Wednesday 4th June

Wednesday, 4 June 2025 06:00

By Steve Haigh

Somerset Council states that gas canisters were responsible for igniting six fires at local sorting facilities last year. A leading medical academic in the South West says vaccine fatigue could be the reason why so many vulnerable people are not having a COVID-19 spring booster jab. Avon and Somerset Police say the waiting time for calls to be answered to the non-emergency number 101 has been cut to an average of 11 seconds...and more

Somerset Council say that gas canisters, such as those used for camping stoves, were responsible for igniting six fires at local sorting facilities last year. It's warning of the dangers of putting out canisters with other household waste for collection at the kerbside. The council is asking that gas canisters be taken to local recycling sites, where they can be safely disposed of free of charge.

A leading academic in the South West says vaccine fatigue could be the reason why so many vulnerable people are not having a COVID-19 spring booster jab. Dr Bharat Pankhania from the University of Exeter was commenting after NHS Somerset revealed that 7 out of 10 clinically vulnerable people have yet to receive a Covid Spring booster. He says regular boosters are vital to protecting against catching Covid.

People in Somerset have just ten weeks in which to give their views on how the County’s electoral map could be redrawn ahead of the next local elections in 2027. Somerset Council was created with 110 elected members, two for each of the 55 divisions on boundaries inherited from Somerset County Council, and is now proposing to cut the number of councillors to 96. For further details about the changes and to leave a comment, go to the Somerset Council website

A Somerset father has described government cuts to therapy funding for adopted children as "extremely cruel". Jeremy Wilson, who has three adopted children, says a 40% reduction in the Adoption and Special Guardianship Support Fund will be damaging to families like his.

A section of Ilchester Road in Yeovil will again be closed to traffic in both directions from 6 pm this evening to 6 am tomorrow. It’s to allow Wessex Water to carry essential repairs to a water main.

Avon and Somerset Police say the waiting time for calls to 101 to be answered has been cut to an average of 11 seconds. They say updates to the non-emergency number now mean that simple queries are responded to quickly, with more time-consuming calls passed to call handlers.

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