PRIME Minister David Cameron and Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg both came to Somerset in advance of the County Council elections, which were held in May.

Mr Cameron spoke to students at Bridgwater College about industry while Mr Clegg took a walkabout in Taunton to meet with voters.

In the poll the Conservatives held on to power at County Hall by the narrowest of margins - winning exactly the 28 seats needed to control the 55-seat authority.

The election was notable for the rise of UKIP in the county, with the Euro-sceptic party claiming three seats, including one in Minehead.

THERE was outrage in Taunton after a group of travellers arrived on the town's Hamilton Park.

At one point a pony was put out to graze on the public space, where dozens of caravans parked up for more than a week before moving on.

Jan Quick, who lives near the park, told the County Gazette: “I don't think they should be here. The mess is getting worse and worse.”

THOUSANDS of people lined the streets of Taunton to watch a grand celebratory homecoming parade by Royal Marines from 40 Commando.

More than 700 Marines from the unit, based at Norton Manor Camp near the town, took part in the parade, which finished with a public address in North Street.

Taunton Deane Mayor Libby Lisgo told crowds: “The sun is shining, Taunton is at its best for its best.

“It's a real pleasure to welcome 40 Commando back and to exercise their right to use their freedom of the town to parade through Taunton.

“In 2001, 40 Commando was the first Commando unit into Afghanistan - they are now the last out in 2013.”

A MYSTERY ticket-holder in Taunton Deane missed out on a £1million jackpot after failing to cash in their winning ticket in time.

Bosses at the National Lottery enlisted the help of a town crier in a bid to find the winner, but to no avail. The money was given to good causes.

A 77-YEAR-OLD pensioner branded Co-op's alcohol policy “pathetic” after a cashier refused to sell him beer when shopping with his grandson.

Retired purchasing manager Edward Lamb wanted to buy lager and a bottle of coke at the supermarket in Bishops Lydeard but, when he got to the checkout, the sales assistant asked his 13-year-old grandson Max for proof of age ID.

Mr Lamb said: “The thing that I find most offensive was that she didn't speak to me and spoke directly to my grandson.”

A spokesman for The Co-operative Food said its Challenge 25 policy applies to anyone who is with the purchaser at the time.

He added: “On this occasion, the customer's grandson was unable to provide proof of being aged 18 or over, and so the sale was refused.”