Tuesday 2nd July

Tuesday, 2 July 2024 06:00

A prolific shoplifter has been banned from entering a number of stores in Yeovil. Motorway users faced a second weekday of problems on the M5 yesterday. The organisers of the Somerset Comedy Festival have had to cancel more shows...and more

A prolific shoplifter has been banned from entering a number of stores in Yeovil after being issued with a two-year Criminal Behaviour Order. Liam Allen, 35, of no fixed address, was given a one-year prison sentence at Taunton Crown Court after pleading guilty to 10 counts of theft between December 2023 and March 2024. The court also granted the order which prohibits him from entering Tesco Express, Tesco Extra, Boots, WH Smith, Superdrug and the Co-Op in the town.

Motorway users faced a second weekday of problems on the M5 yesterday. The road was closed around 10 am in both directions between junctions 23 and 24 after a serious incident, a short distance from Friday’s lorry crash. Although the motorway reopened shortly after midday, the delays remained for some time. Somerset Council is warning of disruption to waste collections for the rest of the week as a result. The crews use the M5 to access the depot where vehicles are emptied.

The organisers of the Somerset Comedy Festival have had to cancel more shows, following poor ticket sales. We told you last week that sets from big names like Sean Walsh and Simon Brodkin had been cancelled. But it has been announced that a further twelve performances have been axed. The organisers are urging the public to support the remaining shows if they possibly can.

And the cleanup operation is underway at Worthy Farm after festival goers left the Glastonbury site yesterday morning. An army of volunteers are now collecting huge amounts of rubbish strewn across the 800-acre site. Meanwhile, it has been confirmed that conversations are already underway with acts for the 2025 event, with 2026 set to be a so-called ‘fallow year’.

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