Bristol's newest swimming pool and sports centre - Hengrove Park Leisure Centre - is set to be officially opened by Commonwealth, European and World Champion Medallist, Mark Foster today.

The centre cost £35 million pounds.
 
General Manager Alan Waistell told us: "Since the leisure centre opened to the public - just over ten weeks ago, over 40,000 people, families and school children have taken advantage of all the facilities on offer. It's great to see so many people involved in swimming, working out in the gym
and signing up to professionally-led classes and fitness sessions."

Bristol City Council leader, Simon Cook added: "Hengrove Park Leisure Centre has proved a massive hit with local people and I'm thrilled so many have already come along to join in.

Evidence shows our investment in sporting facilities encourages local people to take up regular sport and fitness activities. Being able to offer a range of top quality sports facilities helps us to promote healthier lifestyles and improve well-being across the board."

A woman has been rescued from a block of flats in Weston.

It broke out just before midnight at the two storey building in Windwhisle Circle.

The woman in her 20's was rescued from the top floor windown by firefighters.

A fire and police investigation is underway.

He suffered serious head injuries after falling from the vehicle and later died at Frenchay Hospital.

Anyone who witnessed the accident is asked to contact police.

The Lakeside Hammers captain was taken to a hospital in Wroclaw but died from his injuries.

Fellow riders were quick to pay tribute to Richardson, who was world under-21 champion in 1999, with many expressing their shock at the news on Twitter.

The creatures will start to arrive this morning in large containers shipped in from Texas.

A giant tyrannosaurus rex, triceratops and other ancient creatures will be taking up residence alongside the Zoo’s 400 animal species, ready
for a summer exhibition which opens at Bristol Zoo later this month.

Dr Bryan Carroll director of Bristol Zoo, said: "It's fantastic that the dinosaurs are finally here, it is amazing to see them close-up in all their glory – they are quite a spectacle. We are sure that DinoZoo will be a fantastically popular new attraction that will take our guests on a journey that started over 200 million years ago.

He added: "As well as being fantastic fun, this exhibition also presents a great opportunity to tell our guests about the very real extinction threat facing many species in the Zoo and around the world."

The incident happened at around 3pm on Hollway Road, Stockwood near Whitchurch. 

The toddler was taken to Frenchay but later died from his injuries.

Police have issued an appeal for witnesses and would like to hear from anyone who was in the Hollway Road area at the time of the incident to contact the force's collision investigation unit on 101.

Call the charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or via www.crimestoppers-uk.org We never ask for your name or trace your call.

At Bristol Crown Court today, he was told he'll serve a minimum of 13 years.

"It is a horrific thing to take someone's life and I hope Hicks comes to fully realise the seriousness of his actions and the devastating heartache he has caused to Marlene's family. Nothing can bring Marlene back but I hope that the sentence today goes some way to help her family adjust to this terrible ordeal which has left them facing the future without a much-loved sister and aunt." 

It's the last official day in charge for Bristol City Council leader Barbara Janke.

Last month she announced her decision to stand down as leader of the council and leader of the Liberal Democrat group on the council.

Barbara Janke has led the council and the Lib Dem group since 1997 - except for 2007-08: "I am enormously proud of the Liberal Democrats achievements here since then growing from just a handful of members to become the largest party on the council, with a majority for two years."

She says they have achieved a great deal: "Bristol, under our leadership, has become a greener, more creative and more prosperous city led by a council which is leaner and more responsive to the needs of our communities."

Whoever is chosen at the group annual meeting tonight as her successor will be the party's candidate for leadership of Bristol City Council at its annual meeting on the afternoon of Tuesday, May 15.

An expansion of Bristol Cancer Centre has been given approval by University Hospitals Bristol NHS Foundation Trust’s Board.

The £16 million redevelopment will enable the Trust to offer the very best in cancer care for the patients it treats and will deliver four major initiatives through a single development.

The expanded centre will enable the transfer of adult bone marrow transplant services out of the Bristol Royal Hospital for Children to the more appropriate adult setting in BHOC.

This move will make way for paediatric burns and neurosciences when they transfer from Frenchay Hospital in 2014. The scheme will also accommodate some therapeutic services which will transfer from the Southmead Hospital site.

The expansion will enable patients to have all of their care delivered in a single setting and deliver a much needed unit for teenagers and young adults with cancer, who will be able to have their unique needs catered for in an environment appropriate to their age.

The scheme will provide two replacement radiotherapy bunkers which will enable the Trust to provide the most advanced equipment available for local patients.

Amit Bahl  is lead clinician for the BHOC, and welcomes the news: "This continued development of BHOC will ensure facilities that match the excellent standard of care provided to patients at the centre.”

The city voted 53 percent in favour - in contrast to Manchester, Nottingham, Bradford, Coventry and Sheffield which have rejected the proposals. Only a margin of 5,000 separated the two votes, however, with 41,032 people voting for a mayor against 36,880 voting to keep with the system Bristol already had.

There was a reported average 24 per cent turnout with the highest turnout in the Henleaze ward (34 per cent) and the lowest (10 per cent) in Filwood.

Stephen Perry from the Yes campaign said he was overwhelmed by the result. "I feel like crying, I really do. I honestly, honestly think this is probably the best day in Bristol politics in a lifetime. When I came here to the count this morning having heard the results of the four other cities being defeated and the national polling on this subject, it looked hopeless, I was absolutely convinced that we would lose.

"Now those of us who have been at the centre of our campaign will go our separate ways supporting different candidates. I know this result will divide views but I honestly think now we can unite again."

The public will now go to the polls on November 15th to vote for who they want to be their elected mayor.

But the ex Lord Mayor of Bristol, Alderman Bill Martin, says it's a sad day for Bristol. "We're going to have a city run by a celebrity rather than run by a political system. I think that's bad for Bristol. It's going to be a very expensive process and the tax payers of Bristol will pick up the bill.

"I feel sad for our Lord Mayor - we don't know what's going to happen to the role, status and function of our Lord Mayor. We've had Mayors and Lord Mayors for 800 years and all that tradition and all that history may well suffer because of the vote today."

The Met Office has issued an amber weather warning for Bristol, Somerset and Gloucestershire.

Heavy rain and strong winds will spread northwards across our area this morning which may well lead to local flooding.

Northeasterly winds will exceed 50-60 mph in some locations, bringing the risk of falling trees.

Parts of Gloucestershire look especially vulnerable to river flooding.

Drugs detectives in Bristol working as part of Operation Viscount are investigating a cannabis factory discovered in Avonmouth with half a million pounds worth of plants inside.

They were called following a report of suspicious behaviour in the docks area.

Officers attended a disused commercial property and located around 500 mature cannabis plants ready to be cropped.

A 29-year-old man was arrested after a search using the police helicopter.

Head of Force Drugs Strategy - Paul Bunt - told us: "Officers continue to clamp down on cannabis across the force area. This seizure demonstrates that we are getting results. All of these plants have been destroyed and we will be seeking to place those responsible for their cultivation before the courts."

Anyone with any information on drugs supply in their area is asked to contact police on 101 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

Detectives investigating the murder of Barry Rubery are appealing to local communities for information two years on from his death.

Barry who was a father and grandfather was killed at Crossing Cottage on Latteridge Road in Iron Acton sometime overnight on April 28-29, 2010. He had returned to the property at around 10.45pm after attending a Masons' dinner at a lodge in the area.

After letting himself through the gate of his property he was attacked and as a result sustained significant injuries to his head.

Officers believe that those responsible may have been waiting for him as he never made it into his home.

Today on the second anniversary of Barry's death the officer leading the investigation has released an image of a footprint that was left at the scene. The sole of the shoe is likely to be from a trainer possibly of a Nike brand.

Detective Chief Inspector Mike Carter who is leading the investigation said: "Barry needlessly lost his life two years ago and I am determined to find those responsible for this violent crime.

"Having come onto the inquiry only a few months ago and having met Barry's family I can tell you that the grief they feel is as raw today as it was two years. They need to understand why their father and grandfather died at the hands of these people.

"We have a team of more than 20 people still working on this investigation; meticulously sifting through the hundreds of statements that were taken at the time and speaking again with those people who provided information.

"The investigation has highlighted that it was very rare that Barry's property was empty when he returned that night. His neighbour who lived on the grounds was not home, his friend had moved out days earlier and his partner had stayed at her own home. I believe someone knew Barry would be alone and that they would not be disturbed.

"This was a planned attack by a group of people and I would urge those people to think about their families and the life they lead. Your actions will catch up on you and your freedom could be taken away. If your allegiances have changed then you may be able to limit the impact on your life by coming forward and talking to us."

DCI Carter added: "We know that Barry had strong links with his local community and those involved in farming and agriculture and we believe someone within these communities may have that vital piece of information that could help solve this murder.

"Barry was a very private man however we know he was troubled and we are keen to hear from anyone who may have spoken with him in the days before his death. No matter how small you feel any piece of information may be please let us decide if it is relevant. Did he mention any recent business deals, issues with tenants, or even something personal?"

Speaking two years on his son and daughter Philip and Julie Rubery said: "It does not feel like two years has passed since Dad was murdered it still feels like this happened just yesterday.

"We try to move on but it's very hard not knowing why Dad was taken from us in such a violent and horrific way.

"We would ask anyone who may know something, anything that might help to come forward and speak with the police. Please help give us some closure."

Bristol Zoo Gardens has revealed the DinoZoo this morning and it will be on display at the attraction from next month.

For three months, 12 huge animatronic dinosaurs will be placed around the Zoo.

The new residents will include some of the world's most popular dinosaur species, such as the tyrannosaurus rex, triceratops and the long-necked brachiosaurus, all of which will be brought to life using mechanical technology and animatronics.

Dr Bryan Carroll director of Bristol Zoo, said: "We are always looking for new and exciting ways to entertain, inspire and educate our guests, and this year is no exception. DinoZoo is sure to be a fantastically popular new attraction that will take our guests on a journey that started over 200 million years ago.

"We are really looking forward to unveiling these giant creatures on May 25. It also presents a great opportunity to tell our guests about the very real extinction threat facing many species in the Zoo and around the world."

Derek McInnes described his sides successful pursuit of salvation as a "huge relief".

City's 2 - 0 win over Barnsley in front of over 18,000 home fans at Ashton Gate extended their unbeaten run to seven matches securing another season in the Championship with a game to spare.

Derek said: "When you see what the club means to so many people, we're just delighted we managed to send the support home so happy."

"This club has got a lot of work to do and we've got to attack that head on. If we think we're going to settle for this each and every season, I don't want to be part of it.

"It hasn't been enjoyable, but what has been encouraging has been the response of the players. They've been terrific, every one of them."

A woman has been speaking out about the devestating effect of dementia after her mother was struck down with the illness almost ten years ago.

Kate Jones gave up her career to care for her mum, Ruth Thurling, five years ago and the 66 year old died in January this year.

Kate decided to take up running only a few months ago and was lucky to get a ballot place in this year's London Marathon.

Kate from Shipham told us: "Very sadly, around 10 years ago my Mum started to show the very early signs of dementia, at that time she was in her 50's.
 
Over those 10 years my family and I had to watch, helpless, as this cruel and dreadful disease stripped her of everything and she finally passed away in January.

It was such and awful time for me, my dad and brother, all the family and mum's friends. There should be more money put into finding a cure for this appalling illness.

Those last six miles of the marathon are a killer but I know the support of my family and friends, the crowd and all the adrenaline will get me over the line."

http://www.justgiving.com/Katesmarathonformum

Tonight a new play from the Common Wealth Theatre Company seeks to show how violence can build up in ordinary homes.

'Our Glass House' uses a Bristol council house as its stage and is a chilling reminder of how domestic abuse can build up behind the four walls of an ordinary house.

Creative Director Rhiannon White said the issue is very close to her heart. "I went to the refuge when I was six with my mum. When we left my dad, she got into another relationship with a man until I was about 20. He was also a very controlling man - I wouldn't say violent but it was very abusive. And personally I was in a violent relationship for a year and a half until I managed to get the courage to escape - so the play is coming from a very real place."

Her colleague Evie Manning came up with the idea to perform the play in a house after discovering that her next-door neighbour had been abused by her husband for five years before anyone realised. "It showed what could be hidden behind walls and we wanted to open the house up to show that anybody could be the victim of abuse," said Ms White.

Ms Manning said: "We have been shocked by figures recently released that already 40 women have died as a result of domestic violence in 2012. We strongly believe that this is a direct consequence of government cuts that are widely acknowledged to hit women the hardest and hope that this production gets people thinking about the valuable life-saving services that are under threat."

One in four women in the UK will experience domestic violence and abuse in their lifetime and between 100 and 150 women are murdered each year by their current or ex male partner.

Domestic abuse includes any incident of threatening behaviour, violence or abuse (psychological, physical, sexual, financial or emotional) between partners or family members.

'Our Glass House' will be performed from Wednesday 18th April to Sunday 29th April at 90 Hudds Vale Road, St George, Bristol, BS5 7HN.

Tickets are £10 for adults, £5 for concessions and can be booked online or from the Tobacco Factory Theatre by calling the Box Office on 0117 9020 344, booking online at www.tobaccofactorytheatre.com or going to the Box Office in person. Please note you cannot buy tickets at the door.

Emergency services were called out at around 6.20am yesterday morning to find the fire on a boat which was moored close to Pulteney Bridge, on the Riverside Walk opposite Parade Gardens.

Avon Fire and Rescue Service said one Swindon man in his 40s had died at the scene and the other, a man in his 30s, is being treated at Frenchay hospital for burns and the effects of smoke.

The case has now been referred to the coroner and police are continuing to investigate the cause of the fire, although they have said they are not treating it as suspicious.

Phillip Leonard, aged 35, pleaded guilty to four counts of making explosives when he appeared at Taunton Crown Court.

On Friday, he returned to the court and was sentenced to two years in prison for each offence to be served concurrently.

It followed an incident in Beatty Way on 20th January, where the Explosives Ordnance Disposal team attended the address and removed some items for safe disposal.

Phillip Leonard was arrested at the property and was later charged.

At the time, a 100m cordon was set up covering almost a hundred homes, around 30 people were evacuated to a nearby rest centre and were only able to return to their homes at 10pm when the cordon was removed.

Speaking after the court case, Chief Superintendent Daimon Tilley said: "This was a serious incident which caused significant disruption to the local community.

While there was no malicious intent in Leonard's actions he must accept that he put the safety of his own family, his neighbours and the responding public services at risk and caused local residents to leave their homes for more than twelve hours.

"Since this incident we have had to issue another warrant under the Explosives Act in connection with a separate investigation in Taunton.

People need to realise that chemicals are dangerous and are not simply something which can be played with out of boredom, curiosity or even worse with the intent to cause harm to others.

Public safety will always be our main concern and we will put in place an appropriate response.

This inevitably causes disruption to the community and ties up valuable police resources.

"I hope that the police response on this occasion shows we take incidents such as these seriously and deters others from experimenting with dangerous substances."

Several enterprising women have set up their own businesses in a village near Bristol.

Winscombe has struggled for the past few years, with some shops closing down because of the economic climate. The Co-Op supermarket was also badly damaged by fire last year and it took several months before it was reopen again.

Now, locals and visitors have seen not one, but three independent shops springing up over the last seven days including a wedding dress boutique, a woman's clothing and accessory shop and a beauty salon.

Brenda Ashford is the owner of Cleopatra's Wardrobe and told us: "I am a positive thinking person and I just think there is enough doom and gloom around and we need something to cheer ourselves up! Locals love it; they think it's fantastic that people have taken the initiative to do something about it.

I don't go with the media hype, everyone has a small amount of cash to spend to make themselves feel better. And there's nothing wrong with window shopping as well!

We have had a lot of problems over the years with the road closure and the supermarket fire and it nearly killed the village.

This is just what is needed and the Parish Council is delighted."

Alice Hiscox, 23, runs V and A Beauty with her business partner Vicky McNally, 22.

Alice added: "We thought it was a great opportunity, it's a lively village and the perfect location. Everyone just wants to feel good. That's why we knew V and A would work. You just need determination and imagination. We have nothing to lose so you just have to go for it.

Locals have been really supportive as no-one likes seeing empty shops around."

Five people have now been arrrested after a police investigation in the city.

PC Greig Difford said: "There were 28 such incidents in March 2012, where bicycles have been taken from homes in Bristol. The owners of these bikes had been cycling in the Leigh Woods or Ashton Court area in the weeks leading up to the theft.

"Leigh Woods and Ashton Court now attracts many cyclists as it was voted the 'best inner city mountain bike trail in the country' and we are keen to put a stop to these thefts and bring the offenders to justice.

"Some of the bikes stolen have been worth up to £5,000 and we have increased patrols in the area. I would ask anyone who notices suspicious behaviour to call us on the new non-emergency police telephone number 101."

Four people aged 20, 19, 19 and 17 have been arrested on suspicion of burglary and are currently on police bail pending further enquiries.

Police in Bristol are hunting two men they want to talk to in connection with a rape in the city.

The incident happened overnight between 11.45pm on Friday March 9 and 2am on Saturday March 10 in the Fox road area of Easton.

The victim who was standing at the junction of Warwick Road and Fox Road was approached by two men at midnight. Shortly afterwards the woman was subjected to a series of sexual assaults.

39-year-old Jason Reed was originally going to be tried at Bristol Crown Court for two offences. A burglary from a house in Clifton, Bristol in November 2011 as well as a theft from another property in the same area later that month.

But while he was awaiting trial, Mr Reed also admitted he had committed a further 49 burglaries between 2008 and 2011. He asked the court to take these crimes into consideration at his trial.

DC Alistair Binnie said: "I worked with Jason to persuade him that coming clean and paying his dues was the best way for him to move on with his life."

"Admitting what he's done not only means that he won't have old crimes coming back to haunt him once he's served his time but also shows remorse and gives his victims the closure they deserve".

The burglar admitted to crimes from all over the Avon and Somerset force area including; Bristol, South Gloucestershire, BANES and North Somerset.

Reed was spared jail last year after being given a suspended sentence, and went on to commit more break-ins.

Award-winning Bristol animators Aardman will be hosting their charity premiere in the city tonight, with a host of VIP stars expected.

The studio behind Wallace and Gromit are returning with a 3D production of The Pirates! in an Adventure with Scientists.

Hugh Grant has been cast in the lead role – his first in an animated film – playing a captain attempting to win the pirate of the year award.

Queen Victoria and Charles Darwin also make appearances, voiced by Imelda Staunton and David Tennant respectively.

The film is based on a comic novel by Gideon Defoe, who has also written the film's screenplay.

It marks Aardman's first feature-film collaboration with Hollywood studio Sony Pictures Entertainment, after making three full-length films with Dreamworks.

Peter Lord, Aardman founder and co-director of 'The Pirates!' will be on the red carpet along with stars from the production.

The charity premiere is in aid of The Grand Appeal.

Reverend John Suddards was found stabbed to death in Thornbury, Gloucestershire, last Tuesday.

Betty Yates, who was 77, was found dead at her Bewdley home near the River Severn in January.

Stephen Farrow, 47, was detained in Folkestone originally in connection with the vicar's murder.

It is understood he is also being questioned over the death of Mrs Yates.

A West Mercia Police spokesman said: "It can also be confirmed that, following close liaison with Avon and Somerset Police, detectives have formally linked the murder of Mrs Yates to the murder of the Reverend John Suddards in South Gloucestershire."

A Bristol DJ has been talking about another narrow escape after an out of control speeding car missed his vehicle by just two inches.

Tim Shires was driving back to the city after a late night gig in Plymouth over the weekend.

He witnessed the car speeding down the A370 Long Ashton by-pass towards him. It then lost control, bounced off the embankment and crashed. The driver was taken to hospital.

Tim was also caught up in the M5 tragedy in November near Bridgwater in which seven people died.

The DJ, who is also the PA announcer for Bristol City Football Club, told us:

"It was scary stuff. When I got out the car my legs just turned to jelly. In twelve years of driving, I haven't seen any major accidents and now it's been two in a matter of weeks. You just freeze, you don't know what to think and you have that moment afterwards when you think, wow, what just happened there."

Police say they are investigating a death in Twerton.

They were called to a house yesterday afternoon at around 12.15pm in Shaw Way to find the body of the 49 year old.

A man arrested on suspicion of manslaughter has been released without charge.