Longstanding hopes for a community café in villages outside Shepton Mallet have become a reality.

Ashwick and Oakhill Village Hall Committee have successfully grant-funded and fundraised to enable their vision of a community cafe to be built.

What was once a garage, storeroom, and football changing room is now a brand-new kitchen and indoor cafe seating area. It will officially open ahead of its annual Christmas market on Saturday, 3rd December.

Author Cath Weeks, who was born in Midsomer Norton and attended Somervale School, has published four previous books under her own name and now has a critically acclaimed novel, Good Husbands, under her pen name 'Cate Ray' following her success in signing up with an international publisher, will be be signing and selling copies of her new book at the Christmas market, with an exciting range of other select stalls to tempt all ages.