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

For the third consecutive year, on 24 November 2025, The Grand Pier’s resident Christmas menace, the Grinch, swapped his holiday-hating ways to become a certified spreader of seasonal joy!   The Grand Pier team packed up their sleigh, or perhaps just a very big van, and headed straight for the Bristol Royal Hospital for Children .   The mischievous Mr. Grinch stepped away from his festive duties at The Grand Pier to visit the hospital’s wards, spreading smiles, laughter, and

by Paul Howe I’ve just come back from watching a film at The Other Place on Meadow Street — a space where many groups meet and share their stories. The film followed the lives of two Muslim women who grew up here in the UK, revealing what they and their families endured simply because of who they were. It hit me far harder than I expected; at one point, I found myself with tears in my eyes — and I’m not someone who cries easily. Yet this film showed the painful reality that l

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

How community effort, culture and investment are reshaping our town. by Paul Howe Weston-super-Mare is changing before our eyes — not through grand announcements, but through real progress happening right here in our own town. This year’s carnival reminded me of something important: when Weston comes together, we don’t just celebrate — we rebuild, reinvigorate and rise. Living here, I’m struck by how much is being achieved through local effort. The carnival shines brighter ea

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

by Dan Heley There’s a lovely, nostalgic impulse behind the calls to “bring the pool back” at the Tropicana. For many people the site is childhood summers, the thrill of a water slide and a town at its seaside best. But nostalgia isn’t a business plan — and the practical, financial and strategic case for reinstating a working pool at the Tropicana simply doesn’t stack up against the realities on the ground. North Somerset Council and its partners have already secured targeted

Little Paws Rescue has appealed for information after kittens and their mother were found dumped at a local vets. A spokesperson for Little Paws Rescue said; “ Sadly this afternoon in the downpour of rain a young tabby mum & her kittens were found dumped in a makita tool box outside Weston Vets4Pets on Milton Road. If you were the owner or know who left them please contact us. We just want to know some more information about them especially mum so we know a bit about her back

North Somerset Council have announced they are delaying the launch of an online booking system for the Recycling Centre in Weston which was due to start this year. North Somerset Council said; “ The booking system is ready to launch but with Christmas coming up, and the significant changes we’ve already made to recycling and waste collections this year, we’re delaying the booking system until early next year. Unfortunately this means queues are more likely at the recycling ce

The Met Office has issued a widespread Yellow warning for rain that includes Weston-super-Mare as Storm Claudia is due to bring pro-longed rain throughout Thursday and into the early hours of Saturday morning. Issued by the Met Office a Yellow Warning means that Storm Claudia may lead to some flooding and disruption - Spray and flooding leading to difficult driving conditions, some road closures, and some bus and train services delayed or cancelled - Homes and businesses c

World Kindness Day is observed on November 13th each year and is a global observance dedicated to promoting and celebrating acts of kindness. This day serves as a reminder of the positive impact that kindness can have on individuals, communities, and the world at large. It encourages people to perform intentional acts of kindness and foster a culture of compassion and generosity. Participating in World Kindness Day is a simple yet impactful way to make a positive difference i

by Paul Howe As a resident of Weston-super-Mare, and particularly of the Central Ward where I live, I’m increasingly concerned about the creeping influence of powerful figures and movements trying to shape public opinion — both globally and here in our own town. The growing presence of Reform UK in Weston, and their efforts to gain a foothold locally, deserve careful attention. Behind their slogans and easy answers lie misconceptions and distortions that risk misleading decen

Dan Aldridge, MP for Weston-super-Mare and Co-Chair of the All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) for Hospitality and Tourism, has joined MPs from across Parliament in urging the Government to take decisive action to support pubs, restaurants, and hospitality businesses ahead of the Budget on 26 November. In a joint letter to Chancellor Rachel Reeves, the APPG outlined the urgent need to reduce VAT from 20% and reform the business rates system, arguing that the current tax regi

An officer has been dismissed without notice after gross misconduct was found to be proven. PC Thomas West was found to have breached two standards of professional behaviour and has been barred from serving in policing again. A misconduct hearing was held between 10-11 November at Avon and Somerset Police headquarters, in Portishead, which was told that PC West had breached the standards of discreditable conduct, as well as honesty and integrity. In March 2024, PC West was ar

North Somerset Council may seek permission to push council tax above the usual 5% cap next year as it battles a £25m budget shortfall. The authority is in talks with the government over “ exceptional financial support ,” which could allow it to avoid a local referendum and impose a higher increase. Normally, councils can raise tax by 3%, with a further 2% for adult social care. Council leader Mike Bell said the council is “ doing everything we can ” to close the gap. “ That i