As it happened: West of England

1. News, sport, weather and travel updates from across the West of England on Tuesday, 21 March 2017

Heavy band of rain in morning rush hour

Watch: Rain in the morning but the afternoon should brighten up, says Ian Fergusson

That's it for today's coverage on Local Live.

We'll be back from 7am tomorrow with the latest news, travel, weather and sport for the West.

Expect more heavy showers interspersed with sunny spells tomorrow.

Football: Another three points for Forest Green

'Out of the Mouth of the Parrett'

Watch: An exhibition about the river has been created

The River Parrett snakes its way through the heart of Somerset from Bridgwater to Langport to South Petherton. 

Industries have grown up around it and lots of wildlife depends on it. 

Today in Bridgwater, an exhibition opened celebrating the river and those who live along it.

Sally Ann John murder: 'Fake' postcard prompts new leads

Watch: Wiltshire Police had fresh calls following the TV appeal

Wiltshire Police said analysis of a postcard Sally Ann John was thought to have sent after her disappearance has led detectives to conclude it was a fake, but its author is unknown.

The postcard featured on Monday's Crimewatch and has prompted fresh calls from the public.

Ms John was 23 years old when she went missing on 8 September 1995. She was last seen on Aylesbury Street in Swindon, close to the town's red light district.

Her vanishing was initially treated as a missing person inquiry: a murder investigation was eventually launched in 2014.

'It was very upsetting at the time'

Christopher Davies

The letter was sent to Mrs Davies on 6th March, but she had died on 27th February.

Her son Christopher complained, but his mother was sent a second letter dated 15th March.

Family photo

Shortly after her death, I received a letter from the council saying they had ended her reduction for council tax and she still could claim for a reduction if she'd like to ring them up and complete a form and send it off with proof of earnings, which is really bizarre. It was very upsetting at the time, and when you're going through your own emotions it was extremely insensitive.

Christopher Davies

South Gloucestershire Council said: "We have updated our records to ensure that this incident doesn't happen again and we would once again like to thank Mr Davies for bringing this to our attention."

The caterpillars helping fight Alzheimer's

Watch: The diet of these caterpillars is being monitored carefully

Caterpillars are being used to shed light on whether changing our diet could reduce the chances of developing Alzheimer's disease.

Scientists at Bath University have cultured Europe's only colony of tobacco hornworm. 

They want to find out if eating molecules found in red wine and chocolate can prevent them from developing a harmful by-product of sugar which is thought to lead to a decline in memory in humans. 

Disruption continues following derailed train

Great Western Railway

Network Rail is still working to clear a derailed freight train from the tracks in Somerset.

Great Western Railway is advising all passengers to check before they travel to see how services are impacted.

Here's Network Rail's maintenance director:

Camran Green murder prompts serious case review

Gloucestershire Police/ BBC

Despite having a care team, Camran Green was able to travel by train from Birmingham to Cheltenham at weekends.

This is how he met his killer Steven Sharpe , who fatally stabbed him with a 14 inch "Rambo" knife (pictured below) in a failed robbery attempt.

His mother Emma Barrow is upset he wasn't better looked after.

Dudley City Council says this was a tragic case and its thoughts are with the family.

The care he received will now form the subject of a serious case review.

Gloucestershire Police

Football: Forest Green's match begins

Football: Kick-off for Forest Green in 30 minutes

Dead woman gets higher council tax bill

Family photo

Ada Davies died in late February but was still being sent council tax letters

A grieving son has branded a council as "extremely insensitive" after receiving a letter about his mother's council tax bill.

The letter to 95-year-old Ada Davies said she would no longer get a reduction as she had "passed away".

Her son, Christopher Davies, from Bristol, said: "It says dear Mrs Davies the reason for the calculation is that you've passed away."

South Gloucestershire Council said it was extremely sorry for causing upset.

Travel: Overnight closure on the M32

'Promising' lead after Sally Ann John Crimewatch appeal

Det Sgt Don Pocock said Wiltshire Police is working on several new lines of enquiry following last night's televised Crimewatch appeal.

Watch: "We had eight calls following the appeal," said Det Sgt Don Pocock

The appeal focused on a postcard which murdered Sally Ann John allegedly sent shortly after disappearing.

Wiltshire Police said analysis of the postcard has led detectives to conclude it was not written by Ms John, but its author is unknown.

Ms John, whose body has never been found, went missing while working as a prostitute in Swindon in 1995. 

Crimewatch

Killer high on drugs at time of Camran Green murder

Maxine Nelmes

Sharpe was said to have been high on heroin and cocaine at the time and planned to rob Camran Green of his takings.

The robbery went wrong and Sharpe stabbed Mr Green a single time in the body with a 14in blade.

The judge told Sharpe he must serve a minimum of 24 years and six months of his life sentence.

He said: "The murky world of drugs has taken yet another young life."

Camran Green's mother makes impassioned plea

Watch: Bereaved mother Emma Barrow warns young men to steer clear of knives

The mother of murdered teenager Camran Green, 17, has made a plea to others to stay away from drugs.

She was speaking outside Bristol Crown Court today.

Steven Sharpe, 31, has been handed a minimum jail term of more than 24 years for killing Camran.

Camran Green used by drug dealers as he was 'disenfranchised'

Watch: "Camran Green was only 17 and he has lost his life," said Det Ch Insp Ruth Mather

Following the jailing of Steven Sharpe , Det Ch Insp Ruth Mather of Gloucestershire Police said Camran Green fitted a type of man used by drug gangs from big cities.

She said vulnerable young men like him are frequently being used as drug runners in smaller towns.

Drivers warned about new parking restrictions

BBC

More than 130 motorists have received warning notices about the way they've parked in North Somerset. 

Their vehicles received stickers yesterday advising them of the penalties they'll face if they ignore parking restrictions from next month. 

North Somerset Council is set to impose fines on drivers who contravene parking regulations, such as leaving their cars on yellow lines. 

The new measures start from Monday 3rd April - but for the next two weeks, officers will sticker offending vehicles with details about the fines they could face.

Stab murderer handed 24-year sentence

Gloucestershire Police/BBC

Steven Sharpe, the killer of teenager Camran Green (pictured), has been handed a minimum jail term of more than 24 years .

Bristol Crown Court was told Camran had travelled to Gloucestershire from the West Midlands to supply drugs through the so-called "county lines" drugs network.

Drug gangs from big cities have been using vulnerable young men on a frequent basis as drug runners in smaller towns to do their dirty work for them. Camran was being used in this way - basing himself at Sharpe's girlfriend's address to deal crack cocaine and heroin for gang leaders in Birmingham. Tragically Camran had his life taken as a result of that work.

Det Ch Insp Ruth Mather

Football: Forest Green Rovers v Solihull Moors (7.45pm)

Getty Images

Forest Green Rovers welcome Solihull Moors to the New Lawn in Nailsworth for tonight's game in the National League.

Tune in to BBC Radio Gloucestershire for live commentary or follow the stats on the BBC Sport website .