As it happened: West of England

Adge Bell-Irving was jailed for three years after he hit a tree while drink-driving, killing his friend Ben McGrath. 

Ben's family have forgiven him and now Ben's sister Rachel and Adge are campaigning for drivers to think before they drive after drinking at Christmas.

A Bristol student who spent an evening with a homeless man who later turned out to an escaped convict says he found the whole experience very "moving".

Tom Philips saw Admi Headley drunk in an alleyway and decided to invite him in for some water. 

After a while, Admi admitted he had absconded from HMP Leyhill in South Gloucestershire in November, where he was serving a sentence for rape and robbery.

Rex FeaturesCopyright: Rex Features

England Rugby captain Sarah Hunter is hoping for further success in 2017 when England defend their World Cup title in Ireland.

The Bristol number eight, who lives and works in Bath, was officially crowned the world's best for 2016.

"It's fantastic to get the award and recognition, but it doesn't really sit very comfortably with me," the 31-year-old told BBC Sport.

Click here to read the full story.

The cold weather has been giving you some great photo opportunities, Michael Thorne sent in this photo of a tractor out at work in Somerset.

At the time he took the photos, it was -6C. Brrrr!

Michael ThorneCopyright: Michael Thorne

Photographer Josh Dury captured Glastonbury Tor with a rare double green flash. The phenomenon is caused by light refracting in the earth's atmosphere and is a momentary effect. 

Josh DuryCopyright: Josh Dury

Richard Anthony snapped this photo of the Burton Pynsent Monument from West Sedgemoor.

Richard AnthonyCopyright: Richard Anthony

In Bristol, Ian Milnes sent us this dramatic photo of fog in the Avon Gorge this afternoon.

Ian MilnesCopyright: Ian Milnes

Avon and Somerset Police has joined other forces in launching their annual crackdown on drink and drug driving today.

Last year the force arrested 155 people, charging 96 of them with offences. They also breathalysed 1,430 people. 

This year it's encouraging people to report suspected drink or drug-driving by texting the word "drunk" to 81819, along with the car's details and location. 

Gloucestershire County CouncilCopyright: Gloucestershire County Council

As work continues on major roadworks in Gloucester, some aerial photos of the progress so far have been unveiled.

Gloucestershire County Council is working on one of the busiest traffic junctions in the county - Elmbridge Court roundabout.

Work began in August and once completed it will have a new straight-on "hamburger lane", wider approach lanes and the latest traffic signal technology, the council said.

Gloucestershire County CouncilCopyright: Gloucestershire County Council

Environment AgencyCopyright: Environment Agency

It seems salmon are making a comeback on the River Tone in Somerset.

The Environment Agency says "good numbers" of Atlantic salmon have been seen this autumn, as they migrate upstream to their spawning grounds.

They say sightings have included the fish leaping weirs and ascending fish passes in Taunton and on the upper reaches of the river.  

The recent heavy rain is just what they've been waiting for and has triggered their migration upstream.

A couple at the centre of a search to reunite them with their wedding photos have been found. Romanian Alex Galmeanu discovered the images on undeveloped film inside a camera he bought online.  

Dozens of people contacted the BBC to suggest where the photos were taken, identifying the location as Burleigh Court Hotel, Gloucestershire.

The BBC has since been contacted by Al Bremner, who said the wedding photos show his sister Kathleen getting married to her husband, Pete Maloney.

His sister now lives in Cheltenham but Pete has since emigrated to Australia. The photos were spotted by Al's daughter, Sheena.

Alex GalmeanuCopyright: Alex Galmeanu

The Dogs Trust, which has a base near Salisbury, is temporarily rebranding as the Socks Trust. 

The charity is hoping the unusual name will make people think before buying dogs as presents this Christmas.

Quote Message: Last year we had nearly 200 phone calls from people wanting to hand in their dogs over Christmas and we took in 28 unwanted dogs." from Terry Lafyn Supervisor at the Newton Tony Kennels

Last year we had nearly 200 phone calls from people wanting to hand in their dogs over Christmas and we took in 28 unwanted dogs."

An auction is taking place in Bristol this Saturday consisting entirely of Lego. East Bristol Auctions in Hanham says it's the world's only specialist Lego auction.

Some of the lots on offer aren't particularly old but have gone up in value dramatically since the year 2000.

BBCCopyright: BBC

Thames Valley Police say a 43-year-old man from Wiltshire is being questioned on suspicion of causing serious injury by dangerous driving.

Officers were called to reports of a crash involving seven vehicles on the A420 in Faringdon at 7.05am this morning.

A number of people were injured and taken to hospital.

What looks like yellow scaffold lagging (to stop you bumping your head on scaffold towers) has been added to a number of statues around Bristol over the last three days.

It first appeared on this statue of William III in Queens Square.

Then in this addition to the Queen Victoria statue on College Green.

BBCCopyright: BBC

Today it's been added to the fountain outside the Victoria Rooms on Queens Road, someone has been having fun!

PACopyright: PA

Did you witness an armed robbery in Kings Stanley last night?

Gloucestershire Police say three men wearing balaclavas entered the Co-op on High Street with an iron bar at about 9.45pm.

They escorted staff into an office where they ordered them to open the safe. 

Thousands of pounds were stolen before the men got away. 

None of the staff were physically harmed but were left distressed and shaken, police said.

Anyone with information should call police on 101.

Earlier we told you about the adorable penguins that were visiting a care home in Wiltshire. How could we let the day go by without giving them some more coverage?

They've been visiting the Avonbourne Care Centre in Old Sarum to help cheer up some of the residents there, it looks like they succeeded.

BBCCopyright: BBC

Gloucestershire Police has been named as one of the forces being investigated by the Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC) over alleged failures to deal with allegations of child sexual abuse in the past.

Last week a BBC Freedom of Information request revealed the IPCC was carrying out 187 inquiries nationally, with 18 forces - including Avon and Somerset and Wiltshire - the subject of complaints of wrongdoing by officers.

Today the IPCC disclosed that it was involved in 36 more inquiries and the number of forces under investigation is now 28.

Dorset & Wiltshire Fire and Rescue ServiceCopyright: Dorset & Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service

Dorset & Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service's new Chief Fire Officer has started in the role today.

Ben Ansell has taken over from Darran Gunter, who has retired.

Mr Ansell said he was "very proud".

"The Service has seen a huge change this year following combination, and I plan to build upon the excellent work of our staff to make our communities safer," he said.