PEOPLE in Somerset have access to regular free coronavirus testing from today (Friday, April 9) as the country takes another vital step towards society opening up again.

A MOTORIST who jumped a red light avoided a driving ban to protect the jobs of 12 people he employs.

TWO further Covid-related deaths have been recorded in a Somerset district, according to the latest 24-hour figures.

A SOMERSET village community shop, which opened within 10 days of the first Covid-19 lockdown last year, has gone from strength to strengths since then.

THERE were single figure increases in new confirmed Covid-19 cases in all four Somerset districts in the latest 24-hour period.

THIS year's Apex Park Play Day has been cancelled - meaning that it has been called off for the second year running.

HIGHBRIDGE'S King Alfred School Academy has a new acting principal.

The regulator stressed that this was not proof that the jab was the cause of the clots but conceded that the link was getting stronger.

COULD the people of Somerset be heading to another referendum - this time over the future of local government in the county?

THE Chief Constable of Avon and Somerset Police it to retire from the force this summer.

A HIGHBRIDGE function venue is to close, following a tough year of business amid the Covid-19 pandemic.

POLICE have issued a CCTV image of a man they want to speak to about an incident at a supermarket in which a woman was verbally abused for not wearing a face mask.

A MAN who was arrested following an incident in Highbridge last week has been released without charge.

EVERYONE in England is being offered two rapid lateral flow tests a week - for free.

WE'LL be able to workout in the gym, pop into the pub for a refreshing beer and then get a long-awaited haircut from next Monday.

THE chief executive of Somerset County Council is on a higher salary than the Prime Minister, figures on the authority's website show.

A CHARITY has bought and renovated two properties in Bridgwater to house people who are facing homelessness.

After a year of lockdown restrictions, it can be hard to find the motivation to put your workout gear on and start an exercise, no matter how small.

WHICH? has revealed the best and worst motorway services in the UK - and one Somerset stop has been ranked the worst in the UK.

THERE have been 20 new coronavirus cases in Somerset in the past 24-hours.

IT took more than two hours to rescue a person trapped inside a vehicle after a road traffic collision this morning (April 4).

PEACEFUL protests took place across Somerset yesterday against the new policing bill.

WHAT a year it’s been.

Certain breeds and designer crossbreeds are much more highly sought-after than others.

Eating lots of chocolate has become the norm at this time of year - but have you ever wondered where exactly the tradition comes from?

POLICE have urged people to 'find alternative ways' of expressing their views today as protests are due to take place in various Somerset towns.

THE gap between two Somerset towns will soon be “measured in millimetres” after plans for new homes were approved.

POLICE are asking people to call 999 if they see wanted man Aaron Matheson.

THERE have been just 12 new Covid-19 cases in Somerset in the past 24-hours - and the rate of infection is falling in all four districts.

A TELEVISION company are looking for Somerset residents to take part in a redecorating show with Nick Knowles.

A WARNING has been issued to dog owners after six people were fined £100 for not picking up dog poo and ignoring banned area signs.

THERE was "thick, black smoke" coming from the roof of a property on fire last night (April 2).

A SOMERSET company is offering training courses to help improve wellbeing in the workplace.

A HOMELESS charity have launched their 2021 Big Sleep Out event.

BELOW are the planning applications received by Sedgemoor District Council between March 18 and 24, 2021.

The best bargains hitting the shelves in the middle aisles of Aldi and Lidl this Easter Bank Holiday.

GARDEN centre retailer Dobbies has unveiled that lavender was the most popular plant of 2020 at its Shepton Mallet store, with alpines set to be popular this year.

Salmonella poisoning, food allergies and choking hazards are just some of the reasons behind a number of urgent product recalls across the UK.

A THEATRE in Sedgemoor is set to receieve a grant to help it recover from the Covid-19 pandemic. 

THERE have been just 18 Covid-19 cases in four Somerset districts in the last 24-hour period.

AMBULANCE workers have reported nearly 1800 incidents of violence and aggression from patients and members of the public over the past year.

A FEATURE from a 400-year-old castle has been converted into a 21st Century beauty salon

IF you're planning to venture out and see friends and family outdoors this weekend, then the weather forecast will be at the forefront of your mind.

SOMERSET headteachers have clashed with the county council over possible cuts to special needs provision in schools.

A PEACEFUL socially-distanced protest is set to take place in Taunton tomorrow (April 3).

Some will offer a wide array of marinated meats cooked to perfection while others will offer dry burgers and a poor selection of condiments.

Amazon Prime has released a whole host of new shows and movies coming in April.

THE family of a Taunton man killed by Islamist terrorists in Mozambique have issued a statement following the loss of a man with "something of the lovable rogue about him".

THE former headquarters of Somerset’s libraries service will be turned into town centre housing under plans approved by district councillors.

THERE were 38 new confirmed Covid-19 cases in Somerset in the latest 24-hour period.