'Takeaway's rat issues' and 'new hippos'

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

The river crossing affectionately known as the "banana bridge" is due to reopen on Friday after being completed early, Bristol 24/7 reported.

Somerset Live's tale of a woman who wore seven pairs of trousers on a plane from Bristol Airport to avoid paying baggage fees sparked a lively discussion online.

And a takeaway on Swindon's Manchester Road has been shut down after it was found to be infested with rats, maggots and cockroaches, the Swindon Advertiser reported.

Longleat heralded the arrival of the safari park's first hippos in 40 years with a photoshoot of the adorable pair.

After widespread social media posts concerning reports of a man attempting to abduct children near the Clifton Suspension Bridge, Avon and Somerset Police shared a post clarifying that they had received only one report of a man acting suspiciously near the landmark in the past month. No one was touched by the man, according to the report.

Finally, there has been a lovely reaction to a post from a Bristol resident who has been whittling small figurines like a fishing penguin and a tiny robin and leaving them Eastville Park for people to find.

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