Thursday 14th March

Thursday, 14 March 2024 06:00

By Steve Haigh

A new campaign is urging people in Somerset to quit smoking as health experts estimate that around sixty thousand people still smoke cigarettes across the county. An Ilminster man caught driving while disqualified has been jailed for eight weeks. A Somerset couple are preparing to travel to Ukraine to deliver a vehicle for use on the frontline in the war against Russia...and more.

A new campaign's urging people in Somerset to quit smoking as health experts estimate around sixty thousand people still smoke cigarettes across the county. This week marks the 40th anniversary of No Smoking Day and the release of a new TV anti-smoking advert backed by Cancer Research UK.

An Ilminster man caught driving while disqualified has been jailed for eight weeks after breaching a court order. Morgan Freeman, aged 25, of Ile Court, in Ilminster, was appearing at Taunton Magistrates' Court for failing to comply with the requirements of a community order. The court was told that Freeman had failed to attend appointments as directed. Magistrates revoked the community order and sentenced him for the original offence of driving while disqualified.

Somerset Council is selling Petters House on Petters Way in Yeovil. The building was operated as a customer access point by South Somerset District Council before being transferred to the new Somerset Council in April 2023. A new customer access point will be introduced at Yeovil Library.

A fund has reopened to provide fresh support to veterans in Somerset injured during military service. Ex-service personnel can apply to the fund being administered by the charity Help for Heroes to get financial help with specialist equipment.

A Somerset couple are preparing to travel to Ukraine to deliver a vehicle for use on the frontline. Ed Chalmers and Katie Hines will travel the thirteen hundred miles over 3-days to Ukraine on behalf of the charity, Driving Ukraine, which so far has delivered seventy vehicles to the country to use in the war against Russia.

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