Headlines: Northern Lights, floods and sea rescue

A stunning display of the Northern Lights made headlines across the West this week.

Tewkesbury Abbey was lit up with a vivid purple hue on Thursday night; one of many places where people were able to witness and photograph the aurora borealis phenomenon.

The effects of more heavy rain and flooding in the region have been making the news again.

Both Bristol Live and Gloucestershire Live reported on widespread flooding on the M5.

Several Bristol residents commented on Facebook that flooding in the city was made worse by blocked drains.

Naomi de Sturler said: "Walking home through Castle Park was an absolute nightmare, just a river of muddy water."

Footage of a 19-year-old man driving a motorbike at up to 150mph during a police pursuit caught the attention of many readers.

Harvey Thomas, of Emersons Green, was convicted at Bristol Crown Court for repeatedly driving his motorbike at excessive speeds.

Several media outlets, showed the footage released by Avon and Somerset Police on X.

The story of a dramatic rescue by the RNLI was well-liked in Weston-super-Mare.

Off-duty volunteer helm, Andy Stone, was already out in his own boat when the page came in so he was able to go straight to the scene.

He found a man in the water clinging onto his fishing vessel, who was winched to safety by helicopter.

Though very cold and tired from being in the water for a long time, he is expected to make a full recovery.

Bristol Live and Somerset Live both covered the story of a brave off-duty officer who pulled a man back from a bridge over a dual carriageway in Bristol.

Kirstie McCrum reported how Sgt Luke O'Connell had to "physically restrain him on the floor for over 10 minutes" until fellow officers arrived.

Sgt Luke O'Connell was named a winner in the Bravery Category of Avon and Somerset Police Federation's inaugural Recognition Awards last week.

The start of restoration work on the historic Birnbeck Pier was reported by the Weston Mercury.

The first phase will see the council stabilise buildings on the island, repairing the seas walls and restoring electricity.

Digital reporter Antonio Scancariello quoted North Somerset Councillor Mark Canniford, who said: "This is a red letter day for Weston-super-Mare. Many years' significant effort has led to this."

The sad news of a swan spotted in distress on a railway line, made the headlines in Somerset.

Secret World Wildlife Rescue drivers recovered the bird from a track near Brent Knoll but sadly it had a broken wing and had to be put down.

The rescue centre issued a plea saying "we do receive a high number of calls about swans crash landing onto roads or railways, mistaking them for rivers, so please keep a look out".

Finally, another stunning picture of the Northern Lights; this one of the Clifton Suspension Bridge was taken by local photographer Andrew Cleaver.