Weston-super-Mare AFC is to host a quiz night to raise funds to support Tyler Swain and his family. The event will take place the The Optima Stadium Clubhouse on Sunday 30th August. A spokesperson for Weston-super-Mare AFC said: “A couple of months ago, one of our promising Academy prospects Tyler Swain received the devastating news that he had been diagnosed with a brain tumour Since March, Tyler has undergone chemotherapy and is set to receive up to three to five weeks of r

Cllr Mike Bell (Lib Dem), the leader of North Somerset Council has been criticised by parents after he called on schools to "show flexibility" over children's attendance on Monday as England play Mexico in the World Cup with a 1am kick off. In a social media post on Facebook Cllr Mike Bell said: "After England’s qualification for the last 16 of the World Cup, the next big match against Mexico kicks off at 1am GMT on Monday 6 July. That is, admittedly, a bit of a late kick-off

Depending on what we do, one side won’t be happy’ - Weston police inspector explains difficulties force faces dealing with young people gathering at Marine Lake A Weston police inspector has outlined the difficulties law enforcement face when dealing with groups of young people gathering at Marine Lake. Anti-social behaviour at the lake has been a frequent topic of discussion in Weston since it was the scene of a “number of issues with litter, antisocial behaviour and inappro

Cllr Terry Porter, the Conservative member of North Somerset Council, representing the Hutton and Locking ward has died. Cllr Porter served as councillor on North Somerset Council since 2009 and during that time chaired the Community and Corporate Organisation Policy and Scrutiny Panel (during the previous Conservative administration). He also served on a number of committees, including the Planning and Regulatory Committee, where he was Vice-Chair until his recent passing Cl

The North Somerset Neigbourhood Policing Team are hosting a fun packed summer fun event this July. Join your local PCSOs at Bay Tree Recreation Ground, Milton, on Monday 27th July for a fun-filled summer event for all the family. All ages are welcome, so bring along your family and friends. Activities include: police vehicles on display, riot shield activity, fun games and challenges and an assault course competition A spokesperson for North Somerset Neighbourhood Policing s

The former X church on Station Rd in Weston-super-Mare has been converted into a Rebound Therapy and Trampolining centre for children and adults. Boost Trampolining caters for both mainstream and disability gymnasts, those in wheelchairs or have physical needs and additional needs such as ASD and ADHD. Photo: Boost Trampolining caters for all (Photo: Boost Trampolining) As long as someone is allowed to access a trampoline the not-for-profit will do their best to find a suita

Police were called to Worle Community School earlier this month after a student was found by the school to be in possession of a kitchen knife. Weston Independent News had been told by a source that is familiar with the incident and spoke to us on a condition of anonymity, that during the incident the student in question was placed in a room away from other students and police were called. The source further alleges that the school did not initiate a lockdown procedure becaus

South West Ambulance Service are urging people to choose the right NHS service for their needs as the region struggles with record breaking temperatures. The service has also urged registered GoodSam responders, trained volunteers or off-duty medical professional who uses the GoodSAM app to respond to cardiac arrests. A spokesperson for SWAS said; “We're currently experiencing exceptionally high demand for our 999 service across the South West Our people are working incredibl

A 16-year-old boy has been cleared of all charges after a jury found him not guilty of both the murder and manslaughter of nine-year-old Aria Thorpe. Aria Thorpe (Photo: Avon & Somerset Police) The teenager, who cannot be named for legal reasons because of his age, stood trial at Bristol Crown Court over the past ten days. He had been accused of killing Aria at a property in Weston-super-Mare on 15 December 2025. Throughout the trial, he denied both the murder and manslaughte

Libraries across North Somerset are getting ready to turn up the volume on reading as the hugely popular Summer Reading Challenge returns this July with an exciting new theme - ‘Read to the Beat!’ Delivered nationally by The Reading Agency and run in partnership with public libraries, the free annual challenge encourages children aged 4–11 to keep reading during the summer holidays, helping them stay motivated and confident ahead of the new school year. Launching in England

Alex Lipinski will play a special hometown show with his band The Crown Electric on Saturday 18th July at Electric Banana. The local singer/songwriter who has recently signed a record deal with London indie label No Nothing Records, headlines a bill that also includes local artists Eastertown and Lilac Sunday(s). Photo: Mark Gray Alex said; “This gig is a celebration of original music from Weston. I have a live monthly residency (Coyote Club) in Bristol but I rarely play my

After North Somerset Council's original proposals offered closure in every scenario, a grassroots campaign to save Worle Library has succeeded in securing a Town Council debate for a community-run alternative. A motion by Cllr Catherine Gibbons will be put to the Town Council on Monday, asking for support for a communityrun option in Worle. North Somerset Council launched a 12-week consultation between July and October 2025 as it sought to make £433,000 of savings from librar

People living in a street where a suspected crack den was raided by police last week have revealed they see 'blatant' drug dealing and people 'off their heads' every day. Police arrested two people on suspicion of dealing the crack cocaine after they carried out a warrant at a property in George Street, Weston-super-Mare, North Somerset last Wednesday. Since the news emerged, the Weston Independent has spoken to residents living in George Street, located less than a two minut

The jury has retired to consider its verdict in the trial of a 16-year-old boy accused of murdering nine-year-old Aria Thorpe. Aria died after suffering a stab wound to the chest at her home in Weston-super-Mare, in December last year. The defendant, who cannot be identified because of his age, denies both murder and manslaughter. Aria Thorpe. (Photo: Avon and Somerset Constabulary) As the jury began deliberations on Tuesday afternoon, Mrs Justice O’Farrell reminded jurors of

Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC) Clare Moody is launching the Pol Ed programme for all schools across Avon and Somerset. It aims to keep children safe by developing their understanding of risks, consequences and the law. Thanks to funding from the Police and Crime Commissioner, teachers will be now able to access Pol Ed resources for free including dedicated support, worksheets, and 400 lesson plans – covering themes from exploitation, consent, and wellbeing to anti-so

SWEP has been activated across North Somerset until Friday 26 June and Somewhere To Go will be helping support homeless and vulnerable adults during the severe heat through additional services. During this time, the Somewhere to Go outreach team will be carrying out additional welfare walks to ensure sunscreen and water is available to anyone who is rough sleeping. Somewhere to Go have extended their opening hours from 6am to 8pm to ensure that people are able to shelter indo

An investigation is underway after a man and a woman in their early twenties were assaulted in Weston-super-Mare. The couple, who were returning home from a night out, were approached by an unknown man on Hildesheim Bridge between 4am and 5.30am on Sunday 3 May. Following a brief verbal exchange, the offender subjected the male victim to a violent assault, causing him to lose consciousness and suffer significant facial injuries, which required hospital treatment. A370 Hildesh

The Extend Learning Academies Network have announced the primary schools that are to close this Wednesday and Thursday as a result of the Red Extreme Heat Weather Warning. The schools are; Banwell Primary School Bournville Primary School Locking Primary School Mead Vale Primary School Mendip Green Primary School Milton Park Primary School Oldmixon Primary School Walliscote Primary School Windwhistle Primary School Photo: Extended Learning Academies Network

North Somerset Council has announced Busy Lizzies as the new operator for the café in Weston-super-Mare's historic Grove Park. Following a competitive process, the brand-new local business has been awarded a 15-year full repairing and maintenance lease, marking an exciting new chapter for this much-loved community space. The opportunity to operate the café was launched in March of this year (2026), inviting ambitious food and beverage businesses to bring forward proposals f

A ‘dangerous predator’ has been jailed for more than 10 years for the rape of a teenage girl and for engaging in sexual activity with other teenage girls. Pascal Bitton, a 35-year-old man from Weston-super-Mare, was sentenced at North Somerset Court on Thursday 11 June. Pascal Bitton, 35, of Weston-super-Mare, was sentenced at North Somerset Court on Thursday 11 June. (Photo: Avon & Somerset Police) He was found guilty of rape, sexual assault, inciting a girl to engage in sex