06/04/2012 BBC Points West

Good evening. A deadly virus has been found at several cattle farms

in the West. Until now, only sheep in our region had been hit by the

Schmallenberg disease, which causes birth defects and miscarriages.

Scott Ellis' report does contains pictures of affected animals.

Imperfect Westcountry due, but this lambing season has been

overshadowed by a killer virus. -- a perfect. The Schmallenberg virus

causes abnormalities and death in newly-born livestock. Mark has lost

six lambs to this Miras on his farm. One was born with his leg twisted

this way. And they just had undershot jaws. His is one of 18

farms hit by the virus but the real worry now is the spread across

Wiltshire and its arrival on cattle farms has been two cases in the

county. On a dairy farm in particular, if the cards were

heifer cards, they always valuable, so the loss of the calf itself has

financial implications. -- they are always valuable. Cowboy animals

recovering from Caesareans also has financial implications. -- how and

a mores. -- cows. We have had several Cawse -- cases in cattle

but because we have more cattle down here, you can expect to see

more in cattle as time goes on. Scientists say the virus does not

seem to spread to humans. Is thought -- it is thought to be

carried here by midges from mainland Europe. It is maybe that a

midge comes from the European Continent and then a our midge by

its the ewe and then spread it that way. The Government has so far

avoided bringing in regulations but that is under review, depending on

what happens next. The police watchdog is to look at

how Avon & Somerset Police handled the case of a woman who'd gone

missing from Redditch. The body of 20-year-old Louise Jones was

discovered at Rodway Hill in South Gloucestershire six days ago.

Louise's family had alerted police and she later made a 999 call but

it was more than four hours before she was found.

People living in Cirencester have spoken of their shock after a local

couple were found dead in their home. William and Eileen Wicks, who

were in their 80s, were discovered by police at the house in Corinium

Gate. It's not yet known what caused their deaths. It's thought

the couple may have been there undiscovered for some time. We had

been away on holiday and the next morning, the police were there. I

just couldn't understand what was going on. Then we learned later on

they had found two bodies. It was very upsetting. You know, to think

they had been there perhaps for a while.

A Somerset taxi driver has issued a public apology after a sudden

sneeze caused him to crash into an ancient monument. The cross

structure in the centre of Cheddar was badly damaged in the incident

last weekend. The driver, Mati Levy, says he's devastated by what's

happened and is still in shock. No- one was hurt. It's not yet known

how the building will be repaired. There's been plenty of action for

football fans this afternoon. Swindon have maintained their lead

at the top of League 2 with a 1-0 win at Morecambe. Paul Benson

scored the only goal of the game early in the second half and Paolo

Di Canio's side remain five points ahead of second-placed Torquay.

Cheltenham's long wait for a win ended as they beat Barnet 2-0 at

Whaddon Road. Striker Kaid Mohammed came off the bench to put the

Robins ahead on 75 minutes. James Spencer then added a second in the

dying minutes to secure Cheltenham's first victory in eight

games and maintain their place in the play-off positions.

And Bristol Rovers drew 2-2 with Gillingham at the Mem. The visitors

took the lead in the second half before Eliot Richard levelled the

scores just three minutes later. Mustapha Carayol then looked like

he'd secured a win for the home side but Gillingham scored a late

equaliser to deny Rovers all three points.

Hundreds of people turned out in Devizes today to witness a Passion

play in the town centre. The tradition of acting out the Easter

story dates back to Medieval times, as Steve Knibbs reports.

I charge you, Jesus of Nazareth, under the oath of a living God...

On trial, Jesus of Nazareth, followed through the streets not by

his disciples but by the people of Devizes. Do you really think you

are King of the Jews? My kingdom is not of this world. A Passion play

was last performed her ten years ago. Today was proof that the story

can still draw a huge crowd. I am overjoyed about it all. The

commitment of the people and the card. For some it might be the

first time may have ever heard the story. -- they have ever heard.

Passion plays traditionally were performed by townspeople and today

was no exception. The main role was played by the local vet. It goes in

a flash, actually. I hope it touched the hearts of the audience.

But is what we wanted. Here and beyond. Just show them a bit of

Christ today. -- that is what we Let's find out how the weather's

looking for the weekend and bank A very good evening to you. The

Easter weekend will see a good deal of cloud around with patchy light

of rain as well. The wettest weather will be reserved for Monday.

This evening and overnight, we have a weak weather front introducing

patches of light rain at times and by dawn, a good deal of cloud

around. But frost-free tonight. Tomorrow morning, a good deal of

cloud and in some areas prone to patchy outbreaks of light rain,

which will continue into the afternoon. Some brighter weather

perhaps later in the afternoon and in the early evening. Not a

particularly mild day, with temperatures at around 10, 11

degrees. Sunday, again, a rather cloudy story with a patchy, might

rain through the morning and a milder day. Rain on the way on