Local News Friday 8th July

    Police are asking people in Somerset to look out for a prisoner who has gone on the run. More than sixty potholes are being repaired on Somerset's roads every working day at the moment, according to Somerset County Council. Cancer patients in Somerset are waiting longer than they should receive treatment. An animal shelter in Somerset says it's being inundated with calls from breeders to take in 'surplus puppies'...and more.

    Police are asking people in Somerset to look out for a prisoner (pictured) who has gone on the run. Sean Phipps, aged 51, failed to return to Leyhill open prison on June 1st after being released on temporary licence. He’s described as white and about 6ft 2in tall. Police believe he may be sleeping rough, camped out in a rural area or sleeping in a disused building. If you can help the police, you’re asked to call the non-emergency number 101.

    More than sixty potholes are being repaired on Somerset's roads every working day at the moment, according to Somerset County Council. The Council says a total of 1,299 potholes were repaired in June, equating to an average 63 repair jobs completed every working day.

    Cancer patients in Somerset are waiting longer than they should receive treatment. That's according to a group of cancer professionals who staged a demonstration outside Parliament earlier this week. They say more than 32 percent of patients in Somerset are waiting more than 62 days for treatment. 

    An animal shelter in Somerset says it's being inundated with calls from breeders to take in 'surplus puppies'. St Giles animal shelter says the market is over-saturated with puppies with breeding dogs giving birth to unwanted offspring. 

    Skateboarders and music fans have arrived in big numbers at the Royal Bath and West Showground for the NASS festival. The event hasn't been held for the last two years because of Covid. Ella Eyre and Mable are performing live at the festival.

    A new film's been made about how Somerset celebrated the Platinum Jubilee. The five-minute film was commissioned by Somerset’s Lord Lieutenant  Annie Maw, it includes scenes of beacon lighting, street parties and the Royal Bath and West Show. 

    More from News

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    • Wednesday 1st May

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    • Friday 26 April

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    • Thursday 25th April

      The NHS is offering spring COVID-19 vaccines to people in Somerset who are at increased risk of serious illness from the virus. A new way of making roads safer for children in Somerset has started this week. A Yeovil-based apprentice has been named as a winner in the JTL Regional Awards. Haselbury Mill near Crewkerne has been put up for sale...and more

    • Wednesday 24th April 

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    • Tuesday 23rd April

      Two teenage boys have admitted animal cruelty after filming themselves throwing a lamb down a stone staircase at Montacute. Somerset Council could lose around £5 million by selling the Marks and Spencer building in Yeovil. Chard, Wincanton, Castle Cary and Ansford are on a list of fifteen places in Somerset where new 20 mph speed limits could soon be introduced...and more.

    Today's Weather

    • Yeovil

      Light rain

      High: 11°C | Low: 8°C

    • Chard

      Light rain

      High: 10°C | Low: 8°C

    • Crewkerne

      Light rain

      High: 10°C | Low: 8°C

    • Somerton

      Light rain

      High: 11°C | Low: 9°C

    • Wincanton

      Light rain

      High: 12°C | Low: 8°C

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