BBC Somerset

Clara Bullock and Luke Knight,SomersetBBCDawn Quince is on the Punkie committee and says the community love the "quirky" traditionVillagers say they "love" taking part in an unusual Halloween tradition that dates back hundreds of years.The festival in Hinton St George in Somerset sees children carry "punkies" - lanterns traditionally made from a large turnip known as a mangelwurzel - and parade through the village singing punkie songs.Held on the last Thursday in October, the event which first began…

A nine-year-old boy is completing a 100-day litter-picking challenge and has already collected more than 130kg (287lb) of rubbish.Theo from Wiveliscombe in Somerset is 53 days into his challenge and said he has found everything from footballs to unopened jam jars.The young environmentalist said he is "obsessed with animals" and hopes his work will protect wildlife. During his feat, he is raising money for Surfers Against Sewage - a charity backed by his hero naturalist and explorer Steve…

BBCResidents say HGVs have been performing U-turns down narrow roads after following diversion signsResidents have spoken out after two sets of roadworks along the same route have been causing an "absolute nightmare".Furnham Road, the main road into Chard, has two sets of works as gas repairs and water upgrade works take place.Steve Gibbs, who lives near the diversion, said the roadworks have been an "absolute nightmare", with HGVs performing U-turns down narrow roads.Leaders at Somerset Council said they…

A man in his 60s who was taken to the hospital after a crash with a motorcycle has died 16 days later.The collision, involving a blue Yamaha motorcycle and a pedestrian, took place on the A36 Rossiter Road in Bath at about 19:40 BST on 11 October.Avon and Somerset Police confirmed the man died in hospital on Monday. His family are receiving support from a specially trained officer.The motorcyclist was also taken to hospital but has since been…

Avon and Somerset Police needs to improve how it reviews its vetting decisions and handles complaints, according to a new report. His Majesty's Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire & Rescue Services (HMICFRS) assessed the force in three areas, which covered vetting of police officers and staff, professional standards and counter-corruption arrangements. Kathryn Stone, His Majesty's Inspector of Constabulary, said the force "requires improvement in all areas" of the inspection.In response, deputy chief constable Jon Reilly said: "We are…

A tiger which was rescued from traffickers in eastern Europe has been given a new home in the UK.Aqua has been brought to Noah's Ark Zoo Farm in Wraxall, near Bristol, as part of a project to protect threatened carnivores. He was one of several tigers found at the border between Poland and Belarus in 2019.Emma Ogborne, a head keeper at Noah's Ark Zoo Farm, said: "Aqua's story is one of incredible endurance and resilience."Before arriving in North…