West Country Kingswood

One of Bristol's last surviving Burma war veterans has died at the age of 99.

John Skene, who was born in Kingswood in 1919, fought the Japanese during the Second World War. He was injured when a 600lb shell exploded near his head and suffered headaches right through his life as a consequence. In later life he travelled to India and Burma to visit the graves of his comrades.

Mr Skene was made an MBE in 2002 for his contribution to engineering after the war.

His grand daughter Annalea Rogers has paid tribute to him, saying his loss has left a big hole in her.

Police have charged a 26-year-old man with two counts of attempted child abduction following an incident in Kingswood in South Gloucestershire.

Kai Hudson of Fishponds has been charged in relation to an isolated incident in which two 11-year-old girls were approached by a man in the Regent Street area at about 5.30pm on Sunday (4 March).

A bus shelter in South Gloucestershire where a homeless woman was sleeping was burned down last night.

Police are treating the fire as suspicious and have started an investigation

The woman, known only as Jo, returned from church to find the shelter in Kingswood burning and all her possessions destroyed.