Jonathan Morris, BBC News Online

Residents at two care homes in Devon were left in rooms with "no features, no clock, no heating, no TV or radio, no bathroom facilities", Bristol Crown Court has heard.

The boss and four staff at the Vielstone, in Bideford, and Gatooma, in Holsworthy are accused of a string of offences against seven residents. 

Residents could be confined for "several hours or overnight sometimes", with each "effectively imprisoned in that room against their will", said prosecutor Andrew Langdon. The boss and staff deny the charges.

Jonathan Morris, BBC News Online

The gent's toilets in a sleepy Devon village have been closed indefinitely after they became a popular meeting place for gay sex, external, reports the Exeter Daily.

BBC Travel

-  In Exeter, Prince Charles Road is partially blocked near Calthorpe Road due to an accident.

- On the A377, Bonhay Road in Exeter is busy but moving outbound near the St David's Hill junction.

BBC Radio Devon

A group in Totnes has become one of the first in the country to invoke a new "Community Right to Build Order" to develop a derelict site in the town. 

The order gives local people a greater say in deciding what gets built in their communities, leading to a referendum on the plan. 

In Totnes, locals have come up with a plan for affordable housing and other developments on the old Dairy Crest site.  

BBC Radio Cornwall

It's claimed staff working for Mitie at the Royal Cornwall Hospitals Trust have been banned from taking any holiday in March. 

The union Unison says the company will pay workers for any leave they are owed, but the burden of proving how much leave they have left will fall on staff and could result in some losing out. 

Image source, Getty Images

Unison blames a backlog of leave claims for the issue. Mitie is yet comment.   

Plymouth Herald

Police have seized cannabis, external with a street value of £250,000 in Bodmin. Officers stopped a vehicle in the town and arrested the occupants in an ongoing battle to prevent drugs being distributed in the area.

Chris Ellis
BBC News Online

Detectives are appealing for information after several distinctive items of jewellery were taken during two burglaries in Clyst St Mary, Exeter.

Two properties were broken into while the victims were away on holiday in mid-February.

Image source, Devon and Cornwall Police

Det Con Carly Davies said: “These crimes have had a devastating effect on the victims. A large number of the stolen items are of great sentimental value to them and we are appealing for the public’s help in finding them so we can reunite them with their rightful owners.

Chris Ellis
BBC News Online

An injured loggerhead turtle, found stranded on a Cornish beach, has made a remarkable recovery. 

Staff at Newquay's Blue Reef Aquarium said the turtle could now be released back into the wild.

Image source, Blue Reef Aquarium

Kyle Wingfield, from the aquarium, said staff were on a 24-hour rota as she had to be tube fed every 90 minutes.

BBC Radio Cornwall

The Hall for Cornwall's unveiled its £18m plans for redevelopment.

Image source, Google

The theatre wants to expand and install a brand new auditorium and foyer with new cafes and bars. A public consultation on the plans begins this morning.

Plymouth Herald

A Star Wars actor died, external after an operation at Derriford Hospital in Plymouth was cancelled because of a Black Alert, an inquest has heard.

BBC Weather

It will be a cold start to the day with a widespread frost, but it will be sunny with light winds.

The sunshine will continue throughout the afternoon across Devon and Cornwall. Maximum temperature: 8 Deg C (46 Deg F).

Claire Hawke
BBC Local Live

- Staff at the Met Office in Exeter have started striking over the gap between men and women's pay 

- Unison claims staff working for Mitie at the Royal Cornwall Hospitals Trust have been banned from taking leave because of a backlog of applications 

- A public consultation is underway into £18m plans to redevelop the Hall for Cornwall in Truro 

- Scientists in Exeter are getting £1m to properly investigate archaeological finds dug up in the 1970s and 80s    

Jonathan Morris, BBC News Online

Staff at two care homes "imprisoned" disabled adults in empty rooms to punish or control them, a court heard.

Vulnerable residents at two care homes in Devon were left alone for hours with little food or water by "arrogant" managers, Bristol Crown Court was told.

The boss and four staff at the Vielstone, in Bideford, and Gatooma, in Holsworthy are accused of a string of offences against seven residents. It was "organised and systematic abuse," said prosecutor Andrew Langdon.

BBC Spotlight

Staff at the Met Office have begun striking over a 10% gap in male and female salaries.

The trade union Prospect, which represents the majority of Met Office employees, says senior female meteorologists earn about £7,000 less than their male counterparts. 

The Met Office, based in Exeter, conceded the 24-hour industrial action could disrupt some weather services. It said it was aware of the pay gap and was "committed to reducing it".  

BBC Travel

- On the A30 westbound between Scorrier and Redruth we've got reports of delays due to a vehicle fire

- On the A38 between Bodmin Parkway and Carminow Cross the road is partially blocked because of an accident

- Another accident is causing problems in Torpoint on Trevol Road   

- In Exeter, on Bridge Road between Countess Wear and Matford one lane is closed due to roadworks, and there's also heavy traffic Sannerville Way  

Chris Ellis
BBC News Online

Good morning from BBC Local Live. We'll be bringing you the news, sport, travel and weather for Devon and Cornwall today. If you want to get in touch, please email us.