Avon (county)

Avon was a non-metropolitan county in the west of England, created on 1 April 1974 by the Local Government Act 1972. It comprised parts of the historic counties of Gloucestershire and Somerset, along with the city of Bristol.

The county was named after the River Avon, which flows through the area. Its principal settlements included Bristol, Bath, Weston-super-Mare, and Kingswood. Avon County Council was the governing body responsible for local government services.

Avon's creation was controversial from the outset, with many residents identifying more strongly with their pre-existing county affiliations. The county was abolished on 1 April 1996, and its area was divided into four new unitary authorities: Bath and North East Somerset, Bristol, North Somerset, and South Gloucestershire. These unitary authorities are now responsible for all local government functions within their respective areas. The name "Avon" continues to be used in various contexts, such as postal addresses and the names of organizations, although it no longer represents an administrative area.