Wednesday's live coveragepublished at 18:02 Greenwich Mean Time 16 March 2016
Live updates for Devon and Cornwall have finished for the day, but we'll be back at 08:00 on Thursday with the latest news, sport, travel and weather.
Summary
Updates on Wednesday 16 March 2016
More news, sport, travel and weather from 08:00 on Thursday
Wednesday's live coveragepublished at 18:02 Greenwich Mean Time 16 March 2016
Help for Heroes pilot gig built by veterans finally takes to the waterpublished at 17:58 Greenwich Mean Time 16 March 2016
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End of twitter postProtest over university 'Follywood' signpublished at 17:57 Greenwich Mean Time 16 March 2016
Students in Falmouth have staged a protest against large grey concrete letters opposite Falmouth University's Wood Lane campus, which they say do not accurately reflect the beauty of the town and its vibrant arts community.
Image source, Thomas StockleyThe students have nicknamed the letters 'Follywood'. Falmouth University says the sign was designed and built locally.
First buyers in the South West to be helped, Chancellor announcespublished at 17:50 Greenwich Mean Time 16 March 2016
Chris Ellis
BBC News OnlineThe Chancellor has announced £20m will be spent on helping families to buy their own homes in the South West.
George Osborne said: "We're going to use receipts (from stamp duty) to support community housing trusts, including £20m to help young families onto the housing ladder.
"It's proof that when the South West votes blue, their voice is heard loud in Westminster."
Controversial silt dumping to begin off coastpublished at 17:45 Greenwich Mean Time 16 March 2016
Adrian Campbell, Environment Correspondent
BBC SpotlightThe controversial disposal of thousands of tonnes of dredged material from HM Naval base Devonport is about to begin off Whitsand Bay in south east Cornwall.
The dredger Freeway has arrived in Plymouth after being given a licence to dispose of silt close to a Marine Conservation Zone, despite repeated protests from environmental campaigners.
The Marine Management Organisation says alternative solutions are being investigated in the longer term.
'Disappointment' over loss of Red Arrows at Fowey regattapublished at 17:40 Greenwich Mean Time 16 March 2016
Fowey is feeling a "huge sense of disappointment" over the cancellation of the Red Arrows at this year's regatta, the town's harbour master says.
Image source, James ChurchfieldOrganisers have cancelled the RAF display team after the Military Aviation Authority raised concerns over the "width of the safety corridor" below the display.
Harbour master Paul Thomas said: "It is hugely important and is without question the busiest day of regatta week. There is a huge sense of disappointment."
Weather latest: Dry tomorrow with sunny spellspublished at 17:36 Greenwich Mean Time 16 March 2016
David Braine, Weather ForecasterTonight will be largely dry with some clear spells. It will feel chilly in brisk easterly winds and there may be one or two patches of frost in sheltered spots by dawn. Minimum Temperature: 2 Deg C (36 Deg F).
Thursday will be another dry day. Patchy cloud will begin to clear in the morning to allow plenty of sunny spells during the afternoon. The winds will ease and it will feel pleasant in the springtime sunshine. Maximum Temperature: 11 Deg C (52 Deg F)
Care home 'punishment room' court case continuespublished at 17:28 Greenwich Mean Time 16 March 2016
Hamish Marshall
BBC SpotlightA jury has been told that a vulnerable resident at a care home in Devon was put into a so called "punishment room" nearly 200 times in a two year period.
The boss and four staff at the Vielstone, in Bideford, and Gatooma, in Holsworthy are accused of a string of offences against seven residents.
The court has been hearing from Christine Bates from Wokingham Borough Council, who was responsible for the care of one partially deaf woman with behavioural problems. She was asked if it would be suitable to send residents to a room if they had wet the bed. Ms Bates said that would be "totally unreasonable." The case continues.
Paignton Green donkeys dismissed in favour of trampolinespublished at 17:21 Greenwich Mean Time 16 March 2016
Paignton Green's popular summertime donkey rides, external are being replaced by trampolines this summer.
Latest headlines for Devon and Cornwallpublished at 17:15 Greenwich Mean Time 16 March 2016
Chris Ellis
BBC News Online- A disabled woman in a care home was put into a so-called punishment room nearly 200 times, a court has heard
- Fowey regatta organisers made the decision to cancel the Red Arrows because the option for them to perform out at sea would pose too many difficulties, the BBC has learned
- The jury in the case of three Devon and Cornwall Police staff accused of two counts of manslaughter of a man with mental health problems have been sent home for a second night
- George Osborne delivers his eighth Budget with South West projects earmarked for cash
- A rare type of hermit crab has been rediscovered at a beach in Falmouth after a 30 year absence.
Latest travel news across Devon and Cornwallpublished at 17:09 Greenwich Mean Time 16 March 2016
BBC Travel- In Kingsbridge we've got reports of an incident on West Alvington Hill between Ashleigh Road and the Ring O' Bells Pub
- In Carharrack, United Road is blocked by an incident near Consols Road and closed to the United Downs Industrial Park
- In Plymouth, we've got reports of an incident on Exeter Street at Bretonside near the Asda petrol station.
- In Plymouth Mannamead Road is partially blocked by an accident between Seymour Road and Thorn Park
Police warn of dangers of mud on road after increase in crashespublished at 17:00 Greenwich Mean Time 16 March 2016
Police are warning drivers and farmers of the dangers of mud on the road with traffic accidents on the rise, external across the region.
Image source, Devon and Cornwall PoliceThe Great Torrington area had 34 crashes reported from December 2014 to November 2015 - although police believe there could be many more. PC Ash Steer said: “I would urge people to report significant amounts of mud so it can be assessed or cleaned up."
'Vital' Royal Navy training onboard HMS Bulwark takes place in Cornwallpublished at 16:52 Greenwich Mean Time 16 March 2016
Chris Ellis
BBC News OnlineRoyal Navy personnel have taken part in training onboard Devonport-based HMS Bulwark off Cornwall.
Captain James Parkin said: “Intensive amphibious training of this nature is vital to ensure we are ready to respond when the government requires HMS Bulwark to act."
Image source, Royal NavyMidshipman Emily Gunning, from St Austell, said: “This is my first time at sea in HMS Bulwark since I joined from training and I’ve learnt lots about what an amphibious ship does."
Budget: Chancellor gives go-ahead for new 'Garden Villages'published at 16:44 Greenwich Mean Time 16 March 2016
The Chancellor has given the green light, external to a wave of new "garden villages" across the country. In his Budget George Osborne laid the groundwork for revolutionary proposals by former Truro and St Austell MP Matthew Taylor.
Budget speech 2016 in numberspublished at 16:36 Greenwich Mean Time 16 March 2016
BBC News EnglandThe Chancellor's speech was 9,223 words long.
"Next generation" was a key theme and a phrase used 18 times by Mr Osborne.
Wet winter weather causes dozens of footpaths to close for monthspublished at 16:28 Greenwich Mean Time 16 March 2016
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End of twitter postExeter family who didn't pay fine for term-time holiday appear in courtpublished at 16:14 Greenwich Mean Time 16 March 2016
An Exeter family who are making a stand against rules, external which state parents can’t take their children out of school during term-time have appeared in court today.
Open heart surgery achieves milestone of 20,000 operationspublished at 16:05 Greenwich Mean Time 16 March 2016
Chris Ellis
BBC News OnlineThe South West Cardiothoracic Centre has successfully completed 20,000 open heart operations since it opened in 1997.
Surgical teams have performed ore than 1,000 open heart operations per year with a survival rate above the national average, said Plymouth Hospitals NHS Trust.
Before the centre opened at the city's Derriford Hospital, local patients had to travel hundreds of miles for their operations.
Mayors for wider South West narrows options for the rest of the regionpublished at 15:57 Greenwich Mean Time 16 March 2016
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End of twitter postVassell may be sold by Truro in summerpublished at 15:46 Greenwich Mean Time 16 March 2016
Brent Pilnick, BBC SportTruro City chairman Peter Masters says the club could sell forward Isaac Vassell at the end of the season.
Image source, Truro City FCThe 22-year-old former Plymouth Argyle youngster impressed as the White Tigers came from 1-0 down to beat Bath City 3-1 on Tuesday.
"He could be sold, but he won't be going anywhere in this part of the season," Masters told BBC Cornwall. "Isaac will follow us through to the play-offs and if we get in the National League we'll carry on with him.
