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Somerset in Pictures: Artistic rats and beach days

Clara Bullock
BBC News, Somerset
Weather Watchers/Mollys Dad A white dog is on the beach at Blue Anchor. The dog is looking at the camera. The sky is blue and the sun is shining.Weather Watchers/Mollys Dad
People enjoyed the sun on Somerset's beaches this week

As spring continues to bring sun to the county, people have been enjoying Somerset's beaches this week.

Meanwhile, a nurse from Somerset has trained her pet rats to draw miniature paintings and 40,000 tulip bulbs have burst into colour at the Bishop's Palace.

Take a look at some of the best pictures taken across our county this week.

Weather Wachers/Fernie The top of a cow's head is visible over a hedge. Its two ears are sticking out and its eyes are just about visible. The sky behind it is a pale blue.Weather Wachers/Fernie

Cheeky cow: Fernie in Glastonbury captured a cow enjoying the blue skies this week.

Weather Watchers/Sparky The sun is setting over the sea in Minehead. The sky is a bright orange and red colour, with the light reflecting in the water. Four large wooden poles are evenly spaced out and sticking out above the surface.Weather Watchers/Sparky

Spring sunset: Minehead looked a lot like Venice this week, with the sun colouring the sky and sea orange.

PA Media A white pet rat is standing on its two back legs behind a miniature painting it made with its paws. The painting has multiple coloured spots and streaks and is displayed on a miniature easel. PA Media

Artistic rats: A veterinary nurse's pet rats have been providing some "pawsitivity" by creating mini paintings for people around the world. Steph Toogood, from Somerset, has owned rats since 2016 and they have created hundreds of mini masterpieces, as well as other rat related products including jewellery and magnets.

The Bishop's Palace Yellow tulips are blooming on a hill next to a footpath. The hill is completely covered with the flowers.The Bishop's Palace

Colourful tulips: More than 40,000 tulip bulbs have burst into colour this April at The Bishop's Palace and Gardens in Wells. Back in November, 20,000 new tulip sylvestris bulbs were planted along the ramparts bank.

Getty Images Tom Banton is in his white cricket kit holding up a cricket bat. The sun is shining and the turf is bright green. About 10 other players can be seen walking about in the background and some are clapping their hands. The stand behind is empty.Getty Images

Cricket success: Tom Banton of Somerset made his way off after scoring 344 not out, the highest individual score in Somerset history, following day two of the Rothesay County Championship Division One match between Somerset and Worcestershire at The Cooper Associates County Ground.

Omaze A group photo of the basketball team. The kids are holding up basketballs and wearing their new kit, which is red and blue.Omaze

New kit: Bath Romans wheelchair basketball team received a £24,045 donation from Omaze to cover training, coaching and tournament costs for the next three years.

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