Poundland on Weston-super-Mare High St has been saved in a last minute deal which will see the store re-open on Saturday January 10th. A petition had been signed by hundreds of local businesses and residents calling for the store to stay open. Local MP Dan Aldridge, who has been campaigning to save the store said; “ It’s a Christmas miracle, Poundland's been saved! It will be reopening on 10th January, and I know this will be a huge relief and very welcome news for the brilli

Avon & Somerset Police have issued advice to residents to be on the guard against burglars this Christmas season. A spokesperson said; “ Don’t let burglars turn your Christmas into a nightmare, stay secure, stay smart and share these tips to help others do the same” ✅ Check that doors and windows are locked. ✅ Keep house and car keys out of sight and reach. ✅ Fit good quality locks or bolts to outside doors, garages and sheds. ✅ Invest in a signal blocking pouch (Faraday Bag

Moving tributes have been paid to nine-year-old Aria Thorpe by her family. She has been described as a ‘beautiful soul’ by those who loved her so dearly. Aria died at an address in the Mead Vale area of Weston-super-Mare on Monday 15 December and specialist officers are providing her family with support. Aria's family on her mother's side, said: "For those who didn’t have the privilege of knowing Aria, she was the most beautiful little soul — happy-go-lucky, full of light, an

Dan Aldridge, MP for Weston, Worle and the villages, has sponsored a Ten Minute Bill to help tackle the decline of high streets, both locally and across the country. The Vacant Commercial Properties (Temporary Use) Bill, introduced by Labour MP Luke Akehurst, would give local authorities new powers to compel landlords to make long-term empty shop units available for temporary use by charities, community groups, and small businesses. It aims to address the growing number of em

A Just Giving page launched by a famile friend has already received over £4000 in donations towards its target. Heather Prindiville who launched the page said; “As a close friend of the family and seeing first hand just how difficult the coming moments, days, weeks, months, and even years will be for them I just want to be able to do something to ease the road ahead. Tragedy has struck in the most unimaginable way and so close to Christmas. My beautiful friend Tori and her am

Police have released photos of nine-year-old Aria Thorpe, who was stabbed to death in Somerset. One image shows the girl in a white sleeveless top and wearing a hairband with Minnie Mouse-style ears. The other picture is of Aria in a pink dress, wearing a rosette and "happy birthday" headband, surrounded by balloons. Her family approved the release of the images. Photo: Avon & Somerset Police Photo: Avon & Somerset Police It comes as a teenage boy appeared in court charged wi

Cllr Catherine Gibbons, the Deputy Leader of North Somerset Council and Cabinet Member for Children’s Services and Families issued following statement this morning on behalf of North Somerset Council; "I have been shocked and deeply saddened by the news of Aria’s death. “On behalf of everyone at North Somerset Council, I offer our sincerest condolences to Aria’s family, friends and the school community. The pain of losing a child in such tragic circumstances is unimaginable

A boy has been charged with murder following the death of a nine-year-old girl in Weston-super-Mare. The 15-year-old has been remanded and will appear at Bristol Magistrates’ Court today (Wednesday 17 December). Police have said that the formal identification process has not yet been completed, but they can confirm the boy has been charged with the murder of Aria Thorpe. It follows emergency services being called to an address in Lime Close shortly before 6.10pm on Monday 15

A murder investigation is being carried out following the death of a nine-year-old girl at an address in Weston-super-Mare. Police were called by paramedics to a residential address in Lime Close, in the Mead Vale area, at 6.09pm yesterday (Monday 15 December). The first officer arrived at the scene at 6.12pm. Sadly, the young girl was pronounced deceased at the scene. A teenage boy was arrested in Worle at 6.19pm. He remains in custody, arrested on suspicion of murder. Super

North Somerset Council has warned that council tax will almost certainly need to rise above the usual government cap next year to protect essential local services amid unprecedented funding cuts. At a meeting of the council’s Cabinet today, Leader Cllr Mike Bell set out the stark financial reality facing the authority, driven by historic decisions to keep council tax lower than in similar areas, year on year reductions in national funding and sharp increases in costs and dema

Improvements have been made to bus passenger facilities at Weston General Hospital. A small transport hub has been created near the entrance to the hospital, including:  a new large bus shelter with improved seating an e-ink screen offering digital timetables and real time updates additional seating outside of the shelter and motorcycle parking facilities  This is the first of several small transport hubs being introduced throughout North Somerset, with larger transport hubs

Police Officers from from the Town Centre Neighbourhood Policing Team for Weston-super-Mare arrested a man this morning in connection with a series of criminal damage incidents that occurred at the end of November in prominent locations around Weston-super-Mare’s town centre. The suspect is believed to have used red spray paint to graffiti local businesses and public infrastructure. Avon & Somerset Police said; ” While we understand that some individuals may wish to express p

The police watchdog has reported that an 18-year-old man who exited an ambulance on a motorway was Tasered by officers before being struck by a vehicle and killed. Logan Smith, from Weston-super-Mare, died on the M5 in North Somerset late on Sunday night. According to the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC), he was being transported to hospital when paramedics became concerned and pulled over on the hard shoulder of the northbound carriageway. Police were called afte

More than 100 people have been arrested across the South West after police forces came together to target illegal drugs and child criminal exploitation.  In total, across the South West:   112 people were arrested  More than £67,000 cash was seized  52kg of cannabis was confiscated, including 868 cannabis plants  Three guns were recovered, plus five imitation firearms  48 people were safeguarded, including five children In Weston-super-Mare, three people were arrested on susp

North Somerset Council has issued its starkest warning yet about the scale of the financial crisis facing them, with a funding gap of more than £10 million for next year and £33 million over the next four years. Years of government funding reductions combined with rapidly rising demand for services – particularly in adult and children’s social care – have left the authority with stark choices. The situation has been made more precarious by uncertainty created through governme

Tributes have been made to the man who died in a road collision on the M5 on Sunday night. The man, who has been named locally as 18yr old Logan who lived in Weston-super-Mare and was originally from Chesterfield. Logan had a passion for motorcycles and had studied plumbing at Weston College. In recent weeks he had taken to social media to voice concerns over his mental health. Ellie Cooper said; “ RIP Logan, going to miss you, thankyou for being there for me throughout the y

A man has died after a collision on the M5 on Sunday night (30 November).  Avon & Somerset Police said; “At 11.04pm the ambulance service informed Avon & Somerset Police aware that a patient had exited an ambulance that had stopped to provide further treatment on the northbound carriageway between junction 21 (Weston-super-Mare) and 20 (Clevedon) while taking them to hospital.  The patient, an 18-year-old man, was subsequently reported to be on the motorway.  An on-duty offic

The M5 is closed in both directions in Somerset following a police incident between junction 21 near Weston-super-Mare and junction 20 for Clevedon, with queues reaching junction 19 for Portbury. Drivers are urged to avoid the M5 near Somerset due to a police-led incident. A closure is now in place between Junction 20 for Clevedon and Junction 21 for Weston-super-Mare. It comes after a crash near Weston-super-Mare at around 11.05pm, Avon and Somerset Police said. Motorists ar

North Somerset Council is scheduled to have its funding from Central Government cut by a whopping £17.4m over the next 3yrs in a blow that risks crippling vital services. North Somerset Council has sought permission to raise Council Tax above the 5% maximum threshold in a bid to increase funds. If the request fails, the council will be left with no choice than to cut even more services to the residents of North Somerset. In order to plug the existing gap in finances, the coun

Weston-super-Mare AFC has received planning permission for the development of its Optima Stadium ground. The changes will include new hospitality and facilities buildings, new stands and external works to the grounds site. Image: CMS Group Oli Bliss, Weston-super-Mare AFC Chairman, said; “I am so happy that we have got this planning approval after many years of hard work. We can now focus on getting this project started, which will transform the Optima Stadium into a League 2