'Warning over 2026 drought' and 'first snow'

"Multiple counties" in the West face the risk of drought next summer if this winter is drier than usual, the Environment Agency says

The first snow of the season fell in some areas across the West this week as temperatures dropped below freezing - but the Environment Agency has warned the area faces the risk of drought next summer if this winter is drier than usual.

Many news outlets reported on the man convicted of the murder of teenager Eddie Kinuthia in an attack just yards from his home.

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?

A jury found Zacharia Talbert-Young, 27, guilty of the murder of Eddie Kinuthia, 19, at Bristol Crown Court on Thursday, reported Bristol Live. He will be sentenced on Tuesday.

Tributes to a 26-year-old motorcyclist, who died in a crash on the A36 in Wiltshire, were reported in the Salisbury Journal

As temperatures dropped below freezing on Wednesday, rough sleepers have been offered accommodation, according to the Swindon Advertiser, and the Wilts and Glos Standard reported on a yellow Met Office warning in place for ice and sleet.

Weston-super-Mare AFC announced that planning permission for the club's Optima Stadium had been granted.

And according to Bristol Live, Bristol Waste has apologised after a binman working in Bishopston woke a family up by swearing.

Top five local stories for the BBC in the West

Something longer to read

Readers in Swindon were given a snapshot recently of what the town was like in the 1960s - written by local law firm, Townsend, to encourage a recently-qualified solicitor, living in London, to take a job there.

According to the Swindon Advertiser, the "beautiful, quirky and charming" portrait of the town concluded: "It is generally accepted that Swindon is a town with little (if any) class distinction, where energy and initiative bring rewards, and where a very friendly atmosphere exists – helpful and refreshing to many customers."

Explore more with our daily roundups