Headlines: Snow, murder trial and Wallace & Gromit

The first snowfall of the season created headlines - and excitement - in Gloucestershire

The first snow of the season was among the big stories in the West this week, making the headlines across local media.

It followed continued interest in the case of the murders of best friends Mason Rist and Max Dixon in Bristol, as the first prison sentence was handed out.

There was also lots of reaction around a road death and a separate hit-and-run incident which critically injured a four-year-old.

Here is a selection of the most-read stories in the region this week.

King penguins at Birdland in Bourton-on-the-Water were enjoying the wintry weather

Winter finally made its presence felt this week as the first snowfall of the season on Tuesday gave a festive feel to parts of the West.

Throughout the day, Gloucestershire Live's editor, Phil Norris, kept the county informed about weather and school closures via a live blog.

People sent in pictures from across the region of the snowy landscape, including King penguins at Birdland in Bourton-on-the-Water looking very much at home in the wintry conditions.

Anthony Snook will serve a minimum of 38 years in jail

The sentencing of Anthony Snook, 45, from Hartcliffe, Bristol, who drove four teenagers to a street where two best friends were murdered, was a top performer for all platforms on Tuesday.

Mason Rist, 15, and Max Dixon, 16, died after being stabbed by the teenagers in a case of mistaken identity outside Mason's home in Knowle West on 27 January.

Sentencing Snook to a minimum of 38 years in prison at Bristol Crown Court, the honourable Mrs Justice May told him it was "impossible to fathom" why he had agreed to drive the four boys in his car to the area, and he had been "so weak and cowardly".

Harry Parker's parents, Adam and Kelly, said they had been "failed" by the justice system

The Swindon Advertiser gained a lot of interest through an interview with the parents of Harry Parker, who said they had been "failed" by the justice system after charges against a driver accused of causing the death of their 14-year-old son were dropped.

Reporter Ben Gardner's piece updated readers after the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) confirmed it would not pursue the case against a woman who was originally charged with causing death by careless driving and causing death while driving without a licence and while uninsured.

Harry Parker, 14, died after being hit by a car on Akers Way in Swindon on 25 November 2022

Tim Cole, of CPS Wessex, said: "We examined this case in great detail – including obtaining the advice of a forensic collision expert – and it has become clear that there is not enough evidence to demonstrate that this collision could reasonably have been avoided, and therefore that the driving was careless."

Harry's mum, Kelly Parker, said: "The only bit of strength that carried me through was that we're going to get justice, but now that's all been chucked out the window, there's nothing."

Four-year-old Carlos was hit by a car in Lawrence Weston

Bristol Live's story about a child critically injured after being hit by a car in Lawrence Weston had lots of interaction.

The article reported on a fundraiser set up after four-year-old Carlos was injured in the incident at Long Cross last Sunday, which his family said had "turned our world upside down and shook us to the core".

James Doherty, 18, has pleaded guilty to causing serious injury by dangerous driving and will be sentenced at Bristol Crown Court on 17 December.

Abuffalosoldier died immediately after winning at Cheltenham last Sunday

The final day of the November Meeting at Cheltenham Racecourse was overshadowed by the death of three horses, sparking numerous comments on Gloucestershire Live's Facebook page.

Abuffalosoldier collapsed after winning the Holland Cooper Handicap Chase, the fourth race of the day.

Earlier in the same race, Bangers and Cash collapsed after the 14th fence and later Napper Tandy sustained a fatal injury in the day's fifth race.

Jerry Gill was the longest-serving post-war manager in Bath City's history

The departure of Bath City manager, Jerry Gill, after seven years in charge did well on Somerset Live.

The 54-year-old's last game was a 3-2 defeat against Chertsey Town in the FA Trophy, which left the club seven games without a win, including five successive defeats.

Reporter, Mark Stillman, quoted Mr Gill's final message posted on the club's X account in which he said it was "an absolute privilege" to manage Bath City and that he hoped "everyone at the club has seen my loyalty".

The new feature-length film will premiere on Christmas Day on BBC One and BBC iPlayer

Finally, some lighter news to finish.

There has been a lot of excitement generated by Wallace and Gromit's new adventure film, Vengeance Most Fowl, which will premiere on BBC One and BBC iPlayer on Christmas Day.

And Gromit Unleashed 3 will be launched in 2025, bringing Aardman's beloved Gromit, Wallace, Feathers McGraw, and a brand-new character, Norbot, to the streets of Bristol.

The nine-week public art trail will raise funds for Bristol Children's Hospital.