SCIENTISTS believe they have explained the cause of a 'sonic boom' heard across Somerset over the weekend.

AVON and Somerset Police have announced there will be mobile speed camera checks in the following locations during the week commencing today (Monday, March 22).

WORK on a long-awaited Somerset housing development will begin in a matter of months after detailed plans for the first homes were approved.

A MAN appeared at Taunton Magistrates' Court on March 15 for drink driving.

THE site of the Glastonbury Festival could soon be open to campers - even when the event is NOT running - and also plans to hold up to two days of music THIS YEAR.

A PRIMARY school in Chard took part in an art project called 'Tree of Hope' during the most recent coronavirus lockdown.

CREWS battled a garage fire for four hours last night (March 20).

SPECULATION is rife over what caused a mystery 'sonic boom' that shook Somerset yesterday (Saturday).

A MAN appeared in Taunton Magistrates' Court on March 15 and was found guilty of harassment.

A PAINTING sold at auction in Taunton 20 years ago is returning to the same saleroom to go under the hammer once again.

More than 3.7m people in England can stop shielding on 1 April - new rules at a glance

WORKING together, the British Chambers of Commerce (BCC), Somerset Chamber of Commerce and the wider chamber network secured several important achievements for businesses in the 2021 Budget.

BELOW are our pick of pictures from the Somerset Camera Club for the week of March 15, 2021.

A MAN has been arrested after officers stopped a car driving at 122mph on the M5 - after GETTING A HAIRCUT IN WALES, police said.

A WRISTWATCH bought new by a sailor whilst serving on a ship at Singapore is expected to sell for more than £10,000 at auction.

A SOMERSET council is to pay a private contractor up to £450,000 to build a new Costa Coffee outlet as part of its commercial investment programme.

CHARD'S new swimming pool may not open until March 2022 after “bad weather” and a positive coronavirus case delayed construction.

A WOMAN from Frome has been fined £83 for speeding in Bath last January.

PEOPLE in Chard and Crewkerne will be able to hop on an electric scooter from Thursday (March 25).

IF everything goes to plan, it's just possible that things will be back to near normality in three months' time.

THE Covid-19 infection rate in Somerset has seen slight fluctuations in the latest figures.

THE Bristol, Bath and Somerset Tourism Award winners have been announced for 2020/21, in a virtual ceremony on Thursday night.

WORK is progressing on ambitious plans to regenerate Chard town centre.

MORE than 2,000 disadvantaged children across Somerset will be offered the chance to enjoy food, exercise and friends over the Easter school holiday.

With an extensive network of distributors across the South West, Gallagher are leaders in temporary and electric fencing systems for all applications and types of livestock with an outstanding track record of innovation.

A COMPANY offering a sustainable driveway solution has arrived in South Somerset.

THE latest Covid related death has been recorded in Somerset, despite the number of positive tests remaining low.

LOVE them or hate them - Wetherspoon has announced which of its Somerset pubs it is re-opening from Monday, April 12, pubs, when more Covid restrictions are eased.

A HOMELESS man has been ordered to pay £2,000 compensation for damaging a number of items at a hostel set up to protect rough sleepers during the Covid pandemic.

TRAINING to build eco homes - four of which will be built on a brownfield site in Chard - has begun.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson will lead a Downing Street press conference on coronavirus this afternoon.

Vaccination sites across the country were warned volumes for first doses are going to “significantly constrained” at the end of this month.

THERE were 32 positive Covid-19 tests in Somerset in the latest 24-hour period.

PROPOSALS to restructure the schools system in Ilminster and Crewkerne have been approved.

PROLIFIC burglars, robbers and thieves in Avon and Somerset are to be among the first in the world to be tracked by satellite.

A POPULAR event is set to go ahead this year in Ilminster.

ANGLERS in Somerset are being reminded by the Environment Agency that the ‘close season’ for coarse fish in rivers is now in effect and runs until June 15.

More than 24 million people have now received their first dose of a vaccine, with an average of around 280,000 jabs being administered each day.

From March 22 field census officers will be knocking on doors and helping non-responders with any queries.

Ultimately, it’s a sad fact of life that all farmers have to pay the bills. We are buying energy, there is no choice about that, but the traditional cost of that energy is continually rising.

THIS is the moment a dog was rescued by firefighters after getting stuck down a rabbit hole.

THE Covid-19 rate of infection rose in all four Somerset districts in the latest 24-hour figures.

AN 18-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of drug possession.

FIVE people escaped from a house fire in a Somerset village in the early hours of this morning (Tuesday).

A SERIES of podcasts have been created to share stories of isolation, bravery and kindness.

Greggs said it remains positive for the future with plans to open 100 new stores in the next year.

The Money Saving Expert was speaking with co-host, Angelica Bell on this week's instalment of ITV's The Martin Lewis Money Show. 

MORE rail passengers in the South West will be able to claim compensation for service delays from next month.

A CHEF who raped five women after spiking their drinks has been warned to expect a long jail sentence after being found guilty of a string of sex assaults.

THERE were just 17 positive Covid-19 tests in Somerset in the latest 24-hour period.