Tuesday 29th July

Tuesday, 29 July 2025 06:00

By Steve Haigh

Parents in Somerset are being advised not to leave their children unsupervised with pets. Somerset Council says it's dealing with a backlog of sixteen hundred planning applications. Ninety thousand pounds has been raised so far for Somerset Community Foundation’s appeal supporting people affected by last week’s coach crash in West Somerset...and more

Parents in Somerset are being advised not to leave their children unsupervised with pets. The warning from the Pet Education Partnership follows new research showing that one in five children in the South West have been bitten by an animal, with four out of ten incidents requiring medical attention.

Somerset Council says it's taking "critical action" to reduce a backlog of sixteen hundred planning applications, partly caused by problems in recruiting and retaining staff. The measures, which include instructing customers not to contact the planning department for updates, are aimed at freeing up officers' time so that they can focus on processing applications.

£90,000 has been raised so far for Somerset Community Foundation’s appeal supporting people affected by last week’s coach crash in West Somerset. Oliver Price, aged 10, was killed and 22 passengers were injured when the vehicle overturned as it returned to Minehead Middle School from a school trip on 17th July.

A Wincanton man has appeared in court charged with assault. Elliott Houghton, aged 25, of Saunters Close, was accused of punching two other men in a fight in January earlier this year. Appearing in court in Yeovil, Houghton was given a 12-month community order with 120 hours unpaid work and ordered to pay £200 compensation to both complainants.

An event celebrating culture in Chard starts today. The Chard Heritage, Arts, and Music Festival offers a range of events and activities for families at various venues across the town, running for five days. Tonight’s offering is a talk by David Knapman on the subject of brush making. Events are being held every day up to Sunday, when the festival will end with an exploration of the Lace Riots in Chard.

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