Western Daily Press

Man Arrested After Road Death

Fact File

Trisomy 18 or Edwards syndrome is a genetic disorder caused by three copies of chromosome 18 in a foetus' cells. Normally there are two. The rate of incidence in births is one in 6,000.

It's Full Steam Ahead

Steam train enthusiasts trying to extend a heritage railway closer to Swindon have overcome the twin problem of a badger sett and the great crested newt at last. A lengthy battle to extend the Swindon and Cricklade Railway southwards to the former Mouldon Hill station now appears to be be won, after ecologists were called in to make sure work didn't affect the protected species.

College Revamp Hits the Buffers

Ambitious plans for a pounds68 million revamp of the City of Bath College have been put on hold for the forseeable future. The proposals for a complete overhaul of the Avon Street campus were first announced in October, but have now been halted because of a national funding crisis linked to the recession.

Jackson's Father Suspects Foul Play

Marcus Denby wdnews@bepp.co.uk M ichael Jackson's father says he suspects "foul play somewhere" over his son's death.

Festival Defies the Gloom As Ticket Sales Hit a Record High

Ticket sales for the ninth Frome Festival have hit a record high, according to organisers. Box office figures show like for like ticket sales are up 12 per cent compared with 2008.

Theatre School Plan for Naturals

An internationally-renowned group of performers wants to set up a centre for teaching their unique brand of street theatre in Bath. The Widcombe-based Natural Theatre Company has just won a pounds50,000 grant from the Arts Council towards the pounds225,000 cost of a project to breathe new life into its headquarters.

I Never Intended to Blow Myself Up, Says Ibrahim

Geoff Bennett g.bennett@bepp.co.uk A student charged with intending to blow up a West shopping centre told a jury suicide bombing is wrong both "morally and Islamically".

Boys Rewarded for Role in Air Crash Rescue

Schoolboy heroes Rory Bennett and Taran Goodband have been rewarded by map-makers Ordnance Survey (OS) for their part in rescuing two men whose microlight crashed in the Forest of Dean. The youngsters received a goody-bag after their quick-thinking - and crucially their map-reading skills - were credited with saving the men's lives.

Kenya Trip to Help People See Clearly

Heatwave Hits South West and Is Here to Stay

By Vicki Mathias v.mathias@bepp.co.uk T he West Country is officially in the grip of a heatwave - with parts of the country yesterday sweltering in the hottest temperatures in three years.

West Students Leave Snake Under Bed

A 6ft snake, scuba diving kit and a white rabbit were among the items left behind by students in the West as the university year ended. Students are notorious for decorating their houses with trophies of wild nights out - from road signs and traffic cones to collections of pilfered pint glasses.

Hunt for Chicken Thief

Police have launched a hunt to find a thief who is stealing chickens from smallholdings across North Somerset. In the past month, thieves have targeted three smallholdings in the Langford and Churchill area, making off with a total of around 70 birds.

Letwin to Drop Job

Senior West MP Oliver Letwin will have to give up his pounds145- an-hour City job this year, Tory leader David Cameron said yesterday in a crackdown on moonlighting. The West Dorset MP had already said he would leave the pounds60,000 a year post at NM Rothschild "in due course".

Pm Gets Set for General Election

By Matthew George wdnews@bepp.co.uk P rime Minister Gordon Brown yesterday fired the starting gun for the next general election as he unveiled eye-catching policies he hopes will save Labour from polling day disaster.

Bert Was a Footie Legend

The man widely regarded as the greatest footballer to lace his boots for Clevedon Town has died, aged 91. Bert Price was synonymous with the Seasiders in North Somerset for more than 70 years.

Water Way to Keep Cool