Local News Thursday 2nd December

Thursday, 2 December 2021 06:00

Somerset's hospitals, pharmacists and GPs are being sent detailed guidance for helping with the major expansion of the Covid booster programme. Police say they’ve stopped a large amount of drugs from circulating in Chard. Police are investigating a spate of thefts of tools from parked vans in Ilminster. The go-ahead has been given for a new farm shop to be built on the outskirts of Keinton Mandeville. One in ten people in the South West says they've been involved in a collision on a rural road...and more.

Somerset's hospitals, pharmacists and GPs are being sent detailed guidance for helping with the major expansion of the Covid booster programme. The government wants millions of people to book appointments over the coming weeks to head off the threat posed by the Omicron variant. Health leaders warn the rollout poses a "huge logistical challenge" for the NHS.

Police say they’ve stopped a large amount of drugs from circulating in Chard. It follows the arrest of a man who was carrying a bag containing drugs and also cash by members of the Chard Neighbourhood Police Team.

Police are investigating a spate of thefts of tools from parked vans in Ilminster. The Ilminster Police Neighbourhood Team is asking people who leave tools in vans overnight to stay vigilant and to report any suspicious activity.

The go-ahead has been given for a new farm shop to be built on the outskirts of Keinton Mandeville. South Somerset District Council approved the application at Newlands Farm on the grounds that it represents a justified farm diversification scheme that would benefit the local economy.

One in ten people in the South West says they've been involved in a collision on a rural road. Between 2018 and 2020, 372 people were killed on rural roads in the region with 103 killed on urban roads. NFU Mutual, British Cycling and The British Horse Society are now launching a "Respect Rural Roads" campaign to improve safety.

A new professional orchestra has launched in Somerset. The Chamber Orchestra of the West is making its debut tour of the county this week. Orchestra Leader, Jackie Shave says their aim is to bring live music to as many communities in Somerset as possible.

More from News

Tuesday 15th September

Police investigating an attack on a shop worker in Yeovil have released CCTV images of a man and woman they want to speak to. Farmers in Somerset are being warned to expect more cases of bluetongue. Ilminster Carnival Committee has announced the cancellation of this year's Children's Carnival due to a lack of entries... and more
Monday 14th September

Two new mobile NHS breast screening units have taken to the road in Somerset. More than 700 new homes are to be built alongside the M5 in Bridgwater. Dawes Twineworks in West Coker is one of several venues open to the public for free this month... and more
Friday 11th September

It’s going to cost more to park in Chard. Police have issued an image of a man they want to speak to in connection with two burglaries in Yeovil. Somerset Cricket Club is planning to stage performances by some of the world's biggest artistes at their Taunton ground... and more
Thursday 10th September

Work has begun building a new multi-million-pound David Lloyd leisure centre in Yeovil. NHS Somerset says a new system to handle emergency stroke care will lead to "better outcomes" for patients. Tickets for next year’s Glastonbury Festival will go on sale in October...and more
Wednesday 9th September

Police have released an image of a man they want to speak to following an assault in Yeovil. Businesses in Taunton say they're worried that planned changes to parking rules could put people off visiting the town. The Red Arrows will take to the skies near the Somerset border in a one-off display later this week... and more
Tuesday 8th September

Police in Avon and Somerset say they’re dealing with a big increase in reports of cloned vehicle fraud. A new video system designed to speed up stroke care has been launched in Somerset. Pilgrims are walking through Somerset this week to mark eight hundred years since the death of Saint Francis of Assisi... and more
Monday 7th September

Avon and Somerset Police are warning about a new scam involving criminals posing as police officers. Flu vaccinations are now available on the NHS ahead of the winter. Liverpool comedian John Bishop has cancelled his show in Taunton later this week after breaking his ankle... and more
Friday 4th September

Police are investigating a suspected arson attack on a vehicle near Shepton Mallet. New taxi charges come into force in Somerset later this month. The fire service is treating as accidental a blaze at a flat in Yeovil town centre... and more