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

This morning (Monday 22nd June) the Met Office has issued a Red Extreme Heat weather warning for Weston-super-Mare with temperatures expected to hit 40 Celsius. Photo: Met Office A spokesperson for the Met Office said; “During the heatwave expected to affect a large part of England and Wales this week, the highlighted area now looks increasingly likely to see a two to three day period where maximum temperatures in the shade exceed 37 Celsius, perhaps rising to 38 to 40 Celsiu

Weston-super-Mare’s Labour Councillors have reacted to the sudden resignation of the Prime Minister and leader of their party; Keir Starmer, after months of pressure towards his premiership, his reign of Prime Minister has ended off the back of disastrous local elections results across the country for the Labour Party. A leadership election will not take place with a new Prime Minister in post by September. The former Mayor of Manchester, Andy Burnham who recently battered Re

Armed Forces & Emergency Services Day has arrived and the town is ready for a fantastic day of celebration on Weston-super-Mare's seafront all thanks to the hard work of Weston Town Council The event will start at 10am at the Beach Lawns in Weston-super-Mare and entry is free The arena will be shared by Armed Forces and Emergency Services displays, offering a full day of activities for all ages and providing an opportunity to show appreciation for local veterans and Armed Fo

The damage to the flag pole and its mechanism, which are located in Italian Gardens in Weston-super-Mare, North Somerset, was noticed this morning, councillor Ciarán Cronnelly said. Damage to the flagpole occured in recent days (Photo: Cllr Ciaran Cronnelly) He revealed another flag pole flying a LGBTQ+ flag located in a park a short distance away was damaged earlier in the month. They were both flying the rainbow flag for Pride Month, which runs throughout June and is dedica

Officers were called to Milton Brow, in Weston-super-Mare, this week (Wednesday 17 June) following initial reports of an altercation between two men. A spokesperson for Avon & Somerset Police said; "Upon attendance, one man was located on a scaffolding structure while the other spoke with officers. Neither made any reports to officers about an assault. "The man on the scaffolding, in his thirties, came down and was arrested on suspicion of two counts of assault and one co

Weston-super-Mare Town Council has launched a new section of its website dedicated to community asset transfers, providing residents with a central place to find information, follow progress and stay informed as plans develop. Weston-super-Mare Town Council and North Somerset Council are working together to explore the transfer of selected local assets and responsibilities. Potential transfers may include play areas, green spaces and community facilities, helping to ensure

Two arrested after suspected crack den raided 600m from Weston primary school Police arrested two people in suspicion of being concerned in the supply of crack cocaine (Photo: Weston Independent News) Officers from Avon and Somerset Police searched a property on George Street this afternoon. It sits just 600m from Christ Church Primary School on Baker Street. The force said two people, a man and a woman, were both arrested on suspicion of being concerned in the supply of crac

Police were called to a secondary school in Worle after teenagers wore "offensive t-shirts" and acted in a "threatening manner". Photo: Priory Community School Th episode unfolded at the gates of Priory School in Queensway, Worle at around 10am on Monday, Avon and Somerset Police said. It is thought the group consisted largely of Year 11 students who had just finished their GCSE exams. A minority of the group began "behaving in a threatening manner" and were "wearing t-shirts

by Daniel Hatton It’s funny, isn’t it? We give personalities to things that, in reality, don’t have one. Cars are perhaps the best example. We all know a car is simply a machine designed to get us from A to B in relative comfort. But spend enough time with one and you begin to realise that a car does in fact have its own personality. You know when it’s happy, when something is wrong and, more importantly, when it’s about to throw an expensive tantrum. Have you ever listened t

WSM Pride returns to Grove Park on Saturday 27 June with a free programme of entertainment, community stalls, a family and community tent, food and drink vendors, and activities celebrating LGBTQ+ communities and allies from across North Somerset and beyond. The Pride March will gather from 11:15am before making its way through Weston-super-Mare town centre to Grove Park, where the main event runs from 12:00pm until 6:00pm. WSM Pride is delighted to reveal the full entertainm

Avon & Somerset Police will be carrying out enhanced patrols and roadside checks during England’s FIFA Men’s World Cup matches this month as part of Operation Limit, a national campaign targeting drink and drug drivers. The tournament, which is being co-hosted by Mexico, USA and Canada, kicked off with Mexico v South Africa last Thursday (June 11). Drink and drug driving is one of the ‘Fatal Five’ behaviours linked to the highest risk of serious and fatal collisions. In Avo