Monday 23rd February

Monday, 23 February 2026 05:00

By Steve Haigh

Yeovil MP Adam Dance is warning of a scaling back of jobs at the Leonardo helicopter factory in Yeovil. Work is underway on the multi-million-pound refurbishment of Yeovil police station. The A361 across the Somerset Levels has reopened... and more

Yeovil MP Adam Dance is warning of a scaling back of jobs at the Leonardo helicopter factory in Yeovil rather than a complete shutdown of the site. Leonardo has threatened to close the Yeovil factory at the end of March should the government not confirm a £1.4 billion order to build new medium lift helicopters in Yeovil. The government says a decision on the order will be made when the Defence Investment Programme is published but haven’t said when this will be. Adam Dance says the delay is causing huge concern not just in Yeovil but across the whole of the South West’s defence industries.

.Work is underway on the multi-million-pound refurbishment of Yeovil police station. It includes upgrading the building’s mechanical and electrical systems, modernising internal spaces and building a vehicle workshop. Once completed, the refurbished station will operate as a policing hub for Yeovil and the surrounding area.

A Yeovil man has been jailed after pleading guilty to a sexual offence against a child. Jason Squibb, of Westfield Road, was jailed for two years and eight months and had his name put on the sex offender register when he appeared at Taunton Crown Court

The A361 across the Somerset Levels has reopened. The road was closed in January at Burrowbridge due to flooding.
The go ahead has been given to build new wetlands on the Somerset Levels. Wessex Water plan to introduce the wetlands at Shapwick.

At just fourteen years old, Somerset based actor, Tom Page Turner, has landed the biggest role of his fledgling career so far. Tom, a pupil at Wellington School, can be seen playing the part of Bill in the BBC adaptation of Lord of the Flies, currently showing on BBC One.

More from News

Friday 20th February

10,000 incidents of potholes on Somerset’s roads have been reported to Somerset Council in the past four weeks. The Met Office is warning of more unsettled weather into March for Somerset. The Crowshute link in Chard will close for eight nights next month for road repairs... and more
Thursday 19th February

Yeovil fire station is to undergo a major refurbishment. A Yeovil based charity is appealing for adults to become mentors to young people. A Somerset woman has completed a 10,000 kilometre solo bike ride across Africa... and more
Wednesday 18th February

New figures have shown a rise in cases of suicide involving farmers, including in Somerset. Plans to merge the parishes of Castle Cary and Ansford have been scrapped. A Somerset-based charity working to end homelessness is marking its 50th anniversary... and more
Tuesday 17th February

Avon and Somerset Police are asking the owners of replica guns to hand them in. It's claimed motorists in the Bruton and Wincanton area are paying out hundreds of pounds in repairs due to the poor state of local roads. And, Yeovil Town take on Aldershot at Huish Park tonight... and more
Monday 16th February

Yeovil MP Adam Dance has warned that the Westlands entertainment venue in Yeovil would be at risk should Leonardo not be awarded a government contract to build new medium life helicopters. A Chard woman has been given a suspended jail sentence for carrying a knife in a public place. A petition has been launched to slowdown motorists using Coker Way and Wyatt Way in Chard... and more
Friday 13th February

Somerset Council has dropped plans to close two town centre car parks in Yeovil. A Yeovil man has been charged with attempted murder after a woman was attacked in her home. The Environment Agency has committed to reviewing its water management of the Somerset Levels following the recent floods... and more
Thursday 12th February

The government says it's ‘working flat out’ to arrive at a decision on ordering a new medium lift helicopter with Leonardo in Yeovil. We’re being asked to suggest where new electric vehicle charge points should be installed in Somerset. A new project is inviting people to look up and help map Somerset’s night skies... and more
Wednesday 11th February

Somerset Council has been told it can’t raise council tax by more than 5 percent. Businesses in Somerset are being warned to watch out for fake £20 notes. A Martock man has successfully completed a parachute-ski jump off the top of Mount Snowdon.