In pictures: US bomber returns and Marmalade Awards winner

Large US bombers continue to land at a UK military base that is being used by the United States Air Force (USAF) to launch operations against Iran.

RAF Fairford has seen dozens of planes deployed to the Middle East since the US, alongside Israel, began a war against Iran.

Meanwhile, a heroic pensioner from Cheltenham has been memorialised in a giant mural.

And a man from Somerset beat thousands of competitors to claim the top prize at the 2026 International Marmalade Awards.

Here's a round-up of pictures from across the region.

Jam-packed: David Hinkins, from Somerset, was delighted that his Seville orange and passionfruit marmalade was voted the best variety at the 2026 International Marmalade Awards in the Lake District.

His jar was chosen from 3,400 others who entered from around the world.

Eyesore: About 40 volunteers in Glastonbury have cleared a huge pile of fly-tipped rubbish in the town.

Mummified rats, bank cards and a bath-tub were some of the items found at the site of a disused car park near to the A39 and Red Brick Building.

Heritage experience: Visitors to Wookey Hole Caves have been enjoying illuminated chambers below the Mendip Hills led by specialist heritage guides during the Wookey Uncovered experience.

Travellers' guide: It was 90 years ago that an engineering firm in Wells came up with a standardised fingerpost design for Somerset County Council. Hundreds were made over the next 30 years, and Somerset is one of the few counties in England which has preserved most of its posts.

"Fresh energy": Bristol Business Improvement District (BID) has announced the return of its Love Bristol, Love Broadmead campaign. Called Blossoming Broadmead, the bank holiday event invites visitors to "rediscover Broadmead in a new way".

Book bingo: A new reading challenge for adults has been launched in Bristol's libraries to encourage people to explore a diverse range of books. The project is being funded by proceeds from the Clifton LitFest, run by the Friends of Clifton Centre and Library.

Rhyme time: Creative minds came together for the Lyra Bristol Poetry Festival, which featured 35 events across the city. The festival theme of Wonder and Wanderers celebrated "histories of migration and movement".

Class of 96: Members of staff from Bath's Royal United Hospital met this week to each celebrate 30 years of working at the trust and to look back on their time at the hospital.

Painted tribute: A mural has been painted to memorialise Jim Davis, 73, who died after approaching two people who had thrown a large branch at a cyclist in Cheltenham.

Painter, Andy Dice Davies, said he was "honoured" that Davis' family had allowed him to create the mural near the spot where he died.

Hand-rearing: A baby pine marten, one of the most rarest mammals in the UK, is being cared for by the Vale Wildlife and Rehabilitation Centre in Gloucestershire. He was discovered in a rubbish bin, along with two siblings who had already died.

Orange sky at night: This stunning photograph was captured by one of our BBC Weather Watchers by the River Severn at Elmore.

New beginnings: A fluffy new arrival caused excitement at Birdland Park and Gardens after a Humboldt penguin chick successfully hatched during the busy breeding season.

Feeding time: The arrival of spring has seen an influx of birds across the West Country. This image of a baby dipper being fed was taken near Stroud by resident Paul Sutton.

Baa-rilliant: Baby lambs have a spring in their step with the arrival of warmer weather. Thank you, Weather Watcher Jo C for this picture from Market Lavington.

Star travel: Wichelstowe in Swindon has been crowned one of the best residential areas for sustainable transport at the Modeshift STARS National Travel Awards, which honours the promotion of walking, cycling and public transport use for everyday journeys.

Hip hip hooray: New hippos Lola, Matylda, Manon and Hodor are also enjoying the warmer weather and can now be seen wallowing in Half Mile Pond at Longleat. Hippos walk underwater rather than swim, which is why their full scientific name - hippopotamus - originates from the Ancient Greek term "river horse".

Pink skies: The longer evenings have led to a flurry of late-night walks for Weather Watchers in Wiltshire. Thank you Ruthie for this picture of an unusual cloud formation changing from orange to pink above Devizes this week.