Wednesday 3rd December

Wednesday, 3 December 2025 06:00

By Steve Haigh

Fire crews have rescued the driver of a car that got stuck in floodwater near Ilminster. Avon and Somerset Police are urging people going out to celebrate this Christmas to book a taxi or use public transport. A woman from South Petherton has come top at the British Down Syndrome Swimming Championships...and more,

Fire crews have rescued the driver of a car that got stuck in floodwater near Ilminster. It happened on Stibbear Lane in Donyatt at around 6.30 pm on Monday, during heavy rain. The driver was trapped for around one hour before being released and moved to a place of safety.

Avon and Somerset Police are urging people going out to celebrate this Christmas to book a taxi or use public transport. Police say they will be stepping up roadside checks during December and say tip-offs received from the public on drivers getting behind the wheel of a car high on alcohol or drugs will be acted upon immediately.

A restaurant in Castle Cary has closed just one year after opening. The Lazy Lobster, on the High Street, launched in August last year, and blames financial reasons for the closure.

A road in Ilminster will close for half a day next week to allow Openreach to carry out repairs to overhead cables. Townsend, from its junction with Bay Hill, will be shut to traffic in both directions between 9 am and 3 pm on Monday, December 8th.

A woman from South Petherton has come top at the British Down Syndrome Swimming Championships. Caroline Faithfull won gold, silver, and bronze in the 1500 metre freestyle, the 100 metre backstroke, and the 800 metre freestyle events. It follows her success at the recently held European Open Down Syndrome Swimming Championships, where she set several new world records.

A Chard woman has won a top prize in the Female Business Awards 2025. Debbie Gilbert, owner of Business Women UnLtd, won first prize in the Networker of the Year category and came runner-up in the Professional Service category.

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