Wednesday 26th August

Wednesday, 26 August 2026 06:30

Two people have been arrested and released under investigation after the death of a baby in Crewkerne. A large sand picture of the prime minister has appeared in Burnham On Sea. The wet winter and hot summer means cider producers are struggling with their yields... and more.

Two people have been arrested and released under investigation after the sudden and unexplained death of a baby in Crewkerne. Avon and Somerset Police were called to a property in the town by the ambulance service, shortly before 2.45pm on Sunday August 16th. The child was pronounced dead at the scene. Police are treating the cause of death as unexplained following an initial forensic postmortem examination. A spokesman for Avon & Somerset Police said “we would politely ask people not to speculate around the circumstances because there is still a great deal of information we need to ascertain and review to further our understanding of what occurred”.

A large sand picture of the prime minister has drawn some curious looks after it appeared on Burnham on Sea’s beach front on Monday. Campaign group 38 Degrees wants to highlight what it calls 'the national sewage crisis’. The sand drawing showed Andy Burnam’s face and said 'Burnham-on-Sewage' - but was washed away by the tide in the afternoon. The Environment Agency has responded saying it’s working to improve water quality in the area.

The wet winter followed by the long, dry, hot summer - means cider producers are struggling with their yields Whilst cider sells well in the summer months, producers are concerned at the lack of apples growing in their orchards ahead of the autumn harvest.

Two and half thousand people have signed a petition calling on the government to urgently rebuild Taunton's maternity unit - after a report identified it as one of the worst in England. The government says it is working to a 'realistic and deliverable' timeline to deliver the new unit.

Ferne Animal Sanctuary’s charity gala evening is returning to Ilminster this autumn, following a successful 2025 outing. The event helps raise money to support hundreds of animals in need and the charity is keen for locals to buy tickets, saying the gala at the Shrubbery Hotel on Friday October 16th is essential to the sanctuary’s continued operations.

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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