GWR social media sickness and University Challenge 'pasting'

Here's our daily pick of stories from across local websites in the West of England, and interesting content from social media.

GWR says it is having to close its social media customer support for the rest of the year on weekdays after 1900 due to sickness. This follows the train operator struggling to staff services on Sundays.

University of Bristol steamed through the quarter finals on University Challenge last night. One user on Reddit says the team gave Exeter an "absolute pasting".

The Bristol Hippodrome has posted pictures from its opening years as the venue celebrates its 112th birthday.

And the dates for next year's Weston Beach Race have been moved due to "natural environment forces", which has led to nearly 200 comments on the official page for the event.

The story of George Pedley losing everything in a narrow boat explosion in Frampton Upon Severn has been reported by Gloucestershire Live.

A former Bristol teacher has been jailed for a third time for child sex abuse, according to Bristol Live.

Salisbury Journal says that a local church is offering free Christmas day lunch for anyone struggling or spending the day alone.

A salon in Weston-super-Mare has been named the best in the UK, says the Weston Mercury.

And there are some lovely aerial photos of the Winterbourne Christmas Lights in Bristol posted by ITV West Country on Facebook.

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