Aria Thorpe’s parents say ‘our hearts are broken’

Post published:December 19, 2025
Post category:BBC Somerset
Post comments:0 Comments

BBCThe family of nine-year-old Aria Thorpe, who was stabbed to death in Weston-super-Mare on Monday, have described her as "the most beautiful little soul", adding: "Our hearts are broken in a way we never imagined possible."This breaking news story is being updated and more details will be published shortly. Please refresh the page for the fullest version.You can receive Breaking News on a smartphone or tablet via the BBC News App. You can also follow @BBCBreaking on X…

Bath man who smothered wife of 62 years is spared jail

Post published:December 19, 2025
Post category:BBC Somerset
Post comments:0 Comments

GooglePolice found Delia Haxworth's body at the couple's house in BathAn 88-year-old man who killed his wife of 62 years by smothering her has been spared jail.William Haxworth was charged with murdering his wife Delia, 85, at their home in Bath before climbing scaffolding and threatening to jump off.At Bristol Crown Court on Friday, Judge William Hart imposed a two-year supervision order and required Haxworth to submit to medical treatment.The defendant, who was 87 at the time, was…

Remembering Dismaland – Banksy's dystopian theme park

Post published:December 19, 2025
Post category:BBC Somerset
Post comments:0 Comments

The temporary 'bemusement park' opened in Weston-super-Mare in 2015. Source link

Somerset students meet the PM

Post published:December 19, 2025
Post category:BBC Somerset
Post comments:0 Comments

Pupils from Whitstone School in Shepton Mallet met Sir Keir Starmer on a school trip. Source link

Daniel Sams: Somerset sign Australia all-rounder for 2026 T20 Blast

Post published:December 19, 2025
Post category:BBC Somerset
Post comments:0 Comments

Australia's Daniel Sams will join Somerset as one of their overseas players for the 2026 T20 Blast. The 33-year-old has played in all the major T20 competitions around the world including the Indian Premier League, Australia's Big Bash and the Caribbean Premier League. He has played 206 T20 matches in his career, taking 250 wickets at an average of 24.63 with a best of 5-30. The former Essex and Nottinghamshire player has also scored 2,170 runs with a…

Somerset drug ringleader William Free gets more jail time

Post published:December 19, 2025
Post category:BBC Somerset
Post comments:0 Comments

The ringleader of a gang has been given extra jail time for supplying drugs while he was being investigated by police for other crimes.William Free, formerly of Bossington Drive in Taunton, who is already serving an 11-year sentence for conspiracy to supply cocaine, has been sentenced again for committing the same offence while he was released under investigation.The South West Regional Organised Crime Unit (SWROCU) said Free, 30, had worked with gangs in the Midlands and Essex to…

Trial date set for teenager charged with Weston-super-Mare girl’s murder

Post published:December 19, 2025
Post category:BBC Somerset
Post comments:0 Comments

Ross Pollard,at Bristol Crown CourtandJoe Skirkowski,BristolFamilyAria, 9, died on Monday in Weston-super-MareA provisional trial date has been set for a 15-year-old boy accused of murdering a nine-year-old girl. It is the second time the teenager - who cannot be named for legal reasons - has appeared in front of a judge since Aria Thorpe was found dead at a house in Weston-super-Mare on Monday. The defendant, who appeared via video link from youth detention accommodation, spoke only to…

‘Lando Norris misses top award’ and ‘man in hospital after wood in curry’

Post published:December 19, 2025
Post category:BBC Somerset
Post comments:0 Comments

PALando Norris was nominated for BBC Sports Personality of the YearHere's our daily pick of stories from across local websites in the West of England, and interesting content from social media.Our pick of local website storiesA Bath motorcyclist who was seriously injured in a crash has paid tribute to the off-duty paramedic he says saved his life, reports ITV West Country. Meanwhile, Bristol-born Lando Norris finished third in this year's BBC Sports Personality of the Year Awards, behind…

Max McCusker: Swimmer defends Enhanced Games switch as a ‘no-brainer’

Post published:December 19, 2025
Post category:BBC Somerset
Post comments:0 Comments

Swimmer Max McCusker said joining the Enhanced Games was "a no-brainer" in order to compete in something "that no-one's done before". The 26-year-old, who represented Ireland at the Olympics last year, announced earlier this month that he was joining the Games, a new multi-sport competition that allows athletes to use performance-enhancing substances.McCusker, who was part of the Irish men's 4x100m medley relay team in Paris, defended his position, pointing to the financial attraction of making the switch and…

Horse racing workers preparing for busy Christmas

Post published:December 19, 2025
Post category:BBC Somerset
Post comments:0 Comments

Onyi UbadighaWest of EnglandBBCDaily jobs still have to continue over the festive period at a horse racing yard Workers at a horse racing yard are preparing for one of their busiest times of year. With 32 country-wide fixtures between Christmas and New Years Day, workers have said the public "never see" how much effort goes on behind the scene.At David Pipe's yard in Somerset, workers face freezing early starts and time away from their loved ones. Mr Pipe…

Somerset pubs ‘facing closure’ over business rate rise

Post published:December 19, 2025
Post category:BBC Somerset
Post comments:0 Comments

Michelle RuminskiSomerset Political ReporterMillie CowardMillie and Jon Coward, the owners of the Bell Inn in Wiveliscombe, say they don't know where they will find an extra £500 a week to pay their future business rates bill A pub owner has said she is genuinely worried how she will keep her doors open as she anticipates a tripling in her business rates following the Autumn Budget. Millie Coward, who owns four pubs in Somerset, said she is anticipating the…

Volunteers spreading joy to thousands of kids this Christmas

Post published:December 19, 2025
Post category:BBC Somerset
Post comments:0 Comments

Duncan CookGloucestershireARCThousands of gifts have been collected for people in needTens of thousands of items are set to be donated across the west of England to spread joy this Christmas to families in need.From toys for children staying in emergency accommodation to a unique campaign ensuring that young people can enjoy the magic of a pantomime performance, a team of volunteers have been working hard to support families.Everything from toys and food, to sleeping bags and gift packs…