Afghan Toll Mounts

Over 280 service personnel have now died on operations in Afghanistan since 2001. The 281st to die was a soldier from the 1st Battalion The Royal Welsh who died after coming under attack from insurgents in Afghanistan, the Ministry of Defence said. He was on foot patrol when he was killed by a gunshot wound in an exchange of fire near Showal, in the Nad-e-Ali District of Helmand Province. The soldier was killed on Wednesday and next of kin have been informed.

Appeal After Fatal Bike Crash

Police are appealing for information following a fatal road traffic collision on the A4174 near Keynsham. At around 5.20pm on 4 April police were called to a single vehicle collision involving a motorcycle, close to the Hick's Gate Roundabout. The motorcycle – a green Kawasaki – had just travelled onto the A4174 Ring Road, from the Hick's Gate Roundabout, when it's believed to have come into collision with the central barrier. The motorcyclist, a man in his late 20s, suffered fatal injuries in the collision and was pronounced dead at the scene.

Man Bailed Over Vehicle Theft

Police investigating the alleged theft of a motorcycle are appealing to the public for information - including sightings of the machine being ridden in Poole. The blue Suzuki 650 cc motorcycle had been allegedly stolen from a garage in West Parley, near Ferndown, and was reportedly seen being ridden in Poole around 11.40pm on Sunday 4 April. Police are keen to hear from anyone who saw the blue H-registered motorcycle being ridden in Poole - specifically the areas of the A35 at the Fleetsbridge roundabout, Wimborne Road, Vicarage Road, Stanley Green Road, Fleets Lane and the Tatnum Road. A 38-year-old man from Poole was arrested by police in Poole town centre just before 2.30am on Bank Holiday Monday 5 April, and later released on police bail while officers continue their enquiries. The motorcycle has been forensically examined by crime scene investigators from Dorset Police.

Leeds Arena On Way

Plans for the Leeds Arena are to move a step closer as the city council announces who is to build it. The £80m venue, which will hold more than 13,000 people, was granted initial planning permission last month. Detailed plans for the design of the building, which is expected to create up to 500 jobs and open in 2012, are now being considered.

Aussie Charges Follow Assault

Four teenagers have been charged over an attack in Australia which left a Scottish tourist fighting for his life. Mark Willis, 25, from Glasgow, was assaulted as he and girlfriend Jane McLean, 26, got off a bus in Sydney in the early hours of Wednesday morning. He required emergency brain surgery and is in a serious but stable condition in St George Hospital. New South Wales Police said the attack on Mr Willis happened was around 3am and said they have charged two 13-year-old boys and two 17-year-old boys with a range of offences.

PR/BMcc)