Broadcast timeline
ITV — ITV News West Country
Thursday 23 July 2026 · 18:00 BST · 30m · 7 stories · 15 annotated moments · 24 of 30 min on news stories (81%)
Broadcast overview
An AI-generated overview based on this broadcast's transcript.
Bristol Water has told ITV News that a hosepipe ban for its 1.25 million customers is highly unlikely despite recent hot weather, as its Chew Valley Lake reservoir is 74% full following winter preparation and reduced leaks. In contrast, Thames Water customers in parts of Gloucestershire and Wiltshire face a hosepipe ban from today, restricting use of hosepipes for watering gardens, filling paddling pools, and cleaning vehicles. The RSPCA in Brent Knoll, Somerset, has been inundated with calls about pet safety in the heat, advising owners to keep animals cool with shade and water, avoid midday walks, and watch for heat stroke.
New research suggests nearly a third of people in the southwest have struggled to afford basic hygiene products like deodorant and toothpaste, with nearly two-fifths of those affected saying they have missed career opportunities as a result. An installation at a busy railway station highlighted the issue, supported by the Hygiene Bank and former Apprentice winner Karisma Vijay. Meanwhile, a Bristol-based company, Vertical Aerospace, has showcased its electric flying taxi, the Velo, at the Farnborough air show; the prototype, designed to carry four passengers, is quieter and zero-emission, though regulatory and public acceptance hurdles remain before commercial services launch in London.
Butterfly Conservation is urging the public to take part in the Big Butterfly Count, as the painted lady butterfly may be experiencing its largest migration to the UK in 17 years due to hot weather and favourable winds. Birdwatchers have flocked to a farm near Lechlade to see a long-tailed shrike, only the third ever recorded in Britain. The Womad Music Festival has returned after a year's hiatus at a new venue, Neston Park Estate near Corsham, with 40,000 attendees expected; the festival's first edition was in 1982 at Shepton Mallet.
- 0:21
- 1:29
Claim Thames Water announces hosepipe ban; Environment Agency upgrades drought status
Bristol Water stated that a hosepipe ban is highly unlikely for its 1.25 million customers.
ITV1 HD, ITV News West Country, 23 July 2026, 1:29-1:42
- 1:36
Claim Thames Water announces hosepipe ban; Environment Agency upgrades drought status
Thames Water will impose a hosepipe ban for its customers from Thursday.
ITV1 HD, ITV News West Country, 23 July 2026, 1:36-1:48
- 3:20
Claim Thames Water announces hosepipe ban; Environment Agency upgrades drought status
Chew Valley Lake is 74% full, compared to 55% at the same time last year.
ITV1 HD, ITV News West Country, 23 July 2026, 3:20-3:36
- 5:45
Claim RSPCA issues heatwave safety advice for pets
The RSPCA reported a surge in heat-related pet safety inquiries, including a 9000% increase in people researching heat stroke on its website.
ITV1 HD, ITV News West Country, 23 July 2026, 5:45-5:57
- 5:52 Story begins RSPCA issues heatwave safety advice for pets
- 7:49
Claim RSPCA issues heatwave safety advice for pets
The RSPCA reported a surge in heat-related pet safety inquiries, including a 9000% increase in people researching heat stroke on its website.
ITV1 HD, ITV News West Country, 23 July 2026, 7:49-7:59
- 8:21
Claim RSPCA issues heatwave safety advice for pets
The RSPCA receives a call about animal mistreatment once every ten minutes.
ITV1 HD, ITV News West Country, 23 July 2026, 8:21-8:31
- 8:47
- 9:36
Claim Nearly a third in southwest struggle to afford basic hygiene products
Nearly a third of people in the southwest have struggled to afford basic hygiene products at some point in their life.
ITV1 HD, ITV News West Country, 23 July 2026, 9:36-9:43
- 9:44
Claim Nearly a third in southwest struggle to afford basic hygiene products
Nearly two-fifths of those in hygiene poverty have delayed or missed a career opportunity because they could not afford hygiene items.
ITV1 HD, ITV News West Country, 23 July 2026, 9:44-10:00
- 9:54
Claim Nearly a third in southwest struggle to afford basic hygiene products
Around two in five people in hygiene poverty worry their personal hygiene will cost them their job or hold them back in their career.
ITV1 HD, ITV News West Country, 23 July 2026, 9:54-10:06
- 12:27
- 12:52
Claim Vertical Aerospace showcases electric air taxi at Farnborough; Joby partners with Virgin Atlantic
The Velo prototype is restricted to test flights from its home airfield at Kemble.
ITV1 HD, ITV News West Country, 23 July 2026, 12:52-13:01
- 13:22
Claim Vertical Aerospace showcases electric air taxi at Farnborough; Joby partners with Virgin Atlantic
Joby Aviation has partnered with Virgin Atlantic for air taxi services.
ITV1 HD, ITV News West Country, 23 July 2026, 13:22-13:39
- 14:12
Claim Vertical Aerospace showcases electric air taxi at Farnborough; Joby partners with Virgin Atlantic
Government and Civil Aviation Authority must approve safety before electric air taxis can operate, but appear supportive.
ITV1 HD, ITV News West Country, 23 July 2026, 14:12-14:22
- 15:24
- 15:30
Claim Painted lady butterfly migration could be biggest in 17 years; Big Butterfly Count urged
The painted lady butterfly migration could be the largest in 17 years due to hot weather and favourable winds.
ITV1 HD, ITV News West Country, 23 July 2026, 15:30-15:43
- 17:21
Claim Painted lady butterfly migration could be biggest in 17 years; Big Butterfly Count urged
The Big Butterfly Count is underway and the public can participate by spending 15 minutes recording butterflies.
ITV1 HD, ITV News West Country, 23 July 2026, 17:21-17:32
- 17:48
Claim Painted lady butterfly migration could be biggest in 17 years; Big Butterfly Count urged
Planting nectar-rich flowers and leaving wild patches like nettles and thistles helps butterflies.
ITV1 HD, ITV News West Country, 23 July 2026, 17:48-17:58
- 18:37 Story begins Long-tailed shrike sighted in Britain for third time
- 20:51 Story begins Womad Festival returns at new venue near Corsham
- 25:28 ~5 min without annotations
Source: ITV1, "ITV News West Country", Thursday 23 July 2026. Transcript excerpts and stills are shown only to support the analysis annotated alongside them. Search-result excerpts are distinct from the editorial annotations — see our copyright basis. The full broadcast is not reproduced.