Western Daily Press

Sell-Off Plans Unveiled to Create New Banks

Three new high street banks are set to be created as the Government sells off the taxpayer's holdings in the sector, Alistair Darling signalled yesterday. The Chancellor said he wanted to carve up the state-controlled banks in a bid to increase competition and recoup the costs of the Treasury's multibillion-pound bail-out.

Horses Are 'Vital' to Rural Life

Julie Girling MEP has spoken of the "vital role" the equestrian industry plays in the region's rural economy. Her comments coincided with a two-day EU Equus Conference 2009, held at the Swedish Agricultural University in Uppsala.

Lydney Sunk by Try Blitz

Westcombe Park ...... 21 Lydney .......................... 7 Three tries in the 10-minute period before half-time sealed Lydney's fate in this scrappy match. Despite dominating in the scrums and having a territorial advantage, Lydney failed to make the most of their superiority.

Cinderford Fall to Amor

London Scottish ........ 26 Cinderford ................. 18 Former Gloucester utility back Simon Amor scored a late try to scupper Cinderford's hopes of victory in National League One. In a see-saw match, he went over in the dying minutes to clinch a win that helped move his side into second place and put Cinderford fourth from bottom.

Into the Storm 8.30pm, Bbc2 [...]

Greater Awareness of Tibet's Plight Is Vital ; Your Say

It was a welcome sight to see a piece on Tibet from James Gray (Comment, October 26). The plight of Tibet is not given the coverage it deserves, in order that the West can see a way to rescue the Tibetan people from their oppressive neighbour. China. I would like to make a few observations.

I Already Pay Tax to Throw ; Your Say

In response to D F Courtney on pay as you throw. I thought I was already paying for what I throw in my council taxes. It's bad enough paying in advance for a service that the council dictates what I can receive (would that be illegal in the private sector?) let alone paying even more on top.

Thought for the Day

Shoppers Learn How to Love Food, Hate Waste and Save Money

More than 100 shoppers went to a road show to give people top tips on food waste. The Love Food, Hate Waste campaign, which was launched by the Somerset Waste partnership, was at Sainsbury's in Frome, to give residents advice on how to preserve food longer and save money at the same time.

My Miraculous Escape As Tree Fell On My Car ; Grandmother Left in State of Shock

A Gloucestershire pensioner had a miraculous escape when a tree smashed down on top of her moving car. Chris Challinor, from Charlton Kings, Cheltenham, was on her way to church when storm-force winds brought the 65ft beech tree crashing onto her Volkswagon Polo.

Hunt for Rapist

A manhunt is under way after a 44-year-old rapist escaped from immigration officials while being served with a deportation order. Imtiaz Hussain escaped from the Pakistan High Commission in Lowndes Square, central London, at about 2.35pm on Friday.

Power Lines Fall

The windy weather over the weekend knocked down some power lines in Somerset. The police and fire service were called to Brewery Lane in Shepton Mallet yesterday after a tree fell onto power lines, causing them to spark.

Pool Rises From Ashes to Help More Children

A year ago it was a blackened ruin following a disastrous fire, but now the therapy pool at the West-based British Institute for Brain-Injured Children has risen from the ashes to offer new hope to hundreds more youngsters. The Bridgwater firefighters who tackled the blaze were back on Thursday night to fill the pool with water during one of their training sessions, and on Wednesday the pool building will be officially opened, a year to the day since the original, and its specialist equipment...

No Nursery for Miles? We'll Just Open Our Own ; Farmer's Wife Acts to Fill Gap in Country Child Care

It's not just young cattle which are being brought up in contentment on a West farm - diversification means that young humans are coming in too, to attend an unusual day nursery. When farmer's wife Katherine Farthing wanted to return to work after the birth of her third child, she could not find a day nursery within nine miles - so she decided to start her own.

Crime Rate Falls

Crime on a troubled estate fell by half after just three yobs were banned from the area. The streets around Crow Lane in Henbury, Bristol, were plagued by street fights, drunkenness, criminal damage and threatening behaviour.

Pelicans Emerge From the Stones at Corfe Castle

The sound of chisel on stone has been reverberating through the ruins of Corfe Castle this week. Student and volunteer stonemasons have created ornate carvings inspired by the ancient carved pelican discovered on-site during conservation work.

'It's Not Unusual to Forget to Eat' ; Rehab Centre Is the First to Treat People Addicted to Online Gaming

An addiction centre that has long treated alcoholics and drug addicts is pioneering a new form of rehab - for people hooked to online computer games. The centre in Weston-super-Mare said growing numbers of young people were becoming addicted to playing games on the internet - and it can become so bad that they forget to eat, sleep or lead any kind of normal life.

Romans Return at End of Iron Age Site

Their military might overwhelmed their Iron Age opponents 2,000 years ago and Roman soldiers were in at the death of an Iron Age world again at the weekend. Somerset County Council has closed the Peat Moors Visitor Centre at Westhay, near Glastonbury, which featured reconstructions of Iron Age huts and was used by thousands of visitors including school parties.

Your Daily Stars

The time has come for you to decide which way you are going to go with a certain relationship in your life. You have been compromising for too long now. Make sure you decide, not friends! Call to hear why it will pay to check your mail today. Shopping you do today, will be able to tell your close ones a lot about what is really going on in your life. You think you've kept things under wraps. You're about to discover otherwise. Call to hear why you can afford to be confident in love.

Sea King Safety Concern 'Overruled'

A warning about the safety of Royal Navy helicopters was overruled by the Ministry of Defence (MoD) resulting in the death of six British servicemen, it has been reported. An unnamed civil servant alleged he refused to declare the Royal Navy's Sea King Mk7 helicopters, made by Somerset-based AgustaWestland in Yeovil, airworthy, but was overruled by superiors trying to save money.