Rising chocolate thefts in UK shops are linked to cost of living pressures and, in some cases, organised crime, impacting retailers nationwide.

Carys Walsh, 18, from Cheddar, will run the 2026 TCS London Marathon for South Western Ambulance Charity, honouring NHS crews who aided her family.

Somerset Council is a finalist for two 2026 LGC Awards, recognising fostering recruitment and SEND employment schemes supporting vulnerable young people.

Businesses are striving to make things accessible, and whilst I've had to learn to ask, I have also found that so many are willing to change and learn with us.

Firefighters are currently responding to an incident on Grange Road, Uphil, Weston-super-Mare, leading to the road's full closure.

Somerset Council's budget for the 2026/27 financial year has been approved by councillors.

Clive Heaphy, the Section 151 Officer for Somerset Council, has warned that the council's finances are still 'deeply fragile' ahead of the 2026/27 financial year.

Somerset Council are announcing the official budget at a full council meeting, where the amount of council tax you will be paying will be revealed today (Wednesday, March 4).

Somerset Council has confirmed the amount that council tax will increase by for 2026/27 at their annual budget meeting.

Immaculate three-bed bungalow for sale on Avalon Road, Highbridge. Features modern kitchen, garden room, en suite, garage, and landscaped gardens.

Tessa Munt MP visits East Huntspill Primary Academy, inspiring pupils to learn about Parliament, democracy, and civic engagement in Somerset schools.

Met Office forecasts a dry week for Burnham-on-Sea with cloudy skies, sunny intervals, and highs up to 16°C.

Registration opens for the 2026 Somerset Cycle sportive on 9 May. Ride stunning routes from Bridgwater, supporting Youth Adventure Trust and local youth.

Owning a dangerous dog, drink driving and assault are among the latest cases from Burnham-on-Sea offenders, heard at Taunton Magistrates' Court.

A man from Sedgemoor has been jailed for 14 months for breaching a restraining order and sharing a photograph or film of a person in an intimate state

The Local Government Boundary Commission proposes reducing Somerset Council seats from 110 to 96 and redrawing all division boundaries for the 2027 election.

People across Somerset can outline their health and wellbeing priorities in a survey launched this week.

Gena Murray, who shares gardening tips on her 'GigisGardenTips' Instagram page says this piece of recycling is excellent for protecting young plants

After analysing years of Met Office date, heating experts can reveal the date you should stop heating your home this year.

Tesco shoppers have been issued a “do not eat” warning as a product sold at the supermarket may contain salmonella.

M5 junction 22 slip roads to close overnight for vegetation clearance from 9–20 March 2026. Diversions via local routes; National Highways to manage works.

Discover top events in Bridgwater and Burnham this week: dance socials, Luke Knight’s Somerset legends, Beatles Complete tribute, and Made in Tennessee show.

Avon and Somerset Police are appealing to the public to help find a missing man from Cheddar.

Modern life makes physical activity optional, fuelling UK obesity and inactivity. Pete Richards urges small challenges to boost fitness, health and resilience.

Somerset Council faces government scrutiny over financial management, with £30m exceptional support considered. External audit raises concerns.

Burnham and Weston Energy offers fully funded school visits to its solar farm in 2026, teaching pupils about renewable energy, climate change, and biodiversity.

Fire crews from Taunton, Bridgwater, and Burnham-on-Sea helped put out a blaze this morning in a ‘derelict building’ in the Hamp area of Bridgwater.

Two of Somerset's community hospitals could temporarily lose half their inpatient bids to allow a wider range of local services to be delivered

Somerset Council will be able to set a balanced budget for the next 12 months - but further central government support will be in short supply

League of Friends donates £835k for new spinal surgery robot at Musgrove Park Hospital, Taunton, boosting NHS care amid growing charity fundraising challenges.

Lord Lieutenant of Somerset, Mohammed Saddiq, named patron of Somerset Chamber of Commerce, supporting local businesses and Somerset’s economic growth.

A dog who was reunited with her delighted owners after she had been stolen from their Norfolk garden has enjoyed her first year living back in her family home.

A police officer has been dismissed after giving a false impression she was working by using a picture frame to weigh down keys on her laptop.

Stoke Mandeville stadium came abuzz with figures from every walk of life as the journey as the 2026 Winter Paralympic Games began.

Huey Morgan is marking 30 Years of Come Find Yourself with a new UK Tour.

Arriving at just 17, his journey to safety was long and uncertain, taking him first to France and then to England.

Weston Hospicecare’s Make Your Will Week (2–6 March) offers free will-writing appointments with local solicitors for a donation, supporting UK hospice care.

Dorset and Somerset Air Ambulance’s new AW169 helicopter is being fitted as a mobile intensive care unit after a £1m appeal, boosting critical care in Somerset.

The government has not confirmed whether other parts of Somerset will benefit from the next round of its pride in place regeneration programme

Permission has been granted by Somerset Council for Brean Splash to expand.

Burnham-on-Sea weather forecast: mixed sunshine and cloud, mild temperatures, and gusty winds expected this week.

LOCALiQ offers video production for UK SMEs, including drone footage, social media clips, and virtual tours - boosting brand visibility and local engagement.

Three-bedroom semi-detached house for sale in Burnham-on-Sea for £280,000, featuring garden, garage, off-street parking and excellent local amenities.

Great Western Railway launches a new campaign featuring the Famous Five, celebrating myths and legends of the South West and Wales to boost leisure travel.

Somerset Council will receive £30 million from the national government in the same month that a substantial council tax increase request was denied.

A woman Avon and Somerset Police sergeant has ben accused of trying to dupe bosses into incorrectly believing she was working online.

Avon and Somerset Search and Rescue were called to Cheddar Gorge to rescue a person who had ‘fallen from height’ and died.

A student pilot lacked the skill to avoid his aircraft crashing in Somerset, a report concludes.

I’m pleased to be back with another update on my work as your Member of Parliament, and I’d like to thank the Bridgwater Mercury and Burnham & Highbridge Weekly News for the opportunity to keep you informed.

Discover upcoming events in Burnham-on-Sea and Bridgwater: Women in Rock tribute, music quiz, Weston Light Orchestra concert and Rapunzel musical.