A303 upgrade still some way off
The Government has revealed its plans to end the congestion on the A303 won't be ready until at least this time next year
100,000 people turn out for Bridgwater Carnival
100,000 people lined the streets last night for the Bridgwater Carnival.
Alleged killer comforted by Catherine's parents
The parents of Catherine Wells-Burr have described how they comforted her alleged killer - as her burned corpse lay in a nearby field.
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Somerset trees survive ash dieback for 11 years
Trees in a Somerset plantation have survived ash dieback for far longer than previously thought possible - 11 years.
It is thought that there may be potential to slow the spread of the disease in the British countryside.
According to the National Trust said only 10% of the 6,000 ash trees at the Holnicote plantation, near Minehead, are showing any signs of the disease, despite having been infected for five years longer than any other tree in the UK so far.
Brian May calls for Environment Secretary's resignation
Queen Star and anti-badger cull campaigner Brian May has called for the resignation of Environment Secretary Owen Paterson over the pilot cull.
The guitarist said Mr Paterson had failed to meet the test of "honesty and transparency" expected by the public.
Statistics from the Department of Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) revealed that the six-week cull, which aimed to kill 70% of the badgers in Gloucestershire and Somerset failed to meet targets.
As a result, cull operators applied to Natural England to extend the shooting period.
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Badger Trust: 'Unlawful' extension of Somerset cull
The Badger Trust has issued a "pre-action protocol letter" over the proposed eight-week extension of the badger cull in Gloucestershire.
An extra three weeks was granted in Somerset, where 60% of the badger population was culled.
A "pre-action protocol letter" to Natural England and the Treasury Solicitor for the Secretary of State Secretary of State for the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs has been actioned by the Trust.
It is the first stage in seeking a judicial review in the High Court, the letter states:
We consider that the decision to extend the cull in Somerset was unlawful, particularly in the light of those documents.
But given that we have only just seen them and given the relatively shorter extension there, we have advised our clients that it would not now be practicable (given the court process) to seek injunctive relief to prevent it.
But that is not the case in relation to the contemplated decision in relation to Gloucestershire not least because of the much longer extension (eight weeks) being sought (and not yet granted) and the fact that our clients have now seen the nature of the arguments being relied on to justify further culling.
Nearly 100 jobs to go at Somerset slaughterhouse
93 people are being made redundant at a slaughterhouse in Wiveliscombe in Somerset. Karro Food Group plans to cut slaughter operations at the site and is reviewing the future of the base.
At present, the firm is continuing its butchery and meat-curing operations, keeping 20 jobs. The firm, which is in consultation with staff and unions over the job losses, says the slaughterhouse is not big enough to operate profitably.
Environment Secretary defends cull shortfall
The badger cull in West Somerset has already been extended and now it's likely that the cull in the other pilot area will be too.
The number of badgers killed during the six weeks in Gloucestershire has fallen far short of the Government's target.
708 of the animals were shot - that's less than 30% of the area's estimated badger population.
Environment Secretary Owen Paterson MP claims the cull has been 'a success' in an interview with ITV News West Country's Ian Axton.
Police take action on mobile phone use by drivers
Drivers using their mobiles behind the wheel were told today to stop, before they kill someone. The message came from police who started a special operation to crack down on the habit.
They patrolled in Yeovil and along the A303 and caught a number of drivers.
Here's our Somerset correspondent David Woodland.
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Full report: possible gassing of badgers
Environment Secretary Owen Paterson hinted today that badgers could be gassed rather than shot, in the effort to control TB in cattle.
One Labour MP called on him to resign after it was revealed that the trial culls in Somerset and Gloucestershire might have to be extended because not enough animals had been killed.
Mr Paterson insisted the policy had been a success - but suggested that alternative methods were being looked at, as Bob Constantine reports.
Archive footage of badger gassing
As the prospect of gassing badgers to help control the spread of TB in cattle is raised in Parliament today, it brings back memories of the 1980s in Gloucestershire when the culling method was used, to the dismay of animal rights protesters.
Here's a brief clip of our footage from the time.
Mobile users are FOUR times more likely to crash
Figures obtained from the police by ITV News West Country reveal that:
Motorists are four times more likely to crash when using a mobile
phone. Reaction times are around 50% slower than normal
More than a million drivers have been convicted of using a mobile behind the wheel in the past ten years
Call for Environment Sec to resign over badger cull
Environment Secretary Owen Paterson faced further criticism today over the controversial cull of badgers in Somerset and Gloucestershire. One Labour MP called on him to resign after it was revealed that the culls might have to be extended because not enough animals had been shot.
Mr Paterson insisted the policy had been a success - but hinted that alternative methods were being looked at, as Bob Constantine reports.
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