BBC Somerset

A swimmer said she was feeling "proud" after winning British championships and breaking records in the pool.Caroline Faithfull, from South Petherton in Somerset, has a lifetime haul of 272 medals and is a member of the Down Syndrome GB swim team.In October, she won gold, silver and bronze medals at the European championships in Portugal and broke more swimming records.Ms Faithfull, who is preparing for the World Championships in January, said: "It's a little bit surreal, but I…

Beth CruseWest of EnglandPeter DunlopPeter Dunlop (L) set out on a mammoth challenge after losing his mum to pancreatic cancerA man running 12 marathons in memory of his mum who died from pancreatic cancer said his uncle's sudden death from the same disease "only spurred me on".Peter Dunlop, 40, from Taunton in Somerset, set out to run a marathon each month this year to symbolise the time he had with his mum, Jane, 63, after her diagnosis. Halfway…

Georgia Eadie,West of EnglandandMel Everett,BBC SomersetBBCAn investigation is under way into the cause of a fire at a block of flats on WednesdayResidents say they feel "disheartened" that they may not be able to return home for Christmas after a fire ripped through a block of flats.People living in nine flats have been moved into temporary accommodation in hotels following the blaze on Marigold Road in Frome on Wednesday night.No one was seriously injured and an investigation into…

Jasmine Ketibuah-FoleyBristolAvon and Somerset PolicePolice targeted rogue parking companies in the countryside near Bristol AirportA police operation targeting rogue airport parking companies has been carried out after complaints of cars being damaged or having unexplained additional mileage.The action, led by officers covering Bristol Airport, targeted unofficial companies in North Somerset.Avon and Somerset Police said officers went to three car parks and found no staff there, with insecure vehicles and a caravan being used as offices with what appeared…

Four Poundland branches in Bristol and Somerset will be closing amid financial problems at the budget chain.In June, Poundland was bought for £1 by investment company Gordon Brothers, which said it needed to shut about 100 shops to stop the retailer going into administration. The firm said it would try to negotiate cheaper rents and close branches where this could not be agreed.Branches in Portishead and Weston-super-Mare will close on Christmas Eve, while the Yeovil Middle Street and…