Thursday 3rd July

    Dorset County Hospital is preparing to handle an increased number of births from now until the end of the year, following the closure of Yeovil Hospital's Maternity Unit. A number of former and current serving military personnel are pursuing the Ministry of Defence for compensation. Vandals have damaged a wooden shelter at the recreation ground in Ilminster...and more

    Dorset County Hospital is preparing to handle an additional 300 births between now and the end of the year, following the sudden closure of the maternity unit at Yeovil Hospital. The Yeovil unit was shut on safety grounds in May, with expectant mothers given the choice of going to Taunton, Bath or Dorchester to give birth. Dorset County Hospital says it’s recruited midwives from Yeovil to help with the extra workload. 

    A number of former and current serving military personnel are pursuing the Ministry of Defence for compensation after developing cancer, which they claim was caused by exposure to fumes from helicopters. The aircraft involved are the Sea King, the Westland Wessex built in Yeovil, the Puma, and the CH-47 Chinook. Six claimants have settled their claims with the Ministry of Defence, who deny liability.

    Work’s underway to repair damage to a wooden shelter at the recreation ground in Ilminster. The incident occurred on Tuesday night when vandals damaged the building's woodwork. Anyone with information about the incident is asked to please call Ilminster Town Council on 01460 52149.

    Part of County Hall in Taunton is set to be converted into flats for NHS staff. The building known as C-Block was sold by Somerset Council in April for £1.7m to developers, Prime PLC, who’ve submitted plans to convert the building to 71 flats to accommodate staff at nearby Musgrove Park Hospital. 

    More from News

    • 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

    • Thursday 3rd September

      Fifteen thousand people have signed a petition calling on Somerset Council to cancel plans for a huge data centre in Bridgwater. A nest of Asian hornets has been found in Somerset. More patients in Somerset are set to benefit from a hospital project aimed at restoring independence... and more

    • Wednesday 2nd September

      Yeovil-based charity, School in a Bag, has started sending supplies to Nepal to help in the aftermath of the devastating floods. 6,000 people have signed a petition opposing plans for a new relief road in Chard. The Royal British Legion in Somerset is appealing for more volunteers to help run this year’s Poppy Appeal... and more

    Today's Weather

    • Yeovil

      Sunny intervals

      High: 21°C | Low: 9°C

    • Chard

      Sunny intervals

      High: 21°C | Low: 9°C

    • Crewkerne

      Sunny intervals

      High: 21°C | Low: 9°C

    • Somerton

      Sunny intervals

      High: 20°C | Low: 10°C

    • Wincanton

      Sunny intervals

      High: 20°C | Low: 9°C