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Child abuse campaigners have condemned a Gary Glitter fan who has produced signed copies of 2015 calendars glorifying the shamed rocker Claire Shephard is flogging the 'limited edition' items at £20-a-time on Glitter's Facebook. Glitter helped create the 'through the years' calendars by supplying two 'exclusive' photos of himself at home in his apartment. He personally signed five copies - randomly mixed in among the 45 calendars - and described them as 'brilliant'. Child protection groups have slammed the "distasteful" calendar and warned they could have a devastating impact on abuse survivors by triggering flashbacks. They are also calling for any profits made from the sales of them to go towards their charities. Mrs Shephard, 50, of Coleford, Glos., was named last year as the voice behind Glitter's Twitter page and is the widow of his former band mate Gerry Shephard. She is selling the calendars through her Facebook page and other Glitter fan sites. Posting an advert on Facebook she said: "GG Calendar 2015 It's Christmas!!! "Back By Popular Demand - this might be the top of the wish list for every GG fan - a brand new calendar for 2015 packed with sensational photos of The Leader. "This is a limited edition run and only 45 are available. I know everyone was pleased with the one which was available two years ago so decided it was time for another." Posting again at the start of the month, when she took delivery of the "Gary Glitter - Through the Years" calender, she added: "I was so excited I could barely dare open the package! "I have to admit it does look super. "I am sure anyone who receives one will most definitely not be disappointed. "I already have a list of you good folk who have already contacted me reserving one. "I would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone for sharing their uploaded photos (which has made this fabulous calendar possible), your continuing support of Gary and all of his related pages on Facebook (and those who work tirelessly at being the admin for them), your love and enthusiasm for the music he created and which we still enjoy just as much today as ever." Just earlier this week, she posted the "exciting news" five copies had been signed by Glitter. She wrote: "I have managed to get five copies of the 2015 Calendar SIGNED!!! "I should have them by the weekend. "I was very pleased to hear that Gary thought the calendar was 'brilliant'." Child protection groups warned simply seeing pictures of Glitter could be enough to trigger painful memories for abuse victims. Kidscape said any profits from the calendar should go to victims of sexual abuse. A spokeswoman said: "Gary Glitter fans are of course entitled to their allegiances, but any profits from this merchandise should be directed to benefit victims of sexual abuse. "Indeed the people behind this calendar should consider its potential impact on abuse victims. "At the very least this product engenders distasteful associations." John Bird, operations manager for National Association for People Abused in Childhood, said the calender was "absolutely awful". He said: "The one thing we say is it is the truth that it important. "It doesn't matter what music career he ever had - it's completely irrelevant. "[The calender] could put someone who has been sexually abused in a flash back. "For survivors of child sexual abuse that image could put them right back in that same emotional experience, reliving it." Claire was the wife of Glitter Band guitarist, singer and composer Gerry Shephard, who died from cancer in 2003. Last November she was named as the woman behind the @Leaderisback Twitter page, which she said was run with Glitter's approval. Glitter - real name Paul Gadd - is due to face ten child sex charges involving three underage girls on January 12. The 70-year-old is currently on bail accused of the crimes in the 1970s and early 1980s and is due to appear at Southwark Crown Court.

Gary Glitter Gloucestershire fan flogs signed copies of a new calendar of the rock star

Two men have appeared in court charged with the murder of a plasterer who was allegedly killed with an axe while celebrating New Year's Eve. Donald Pemberton, 20, and Ryan Williams, 21, are accused of killing Tanis Bhandari, 27, who died following the attack outside a pub. The pair, from St Budeaux, Plymouth, Devon, appeared at Plymouth Magistrates court after they were charged at 11pm on Saturday. They stood in the dock and spoke only to confirm their names, addresses and dates of birth. They were remanded in custody to appear for a plea and case management hearing at Exeter Crown Court on January 7. They both face joint counts of murder, possession of an axe in a public place, and possession of a bladed weapon in a public place. Police were called to The King's Arms pub in the quiet village of Tamerton Foliot near Plymouth in the early hours of New Year's Day. Further calls were then made reporting "disorder" and when officers arrived they discovered Tanis with fatal injuries. He was rushed to nearby Derriford Hospital in Plymouth by ambulance but pronounced dead on arrival. A 21-year-old remains in a "serious but stable" condition in hospital. Three other men were treated in hospital but are continuing their recovery at home.

Two men appear in court charged with murdering Tanis Bhandari near Plymouth on New Year's Eve

Police believe a woman left a substantial amount of cash in a Bedminster shop before Christmas. Officers are appealing for the public's help in locating the woman. She was seen on CCTV entering the Poundstretcher store on East Street, Bedminster, shortly before 3pm on December 20. After she left, a shop assistant found her shopping trolley inside the store. The assistant looked inside the trolley for some identification and found the items the woman had just bought and a substantial amount of cash. Police are trying to trace this woman to reunite her with her belongings. The woman is described as white, with grey hair, wearing a white jacket and light coloured trousers. She walked with her shopping trolley in one hand and a crutch on the in her other hand. She also had a red handbag over her shoulder. Two CCTV images of the woman are attached. If this is you, or you know who this woman is, please contact 101 and quote PE59458/14.

CCTV: Police hunt for woman who left substantial amount of cash in Bedminster shop

WARNING: GRAPHIC CONTENT A farmer has spoken of his devastation after three of his prized sheep were "ripped to shreds" by snarling devil dogs during a savage attack on his flock. Anthony Thomas, 67, arrived for work on New Years Eve to find one of his beloved ewes had been "eaten alive" inside a paddock at his farm. Two others had been badly mauled by the blood-thirsty hounds and needed emergency veterinary treatment to save their lives. Yesterday (Mon) Mr Thomas release shocking images of the horrific injuries inflicted by the dogs in a bid to track down their owners following a spate of attacks. He said: "They were out to kill. They had tasted blood before. She (the dead ewe) was eaten alive, torn to shreds. "The shock would have killed her but how long did it take her to die like that? "It always happens in the same paddock which makes me think it's the same dogs. "If dogs are seen worrying the sheep they will be shot which we're legally entitled to do." The attack left fleece strewn around the field and took place on the farm in Martin Hussingtree, Worcs., between midday on December 30 and 9am on December 31. A vet spent four-and-a-half hours treating the surviving ewes by administering local anaesthetic before stitching their wounds and giving them antibiotics. They suffered extensive bruising and bite and claw marks and one of them - a Texel show ewe worth #4,000 - is unlikely to ever feature in agricultural shows again. The other - a beloved tame pet of a 10-year-old girl - was also lucky to be alive but is expected to make a full recovery. Mr Thomas said he and wife Jane, 75, were told the scratch marks suggested at least two dogs were involved in the attack. Mrs Thomas added: "The owners of dogs should control them. "I feel very angry but also very sad - it breaks my heart. "What they had suffered when they were attacked is beyond what I can imagine." The attack was reported to West Mercia Police and anyone with information is asked to call the non-emergency number 101, quoting incident reference 0373-S-311214.

PHOTOS: Sheep horrifically attacked by dogs with one

The FA Cup carnival headed west yesterday as Manchester United booked their place in the fourth round with a 2-0 victory over Yeovil Town. Before the drama on the pitch, home fans got the chance to give football's biggest club a West Country welcome. Here even the New York Times has covered the momentous event. Click here to read their report on the day: http://ow.ly/GNUNW

Yeovil Town vs Manchester United: Even The New York Times reports on the momentous match

All four of the big supermarkets are cutting fuel prices again. Asda, Morrisons and Sainsbury's are reducing their petrol and diesel by 2p a litre from tomorrow, while Tesco's similar 2p-a-litre cut will take effect from this afternoon. The reductions mean Asda customers will pay no more than 105.7p a litre for petrol, with diesel being 112.7p a litre. This is Asda's 14th fuel cut since the end of September, with 21p a litre coming off its petrol price in total and 17p a litre off its diesel. For Morrisons and Sainsbury's it is the seventh cut since the beginning of December. The RAC has predicted that petrol could dip as low as £1 per litre, although the AA is more sceptical. RAC fuel spokesman Simon Williams said today that the latest cuts would further lower the average price of petrol, which is now cheaper than it has been for around five years. He added: "The cuts are bringing us ever closer to the £1-per-litre average for petrol. Of course it would also be an extremely welcome move for motorists and businesses alike." AA president Edmund King said: "Further drops in the pump price are extremely welcome. However, small rural towns are again being left behind by the price falls in the more competitive areas." "This continues to feather the fall in the national average. We would love to see £1 per litre and we may possibly see it in many parts of the UK but it is unlikely that the average price will drop as quickly to the £1 level – partly because 70% of the price is tax. "There is still a price lottery out there so we advise drivers to shop around."

Petrol Prices: All four big supermarkets reduce the cost of fuel

2014 was the UK's warmest year on record, figures from the Met Office show. Provisional figures for the whole year reveal that it was the hottest for the UK in records dating back to 1910. Last year was also the warmest in the Central England Temperature series, the longest running temperature record in the world which stretches back to 1659, recording temperatures in an area of central England. The average temperature for the year was 9.9C (49.8F), some 1.1C (2F) above the long term average, and making it warmer than the previous record year of 2006. It was also the fourth wettest year in records dating back to 1910, the Met Office said. The figures for 2014 mean that eight of the UK's top 10 warmest years have occurred since 2002, the weather and climate experts said. Across the UK, it was the warmest year on record for all countries and regions apart from Northern Ireland, which had its third warmest year behind 2007 and 2006, the figures show. There were no record-breaking hot months in 2014, but temperatures were consistently warm with only August experiencing below average temperatures. The number of air frosts in the UK was the lowest in records dating back to 1961, the provisional figures show. Bob Ward, policy and communications director at the Grantham Research Institute on Climate Change and the Environment London School of Economics (LSE) said the record temperatures in 2014 were "part of a pattern", with most of the hottest and wettest years occurring since 2000. "This is clear evidence of the impact of man-made climate change on the UK," he said. "However, the latest assessment by the independent Committee on Climate Change shows that the UK public is largely unaware of how climate change is affecting their exposure and vulnerability to extreme weather events. "The lack of awareness of the UK public of how climate change is already affecting them represents a colossal failure by the Government and its agencies, including the Environment Agency and the Met Office, to communicate with the public about this issue." The Met Office figures show that the provisional rainfall total of 1297.1mm (51.1 inches) is the fourth highest total on record, meaning five of the six wettest years in the UK have happened since 2000. A large contribution to the high rainfall total came from the very wet weather in January and February, as a series of storms battered the UK, while May, October and November were also wetter than average. But September was the driest on record since 1910 for the UK. The most extreme weather in 2014 was the winter storms, which caused flooding both inland and at the coasts, while the summer had some fine weather, particularly in June and July, with no heat waves but some torrential downpours. the Met Office said.

Met Office: It's official - 2014 was the hottest year on record

Police are appealing for witnesses to an incident in which a camper van was set on fire in Bristol. The van was parked in the driveway of a property in St Lucia Crescent, when it was set on fire in the early hours of Tuesday December 30. Investigating officer Det Con Claire Donaldson said: "We believe the fire was started deliberately so we're treating this incident as arson. "The fire spread from the camper van to the front of the property but thankfully the occupants managed to escape without being hurt. "A number of other vehicles parked in St Lucia Crescent had also been tampered with. "We're appealing for anyone who saw or heard anything suspicious in the St Lucia Crescent area in the early hours of Tuesday 30 December to come forward." If you can help, please call Det Con Claire Donaldson via the 24-hour Police Enquiry Centre on 101, quoting reference 135413/14.

Police investigate a caravan being set on fire in Bristol

A primary school teacher who died in the Glasgow bin lorry crash left a "legacy of fun and laughter", some 800 mourners heard today. Stephenie Tait, 29, from the city, died when she was hit by the vehicle on December 22 after it went out of control in Queen Street and George Square. She was one of six people killed, and 10 others were injured, two of whom remain in hospital. Hundreds of people gathered at Saint Thomas the Apostle Church in the Riddrie area of Glasgow today for the funeral of Ms Tait, who was a teacher at St Philomena's Primary School in Glasgow. She attended a carol service at the church on the eve of her death, a service which featured some of the children and members of the deanery choir who were at today's funeral. Ms Tait is survived by her parents Alan and Margaret, sister Pamela and partner Martin. The private Mass was led by Canon Peter McBride, the local parish priest and a friend of the family who knew Ms Tait well. He said: "Two weeks ago none of us could have foreseen the tragic events which have brought us to this church today; a horrendous accident which caused death and carnage. "Few in our city and our nation have been left untouched by the happenings on that fateful day. But for us who gather here, our grief and loss is acute, and our pain tangible. We come here as family to surround Alan, Margaret, Pamela and Martin with our presence, our prayers and our love. "All of us are still in a state of shock at the loss of Stephenie and that sense of loss will continue for those closest to her for the rest of their lives. "However, we also gather as a people of faith, inspired by Stephenie's own faith – a personal witness which energised her to dedicate her short life to teaching children and directly helping them to understand and feel God's personal love for each of them." Canon McBride said her life had a "tremendous impact" on so many people and enriched the lives of others. He said: "She brought order, organisation, good humour and a sense of calm into family life, her teaching career, her parish ministry, and into her friendships. Her attention to detail (especially personal grooming) is legendary, and she has left a legacy of fun and laughter combined with a strong determination to be all you can be. "She was a modern woman with strong principles and values she felt were worth handing on to others. "Although Stephenie's death has caught us unprepared and thrown her into the centre of homes and communities where she was not known, her life has also greatly enriched so many who have known and loved her. "Her dedication and service as a teacher, and her ability to engage and inspire all of us with an intimacy we normally only associate with family or special friends, is a blessing we shall cherish for the rest of our lives." On the front of the order of service was a photo of Ms Tait, while the back featured two photos, one showing her with family and the other of Ms Tait and her partner. Underneath the photo of the couple were the lines: "When it rains look for rainbows. When it's dark look for stars ... and think of me." Archbishop Philip Tartaglia, the Archbishop of Glasgow, was also at the funeral and gave the final prayer. After today's Requiem Mass, the coffin was carried from the church along with floral tributes. One spelled out "Miss Tait" in pink flowers, while another was made of flowers in the pattern of a rainbow. After the service family and friends privately attended Daldowie Crematorium and Lambhill Cemetery. Funerals for the other five victims have already taken place. A service for Erin McQuade, 18, and her grandparents, Jack Sweeney, 68, and his wife Lorraine, 69, was held at St Patrick's RC Church in Dumbarton, West Dunbartonshire, on Saturday. Services have also been held for Jacqueline Morton, 51, from Glasgow, and Gillian Ewing, 52, from Edinburgh. Two patients remain in two Glasgow hospitals following the crash. A 14-year-old girl is stable at the Royal Infirmary and a 57-year-old man - thought to be the lorry driver – is in a stable condition at the Western Infirmary. Investigations into the crash are continuing.

The funeral of a primary school teacher killed in the Glasgow bin lorry tragedy takes place

Three people have been arrested on suspicion of murder after a woman's body was found in the grounds of a primary school. The body of a woman, thought to be in her early 20s, was discovered by a police officer at Harlescott Junior School in Shrewsbury just before midnight yesterday after concerns were raised for the safety of a local, West Mercia Police said. Two men – one aged 32 and another 39 – and a 31-year-old woman are all being questioned by detectives over the death. Pupils had been set to return to lessons today, following the Christmas holidays, but the school in Featherbed Lane is to remain shut while investigations continue. A force spokesman said a detailed forensic examination of the scene was taking place, with officers hoping to have completed their work so the school can reopen on Wednesday. A post-mortem examination will be carried out in due course, and next of kin have been informed. Anyone with information is urged to call police on 101 and quote reference 0566S of Sunday January 4, or contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or via www.crimestoppers-uk.org.

Three people arrested after woman's body is found in the grounds of a primary school in Shrewsbury

All four of the big supermarkets are cutting fuel prices again.

Asda, Morrisons and Sainsbury's are reducing their petrol and diesel by 2p a litre from today, while Tesco's similar 2p-a-litre cut has already taken effect.

The reductions mean Asda customers will pay no more than 105.7p a litre for petrol, with diesel being 112.7p a litre.

This is Asda's 14th fuel cut since the end of September, with 21p a litre coming off its petrol price in total and 17p a litre off its diesel.

For Morrisons and Sainsbury's it is the seventh cut since the beginning of December.

The RAC has predicted that petrol could dip as low as £1 per litre, although the AA is more sceptical.

RAC fuel spokesman Simon Williams said the latest cuts would further lower the average price of petrol, which is now cheaper than it has been for around five years.

He added: "The cuts are bringing us ever closer to the £1-per-litre average for petrol. Of course it would also be an extremely welcome move for motorists and businesses alike."

AA president Edmund King said: "Further drops in the pump price are extremely welcome. However, small rural towns are again being left behind by the price falls in the more competitive areas."

"This continues to feather the fall in the national average. We would love to see £1 per litre and we may possibly see it in many parts of the UK but it is unlikely that the average price will drop as quickly to the £1 level – partly because 70% of the price is tax.

"There is still a price lottery out there so we advise drivers to shop around."

It came as oil tumbled to its lowest level since May 2009, with the price of a barrel of Brent crude slipping below 54 US dollars. It has more than halved from more than 115 US dollars in June.

Connor Campbell, financial analyst at Spreadex, said oil's decline into the new year had been prompted by a raft of weak manufacturing data last week.

He said: "The black stuff is still looking abandoned and lost as 2015's trading begins in earnest, and continues to be a stain on the worldwide markets."

Shares in heavyweight oil firms BP and Royal Dutch Shell fell yesterday, with BP off 3% and Shell by more than 2%.

Adsa, Morrisons, Sainsbury's are reducing petrol and diesel by 2p a litre from today

Identical twin sisters thought they were seeing double when they cooked a fry-up - and cracked open FOUR double yoke eggs.

Suzanne Robinson and Sandra Rowe, 51, were making poached egg and bacon on toast for their family when they cracked open the first double yolker.

But they went on to crack open THREE more 'twin eggs' all with bonus yolks and said the odds-defying experience made their get-together more special.

Bookies said the chances of finding four double yolk eggs in a row was 100,000 to one.

Astonished Sandra said: "Suzanne decided on poached eggs for breakfast and when she cracked open the first egg she called us over and said 'it's a twin egg'.

"But then it happened again, and then again and again until we had four.

"It made for quite a special picture and it was a pretty funny thing to happen.

"I've heard of it happening once in my life but never four times in a row, and it was especially unusual as we are twins.

"We were all quite shocked."

Sandra, of Worcester Park, Surrey, was visiting her foster carer sister in Athy, County Kildare, Ireland, with her partner David Boardman, a surgeon, and his daughter Amelia, 11.

The free range eggs were in a six-pack from Tesco.

"It made our weekend even more special," added Sandra.

A spokesman for William Hill said: "In the history of double eggs this is without a doubt the most surprising we have heard of.

"Glad we did not offer odds in advance or we would have egg on our face!"

Identical twins crack

Hollywood star Cameron Diaz has finally tied the knot.

The 42-year-old Sex Tape actress, who has been something of a flag-bearer for single women, married rocker Benji Madden, 35, after dating for eight months.

"We couldn't be happier to begin our new journey together surrounded by our closest family and friends," the couple told People.

Their representative said the couple "were married (Monday) evening in an intimate ceremony at their home in Los Angeles".

Celebrity Nicole Richie, who is married to Madden's twin brother Joel, played cupid in the romance.

Diaz's former flames include Justin Timberlake, Jared Leto and baseball star Alex Rodriguez, while Good Charlotte rocker Madden was previously linked to hotel heiress Paris Hilton.

The couple sparked speculation that they were set to marry when the Charlie's Angels actress was seen with an engagement ring over Christmas.

Guests at the bash included Gwyneth Paltrow and Reese Witherspoon, while Drew Barrymore was a bridesmaid and Richie's son Sparrow a ring bearer.

The reception was held under a tent at their luxury home.

Diaz has previously told how she has never felt any pressure to marry, saying it is not natural to be monogamous.

She told InStyle magazine: "A lot of people chase after it because they've been told 'This equals happiness'. They chase it, they get it, and they find out 'Why did I think this was going to make me happy? I'm miserable!'

"I don't know if anyone is really naturally monogamous. We all have the same instincts as animals. But we live in a society where it's been ingrained in us to do these things."

Hollywood star Cameron Diaz has married rocker Benji Madden

Somerset council has been left red-faced after sending out a mobile library to encourage children to read - with a spelling mistake on its side.

The bus, which takes books to local children, has the slogan "reading is to the mind what exercise is to the body" - with exercise misspelt as 'exerscie'

Sharp-eyed Robert Colledge, 65, spotted the blunder when the bus visited his village of Isle Brewers near Taunton, Somerset.

He said: "I did think it was quite ironic. I asked the driver if the misspelling was a deliberate attempt to attract people to the library.

"He said it wasn't a deliberate typo, and that I was the first person to mention it.

"He'd spotted it himself, but hadn't been able to correct it."

Somerset County Council said it was aware of the mistake and it would be corrected.

A spokesman said: "We are aware of the mistake on this particular mobile library and as far as we are aware this is the only vehicle with the mistake.

"It will be corrected at a minimal cost."

Oops! Somerset council left red-faced over spelling mistake

Great British Bake Off presenter Sue Perkins has revealed that her bad gags on the show even earned a rebuke during a visit to a consultant.

She and co-host Mel Giedroyc have had the nation groaning with their jokes on the BBC1 cookery contest.

Perkins, 45, told the Radio Times they were even raised when she attended a recent appointment with a doctor.

She explained: "He said, 'I can give you something for your problem but there's no medication possible for your terrible Bake Off jokes. You should both be ashamed of yourselves'. This is a consultant."

The presenter, who launches a new ITV daily afternoon show with Giedroyc later this month, has said she is trying to make a difference to her life by performing "random acts of kindness".

She told the magazine: "It has to be done so that the person you're being kind to doesn't know you've done it – so there's nothing of the self in it."

Perkins also told how she is trying to emphasise the positive things about each day. She said: "Every single day and every single night I also write down three things that I have loved about the day – so you're always thankful and you're always trying to do something good.

"I've done it for the last six months and I will do it for the rest of my life."

Great British Bake Off host Sue Perkins: Doctor doctor, I can' help telling bad gags...

One of the West's biggest independent breweries has been snapped up by a pub company from the Channel Islands.

Butcombe Brewery, which was founded in the North Somerset village of the same name in 1978 before moving to bigger premises in nearby Wrington in 2005, has been bought by The Liberation Group.

It operates some 75 pubs in the Channel Islands, plus substantial retail and wholesale operations.

Industry bible The Morning Advertiser values the deal in the £15-18 million range.

Butcombe is the leading brewer and pub operator in Somerset, Bristol, Bath, the Mendips and the Cotswolds, with 19 managed pubs and the multi-award winning Butcombe Brewery. The company prides itself on its traditional, classic pubs, prize winning beers, as well as Ashton Press ciders from its wholly owned subsidiary, the Long Ashton Cider Company.

It also brews Rare Breed in collaboration with Cotswold farmer Adam Henson.

Guy Newell, managing director of Butcombe Brewery said: "We have had significant interest from several UK pub and drinks businesses, but for us Liberation Group was by far the best fit with our business.

"They share our ethos for high quality products and service and have proved, as we have, that being independent does not necessarily prevent you from being recognised for excellence alongside some of the biggest global names in the industry. This is a new chapter for both businesses and all of the team here is looking forward to being a part of that."

It is the latest stage in a colourful career in the leisure industry for Mr Newell, who bought Butcombe from founder Simon Whitmore, formerly of Courage Brewery, in 2003.

Before that Mr Newell had run the wholesaler Beer Seller – and as he revealed in an interview in 2013 that followed a period running casinos in the Shah's Iran and at the Playboy Club in London.

The deal brings together two of Britain's best-known independent brewery and pub companies, which will now have 94 pubs, bars and eateries, two breweries brewing over 30,000 barrels of award winning beer as well as retail and wholesale operations employing more than 750 staff.

Liberation said the combined business will benefit from stronger buying power and supply opportunities, enabling Liberation Group to sell Butcombe beers in the Channel Islands, while exporting Liberation ales on draught and in bottles into UK pub chains and supermarkets with whom Butcombe already has excellent relationships.

Mark Crowther, chief executive of Liberation Group said, "We have been looking for some time for the right UK business to acquire as part of our longer term growth strategy. This marks the start of the exciting next chapter for Liberation and Butcombe both of whom share the same passion for quality beers and great pubs.

"The enlarged group provides the perfect bridge head platform for further future growth in the UK market. We are really looking forward to welcoming the Butcombe team into the Liberation Group."

Steven Phillips, director at LGV Capital added, "This is an exciting development for Liberation and Butcombe and we are delighted to support a first class management team to continue the development and growth of the group."

Liberation Group intends to invest in Butcombe Brewery's existing pubs, seeking brand consistency across the group and planning to refresh the food offering with further local produce and recipes. Expansion is planned to build a portfolio of food-led managed and high quality tenanted pubs, whilst continuing the growth and development of the Butcombe beer and cider range.

Butcombe Brewery bought by Channel Island-based Liberation Group

A school bus erupted in flames on a country road - minutes before the driver was due to pick up the first children on the morning run.

Shocked onlookers watched as the female driver pulled over and fled from the empty vehicle when she smelt smoke and saw sparks coming from the underside.

Within three minutes the 51-seater bus was engulfed by a fire which spread to a nearby hedge and melted parts of the guttering of a nearby house.

Firefighters battled the blaze - feared caused by an electrical fault - but it completely destroyed the coach which was just a quarter of a mile from picking up 12 pupils.

The youngsters were about to be taken to Crispin School in Street, Somerset when the bus caught fire at Chilton Polden near Bridgwater around 8.15am on Monday.

It is the second time in three months that a bus taking children to the SAME secondary school has erupted in flames.

Six pupils were safely evacuated when a coach belonging to a different firm was gutted by an electrical fault in the village of Ashcott, Somerset in October.

Builder Phil Heyward, 48, filmed the burning bus on Monday after he made sure driver Cara Veater (corr) was safe and the bus was empty.

The dad-of-two said: "It was quite dramatic to see.

"The bus was coming through to pick up children in the villages and I saw it when I was pulling into a property where I was doing work.

"I looked up towards the road and only about 200 metres from me and I saw the driver pull over and I saw smoke and a few cars reversing away from it.

"I headed up towards the bus and by the time I got there - literally within two or three minutes - the driver had got off and it was on fire.

"Thankfully the bus was empty and she was heading to her first pick up in the village."

Phil added: "I believe it was caused by a driver's lamp - the headlight on the drivers side was sparking. It went from there. The whole thing went up within minutes."

The bus belonged to local firm Aston Coaches and boss Martin Veater said his daughter Cara - a driver for five years - was left "shaken up and a bit frightened" but unhurt.

He said: "She was about 500 yards from her first pick up and she smelt smoke.

"She stopped the coach, turned all the heating and that off, and drove another 50 years before she realised there was something not right.

"She stopped the coach and looked underneath and saw sparks behind the front wheel and that was that.

"There's nothing left of the coach. I think it started from the battery area somewhere."

The blaze was extinguished by three fire crews from Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service and guttering on an empty holiday let cottage was melted.

Video: Dramatic moment Somerset school bus caught fire

Dopey drug dealer Kyle Brace, who described himself on Facebook as 'Weed Man' with a job at 'Weed Farm' might avoid being jailed for dealing crack and heroin, after a judge hinted at a change of heart.

The 20-year-old was told he would be jailed after he changed his plea to guilty to two charges of selling heroin and crack cocaine in Wetherspoon's in Chippenham and possessing the drugs on a bus in the town.

But when he was due to be sentenced, Brace, from Athelstan Road in Malmesbury, the judge at Swindon Crown Court said he was going to think again.

He ordered that the probation report into Brace, who was caught in Wetherspoon's on January 14 after someone spotted him dealing there, should be an 'all-options' report that includes the possibility of him not being sent to prison and instead be given a community-based sentence that includes 'rehabilitation'.

When he was arrested, police found his phone had received 1,181 incoming calls – all of less than a minute long – and 300 texts from people ordering drugs from him.

But the judge heard that since Brace was sent to prison on remand awaiting his sentence following his guilty plea, he had got off drugs himself and wanted to sort himself out.

The case was adjourned until this Friday when he will be sentenced.

Facebook's 'Weed Man' from 'Weed Farm' drug dealer might avoid jail term for crack dealing

A man who farms wild boar a couple of miles from the scene of last night's fatal M4 crash, where a car smashed into a lorry after hitting a wild boar, has denied the animal had escaped from his fields.

The crash, near junction 17 of the M4 at Chippenham in Wiltshire, left the driver of a Seat Ibiza, a 47-year-old man from Royal Wootton Bassett, dead at the scene.

Police said witnesses described his car hitting a wild boar running across the eastbound carriageway of the motorway, a collision which sent the Seat into a Renault lorry in the next lane.

The tragedy closed the M4 for more than eight hours and caused severe congestion on surrounding roads as the queue of traffic on the M4 had to be turned around and sent on diversion routes through north Wiltshire.

Simon Gaskell, who owns the Real Boar Co., a farm breeding the animals less than two miles away from the crash site, denied that one of his animals had been involved.

Mr Gaskell breeds boar on more than 20 acres of land near to the M4 but said all his animals were accounted for.

The possibility of wild boar roaming the north Wiltshire countryside has become more and more accepted with fairly regular sightings, although no official confirmation.

Populations of wild boar have become established in the Forest of Dean, Somerset and the heaths and forests of Dorset, so spreading into Wiltshire would be possible, Mr Gaskell explained.

"Obviously, I am very saddened by the car accident, it's so tragic," he said.

"Wild boar do travel and they are prepared to travel quite a distance," he said. "It's only a matter of time before they start causing trouble. It wasn't one of ours involved. They are all behind a big fence.

"I have heard of boar coming up from the Forest of Dean though. They would have been here about three to four hundred years ago but they are not common any more.

"You always hear rumours of them being around though. It's not very often they're spotted here. It's much more common in Devon and Cornwall where it's much quieter.

"In the area we've always tried to keep them away for this very reason.

"This incident is one of those horrific things that happens when they are around. Boar are very hard and very dense. I don't know if anyone else breeds them around here. I think it's just me.

"Over the past few years their numbers have continued to rise. There was a rumoured sighting in the area quite recently," he added.

Police are still investigating the accident, and renewed their appeal for witnesses.

Wiltshire Police are appealing for witnesses following a fatal road traffic collision on the M4.

"This is a truly tragic incident and my thoughts are with the family and friends of the victim," said Sgt Steven Love. "It is quite rare for a wild boar to be on the carriageway of the motorway. It is more common for the police to receive calls involving horses or deer but each is equally dangerous to motorists.

"This was a particularly large wild animal and would have caused considerable damage to any vehicle. I would appeal for anyone with any information about the incident to contact us as soon as possible," he added.

Anyone with information is asked to contact PC Mark Cargill via 101 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 where information may be left anonymously.

M4 wild boar fatal crash:

Sherlock Holmes' fans gathered outside Bristol's Colston Hall today eager to get a glimpse of one of the stars on what appears to be its second day of filming in Bristol.

But they were left clinging on to nothing more than grainy images taken from distance on their phones of the actors who arrived in cars with blacked-out windows and were ushered inside under umbrellas.

Lead role actors Benedict Cumberbatch and Martin Freeman were spotted entering a side door leading to the cellars of the music venue.

Filming has started for on a one-off special, rumoured to be being prepared for Christmas.

Fans were tipped off by writer Mark Gattis on Monday who tweeted: "On my way West. It begins... #Sherlock."

A small crowd of mostly teenage girls gathered from about 9am outside Colston Hall after film crews arrived yesterday.

But they had to wait almost an hour to catch a glimpse of heart-throb Cumberbatch who arrived driven in a blacked-out Jaguar before slipping into Colston Hall quickly.

I think this is how it will look for part of #ShSpesh #martin seen in same suit today. luv the short hair sherlock pic.twitter.com/QEBkBCGUgh
— AnythingCumberbatch (@Anythingbatch) January 6, 2015

Moments later Martin Freeman, who played Bilbo Baggins in the recent Hobbit films, arrived in a silver Lexus and could be seen sporting a mustache as he was directed into the building for filming.

it'S FINALLY HAPPENING. BENEDICT AND MARTING ARRIVING TO THE SHERLOCK SET pic.twitter.com/bJF9mUVuec
— fallon (@TheDeductionGod) January 6, 2015

Other Bristol locations previously used in Sherlock include Portland Square, Goldney Hall and Bristol South swimming pool.

As ever, filming locations for the show remain a closely-guarded secret.

Sherlock Holmes' fans gather outside Bristol's Colston Hall to get glimpse of Benedict Cumberbatch and Martin Freeman