Headlines: Storm death, fake scent and a festive pony

Tom Voyce in a formal photograph smiling at the camera and wearing a blue suit and pink, open-necked shirt.Image source, Northumbria Police/PA Wire
Image caption,

Tom Voyce's family have expressed their gratitude for all the help and support from police, friends and the local community

  • Published

Storm Darragh continued to dominate the headlines earlier this week as travel across the West was disrupted and properties were affected by power cuts and fallen trees.

There have been tributes to the former Bath and Gloucester rugby star, Tom Voyce, who died after being swept away in flooding in Northumberland.

A warning by police over counterfeit perfume which may contain human urine caused a stir in Bristol.

And the news trending in Somerset was about burglars who caused a bittersweet Christmas lights switch-on in Priddy.

Image source, Action Images/Reuters
Image caption,

Mr Voyce was reported missing on 8 December

There were heartfelt comments posted on social media after the body of former England rugby international Tom Voyce was found on Thursday.

Mr Voyce, 43, is believed to have been swept away by the current while trying to cross a ford in his car near Alnwick.

Among those from the world of rugby who have paid tribute were former England international Mike Tindall, who played with Mr Voyce at Gloucester.

"He epitomised rugby as a game for all shapes and sizes, punching well above his weight," he said.

Gloucester Rugby, external said they were "desperately sad to hear the distressing news regarding our former player and friend", while Bath Rugby, external posted on Facebook saying their "thoughts and prayers" are with Mr Voyce's loved ones.

Image source, Avon and Somerset police
Image caption,

Fake Chanel, Hugo Boss and Tom Ford perfumes have been confiscated by officers in Bristol

Police in Bristol have issued a warning to Christmas shoppers over a rise in counterfeit perfumes, external being sold on the city's streets, according to Bristol Live.

Officers out on patrol around Castle Park and Broadmead seized suspected fake perfumes on 9 December.

Reporter, Shannon Brown, quoted Avon and Somerset Police on X saying: "These items may not be good for you as dodgy perfume may contain harmful toxic chemicals, including cyanide, and, in some cases, human urine."

Image source, Somerset Live
Image caption,

The Queen Victoria Inn is illuminated by 55,000 Christmas lights each year to raise money for a children's charity

Somerset Live covered the burglary at the Queen Victoria Inn, external, in Priddy, which was broken into on the same night as the pub switched on its 55,000 Christmas lights.

Mark and Debs Walton decorate their pub every year with festive illuminations, including a giant snowman made out of 2,500 wine bottles, to raise money for Children's Hospice South West (CHSW).

Senior Reporter, Lisa Letcher, said the owners alluded to the money being stolen from "a collection for poorly children".

Image source, Google
Image caption,

The woman was jogging in Barton Hill when she said she was "slapped and grabbed by three young men wearing balaclavas"

The story about a woman who said she was sexually assaulted, external by "a gang of three masked yobs" in Bristol created a lot of interest.

Bristol Live reporter, Tristan Cork, quoted the victim saying she was jogging at the entrance to Netham Park in Barton Hill, when she was "slapped and grabbed by three young men wearing balaclavas" who were all on the same moped.

Police are investigating a spate of six similar, disturbing incidents recently, which are believed to be linked.

In each case, two or three masked young men on a moped were reported across a wide area of the city trying to push cyclists off their bikes as they rode alongside them.

Image source, Cheltenham Borough Council
Image caption,

Some householders in Cheltenham will have to wait an extra two weeks for the bins to be emptied over the festive period

In Gloucestershire, a top post for ITV News West Country was about some bin collections in Cheltenham being delayed by two weeks, external over Christmas.

Collections due on 25, 26, and 27 December have been rescheduled for 8, 9, and 10 January, respectively.

Borough councillor Izaac Tailford said the approach will "allow waste and recycling teams to enjoy some proper time off".

Image source, Google
Image caption,

The news that Jolly's department store in Bath is to close attracted a lot of comments on Facebook

Somerset Live reported that the famous Jolly's is to close, external early next year. The shop is one of Europe's oldest department stores.

Bath and North East Somerset Council, which owns the site, said plans are at "an advanced stage" with a new occupier, but hasn't said what will happen to the building.

Bath Live's Facebook page attracted a lot of comments about the store closing down after 200 years., external

One post said: "Milsom Street, Bath, was always Jolly's. All my life I've shopped there and know many staff now dead or retired. This is like Harrods in London closing, it's so sad."

Image source, Secret World Wildlife Rescue
Image caption,

The vixen was taken in by an animal rescue charity after becoming injured in Bristol

The poor fox rescued after becoming trapped in a football net, external in a garden in Bristol has sparked a lot of sympathy.

The vixen was taken in by Secret World Wildlife Rescue after being found with a severe constriction injury to her leg.

Staff at the animal charity said she was "currently recovering well and was completely relaxed during the recent storm".

Image source, Sam Dracott-Farrier/PA Wire
Image caption,

Tinkerbell visited children in Great Western Hospital, Swindon.

ITV News West Country's photographs of a miniature pony visiting children in hospital, external in Swindon melted hearts this week.

Tinkerbell the Shetland pony spread some festive cheer at the Great Western Hospital - visiting young patients in their beds.

She was taken by Dinky Ponies, which provides equine-assisted therapy to care homes, hospitals and schools across Wiltshire and Gloucestershire.

Sam Dracott-Farrier, her handler, said: "I've never dressed up as Santa before, but seeing the look on the children's faces has given me a new love for all things Father Christmas. I would love to do it all again."