A LIVE article keeping readers updated on a four-vehicle crash on the A303 which cost a man his life was the most read item on the News’ website in 2013.

Many of you tweeted pictures of the traffic chaos caused as a result of the incident near Ilminster in September.

The story attracted more than 8,400 views and numerous comments at chardandilminsternews.co.uk after the road was closed for more than seven hours.

Reports covering the trial and sentencing of the three people who were found guilty of murdering 23-year-old Catherine Wells-Burr from Chard were third, seventh, ninth and tenth most read online, with a combined number of views topping 12,000 between April and June.

More than 5,200 people logged on to read about an assault in Ilminster which left a man with serious head injuries in January and an armed robbery in the town in September was viewed more than 4,000 times.

Almost 3,000 people checked the website for updates on travel, school closures and other useful information during the snowy weather in January.

When it came to sharing stories via social media, an article about a bogus policeman stopping cars in Ilminster was referred to on Facebook more than 1,200 times.

Hundreds of Facebook users also showed a willingness to help catch the culprits of various crimes, by sharing stories such as those containing CCTV images which were released after a series of thefts in Ilminster and a plea for witnesses after an assault in Chard.

Meanwhile, on Twitter, the most talked-about stories were the conviction of a man for a hunting offence, the Ilminster bypass crash mentioned above and the armed robbery in Ilminster.

Wherever you are in 2014 you can keep up to date with the latest news at chardandilminsternews.co.uk and join in the discussion.

You can also visit our Facebook page – Chard and Ilminster News – or follow us on Twitter, @chardandily