Dan Ayers

A mother from Devon says her nine-month-old daughter overheated when they were trapped in severe M5 congestion during hot weather. After the car began overheating, she drove along the hard shoulder to reach an exit and cool the baby, although National Highways advises motorists to remain in their vehicles because the hard shoulder must remain accessible to emergency services. Avon and Somerset Police says drivers facing a genuine emergency should call 999. Authorities expect significant M5 delays over the weekend and urge motorists to plan journeys carefully.

Heatwaves across the UK have driven unprecedented demand for home air conditioning, leaving installers overwhelmed and stocks depleted. Somerset-based firms report receiving up to 100 calls a week, with installation backlogs stretching into autumn due to shortages. Manufacturers such as Worcester Bosch have already exceeded last year’s sales, while homeowners weigh the costs and trade-offs between portable and fully installed systems, with prices ranging from a few hundred to several thousand pounds.

Record heat and dry conditions in Somerset have raised the likelihood of wildfire ignition to unprecedented levels, with a university fire prediction system indicating a 100% chance of spark-induced fires. Experts cite increasingly fire‑prone landscapes, while Natural England urges the public to avoid activities that could trigger ignition. Farmers report anxiety as machinery risks grow and dry crops heighten vulnerability, and fire crews have already responded to multiple incidents. Long dry spells are becoming more common, prompting calls for adaptation to shifting weather patterns.

Record heat and dry conditions have pushed the UK’s wildfire ignition risk to unprecedented levels, with fire prediction systems registering a 100% likelihood of ignition in parts of Somerset. Experts warn that highly dry vegetation, combined with wind and low humidity, has sharply increased danger from sources such as barbecues, cigarettes or sparks from farm machinery. Fire crews have responded to multiple incidents, and farmers report heightened anxiety as crop dryness raises the risk of fires starting during harvesting. Long‑term shifts in weather patterns, including extended dry spells, are noted by conservation staff, who say the country must adapt to changing climate conditions.

A £15bn increase in UK defence spending, the largest since the 1980s, is giving defence manufacturers in the West of England greater confidence to invest and expand. Companies including TEKEVER, Q5D and Thales say the multi‑year funding commitment, which prioritises AI, autonomy and unmanned systems, provides certainty for growth and job security. The investment plan, funded through cuts to other government projects, aims to raise defence spending to £80bn annually by 2029.

John Taylor, former owner of the Cricket St Thomas estate where To the Manor Born was filmed, paid tribute to Dame Penelope Keith following her death at 86, recalling her warmth, humour and close connection with the estate’s staff during production of the hit BBC sitcom. He noted the show’s origins through writer Peter Spence, continued public interest from visitors, and shared memories of participating in filming. The series’ enduring popularity led to a 2007 anniversary special also filmed on the estate. Taylor described Keith’s passing as the loss of a beloved television legend.