As it happened: West of England

BBC Radio Gloucestershire has been at Cheltenham's Regency Arcade watching the well-known 'fish clock' being dismantled.

The 45-foot timepiece - which has been in place for 30 years - is being taken down so it can be restored to a fully-working condition.

It was designed by artist Kit Williams, who is famous for his book Masquerade, published in 1979.

Business leaders in Bristol have welcomed a major new road which could help to create over 2,000 jobs in the south of the city.

The link road was first suggested in council documents more than 80 years ago but today the route connecting Hartcliffe to the A370 finally opened to traffic. 

It's designed to cut congestion in the centre of Bristol as well as improving links to Bristol Airport.

Robert Sinclair, chief executive of the airport, said it was "great news".

BBCCopyright: BBC

About 30-40 cows have been stolen from a shed in the Henton area near Wells, Somerset.  

Avon and Somerset Police said the theft happened between 6pm last night and 7:30am this morning.

"The cattle had been wormed on Saturday and are therefore not fit for human consumption for several weeks," a force spokesman said.

Anyone with information on this incident, or if you'e been offered buy meat in suspicious circumstances, has been asked to call police on 101.

As far as opening ceremonies go, this one isn't exactly a ribbon cutting gala. 

Andrew Jones, the MP for Harrogate and Knaresborough, turned up to open the new South Bristol Link Road today. 

Here's how he did it:

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On Friday it was announced that pop band Little Mix are to perform at Kingsholm Stadium in the summer, and today the general admission tickets sold out.

Stephen Vaughan, CEO of Gloucester Rugby - who play at Kingsholm - said he had expected the concert to be busy but he told the club's website they had "been taken aback by the huge interest in sales".

Quote Message: It surpasses what we have seen to date. Right from 9am on Saturday morning when we opened our pre-sale for our Club and 1873 members, the phones have been ringing off the hook and it literally has become the hottest ticket in town. I would like to offer thanks to everyone's patience during this busy time, and offer apologies to anyone that will miss out. We are working hard to bring another act to Kingsholm this Summer too. from Stephen Vaughan CEO, Gloucester Rugby

It surpasses what we have seen to date. Right from 9am on Saturday morning when we opened our pre-sale for our Club and 1873 members, the phones have been ringing off the hook and it literally has become the hottest ticket in town. I would like to offer thanks to everyone's patience during this busy time, and offer apologies to anyone that will miss out. We are working hard to bring another act to Kingsholm this Summer too.

We've already featured Cheltenham's 'fish clock' and the work to remove and restore it.

It was designed by Kit Williams whose name may be familiar because he wrote the 1970's bestseller, Masquerade:

By today's standards it would be considered a viral success.

Back in the 1970s over two million people bought into a treasure hunt where the prize was hidden 'somewhere in England'.

Kit Williams was the author with a very fun and clever idea - buy the book and use the clues to piece together the journey that leads you to the golden hare.

The treasure was buried in a pottery container and was to the 70s what Pokemon Go was to 2016.

A school in South Gloucestershire has been plunged into controversy over racism and bullying - with the head teacher absent from work today. 

Ofsted inspectors say the incidents haven't been dealt with properly although parents we've spoken to say they've not heard of any problems:

South Gloucestershire Council said:

"The Meadows Primary School was inspected on the 24 and 25 November by Ofsted and was judged to be inadequate. 

"We are, of course, very disappointed with this outcome and we are working with the school to address the areas identified in the report."

Click here to read more.

When DIY SOS presenter Mark Millar lends his genuine laughter to the 'act of laughter' in a laughter yoga course he can't help but get into the laughing spirit of it.

Did we mention laughter ...

Quote Message: Nothing to do with jokes or funny ... it's the act of laughing itself from Yoga instructor

Nothing to do with jokes or funny ... it's the act of laughing itself

Watch Mark's full report on BBC Inside Out (West) - tonight on BBC1 at 7.30pm or later via the BBC iPlayer.

A huge mechanical clock in Cheltenham's Regent Arcade shopping centre is to be restored.

The 45-foot timepiece - the wishing fish clock - has been in place for more than 30 years.

It features an illusion of a goose that appears to lay a never-ending stream of golden eggs and a family of mice trying to evade a snake.

If you're near it on the half hour, you'll hear a catchy tune and see a large wooden fish blowing bubbles - if you can catch one you get to make a wish.

The attraction was designed by the artist Kit Williams, most famous for writing the 1979 book Masquerade which led readers on the hunt for a golden hare hidden somewhere in the UK.

The clock should be back to roost by the end of March.

Rex FeaturesCopyright: Rex Features

Front row pair Ross Batty and Max Lahiff have signed extended contracts with Premiership club Bath for a further two seasons.

Former Rotherham Titans hooker Batty, 29, has been with Bath since 2010.

Ex-London Irish prop Lahiff, 27, joined in 2015 and has made 50 Premiership appearances in Blue, Black and White.

"We are extremely pleased to have agreed deals with two key first-team squad players," director of rugby Todd Blackadder told the club website.

"They are energetic, hard-working, and have a really positive impact on and off the field."

BBCCopyright: BBC

A man has been jailed for 25 years for the sexual abuse of three children which started when he was a child.

Andrew Margetts, 31, from Somerset, started abusing the children when he was eight, Taunton Crown Court heard.

The 23 convictions relate to crimes he committed from the age of 10, because he was below the age of criminal responsibility when the abuse started.

Judge David Ticehurst said he was a "depraved young man, living a life of depravity, with perverted lust".

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Avon and Somerset ConstabularyCopyright: Avon and Somerset Constabulary

A gym owner who sexually assaulted one of his clients under the guise of helping her with stretches and treatment has been jailed.

Marcus Wooldridge, 36, of Blandamour Way, Bristol, was found guilty at Bristol Crown Court and sentenced to two years and nine months. 

The attack happened at the Fit Firm Gym in Hotwells Road - formerly owned and managed by Wooldridge.

Police believe there may be more victims as he worked in several Bristol gyms.

Click here to read more.