Laura Linham

Plunging temperatures cause carnage on Somerset's roads

Police are urging motorists not to drive unless their journey is essential after more than 53 collisions between 6pm and 11pm on Monday evening. Superintendent Mark Runacres said most of the incidents were a result of freezing weather, which…

Police looking for man with links to Wells

Police are asking for the public's help to find a wanted man. Daniel Cockburn, 31, is described as a white man, approximately 5ft 11ins tall, of average build, with brown eyes and light brown hair. Avon and Somerset Police said he has links to the…

Police plea after untaxed van removed from Wells junction

Police are urging people to make sure they are reporting problems to them directly, rather than relying on social media and word of mouth. The request comes after a van was seized in Wells after officers spotted information about an untaxed van left…

Self-service kiosks to help cope with the cost of living crisis

Citizens Advice Mendip are reporting record numbers of people turning to them for advice and emergency support as a result of the rise in the cost of living crisis. To help more people get the advice they need when they want it, Citizens Advice is…

Straight or LGBTQ+? Census data map reveals Mendip's sexual orientations

Thousands of people in Mendip say they have an LGBTQ+ sexual identity - as census data reveals the diverse "Rainbow Britain" of today. Some 2,570 people living in our area said they did not identify as "straight or heterosexual". That represents 2.7%…

Oi Frog! It's time for the great frog and toad spawn hunt of 2023

If you're looking for something to occupy yourself with over the next couple of months, why not join the Frog and Toad hunt of 2023? It's this time of year that amphibians wake from their slumber and head for your pond. Once the night time…

Average Mendip household 'paying almost twice as much to fuel home'

New figures suggest that the Mendip household is paying almost twice as much as last winter to fuel their home. The latest figures from the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy show the average Mendip household consumed 9,889…

New councillor elected for Wells

The city of Wells has a new town councillor for the St Cuthbert Ward - Liberal Democrat Georgie Robbins. The newly 436 votes, beating Melanie Townsend, of Wells Independents, who got 214 votes, and Conservative candidate Tracy Leach who got 176. It…

Property of the week: Detached bungalow in beautiful village near Wells

Your chance to own a low-maintenance, super-flexible bungalow in a beautiful village just a few miles from Wells One in five people looking to move in next five years looking for a bungalow, according to figures released by property experts. If…

Sequel to award-winning fostering campaign launched on primetime television

A new animated film promoting fostering Somerset children and young people premiered on ITV and Sky during the ITV Evening News last month. The film – 'Anna's Story'- follows a teenager in care and is the sequel to Somerset County Council's…

The forgotten victims of the cost-of-living crisis: 28% of pets in the South West at risk of not receiving vital treatment

Figures from the UKs largest veterinary charity, PDSA, have revealed that more than a quarter (28%) of owners in the South West are worried about affording vet bills – leaving them facing potentially heart-breaking decisions should their pet become…

Private renting on rise in Mendip

New data has revealed that home ownership has dropped over the last decade in Mendip while renting households have increased. Over the past decade, the percentage of households that own their own home across the UK has decreased by 1.8 per cent, to…

Private renting on rise in Mendip

Over the past decade, the percentage of households that own their own home across the UK has decreased by 1.8 per cent, to almost two-thirds of households, and the percentage who rent has increased by 3 per cent, to just over a third. Figures from…

Private renting on rise in Mendip

Over the past decade, the percentage of households that own their own home across the UK has decreased by 1.8 per cent, to almost two-thirds of households, and the percentage who rent has increased by 3 per cent, to just over a third. Figures from…

Crime figures for Wells released by police

The number of crimes reported to police in Wells has remained static, new figures have revealed. There were 81 crimes reported in November this year, the most recent figures available. This is marginally up from the 80 crimes reported in October, but…

Comic cons, baby and toddler shows and Autofest 2023: All the new events coming to the Bath and West Showground this year

Thankfully, the Bath and West Showground are putting on a huge selection of wonderful things to do in 2023 - and as well as the events you'd probably be expecting - the giant flea markets, antiques and collectors fairs, wedding shows and of course,…

Crime drops in Shepton for the second month in a row

The monthly crime statistics for November - the most recent available - are released by Avon and Somerset Police. The figures show that a total of 60 crimes were reported to police throughout November - down from the 71 reported in October. There…

Caught on camera: The Ghosts of Wookey Hole Caves

A team of paranormal investigators have claimed to have heard the voice of the Witch of Wookey Hole while ghost-hunting in the caves. Paranormal investigator Tony Ferguson, and his team of ghost-hunters – his wife Bev, 59, and investigators Debbie…

Crime figures for Glastonbury and Street released by police

The number of reported crimes in Glastonbury fell by the tiniest bit month-on-month, according to the most recent figures released by the police. Crime statistics for November - the most recent available - show that the number of crimes reported in…

Shepton Mallet Leisure Centre to close

The centre, on Charlton Road, said use of the Leisure Centre fitness suite has dropped by around 90% in two years, the number of people booking onto organised classes is now at a level where many are unviable. Squash court bookings have also reached…