A kidney transplant patient from Taunton has been one of the first to receive a free food box of essential supplies from the government.

The first 2,000 food parcels were delivered this weekend to those who cannot leave their homes because severe health conditions leave them most vulnerable to Covid-19.

Dave Lorenzo-Evans said the food parcel was a "nice surprise".

He added: "I filled out the online form last week and I didn't hear anything back then at half ten on Saturday morning there was a knock on the door and there was a nice man with a Boris box, I suppose you can call it.

"It was great, with everything from tea bags to instant coffee, rice, potatoes, carrots, apples, the mythical baked beans and toilet rolls that nobody's been able to get hold of. Basic essentials, but very useful."

North Bristol NHS is trying to tackle the adverse effects of misinformation during the coronavirus outbreak.

The trust has begun tweeting links to trusted sources of local care and health information in Bristol, North Somerset and South Gloucestershire.

The man , known to both victims has been charged with two counts of attempted murder.

Tom Ramm flew to Morocco in mid-March and says his return flights were cancelled.

Somerset West and Taunton Council have announced that Somerfest will not take place this year.

The annual celebration of Somerset’s culture and diversity was due to take place on 13 June.

Councillor Marcus Kravis, executive member for economic development, said: “Whilst this is an incredibly popular event in Taunton, which brings in a large number of people every year, it would not be prudent to carry on with our plans during this time of great uncertainty."

The event will be postponed until 2021.

Image source, Getty Images

Wiltshire Council has released details of its plans for dealing with a potential surge in demand for mortuary and coroner services.

In partnership with the coroner, hospital trusts, emergency services and the army, it says it is "establishing temperature-controlled storage facilities at Great Western Hospital and Salisbury District Hospital to rest those who have lost their lives from COVID-19."

They will increase the county's capacity for mortuary spaces by 1,000.

The sites are to be protected by private security contractors with support from Wiltshire Police.

"All those who pass away will be treated with dignity and respect at all times," it said.

Bristolians are continuing to show their support for NHS workers tackling coronavirus.

One household in Knowle is making sure nobody forgets what they are doing to keep us all safe.

Characters from the television series This Country - Kerry and Kurtan Mucklowe - have sent a video message of support for NHS workers in the West.

The video, for Great Western Hospital in Swindon, was shared on the hospital's Twitter page.

In the message, Kerry said: "You're all a bunch of absolute legends."

Hanham Woods Academy PE students have pretty well nailed it!

Bristol's mayor, Marvin Rees is due to do a live online Q&A session on the current outbreak.

The session will be streamed this evening on the mayor's Facebook page at 18:30 GMT.

Residents of Bristol have been invited by Bristol City Council to ask questions in advance by commenting on the initial tweet sent out from the Mayor or by using the hashtag #AskBristolMayor

Repairs "short of a permanent solution" are discounted "as they too are likely to fail".

Image source, Severn Trent

Severn Trent water company says it has dealt with more than 3000 cases of sewer flooding and blockages in the last fortnight.

It believes the increase is down to "blockages being full of kitchen roll and wipes."

The company's head of blockages, Grant Mitchell, said: “We know just how worrying it is for everyone at the moment and we want to reassure our customers that we’re working really hard to keep our essential service running.

"We know that some people are having to resort to using a whole manner of things to substitute for toilet roll at the moment, but a sewer blockage is the last thing that anyone needs right now.

"Kitchen roll and wipes are not designed to break down like loo roll is so please remember to bin them otherwise you could end up blocking your sewer pipes."

“On top of doing one of the most mucky jobs out there, our teams are getting asked why they’re out and about a lot... If more and more sewers need unblocking, they need to be out more, so please be understanding, as no-one really wants to dig out poo, kitchen roll and wipes."

Chris Quevatre
BBC News Online

Helicopters usually used to hunt down submarines have been reassigned to help the NHS during the coronavirus pandemic.

Three Merlin helicopters from 820 Naval Air Squadron at RNAS Culdrose will provide "round-the-clock assistance to the NHS" and ambulance service, acting as "flying ambulances and transporters, flying supplies and personnel".

They will cover a population of more than 4.5 million people across Devon, Cornwall, Dorset, Bristol, Somerset, the Isles of Scilly and the Channel Islands.

Image source, RNAS Culdrose

Image source, RNAS Yeovilton

The government has been giving more details of how helicopters based at RNAS Yeovilton will be used to help in the fight against the virus.

Earlier this week Leonardo announced that three of its Wildcats would be operating out of the base.

Cabinet minister, Michael Gove, said: "These helicopter facilities are being set up to support medical transport across Scotland and the rest of the United Kingdom.

"The task force is also available for general support such as moving equipment and personnel to where they are needed."

Bristol residents have been putting up posters to support their recycling teams.

Bristol City Council shared an image of a poster made by residents this morning on Twitter.

In response, Bristol Waste said: "Thank you to everyone putting signs up to support our crews.

"They love seeing them as they are out on their rounds. Thanks Bristol."

A local Bedminster resident has 3D printed face guards to protect pharmacists working in Bedminster Pharmacy.

On Twitter, pharmacist Ade Williams said it was an "amazing act of kindness".

Mr Williams said: "Help is coming from unexpected sources."

West of England Combined Authority withdraws support for Bath College project due to spiralling costs.

Somerset’s local authorities want care workers to come forward and "play a vital role in tackling coronavirus pressures".

Hospitals, councils and care providers are working together to increase the number of medically-well people who can be discharged home or to a residential care home, freeing up more hospital beds.

They have funded 60 additional beds in care homes, as well as bringing 40 beds in a redundant care home back into use, to create the increased capacity.

"This will be happening quickly and safely in the coming days," they say, "and many of those leaving hospital will need care support, either at home or in a care home.

"More carers, across the sector, are needed to help. They are looking for "people who have ideally worked in care settings before and have retired or moved into different fields".

More information about the paid roles available is here, external.

Emily Eavis is donating cotton bags from the Glastonbury Festival to hospitals and NHS workers in need.

The bags will be used to place worn scrubs into before they are washed to help avoid cross contamination.

Emily tweeted that they were sending the bags to “as many hospitals as we can”.

The idea came from fashion journalist Gemma Cartwright who posted a Twitter plea for cotton tote bags for an NHS worker who needed them to put her scrubs in rather than putting them straight into the wash with clothing from the rest of her house.

A Glastonbury fan Tweeted Emily to ask if there were any “Kicking about” after the cancellation of this year’s 50th anniversary event.