A Liberal Democrat-run council has been criticised for lending £500,000 to an organisation installing solar farms in the West.

Conservative councillors on Bath & North East Somerset Council say that as well as being too great a financial risk it is potentially not in taxpayers' interests.

The decision in principle to lend £500,000 to a "community benefit society" building a solar farm has now been called in for scrutiny.

The loan decision was made by Councillor Paul Crossley, leader of the Liberal Democrat-controlled council, and Councillor David Bellotti, the Cabinet member for community resources on the understanding that it would be subject to due diligence.

The cross-party Policy Development and Scrutiny Panel for Resources will review the decision on September 29, after ten councillors formally asked for the call-in. Members of the public who want to speak at the meeting, which will be held at the Guildhall, and start at 10am, should contact Democratic Services on 01225 394411 by 5pm on September 24.

Conservatives have questioned how the authority can afford to give away such a large sum of money at a time of tight finances and cutbacks to local services. They also say their research shows the credit limit recommended for Bath and West Community Energy Ltd, by ratings agency D&B is only £15,000.

The enterprise is a community benefit society committed to developing and installing low carbon energy generation projects for the benefit of the local community. It owns and operates ten solar pv sites in Wiltshire and Bath & North East Somerset. The green electricity produced directly benefits all those who use the buildings. Eight of the sites are in local schools.

The loan is to help with the provision of solar farm at Wilmington, and would be made using money from the council's £1 million Green Investment and Jobs Fund, set-up in February.

However Conservatives have questioned the number of permanent local jobs that will be created.

Conservative councillor Liz Richardson, who is leading the call-in of the decision, said: "We fully support efforts by the council to cut carbon emissions and increase the use of renewable energy in the area. But it's also extremely important that taxpayers' money is spent wisely, especially at a time of tight finances and when the council is cutting back on local services like public toilets.

"We are concerned that the council has not exercised due diligence before taking the in-principle decision to award this loan. This should be done before the decision is taken, not after.

Conservative leader, Councillor Tim Warren, added: "Why is it necessary for the council to loan this money to the company rather than a bank? And why were no other options considered for using this money in a way which supported the creation of a larger number of jobs, or generated a greater return for the council?"

Councillor David Martin, member for energy and climate change said: "The proposed loan to this solar farm array is being made to support the development of renewable energy in the area. The project would provide sufficient electricity to power over 600 homes."

*West Country Life - Walk into autumn in the glorious West

*7-day TV guide plus gorgeous properties

*Free 50 double flowered freesia bulbs - worth £24 for every reader

*Free Ryder Cup 8-page special supplement

*2 for 1 afternoon tea at Bailbrook House Hotel in Bath

*30 % off at The Hotel Collection

Like our FACEBOOK page and follow us on TWITTER for our reader offers.

Emergency services were called out to the scene of an accident involving a motorbike on Kingston, A37, in Yeovil, yesterday afternoon.

A spokeswoman from South Western Ambulance service said an air ambulance helicopter landed at Yeovil College and paramedics attended.

She said one person has been hurt and is suffering from leg and hip injuries.

Motorists were advised to find alternative routes.

A 22-year-old man was airlifted to hospital in Bristol with serious head injuries after he fell from the back of a moving truck in Holnest, near Sherborne.

The farm worker fell from the rear of a Mitsubishi pick-up being driven by another local man as the pair were bringing cattle back to a farm in Holnest, near Sherborne on Thursday afternoon.

He was airlifted from the scene to hospital where he underwent surgery last night.

Seven Ash Common Road at Holnest was closed for several hours while the scene of the accident was examined. The road runs from Stockbridge to Holnest, where it meets the A352 Dorchester to Sherborne road.

Police are appealing for witnesses and anyone with information to contact PC 2464 Tatton of the Weymouth traffic office on 101.

The A436 in Gloucestershire is closed both ways this morning between A435 Cirencester Road Severn Springs and A40 Shipton.

There is a diversion in operation following an earlier lorry fire which has closed the road in both ways between  between Severn Springs and Kilkenny Arms, Kilkenny in Shipton.

prings and Kilkenny Arms, Kilkenny in Shipton, because of earlier lorry fire. Diversion in operation - local.

Gloucester 22 Exeter Chiefs 25

The Cherry and Whites appeared on course for consecutive wins thanks to two tries in as many minutes through Jonny May and Dan Murphy.

But Sila Puafisi and Dan Murphy were given a torrid time at the set-piece and Gareth Steenson booted Exeter level before Ben White crossed.

Henry Slade kept the scoreboard ticking before Sione Kalamafoni drove over to set up a thrilling finale.

James Hook cut the deficit to three points but Gloucester were unable to snatch a win as Exeter climbed to the peak of the Premiership table.

With Henry Trinder ruled out due to a shoulder injury, Gloucester sprung a surprise with the inclusion of Henry Purdy at outside centre.

The England Junior World Championship winner only joined the Cherry and Whites in the summer and was making his first start in the Premiership but David Humphreys had no concerns about throwing the former Leicester Tiger into the number 13 jersey.

Gloucester made three other changes with Sila Puafisi starting ahead of John Afoa, Tom Palmer making his first start and Ross Moriarty deputising on the open side.

Steenson booted the visitors into the lead on two minutes after Matthew Carley harshly penalised Gloucester at the breakdown.

But Gloucester were undeterred and Exeter were dealt a blow when Ian Whitten was sent to the sin-bin for taking Charlie Sharples out in the air.

The Cherry and Whites quickly capitalised on their numerical advantage, although on the opposite wing thanks to May.

James Hook got the ball moving forward on the counter-attack, before it was quickly recycled and spread right.

Purdy and Rob Cook drew their defenders perfectly to release May, who tore down the wing before chipping ahead and winning the race by his fingertips.

Following much TMO deliberation Carley awarded the effort and although Laidlaw was off target with the conversion he had the chance to make amends after just one minute.

Gloucester instantly put the Chiefs under pressure and they failed to properly clear their lines, allowing the hosts the opportunity to attack.

Richard Hibbard found Tom Palmer at the lineout and the pack powered over to allow Murphy to touch down.

But indiscipline was to the Cherry and Whites' detriment and Steenson chipped away with two penalties.

Sila Puafisi was also pinged at the scrum and that allowed Steenson to draw level on 23 minutes.

The set-piece continued to cause Gloucester problems, with Murphy this time the culprit, but Steenson was unable to add a long range effort – his first miss of the season.

However it reared it's head again and the Chiefs surged down field before Ben White crashed over from close-range.

Steenson added the extras before Henry Slade added a penalty to hand Exeter a 22-12 lead at the interval.

It looked as though Exeter had landed a killer blow in the early pass as Will Chudley hacked through and caught Gloucester napping.

TMO Geoff Warren and Carley found there was a knock on in the build up but moments later Gloucester were reduced to 14 men.

Within just three minutes of coming on Matt Kvesic was sin-binned for lifting the of Thomas Waldrom, even though he was not the culprit and even then harsh.

Slade slotted the ensuing penalty while Laidlaw was off-target as Gloucester attempted to fight back.

But Kalamafoni dragged the Cherry and Whites back into the game as he burrowed over from close range following a sustained period of pressure.

Hook added the extras and a penalty with eight minutes to spare as Gloucester frantically chased victory.

But they were unable to manufacture a match-winning score as Exeter left Kingsholm with the spoils for the second season in a row.

R Cook (B Meakes 75); C Sharples, H Purdy (M Atkinson 52), B Twelvetrees, J May; J Hook, G Laidlaw (D Robson 57); D Murphy (Y Thomas 57), R Hibbard (A Lutui 52), S Puafisi (J Afoa 44), T Savage (E Stooke 19), T Palmer, S Kalamafoni, R Moriarty (M Kvesic 44), B Morgan

Tries - J May, D Murphy, S Kalamafoni; Con – G Laidlaw, J Hook; Pen – J Hook

C Botha (P Dollman 66); I Whitten (J Nowell 52), H Slade, S Hill, M Jess; G Steenson H Thomas(W Chudley 11); B Moon (C Rimmer 59), J Yeandle (capt) (E Taione 63), T Francis (M Low 52), M Lees (R Caldwell 54), D Welch, D Ewers, B White (K Horstmann 59) , T Waldrom

Try – B White; Con – G Steenson; Pens – G Steenson (4), H Slade (2)

Referee: M Carley

Attendance: 13, 463

The Met Office have this morning updated the weather warning issued yesterday. Further heavy showers and thunderstorms are likely to continue in through Saturday and into Saturday evening, with the main risk becoming confined to southern parts of Somerset from late afternoon.

A spokeperson for the Met Office said: "The public should be aware of the potential for isolated disruption due to surface water flooding and lightning strikes.

They added: "The humid, unstable airmass across southern Britain will remain in place through Saturday. Scattered heavy showers and thunderstorms are therefore likely to continue to affect some areas.

"Many places will miss these storms, but where they do occur we are likely to see up to 30mm rainfall in a short space of time, whilst lightning and hail may be additional hazards. The main risk of thunderstorms will become confined to southern parts of the warning area (Somerset) from late afternoon.

Elsewhere, early mist and fog will clear during the morning, to leave a day of sunny spells and isolated showers.

Tonight:

Cloudy at first with isolated showers gradually fading away southwards. Turning drier, clearer but also chilly in the north by dawn. However staying cloudy and mild along the south coast. Minimum Temperature 9C.

Sunday:

Rather cloudy conditions in the south will clear, to leave most places fine with sunny spells. Whilst further clouds could build later, it should stay dry with only light winds. Maximum Temperature 21C.

Outlook for Monday to Wednesday:

A fine and often sunny start to the week, although staying cloudier at times along the coast. Remaining warm, especially in the sunshine, with mostly light winds.

A Bristol mother has been charged with murdering a newborn baby.

The 33-year-old woman, of Marshall Walk, Knowle, appeared before Bristol Magistrates' Court today.

Avon and Somerset Police said officers were called on Monday to a house in Knowle after the body of a newborn baby girl was found.

The woman, Claudia Martins, was arrested the following day on suspicion of murder.

* The woman has appeared before magistrates this morning, Saturday, and was remanded in custody to reappear at Bristol Crown Court on Tuesday.

1. 15,000 runners will be pounding the streets of Bristol in the annual Bristol Half Marathon - thousands for good causes.

2. The first wave of runners will set off from the Harbourside start at 9.30am and the second wave will go at 10am.

3. The Bristol Half Marathon 2014 is full and you are not able to register on the day. Only registered runners will be allowed to compete.

4. Runners wear 'timing chips' on their trainers which clocks their individual times.

5.Bristol Half Marathon runners must never swap race numbers as it could lead to a serious medical situation

6. Many roads will be closed from 3am on race day and all roads will be open by 5pm.

7. Due to road closures, there will be some changes to taxi ranks which will have signs indicating the nearest alternative.

8. There are water stations at 2.5miles, 5.5miles, 8.5miles and 10.5miles and at the finish. And High5 EnergyGel stations at 4.5 and 8.5miles and at finish.

9. Bristol Half Marathon 2014 race results will be published by 9pm on race night.

10. The first male and female runner to cross the line will both receive £1,000.

Are you running? Do you feel prepared? How much charity money have you got riding on you finishing?

Let us know your story and why you are running - follow us and tweet @WesternDaily - Like our Facebook page and comment or email us at wdnews@b-n.co.uk

Read why Western Daily Press Digital Publisher Sarah Trevelyan is running here.

Many roads in Bristol will be closed to traffic on Sunday, September 21, 2014. Bristol City Council apologises for any inconvenience this may cause but ask that you use the information below to plan your journey and hope that you will support the many thousands of participants taking part in this premier event for the city of Bristol.

For further information call the traffic hotline on 0117 9031212. A map of the road closures can be downloaded here.

3.00am-5pm

Anchor Road (part)

Canons Way (part)

Partition Street

Lower College Street

6.30am-12pm

Hotwell Road

Merchants Road

Humphrey Davey Way

Cumberland Basin Road (part)

Brunel Way (part)

Anchor Road/Canons Way (part)

6am-3pm

Cabot Way

Portway

Bridge Valley Road

Bennett Way (part)

Cumberland Basin Road (part)

5.30am-2pm

Brunel Lock Road

Ashmead Way

Smeaton Road

Junction Lock Bridge

McAdam Way

Avon Crescent

Cumberland Road

4.30am-3pm

Commercial Road

Wapping Road

The Grove

Redcliffe Way

Victoria Street

Counterslip

Passage Street

Queen Street

Castle Street

Lower Castle Street

Broadweir

Newgate

Wine Street

High Street

Redcliffe Street

Prince Street

Queen Square

Welshback

Crow Lane

Queen Charlotte Street

Little King Street

Baldwin Street

Marsh Street 

Broad Quay

Colston Avenue (part)

7am-3pm

Quay Street

Christmas Street

Lewins Mead (part)

Colston Avenue (part)

St Augustines Parade

College Green/Park Street (part)

The Great British Bake Off judge Mary Berry has said that children should be banned from bringing mobile phones and games to the dining room table to help combat obesity..

The cook said she enforced a strict "Downing Street Rule" in her own home, with visiting children told to hand in their gadgets before dinner, reports The Telegraph today.

Mary Berry said that families eating together without distractions was one important way to tackle obesity, which she said is one of the "worst problems" facing the country today.

Mrs Berry told Glamour magazine it is "so important" that families eat together.

Tomorrow will mark the moment millions of Downton Abbey fans have been waiting for for months.

The acclaimed ITV series is set to return to our screens tomorrow night for the show's fifth series.

The drama, written by actor and writer Julian Fellows, has taken the nation by storm since it was first aired in 2010.

Having first been set in Edwardian Britian before the outbreak of the First World War viewers will now join the Crawley family in the early 1920s.

Predictions for storylines have been rife.

But it has been confirmed the love lives of both Lady Mary and Lady Edith are set to feature heavily.

Viewers can also expect to see a lot more of the youngest members of the cast. Time has moved on quickly for Master George, Lady Mary and the late Matthew Crawley's son and "Sybbie" the late Lady Sybil and Branson's daughter.

As infants, George has the blond quiff and cool stare of his deceased father; Sybbie, her late mother's winsome blue eyes.

They may be eerily well cast, but neither is likely to play as big a role in this series as Marigold, Lady Edith's love child, stashed away to be raised by a local family.

The series is also set to be peppered with new faces including guest stars such as George Clooney.

From the grit of HBO's Girls, Richard E Grant will join the cast as Simon Bricker, an art historian and guest of the Crawleys. His role in the plot is yet to be revealed. Other new faces are Lady Anstruther, played by Anna Chancellor, and Rade Sherbedgia who will play a Russian refugee.

Downton Abbey, ITV, Sunday, 9pm.

Television chef Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall has added fresh grey squirrel braised in a tomato and red wine sauce to the menu of his Devon restaurant.

The unusual dish appears on the River Cottage Canteen menu in Plymouth as the food world is still reeling from the horsemeat scandal reports the Daily Mail.

"It will be interesting to see how the guests react to it, because it is nice for us to offer something different,' said front of house manager Marie Mitchell.

Mr Fearnley-Whittingstall believes in promoting wild food from sustainable source.

Would you eat squirrel?

Bath Rugby 45

Leicester Tigers 0

Aviva Premiership

A RECORD crowd witnessed a record win as Bath Rugby smashed Leicester Tigers 45-0.

Mike Ford's side dominated every facet of the game as they secured their biggest margin of victory over the famous rugby force from the East Midlands.

Tries from Semesa Rokoduguni, Jonathan Joseph, Kyle Eastmond, Olly Woodburn and Peter Stringer were topped off with another man-of-the-match display from fly-half George Ford.

His 20 points from the boot – a full-house of penalties, conversions and a drop goal – accompanied a confident and controlled attacking game as he varied the attack at will.

In front of a record crowd of 12,817 at the Recreation Ground, Bath showed they are a force to be reckoned with this season, and serious play-off contenders.

With Manu Tuilagi and Anthony Allen late pull-outs through injury, Tigers' director of rugby Richard Cockerill reshuffled his midfield, bringing in centres Matt Smith and Owen Williams.

After brushing up on their early inaccuracy, Bath made the breakthrough on eight minutes. Number 8 Leroy Houston burst through the middle to set up an attack that stretched the Tigers' defence.

Space opened up down the right and blind-side Carl Fearns put Rokoduguni over in the corner for his fourth try of the season. Ford nailed the wide conversion to make it 7-0.

The home pack wrecked the visitors' first two scrums and when Wayne Barnes penalised Lugovi'I Muliopa for popping up under Davey Wilson's pressure, Ford extended the lead with the three-pointer.

By now, Bath were rampant. A sweeping kick return ended with a miss-pass from Eastmond to his midfield partner Joseph and there was no stopping the England hopeful. Again Ford was flawless with the extras.

The RAF Falcons display team parachuted in before the game, much to the capacity crowd's delight. After the mauling that was being inflicted on them, the Tigers might have been hoping to get airlifted out of there.

Out hustled, out-muscled, battered in the scrum, they didn't have a foray of any substance into the Bath 22 for the entire first half.

Ford extended the lead with a drop-goal on 33 minutes and his penalty two minutes later compounded the misery for the Tigers.

Bath lost the impressive Fearns and left-wing Matt Banahan to injury in the first half, but their exits did not upset the balance Ford's side continued to show.

Keen to unleash some of their other weapons, Bath chose to catch-and-drive shortly after the break. Text-book execution led to a penalty, again dispatched by Ford.

Their next try was as daring as it was exquisite. After the Tigers dropped the ball from a maul they were seemingly in control of on the Bath line, the home side went for it.

Joseph broke through the defensive line and raced away to half-way. Hooper and Eastmond took up the attack as the Tigers scrambled back.

After a length-of-the-pitch canter, unlikely scrum-half Wilson found himself playing nine and when Ford tipped his pass to the ever-ready Eastmond, he wriggled through the covering defence to score. Ford's kicking record finally suffered a blemish when he hit the post with the conversion.

Such was Bath's confidence that they were willing to attack from any turnover and threatened to finish another 90-metre effort before Atwood's pass, wide on the right, went astray.

Leicester came close to a consolation just after the hour but were held up by the Bath pack. Ferocious defence and relentless pressure meant Tigers turned over the ball time after time, much to the frustration of Cockerill.

It was just such possession that Bath pounced on to secure their four-try bonus point.

Even when Cockerill's side had the chance to claw something back with a pick and drive from close range, they knocked on. Ford spotted full-back Mathew Tait was out of position and hoisted a raking kick for replacement Olly Woodburn to pounce on and get the score after some interplay.

The misery for the visitors did not end there, even when Bath were down to 14 men after Nick Auterac was sin-binned for a high tackle. When Rokoduguni weaved his way through the defence on a 50-yard run, substitute Peter Stringer was one of many in support and he was able to send the Rec faithful into further jubilation.

As the frustration bubbled over in Tigers' biggest loss to Bath since 1973, replacement David Mele was red-carded for a stamp, three minutes from time.

Bath Rugby: L Arscott; S Rokoduguni, J Joseph (O Devoto 53), K Eastmond, M Banahan (O Woodburn 33); G Ford, C Cook (P Stringer 59); P James (N Auterac 52), R Webber, D Wilson (H Thomas 52), S Hooper (c) (D Day 56), D Attwood (Hooper 59), C Fearns (A Fa'osiliva 23), G Mercer (T Dunn 67), L Houston

Sin bin: Auterac 71

Tries: Rokoduguni, Joseph, Eastmond, Woodburn, Stringer

Pens: Ford 3

Cons: Ford 4

Drop goals: Ford

Leicester Tigers: M Tait; N Morris, M Smith (S Harrison 49), O Williams, V Goneva; F Burns (J Pohe 70), B Youngs (c) (D Mele 59); L Mulipola (R Brugnara 49),, L Ghiraldini (T Youngs 49, Ghiraldini 59), F Balmain (T Pasquali 63), G Kitchener, G Parling (S De Chaves), T Croft, J Salvi, J Crane (R Barbieri 64)

Red card: Mele 77

Referee: Wayne Barnes

Attendance: 12,817

Bristol Rovers have won four games on the spin for the first time in over five years after goals from Adam Cunnington and Lee Mansell secured a 2-0 victory over Woking at the Memorial Stadium this afternoon.

Cunnington made amends for missing a hatful of chances during the 3-1 victory over Nuneaton Town on Tuesday night when peeling off at the back post to convert David Martin's pin-point cross off his instep in only the second minute to get Rovers off to a perfect start. Mansell added a second and killer goal four minutes from time by bending the ball around the wall from a free-kick after Daniel Leadbitter had been felled some 25 yards from goal. Matt Taylor had had a good opportunity to double the advantage a couple of minutes before the break, but slashed high over the crossbar after being put through on goal following a clever reverse pass by Jake Gosling – but it had been Woking, who were expertly marshalled from the centre of the pitch by former West Ham United midfielder Josh Payne, that had looked the more likely for the majority of the afternoon. They were certainly hard done by when referee Adam Bromley failed to spot a handball by Rovers midfielder Stuart Sinclair when trying to control a bouncing ball within the confines of his own penalty area in the 18th minute. After that Steve Mildenhall had been forced to batter away Payne's powerful effort following one particular intricate passing move around and about the edge of the penalty area in the 26th minute, while Dean Morgan also went close with another effort from distance a few minutes later. Manager Darrell Clarke moved quickly to quell the threat Woking posed from the middle of the pitch by introducing Ollie Clarke and switching to a 4-3-3 formation when the teams returned from the changing room for the second-half. Payne continued to be tormentor-in-chief, however, and was unlucky to see another powerful shot rebound away to safety after slipping in behind the back four unnoticed in the 59th minute. Ellis Harrison arrived from the bench to replace goalscorer Cunnington soon after, but it was Woking that went close again; Payne getting the better of Daniel Leadbitter only to see his cross flicked into the side netting by Striker Scott Rendell from close range when well placed. Woking were punished for resorting to roughhouse tactics in the final stages when one foul too far allowed Mansell the opportunity to finally put the game to bed with his deliciously curled free-kick from 25 yards in the 86th minute. Rovers (4-4-2): Mildenhall; Leadbitter, Lockyer, Parkes, Brown; Gosling (Clarke, 46), Mansell, Sinclair, Martin; Taylor (White, 90), Cunnington. Subs: Puddy, McChrystal. Woking: (4-3-3): Worner; Newton (Arnold, 64), Cestor, McNerney, Arthur; Payne, Jones, Goddard (Murtagh, 74); Sole (Beckles, 82) Rendell, Morgan. Subs: Little, Lewis.

Veteran striker Stephen Dobbie denied Bristol City a fifth successive victory in dramatic fashion at the Highbury Stadium this afternoon.

Leading 3-2 with just two minutes remaining, the Robins looked set to extend their lead at the top of League One.

But they had not reckoned on Dobbie, who lashed in a brilliant equaliser to peg back Steve Cotterill's in-form team at the death.

Strikers Kieran Agard and Aaron Wilbraham looked to have given City the points when the leaders came from behind to lead 3-1 early in the second half.

Josh Morris deservedly put the home side in front in the 22^nd minute, only for City to score three times in 19 minutes either side of half time to take control of the game.

Fleetwood were not finished, however, and substitute Jamie Procter pulled a goal back in the 61^st minute, just seconds after coming on.

And then Dobbie broke City hearts when firing in an equaliser from the edge of the box to ensure a pulsating contest finished all square.

The Robins remain undefeated in nine League One games this season and remain top of the table.

Scoring goals has presented no problem for City, who went into this contest having netted 10 times in their last four outings. And they were at it again at the Highbury Stadium, carving out three decent chances in the opening eight minutes.

Fast-raiding left wing-back Joe Bryan was the first to threaten, bursting into the opposition penalty area and steering his shot wide of the target as the home defence opened up.

Agard was afforded an even more clear0-cut opportunity when being played clean through by Luke Freeman moments later. He almost had too much time and, delaying his shot, allowed keeper Chris Maxwell to make a crucial finger-tip save at his feet.

City continued to find space in the attacking third and manager Steve Cotterill showed his frustration as Mark Little's low centre flashed across the face of goal without any City player quite managing to apply a crucial finishing touch.

Although Fleetwood had failed to register a goal in three games, they certainly caused the League One leaders problems with their approach play and movement off the ball. Operating with a midfield diamond, the Lancastrians created some excellent chances of their own in a breathless opening 15 minutes, Matty Blair missing the target with the best of them, an angled shot from inside the box.

Robins keeper Frank Fielding had to be at his best to turn the ball behind after Wade Elliott sliced at attempted clearance following a dangerous corner kick and he was again called into action to deal with David Ball's shot on the turn as the home side gave as good as they got.

Fleetwood were building a head of steam and it came as little surprise when they took the lead on 22 minutes. Derrick Williams managed to block Stephen Dobbie's fierce drive, but the ball fell invitingly for Morris, who guided his shot beyond Fielding and into the bottom right-hand corner from 16 yards.

Enjoying an especially creative spell, the Fishermen almost doubled their lead moment later when catching City on the break, only for David Ball's shot to be saved by Fielding.

City tried to respond and Agard should have done better when bursting past two defenders and then sending his shot agonisingly wide of the far post with only Maxwell to beat.

But he made amends in the 32^nd minute, stealing a yard on his marker to turn in Bryan's penetrating cross at the near post following great work by Luke Ayling, whose surging run transformed defence into attack in the twinkling of an eye.

Agard's second goal since moving from Rotherham represented an emphatic response from a side that had been under the cosh and required to demonstrate character to come back.

City were the better side during the remainder of the first half and they had the ball in the net again in time added on, Wilbraham peeling off his marker and side-footing home from another Bryan cross. But celebrations were cut short by a raised linesman's offside flag.

The impression that City were now in control of the game was confirmed within two minutes of the restart, Agard demonstrating a poacher's instincts to grab his second goal of the game and put the visitors in front for the first time.

Wade Elliott's clever back-heel invited Freeman to run to the by-line and drag the ball across the edge of the six yard box and Agard pounced from close range following a goalmouth melee.

The Robins stamped their authority on proceedings four minutes later, Little delivering a pin-point cross from the right, Agard heading the ball into Wilbraham's path and the big forward producing an assured finish to beat Maxwell and net his eighth goal in nine games since arriving on a free transfer in the summer.

Now in almost complete control, City almost conjured a fourth on the hour mark, Bryan letting fly from 20 yards with a rising drive that flew narrowly over the angle of bar and post.

Fleetwood boss Graham Alexander made a change, introducing Proctor at the expense of Matty Blair and the new arrival pulled a goal back with his first touch, heading in from a Morris cross to serve notice that the home side were not prepared to lay down and accept defeat.

Korey Smith fluffed a golden opportunity to extend City's lead 20 minutes from time, blazing over from the edge of the box after incisive approach play from Freeman and Little.

City hearts were in mouths in the 83^rd minute when Conor McLaughlin burst into the penalty area and unleashed a fearsome drive that required Fielding to make a fine reaction save to preserve the lead.

But Fleetwood were not to be denied and Dobbie conjured a startling finish to level things up moments from full-time.

Fleetwood Town (4-4-2): Maxwell; McLaughlin, Jordan, Pond, Crainey; Morris, Evans, Schumacher (Sarcevic 72), Blair (Proctor 60); Dobbie, Ball (Hughes 72).

Bristol City (3-5-2): Fielding; Ayling, Flint, Williams; Little, Elliott, Smith, Freeman, Bryan (Cunningham 90); Wilbraham, Agard (Wagstaff 83).

Referee: Scott Mathieson (Cheshire)

Attendance: 3,700

Runners taking part in today's Bristol Half Marathon will enjoy a dry and fine day with less humid conditions than of late.

There will be a fresh start to the day but sun is forecast to be shining in Bristol from 8am-1pm with temperatures between 13C and 17C.

Some cloudy spells will feature between 1pm and 5pm.

A West Country nurse has appeared in court charged with manslaughter after allegedly giving a young man a fatal overdose of medication in his own home.

Amanda Young of Tewkesbury, Yeovil, is accused of administering a quantity of the powerful anti-psychotic drug clozapine to 22-year-old Joshua Gafney at his address in Yeovil more than two years ago.

The 40-year-old appeared in the dock before Somerset Magistrates, dressed from head to toe in black.

She was charged that on February 8, 2012, at Yeovil she unlawfully killed Joshua Gafney. She did not enter a plea.

The court heard that allegation followed Mr Gafney's death from an overdose shortly after liquid medicine was administered.

Young was employed by the Somerset Partnership NHS Foundation Trust at the time of the alleged offence.

Prosecutor Emma Chetland said: "The prosecution's case is that the defendant was employed as a mental health nurse at the time of the incident and allegedly provided a dose of the anti-psychotic medication."

The court was told that the case was being sent straight to Bristol Crown Court to be dealt with.

Magistrates adjourned the matter until Tuesday, September 30 when Young must appear there before a preliminary hearing.

Until her next court appearance she was released on unconditional bail.

Joshua Gafney died at his home in Westfield Avenue, Yeovil. His funeral took place at Yeovil Crematorium on Friday, March 9.

He was described by his family as a much-loved son, grandson, brother, nephew, uncle, cousin and friend.

An inquest has been opened and adjourned by East Somerset Coroner Tony Williams.

His family said they could not comment until the case concluded.

Bristol Half Marathon 2014 takes place today. 15,000 runners will be pounding the streets of Bristol on the 13.1 mile route.

Here's what people are saying on Twitter about the event.

#BristolHalf Tweets

The pre-season favourites for the Premier League title clash at the Etihad this afternoon, with Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho defending star striker Diego Costa ahead of the match.

Mourinho takes his table-topping Blues to Manchester for the match of the weekend. It kicks off at 4pm and is live on Sky Sports.

Before the match Mourinho rejected the suggestion Costa goes after trouble and insists the striker is merely seeking goals after netting seven in his first four Premier League games.

"This is a completely fake point," Mourinho said.

"Maybe it's a point based on what happened in previous seasons, not what happened here. Here he got the right advice, the right education.

"The referees are there to see the provocation. Diego is trying to play. He's not afraid of aggressive opponents.

"He doesn't let other players intimidate him. He's not there to provoke people. He's there to play football and to score goals."

The £32million signing from Atletico Madrid was booked against Everton, whose manager Roberto Martinez criticised the Brazil-born Spain forward for goading Seamus Coleman during the Blues' 6-3 win, after being shown a yellow card for diving against Burnley when it seemed like a penalty should be awarded.

"He got two yellow cards," Mourinho said. "One is completely unfair because it was a penalty. The second one because he was provoked for the whole game and he had a little reaction.

"He's being completely fair and giving zero problems to referees and behaving very, very well and just worried about playing his football."

Costa and fellow summer recruit Cesc Fabregas seem to have already developed a fine understanding, the midfielder laying on six assists in his first four Chelsea games.

Fabregas is having the impact Mourinho hoped, having recruited the former Arsenal captain despite the Gunners reportedly having first option if Barcelona were to sell.

"The surprise for me was not that he didn't go to Arsenal, the surprise for me was that he was leaving," Mourinho said.

"I thought he was going to stay at Barcelona. I was looking at him as the natural successor of this generation of players of Barcelona, like Xavi.

"We had other faces in mind, other players on standby, in case we couldn't get him. We went without fear. We went trying to get him. It's possible, it's possible. It's not possible, we move on.

"One of the reasons he's so important for us is exactly because he can play in any position in midfield.

"Even in Barcelona he was playing as a nine, their style of nine. Sometimes he was playing from the left wing too.

"He can play in many positions. It depends what you want from the game. What is your plan? Where do you think he can have more influence in the game?"

Fabregas, at 27, is in the prime of his career and, despite run-ins with Chelsea during his spell at Arsenal, the Blues boss had no second thoughts about signing the Spain midfielder.

"He was always in trouble," Mourinho said.

"When he was at Arsenal he was always fighting Chelsea, and now he plays for us.

"He was just a young guy trying to make the best for Arsenal and at that time Chelsea was the strongest team. Just normal competition.

"Supporters just want players to play well for his club and to show commitment. I don't think it's any problem."

The impact of Costa and Fabregas has been impressive, but Mourinho has been just as keen to point out the contributions of his less-heralded players.

Mourinho added: "I think that Diego is doing fantastic and the numbers are obviously great. Fabregas the same.

"His numbers as a midfield player are fantastic. The number of assists, the quality he brings to the game.

"For them to be playing so well the team is playing so well. (Branislav) Ivanovic, (Nemanja) Matic, (Eden) Hazard, they're playing well.

"The team is playing well."