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

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