'Widespread flooding' and 'reward for lost £10m art'

12 hours ago

News image — Residents in Taunton, Somerset, were some of the worst affected by flooding in the region

BBC A car is stranded in floodwater in a road through a housing estate. The water is a muddy brown and reaches up to the lower walls of the houses — Residents in Taunton, Somerset, were some of the worst affected by flooding in the region

The disruption caused by heavy rain and flooding dominated the headlines here in the West Country this week.

Here is our weekly roundup of regional news from across the local websites.

What have been the big stories in the West this week?

Bristol Live reported on the "gradual decline" of the Broadwalk shopping centre in Knowle after the closure of its biggest supermarket. The remaining shops and businesses await a decision on whether the centre should be demolished.

A man who suffered a brain injury after a car crash and is unable to hold down a job due to his "lack of inhibition" was featured by the South West News Service. Nicholas Atherton, 33, from Cheltenham, has been dismissed from several jobs after making comments or gestures that colleagues find "inappropriate". The BBC reported his story earlier this month.

A Swindon artist whose paintings went missing when he was evicted from his London flat is offering a £50,000 reward for their return. The 630 artworks by surrealist Henry Orlik, 79, are valued at £10m and have been exhibited alongside Salvador Dali.

The announcement that Will Butt is leaving Bath Rugby prompted a lot of comments on the club's Facebook page. He will head south at the end of the season to Exeter Chiefs and was thanked for being "a valued part" of Bath Rugby's journey.

The Bristol International Balloon Fiesta posted some old pictures of Carol Kirkwood presenting weather forecasts from Ashton Court over the years to mark her decision to leave the BBC. The festival wished her "the best of luck in your next chapter and many great adventures ahead".