As it happened: West of England

Somerset CCC have named 22-year-old batsman Tom Abell as their new captain in four-day cricket, with Jim Allenby remaining in charge of their limited-overs side.

Abell replaces Chris Rogers as skipper, following the former Australia Test opener's retirement in September.

The sun didn't want to come out to play, but this is what daybreak looked like above Glastonbury Tor this morning.

The speeded up footage was filmed on the shortest day of the year - the winter solstice.

It has been engraved, posted and now a trophy given to Ben Smith at the BBC's Sports Personality of the Year show last weekend has finally arrived at his Bristol home.

Ben ran 401 marathons in 401 days for charity earlier this year.

He was presented with the Helen Rollason Award for achievement in the face of adversity.

The number of people begging on the streets of Gloucester has been cut dramatically since a new campaign in the summer.

Financial and housing support has been offered to nearly 40 people but there have also been arrests of so-called "professional beggars" - those who ask for money despite being on benefits and having somewhere to live.

Emily Jones, senior community safety officer with Gloucester City Council, is asking people not to give food or money to beggars, and Sergeant Matt Puttock from Gloucestershire Constabulary says the force is targeting those he describes as "cynical beggars".

Four men have been jailed over a series of cash machine explosions at petrol stations and other places.

At least 10 ATMs were targeted, including one in Marlborough, according to detectives.

Two men pleaded guilty to recklessly destroying or damaging the machines, mainly in the London area, by pumping gas into them and igniting it.

All four admitted conspiring to steal from cash machines in August and September.

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The double Olympic gold medalist James Cracknell has taken over the reins of the Cheltenham Half Marathon.

The former rower has teamed up with Run Joy Ltd as the event's new organisers.

After problems this year with competitors getting held up in traffic and unable to make it to the start line, he's promising things next year will be different.

It'll take place on Sunday 1 October 2017.

BBCCopyright: BBC

Bristol Rovers are a step closer to moving to a new training ground, after their planning application to develop a site at Colony Farm in Almondsbury was approved on Tuesday.

Chairman Steve Hamer told the club website: “We are delighted with the outcome of the planning application to develop a new training ground and look forward, as a club, to progressing the acquisition.”

Rovers' first-team squad have trained near Henbury since 2012.

Thousands of people flocked to Stonehenge this morning to celebrate the Winter Solstice.

The cameras captured some of the colourful characters and sounds of the celebrations.

Earlier we told you about a new service, designed to reduce pressure on A&E at the Bristol Royal Infirmary, being suspended following the death of a patient. 

The Front Door scheme assesses if people turning up to casualty need to be seen in the emergency department.

Last month a man was treated but not admitted to hospital. He died two days later.

BBC Points West's Health correspondent Matthew Hill said an investigation had been launched.

More now on the news that former Royal Marine Alexander Blackman, known as Marine A, who is serving life for the murder of an Afghan fighter, has been refused bail ahead of an appeal.

The 42-year-old from Taunton was sentenced to life by a court martial in 2013 and had an appeal dismissed in 2014.

The case is due to be heard by the Court Martial Appeal Court for a second time next year.

Richard Drax, Conservative MP and former army officer, said he had got to know Blackman through prison visits and he is "an extraordinary man".

BBCCopyright: BBC

Christmas presents bought for a young child have been stolen from a car parked outside a house in Salisbury, leaving the family "raw and upset".

Wiltshire Police said the theft happened in Methuen Drive overnight on Monday into Tuesday.

The mother, who doesn't want to be identified, said: "This is my little one's first Christmas and the presents were from Grandparents and an Auntie who are also very upset that their special gifts have been stolen. 

"I know my baby won't be aware but that is not the point.

"It feels very raw and upsetting, the car has been smashed and routed through by someone and the worst feeling is that they might come back.

"I am devastated that this has happened and ask that anyone who has information contacts the police please."

Cotswold AONBCopyright: Cotswold AONB

Which is your favourite of these Cotswold scenes?

These ten finalists have been chosen for this year's Cotswolds Landscape Photographer of the year award. 

Cotswold AONBCopyright: Cotswold AONB

More than 170 entries were received in the competition which is marking the 50th anniversary of the Cotswolds as an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB).

The overall winner will now be chosen by an online public vote.

Cotswold AONBCopyright: Cotswold AONB

Claire Blackman, the wife of a former Royal Marine who will not be released on bail ahead of an appeal hearing, has said she is "obviously disappointed" with the decision.

Alexander Blackman is serving life for the murder of an Afghan fighter.

An appeal is due to be heard by the Court Martial Appeal Court for a second time next year.

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Avon and Somerset PoliceCopyright: Avon and Somerset Police

A man who murdered his partner has been jailed for life with a minimum term of 17 years.

Vaclovas Liubavicius, 62, (pictured above) was found guilty of killing fellow Lithuanian national Nijole Sventeckiene, 61, (pictured below) following a trial at Bristol Crown Court.

The jury heard how Nijole, known locally as Nelly, died of knife wounds after being attacked by her partner of five years in her flat on Gadshill Road, in the Eastville area of Bristol on 21 June.

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Avon and Somerset PoliceCopyright: Avon and Somerset Police

Highways England says there's currently delays of an hour. Normal conditions are expected after 5.30pm.

PACopyright: PA

More on the news that ex-Royal Marine Alexander Blackman has been refused bail ahead of an appeal.

The 42-year-old from Taunton was sentenced to life by a court martial in 2013 for the murder of an Afghan fighter, and had an appeal dismissed in 2014.  

His case is due to be heard by the Courts Martial Appeal Court for a second time next year.

Click here to read more.