'Hot air balloon excitement' and 'bomb scare'

One of a fleet of hot air balloons takes off from College Green, Bristol, on Friday

Here's our weekly roundup of stories from across local websites in the West of England.

We have a daily round up as well. Make sure you look out for it on the website and the local section of the BBC News app.

What have been the big stories in the West this week?

Earlier this week, police named the 10-year-old boy who died when a coach carrying Minehead Middle School students crashed on the way back from a zoo trip.

Ch Supt Mark Edgington, from Avon and Somerset Police, said the force's thoughts were with Oliver Price's family at this "unimaginably difficult time".

A major incident was declared in Bristol as hundreds of residents were evacuated from their homes in Ashton Vale.

A cordon was put in place for several hours while a bomb disposal team examined the area. A man was arrested after reports he was acting suspiciously, but was later released on bail.

Resident doctors began a five-day strike on Friday over a pay dispute with the government. Gloucestershire A&E has made major changes that will last for the duration of the action.

Excitement is building in Bristol ahead of the International Balloon Fiesta from 8 to 10 August.

Balloons have been taken to several schools on a "tether roadshow" and a fleet of balloons rose across the city in a mass ascent on Friday.

Top five local stories for the BBC in the West

Something longer to read

Bristol Live has visited the site of the YTL Bristol Arena – which is still unfinished following years of promises.

Many Bristolians are sceptical as to whether the arena will ever materialise.

Its chief executive, Andrew Billingham, told the website: "We're doing everything in our powers – we want this open as soon as we can."

Explore more with our daily roundups