Headlines: Floods, bin collections and tax rumours

Heavy rainfall caused severe flooding across Somerset

The weather once again dominated headlines after Storm Herminia swept across the west.

Floods caused by heavy rain affected householders across Somerset, including Ilminster, Chard and South Petherton.

Black bin collections in Bristol were a big talking point, as was rumours of a steep rise in council taxes in Somerset.

Here is a selection of this week's most popular stories.

Somerset Live reported on local MP Sarah Dyke visiting communities affected by flooding

Flooding forced dozens of residents to leave their homes, with Somerset Council providing temporary accommodation for people from Primrose Hill residential caravan site near Somerton.

Somerset Live reported on urgent pleas for more protection against future flooding and the MP for Glastonbury and Somerton, Sarah Dyke, said she had written to the Minister for Water and Flooding, Emma Hardy, outlining the devastation.

Meanwhile, businesses in Wiltshire said they were still recovering from the impact of Storm Bert in November, with the owner of Bradford-on-Avon's Feast Brothers, Scott Wheeler, saying: "If more flooding comes our business is finished."

Bristol could become the first major city in England to collect black waste bins every four weeks

The prospect of Bristol moving to black bin collections every four weeks was a huge talking point.

ITV News West Country's Sangita Lal reported that the Green-led city council had launched a consultation on the plans, which could save about £4m a year.

Resident, Ailish Mann, said: "It's just not going to work. It's going to turn Bristol into a rubbish tip."

A Liveable Neighbourhood scheme in east Bristol has been the focus of demonstrations

Staying in Bristol, a report of Barton Hill residents once again blocking council workers from implementing the Liveable Neighbourhood trial was one of the most watched videos.

Bristol 24/7 posted a confrontation between council representatives and about 30 protestors as work to install a bus gate was disrupted on Monday.

Bristol City Council said it supported the right to peaceful protest but its attempts to have "a two-way dialogue" about the concerns "were unfortunately not met in good faith".

Wiltshire Police's video, posted on ITV West Country's Facebook page, received 22,000 views

A video of a woman crashing an unregistered electric bike during a police chase in Melksham, Wiltshire, received a lot of views on ITV News West Country's Facebook page.

Natalia Burke, 21, of Queensway, Melksham, sped away from a marked police motorcycle on 9 July. She then crashed into a wall before fleeing the scene.

PC Luke Hobbs, of Wiltshire Police, said: "Burke's manner of driving was incredibly careless and it's a matter of luck that no one was injured."

Police have issued an e-fit image of a man wanted in connection with an assault

Gloucestershire Police's post about a man, wanted in connection with a reported sexual assault on a teenage girl on a bus, gained a lot of reaction.

The police reported that a girl had been on a bus from Stroud to Gloucester on 9 December when a man made sexual comments before grabbing her.

Officers are keen to identify the man shown in an e-fit image with a grey moustache and wearing a tartan bucket hat and navy blue coat.

Somerset Council leader Bill Revans is reported to have asked the government for "exceptional financial support"

A flurry of comments were caused by reports that Somerset Council could declare bankruptcy in the spring without a "steep" rise in council taxes.

Somerset Live reported that rising costs and demand for services, particularly in children's services and adult social care, had left the council with an expected budget gap of £66m, despite £47m of savings already planned.

Council leader Bill Revans is reported to have asked the government for "exceptional financial support", including a request to raise council tax by more than the 5% limit currently permitted.

A new development is planned on the site of the Galleries shopping centre

The decision to knock down the Galleries shopping centre in Bristol was a big story for Bristol Live.

Planning permission has been approved to develop 450 homes, offices and student flats with 750 beds on the site.

The Galleries opened in 1991 but has struggled for many years, particularly since the opening in 2008 of the Cabot Circus shopping centre.

Reform UK Wells and Mendip Hills constituency branch chair Aimee Smith (L) welcomed Bente Height (R) to the party

Somerset Live's story on Reform UK gaining its first councillor in Somerset and the south west - after a longstanding Conservative councillor defected - performed well on Facebook.

Bente Height was originally elected to Mendip District Council in 2011 as a Conservative councillor for the Shepton East ward.

A swan has been named after Bettie Sloane, who brought "so much joy" to Slimbridge

And finally, Slimbridge Wetland Centre paid tribute to long-time volunteer Bettie Sloane, who brought "endless enthusiasm" to the team.

She was so popular they have decided to name one of the Bewick's swans after her.