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Headlines: House explosion and mayoral election

BBC A house in Yate where a suspected gas explosion happened. The roof of the property is gone and there is damage to the side of the building. Debris can be seen all over the ground by the front door.BBC
A house in Yate where a suspected gas explosion happened

Here's our weekly round-up of stories from across local websites in the West of England.

We have a daily round-up as well. Make sure you look out for it on the website and the local section of the BBC News app.

What have been the big stories in the West this week?

On Tuesday a terraced house on Lancaster Road in Yate was completely destroyed in a suspected gas explosion.

Bristol Live covered the explosion in a live blog that detailed how the residents who received minor injuries were lucky to be alive.

Bridgwater Mercury reported on a diesel leak from the Morrisons depot in Bridgwater which polluted a nearby river. Environmental specialists equipped with hydrocarbon-absorbent socks and a boat were on site to coordinate the clean-up operation.

A distressing incident in which a pregnant cat died, after being dumped alive in a bin bag on the outskirts of Bristol was reported by Gloucestershire Live.

And the story about the woman who had her eyesight saved in time for her wedding with pioneering surgery was reported on by ITV News West Country.

In Bristol the biggest story for the second half of the week was the start of the double murder trial of Yostin Andres Mosquera. He is charged with the murders of Albert Alfonso, 62, and Paul Longworth, 71, on or before 11 July last year in the London Borough of Hammersmith and Fulham.

Then it became the tale of who would win the Weca election with voters going to the polls on Thursday. Labour's Helen Godwin won the race, with Reform coming in second, as reported by Bristol24/7.

Wiltshire and Gloucestershire also had their council elections, which was reported by Gloucestershire Live and the Salisbury Journal.

Top five local stories for the BBC in the West

Something longer to read

BBC News spoke to three women from three different branches of the military who had experienced rape and sexual abuse while serving.

Former seaman Jennifer Gibson told us how she had been "devastated" after she says she was raped and sexually assaulted while serving in the Royal Navy.

Explore more with our daily round-ups

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