Local News Friday 16th June

Friday, 16 June 2023 at 07:00

By Steve Haigh

The hot weather is having a significant impact on hospital A&E services in Somerset. The new owner of Yeovil Town, Martin Hellier says fans are returning to the club in big numbers. Work starts on Monday resurfacing two major roads in Langport. GPs in Somerset are massively overspent on their budgets for prescriptions...and more.

The hot weather is having a significant impact on local A&E services. NHS Somerset says the last few days have been especially busy with high numbers of people attending A&E with hay fever. NHS England’s Medical Director in the South West, Doctor Michael Marsh, is asking people to think carefully before using their local A&E.

The new owner of Yeovil Town, Martin Hellier says fans are returning to the club in big numbers, despite them being relegated and playing in National League South next season. Work to smarten up Huish Park is well underway and new players have been added to the squad since Mr Hellier bought the club two months ago. He’s optimistic that Yeovil will be playing in front of home crowds of five thousand next season, which is double the club’s average gate last season.

GPs in Somerset are massively overspent on their budgets for prescriptions. The overspend could exceed four million pounds, according to the Somerset Integrated Care System. The ICS is blaming it on a shortage of pharmacists, rising prices, and the long-term impact of coronavirus.

Work starts on Monday next week resurfacing two major roads in Langport. The repairs to North Street and Somerton Road will see diversions in operation and take six weeks to complete.

Work's being carried out later this month on a section of Station Road in Ilminster. The road linking the Southfields roundabout with the roundabout on Station Road will be subject to delays during the repairs that begin on Thursday, June 22nd.

Petherton Folk Fest is on this weekend in South Petherton. It’s the tenth year the event’s been held with a stellar programme of artists lined up to perform live at seven different venues.

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