SOMERSET could be abolished if Government proposals for a new regional assembly for the South West are pushed through.

Schools, planning, roads, waste management and social services are all likely to be run from a central assembly in Bristol, Exeter or Swindon.

Somerset County Council will be shut down, parish and town councils will be isolated and district councils, like Sedgemoor, are likely to become answerable to the new regional assembly; which could be in place after a referendum as early as 2004.

See this week's Bridgwater Mercury for full details.