Tuesday 17th September

    £400 million is being invested in research and development projects at the Leonardo factory in Yeovil. £29 million in council tax was left uncollected in Somerset in the last 3 years. A teenager from Yeovil is calling for more awareness of kidney failure. A new procedure for treating varicose veins has made it possible for patients to leave hospital earlier... and more.

    An investment of £400 million in the Leonardo factory in Yeovil has been announced by Prime Minister, Sir Keir Starmer, during his visit to Italy. Sir Keir gave no other details except to say the money would be spent on research and development.

    £29 million in council tax was left uncollected in Somerset in the last 3 years, with the former South Somerset District Council owed £9.1 million in uncollected council tax. A Freedom of Information request by Accident Claims Advice found that Somerset's five former local authorities wrote off £7 million of debts deemed impossible to collect in the financial year 2021/22. A total of £28,978,000 in council tax remained uncollected across all five former councils between the 2021/22 and 2023 /24 financial years. £7 million was written off as unviable or impossible to collect in the financial year 2021/22.

    A teenager from Yeovil is calling for more awareness of kidney failure in young people after she was struck with the condition over the summer. Lilly Canterbury, who’s 14, was placed in a coma after becoming seriously ill in June following flu-like symptoms. She now has dialysis three times a week and will need a kidney transplant. Lilly says she’s gone public with her story to raise awareness of kidney failure.

    Babies, re-admitted to Yeovil Hospital with jaundice are being given a diagnosis within just two to three minutes of arriving, thanks to a new way of testing for jaundice. Senior sister Beth Hawken and nurse Eleonora Forbes worked on developing the new test, a procedure that previously had been taking up to seven hours to complete. Yeovil Hospital says it has made the care of neonatal babies more efficient meaning they’re not jaundiced for long and are less likely to experience complications.

    Parents and carers of children in Somerset due to start school or move on to their next school in September 2025 are being urged to apply for a place online. Applications can be made via the Somerset Council website until January 15th.

    Patients in Somerset having varicose veins treatment are now able to go home within a few hours of a procedure. A new treatment room at Musgrove Park Hospital in Taunton is allowing patients to be treated under local anaesthetic in an outpatient setting with them leaving hospital earlier and not taking up any theatre time.

    More from News

    • Thursday 30th April

      More than 4,500 people have expressed interest in joining a new NHS dental practice in Crewkerne. Somerset Council says a long-term solution is needed to make Hendford Hill in Yeovil fully safe for motorists. A Somerset man has won first prize at the World Marmalade Awards... and more

    • Wednesday 29th April

      Somerset Council says Hendford Hill in Yeovil should be fully reopened to traffic by the end of May. Plans have been approved to build 40 new homes in Crewkerne. A huge pile of illegally dumped rubbish in Glastonbury has been cleared... and more

    • Tuesday 28th April

      Police are appealing for witnesses to a fatal collision at Rimpton. A 19-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of criminal damage in South Petherton. Former Yeovil Town manager Gary Johnson has been retained as first-team manager of Taunton Town for next season... and more

    • Monday 27th April

      A former school in Sherborne has been badly damaged by fire. A care home in Yeovil has been rated outstanding. ublic spaces in West Coker owned by Somerset Council are being handed over to the parish council. Mendip Golf Club has presented a cheque for £12,000 to Mind in Somerset... and more

    • Friday 24th April

      Plans have been submitted to turn a property on Preston Road in Yeovil into a House in Multiple Occupation. Yeovil’s Marlie Packer has been recalled to the England Red Roses starting line-up for tomorrow’s Women’s Six Nations game against Wales. Three sisters from Yeovil will be running the London Marathon this weekend in support of Guide Dogs UK... and more

    • Thursday 23rd April

      Helicopters from RNAS Yeovilton have completed six weeks of sorties, protecting Cyprus from attacks by Iran. People in Somerset who use domestic heating oil are calling on the government to regulate the oil supply industry. Patients are being invited to register at a new NHS dentist in Crewkerne... and more

    • Wednesday 22nd April

      Expectant mothers are using Yeovil Hospital once again to give birth following the reopening of the maternity unit. A Yeovil man has been jailed for four years for committing sexual offences against two young girls. Plans have been approved to convert a pub in Milborne Port into housing... and more

    • Tuesday 21st April

      NHS Somerset has delayed closing the hyper-acute stroke unit at Yeovil Hospital. A former Avon and Somerset Police officer has been jailed for making indecent images of children. A Somerset man has been fined after pleading guilty to hunting a wild animal with dogs... and more

    Today's Weather

    • Yeovil

      Sunny intervals

      High: 21°C | Low: 10°C

    • Chard

      Sunny intervals

      High: 20°C | Low: 9°C

    • Crewkerne

      Sunny intervals

      High: 20°C | Low: 9°C

    • Somerton

      Sunny intervals

      High: 22°C | Low: 10°C

    • Wincanton

      Sunny intervals

      High: 21°C | Low: 10°C

    Recently Played