Somerset in Pictures: Swan whisperer and the races

Racing returned to Somerset this week, while the end of the Easter weekend brought some sunshine.

Elsewhere, one of the oldest family-owned department stores in the country celebrated its 250th anniversary.

Here is our selection of pictures from across the county this week.

Over hurdles: Brendan Powell rode American Land to victory during the Ron Hatton Memorial Handicap Hurdle at Taunton Racecourse on Wednesday.

Beach day: People flocked to the beach at Weston-super-Mare over the Easter bank holiday weekend.

Historic shop: Former staff at one of the oldest family-owned department stores in the country gathered for a special event to mark its 250th anniversary. Hatchers can trace its history back to a drapery shop that was first set up in 1775 and it still employs more than 40 people in Taunton. Former employee Alison Winchester was among the guests.

Cows and clouds: This highland cow was captured by weather watcher Nutkin on a cloudy day this week.

Easter win: Team Bath Netball began the second half of the inaugural NXT Gen League season on a winning note as they recorded a 59-44 victory over Severn rivals Cardiff Dragons on Easter Saturday.

Sunny spells: We've had some mixed weather this week but the sun came out intermittently, making for beautiful photos such as this one of Glastonbury Tor.

Oldest player: A former Bath Rugby player has been presented with a legacy cap 74 years after first joining the club. Stan Francis, now 100 years old and thought to be Bath Rugby's oldest living player, made his debut for the club in 1951.

Spring chicks: There was great excitement at The Bishop's Palace and Gardens in Wells as this year's cygnets hatched in the nest of the Palace's much-loved swans, Grace and Gabriel. The moment of hatching was confirmed by Moira Anderson, known locally as the Palace's "Swan Whisperer."

Competing nationally: Maisie Elliott of Bath University competed in the Women's 100m Butterfly heat during day five of the British Swimming Championships.

Medical advancement: Stroke care and research colleagues at Somerset NHS Foundation Trust have teamed up to test a new nerve stimulation therapy, in bid to improve hand and arm weakness in stroke survivors. The new stroke treatment delivers electrical pulses to a patient's brain via a portable, pacemaker-like device.

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