80
Colin Shearn has just turned 80, but has no plans to retire from his job as a loading shovel operator for Pennys Group at Green Ore on the Mendips.
Colin Shearn has just turned 80, but has no plans to retire from his job as a loading shovel operator for Pennys Group at Green Ore on the Mendips.
via Somerset Post4h agoCornwall drivers over 60 asked to share night-time fears
Age Friendly Cornwall has teamed up with Cornwall Council’s transport team to launch the survey
Age Friendly Cornwall has teamed up with Cornwall Council’s transport team to launch the survey
via Somerset Post4h agoLocals complete brutal Cornish Marathon
Runners from all over North Cornwall headed to Pensilva for the annual race which is part of the Cornwall Grand Prix
Runners from all over North Cornwall headed to Pensilva for the annual race which is part of the Cornwall Grand Prix
via SomersetLive5h agoHuge Somerset employer Leonardo confirms 'difficult decision' as up to 70 jobs at risk
It is currently consulting with staff and is hoping affected workers can find other roles within the business
It is currently consulting with staff and is hoping affected workers can find other roles within the business
2 outlets5h agoTraffic lights near M5 junction remain broken ahead of carnival
Traffic lights on the A38 near M5 Junction 24 in Somerset have remained broken since Tuesday, with repairs expected to continue into next week.
Traffic lights on the A38 near M5 Junction 24 in Somerset have remained broken since Tuesday, with repairs expected to continue into next week.
Traffic lights on the A38 Taunton Road in North Petherton, near M5 Junction 24, failed on Tuesday 3 November and remain broken despite Somerset Council sending engineers. The council is racing to complete repairs before Bridgwater Guy Fawkes Carnival this weekend, which is expected to bring tens of thousands of additional vehicles to the area. Travel Somerset said on Thursday 5 November that repairs are taking longer than anticipated and work will continue into next week.
via Somerset County Gazette5h agoPolice appeal to find missing 58-year-old man with Somerset and Bristol links
Police are concerned for the welfare of a 58-year-old man who has been reported missing from a city in Somerset
Police are concerned for the welfare of a 58-year-old man who has been reported missing from a city in Somerset
via Somerset Post5h agoHospital trust admits failings over massive staff data breach
The breach exposed sensitive personal health information relating to almost 8,000 current and former staff
The breach exposed sensitive personal health information relating to almost 8,000 current and former staff
via Somerset County Gazette6h ago25 new homes planned near historic pub in small Somerset village
Planning consent is already in place for five homes near The Castlebrook Inn - and 25 more could soon be delivered immediately behind them
Planning consent is already in place for five homes near The Castlebrook Inn - and 25 more could soon be delivered immediately behind them
2 outlets6h agoM5 closures in Somerset to be debated in Parliament
Bridgwater MP Ashley Fox has secured a Westminster Hall debate over repeated M5 closures in Somerset.
Bridgwater MP Ashley Fox has secured a Westminster Hall debate over repeated M5 closures in Somerset.
Bridgwater MP Ashley Fox has secured a Westminster Hall debate to challenge the Government over repeated closures of the M5 in Somerset and their impact on local communities and businesses. The debate will examine National Highways' traffic management policies and whether more can be done to minimise disruption. The action follows 9,106 incidents reported on the Somerset stretch over two years—roughly 12 per day, with nearly eight collisions weekly.
via Somerset County Gazette6h agoThree Somerset pubs named among the UK's top 100 best pubs
The UK's top 100 best pubs have been revealed, with three Somerset entries making the list
The UK's top 100 best pubs have been revealed, with three Somerset entries making the list
via BBC Somerset6h agoVet hopeful TB will be eradicated by 2038
Keith Cutler welcomes the new government strategy aimed at eradicating the disease in England.
Keith Cutler welcomes the new government strategy aimed at eradicating the disease in England.
via SomersetLive6h agoDrug rape husband ‘expects to die behind bars but wants wife to know the truth’
A man from Somerset already pleaded guilty to various offences
A man from Somerset already pleaded guilty to various offences
via SomersetLive7h agoPolice urge public not to approach suspect after stabbing near Trowbridge Tesco
Two men have been arrested, but one remains outstanding
Two men have been arrested, but one remains outstanding
via Somerset Post7h agoNorth Cornwall deserved better from this Budget
North Cornwall MP Ben Maguire gives us his thoughts in his weekly column
North Cornwall MP Ben Maguire gives us his thoughts in his weekly column
via Somerset Post7h agoSpear sends Seasiders into Senior Cup quarter-final
Reeves grabbed the North Cornwall side’s opener at Trungle Parc
Reeves grabbed the North Cornwall side’s opener at Trungle Parc
via SomersetLive8h agoMan accused of raping woman advertised for sex tells court she ‘participated’
He answered an advert online to have sex with a man's wife, a court heard
He answered an advert online to have sex with a man's wife, a court heard
via Somerset County Gazette9h agoKarl Lindsay case update as husband who raped wife 'expects to die in prison'
A man who admitted to raping his wife in a case the former CEO of Taunton Town FC Karl Lindsay was named a co-defendant for expects to die in prison
A man who admitted to raping his wife in a case the former CEO of Taunton Town FC Karl Lindsay was named a co-defendant for expects to die in prison
via Somerset Post10h agoCotehele garland celebrates 70 years of festive magic
Around 30,000 people visit each year to see the installation, which for many marks the start of Christmas
Around 30,000 people visit each year to see the installation, which for many marks the start of Christmas
via Somerset County Gazette10h agoUnderpants and games console among bizarre finds in Halloween beach clean
Festive clean-up of one Somerset's beloved beaches produced one of the biggest hauls of rubbish organisers have ever collected
Festive clean-up of one Somerset's beloved beaches produced one of the biggest hauls of rubbish organisers have ever collected
via Somerset County Gazette10h ago'Spectacular fireworks display' planned as part of Christmas lights switch-on
A Somerset town has confirmed the full details ahead of its annual Christmas lights switch-on for 2026
A Somerset town has confirmed the full details ahead of its annual Christmas lights switch-on for 2026
via Somerset County Gazette10h agoHigh-performing Somerset school opens new state-of-the-art facilities
Pupils and staff at Stawley Primary School, between Wellington and Wiveliscombe, have formally opened their brand new facilities
Pupils and staff at Stawley Primary School, between Wellington and Wiveliscombe, have formally opened their brand new facilities
via Somerset County Gazette10h agoFree Christmas parking plans as late-night shopping returns to Taunton
Shoppers in Taunton will be able to park for free as the town is transformed with Christmas lights, festive activities and more
Shoppers in Taunton will be able to park for free as the town is transformed with Christmas lights, festive activities and more
2 outlets10h agoYeovil theatre offers 1,000 cut-price pantomime tickets for families
Westlands Entertainment Venue in Yeovil is releasing 1,000 tickets for Aladdin at £3 each through its Accessible Ticket Scheme.
Westlands Entertainment Venue in Yeovil is releasing 1,000 tickets for Aladdin at £3 each through its Accessible Ticket Scheme.
Westlands Entertainment Venue in Yeovil has released 1,000 discounted tickets for its pantomime production of Aladdin at £3 each to help low-income families access theatre. The tickets are part of the venue's Accessible Ticket Scheme, funded by Arts Council England and Somerset Council. Since launching in November 2024, the scheme has already issued over 1,500 tickets to families, with more than half of first-time attendees renewing their membership for a second year.
via SomersetLive10h agoJobs lost as Somerset boat-maker used by police and military collapses
The decades-old company operates in five continents and won a contract for the London Olympics
The decades-old company operates in five continents and won a contract for the London Olympics
via SomersetLive11h agoHow to watch England A vs Argentina XV live on TV for free and full team news
England A host Argentina XV at the Recreation Ground on Friday night
England A host Argentina XV at the Recreation Ground on Friday night
via Somerset Post11h agoProtecting Cornish heritage and investing in our future
The Budget was serious about ensuring that our economy is stable
The Budget was serious about ensuring that our economy is stable
2 outletsUpdated11h agoBanwell bypass delayed again as costs rise to £114.6m
The Banwell bypass in North Somerset, first proposed in 1927, will now open in December 2027 rather than June, with costs rising by £9.5m.
The Banwell bypass in North Somerset, first proposed in 1927, will now open in December 2027 rather than June, with costs rising by £9.5m.
North Somerset Council has delayed the opening of the long-awaited Banwell bypass to December 2027, six months later than planned. The project, first proposed in 1927, will now cost £114.7m, an increase of £9.5m. Bristol Water's delay in relocating water mains disrupted construction progress, and the council is seeking legal advice on recovering costs.
via Somerset Post11h agoTrio to bring boundless energy to Calstock venue
Granny’s Attic have been heralded for their lively performances
Granny’s Attic have been heralded for their lively performances
via Bridgwater Mercury11h agoBridgwater Carnival road closures: Every route affected and when
Roads across Bridgwater will close throughout the day on Saturday November 7 as the town prepares for its famous illuminated carnival procession
Roads across Bridgwater will close throughout the day on Saturday November 7 as the town prepares for its famous illuminated carnival procession
via BBC Somerset15h agoMajor shake-up of children's homes as five closed
A damning Ofsted ruling deemed one home was "volatile and dangerous".
A damning Ofsted ruling deemed one home was "volatile and dangerous".
via SomersetLive16h agoEscalating costs put ambitious plan for 10,000-capacity arena in Weston-super-Mare at risk
The project could be scaled back
The project could be scaled back
2 outletsUpdated16h agoTaunton council tenant waits months for vital flat repairs
A Taunton man has waited months for Somerset Council to carry out repairs including a new door, roof leak and wall cracks.
A Taunton man has waited months for Somerset Council to carry out repairs including a new door, roof leak and wall cracks.
Kieran Warren has been waiting since July 2025 for Somerset Council and Homes in Somerset to complete multiple repairs to his council flat on Enmore Road in Taunton, including a replacement front door, a leaking roof and cracks in walls. The front door process began in June 2025 as part of a fire safety programme, but the wrong door was delivered in September and has not been replaced. A damp survey in August identified mould and cracks, and Mr Warren reported additional issues including missing mortar and a suspected roof leak in October. The council has offered compensation and said it is reviewing how to manage multiple repairs to avoid similar delays for other tenants.
via SomersetLive16h agoSomerset funeral notices pay tribute to great-grandfather aged 101
Our thoughts are with those who have lost a loved one
Our thoughts are with those who have lost a loved one
2 outletsUpdated16h agoSomerset rail service criticised for long journey times
South Western Railway's West of England mainline, serving Somerset stations, has been branded poor by a transport campaigner citing four-hour journeys to London.
South Western Railway's West of England mainline, serving Somerset stations, has been branded poor by a transport campaigner citing four-hour journeys to London.
South Western Railway's West of England line, which serves Crewkerne, Yeovil Junction and Templecombe in Somerset, has been criticised for long journey times to London Waterloo. David Redgewell from the South West Transport Network called the service 'a disgrace', saying trains take four hours on what should be an express line. He warned poor rail connections would undermine bus-rail integration and lead to lost investment. SWR said it was exploring enhancements to be delivered in-house or as part of new housing developments.
via Somerset Post17h agoChildren to discover 'world of bees' thanks to funding grant
Youngsters with SEND, anxiety, sensory differences or difficult experiences will benefit from the funding
Youngsters with SEND, anxiety, sensory differences or difficult experiences will benefit from the funding
via Somerset Post17h agoSouth Africa remembers Cornwall’s forgotten heroine
Around 650 people took part in the re-enactment at the National Women’s Monument in Bloemfontein
Around 650 people took part in the re-enactment at the National Women’s Monument in Bloemfontein
via Somerset Post17h agoNew scheme could provide boost to Bude's first-time buyers, says housebuilder
The housebuilder has suggested that the scheme could give prospective homeowners the help needed to get onto the property ladder
The housebuilder has suggested that the scheme could give prospective homeowners the help needed to get onto the property ladder
via Somerset Post17h agoCornwall Council approve plans for fully affordable development in Darite
Plans for 13 affordable homes in Darite have been approved by Cornwall Council
Plans for 13 affordable homes in Darite have been approved by Cornwall Council