BBC Somerset

Beth Cruse,West of England and James Diamond,West of England, BathBBCWilliam has Treacher Collins syndrome, which affects around one in 50,000 childrenThe mum of a seven-year-old boy with a rare genetic condition says "life-changing" surgery means he is finally able to have "his very first sleepover".William, from Bath in Somerset, has Treacher Collins syndrome which is a condition that affects the growth of a child's skull and facial bones.In May, he underwent an eight-hour surgery where doctors rebuilt his…

An MP has called for the new one-way system to be dropped claiming it has led to "traffic chaos".Bridgwater MP Sir Ashley Fox said making East Quay and Salmon Parade in the town one-way and scrapping a major upgrade to the Cross Rifles roundabout has made traffic "intolerable". Mike Rigby who is in charge of Planning on Somerset Council said there is always a period of "bedding in" with any new scheme, but "elements seem to be working…

Ruth BradleyPolitics reporter, BBC SomersetBBCBarbara her dog Dolly have been looking ahead to the Budget"I'm not really perhaps the right one to ask because I'm 85 on Saturday and I've never voted once in my life."Barbara Merrick may not be interested in elections, but she's got plenty to say about how those who are elected should be running the country."The Conservatives blame Labour, Labour blame the Conservatives - they're like a load of children," explained Ms Merrick.She was…

Teenage all-rounder Archie Vaughan has signed a new deal with Somerset that keeps him at the club until the end of the 2028 season.The 19-year-old son of former England Ashes-winning captain Michael broke into Somerset's first team in 2024 and was named England Under-19 captain during their tour of South Africa in January.Vaughan, who has been part of Somerset's academy since 2020, has taken 40 wickets and scored 1,094 runs in 35 List A and first-class matches for…

A council has admitted that by trying to improve its recycling bags, they had "made it worse" after people reported them falling apart. North Somerset Council was now in contact with its supplier after some of the bags began "falling apart at the seams."Council cabinet member for planning and environment Annemieke Waite told a full council meeting on 11 November that the red bags ordered for the trial of the scheme last November were fine and had remained…

John WimperisLocal Democracy Reporting ServiceMichael PrykeResidents in Clevedon are calling for a stop to on-street paid parkingA street could be boarded up within five years if the council introduces parking charges, shopkeepers have warned.A petition signed by 4,351 people was delivered to a full meeting of North Somerset Council on 11 November, urging the council not to introduce parking charges on Hill Road in Clevedon. At the meeting, Tristan Merriam of Doghead Designs told councillors on-street parking charges…

Rachel Candlin,West of England and Charlie Taylor,SomersetIan SperringIan Sperring is sharing leave with his wife after their second child was bornCampaigners are calling for paternity leave to be "modernised" to help fathers be more present in family life.The Dad Shift is urging the government for "affordable and equal leave for both parents in every relationship".Co-founder Alex Lloyd Hunter, from Somerset, said they were also working to raise awareness, as most dads are unaware they can share parental leave…