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Somerset in pictures: Tor aurora and Willow Man

Dan AyersBBC News, Somerset
News imageMichelle Cowbourne Massive castle like tor on the top of the hill with red sky and clouds in the backdrop in the skyMichelle Cowbourne
Somerset photographer Michelle Cowbourne captured Glastonbury Tor under the glow of the Northern Lights

It has been another busy week for photography in Somerset, with a round-up of the best pictures showing a dazzling display of the Northern Lights and the restoration of a much-loved pier in Weston-super-Mare.

The winners of Somerset Wildlife Trust's 60th anniversary photo competition were announced and an image of a stag with wire wrapped around its antlers also proved an interesting sight.

News imageFinley Miller Barn owl captured flying through the sky above some white flowers and grass Finley Miller
Finley Miller's image of a barn owl in flight won Somerset Wildlife Trust's 17 and under photography category

Questions were asked over the future of a giant Willow Man sculpture that has fallen into disrepair.

The cost of restoring the Somerset M5 landmark has risen to £1m, meaning it could be moved from its current position near Bridgwater.

News imageMassive sculpture of willow in the shape of a man. It's looking quite broken now with no head and lots of sticks.
Artist Serena De La Hay, who created the 40ft (12m) landmark in 2000, said: "We just need now to find other sources of potential funders."

A wildlife photographer managed to capture an image of a stag with green fencing wire wrapped around its antlers.

Paul Wilson, 56, who lives near the Quantocks, Somerset, took the photo while following the deer during the current rutting season.

He said the stag was unaffected by the wire and it was not blocking his sight nor too close to his mouth.

News imagePaul Wilson A stag with large antlers with green mesh wrapped around his themPaul Wilson
During mating season male deer try to make their antlers look bigger

After years of waiting, Weston-super-Mare is getting its old, historic and crumbling pier restored.

A multi-million pound project to restore the Grade II listed Birnbeck Pier is now under way.

News imageShot of old crumbling pier, with planks hanging off taken from a drone above it
Birnbeck Pier is the only pier in the country to link to an island

In some uplifting news to wrap up the week, 12-year-old Lola is back on her feet thanks to pioneering surgery.

Lola, a Labrador-spaniel, found it "impossible to walk" but vets in Somerset improved her mobility with a 3D-printed plate.

News imageCave Veterinary Specialists Black dog looking up at camera with a collar on. Cave Veterinary Specialists
Lola is enjoying walks again after pioneering surgery

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