BBC Spotlight

A Devon pensioner says he's losing hope of ever being reunited with his family after an 11-year battle to get them to the UK. 

William Drummond, 65, fled with his wife and children - Roxanna, 18-year-old Charlene and 17-year-old Will - from war-torn Venezuela in 2002. They made it as far as Peru but complications in getting British passports for his children has meant they're still in South America a decade on. He hasn't seen them for five years after returning to the UK to fight for the documents.

Image source, William Drummond

He said one of his main concerns was the danger his children currently faced in Peru, and that his son was held up by an armed robber only a few days ago. He added: "I want my kids home and safe ... I can't fight on my own."  

The Passport Office said it could not issue passports until "all necessary checks" were completed, and applications involving responses from overseas authorities were "dependent on how quickly those authorities respond".

BBC Radio Devon

A family has paid tribute to 64-year-old John Norris from Plympton who died whilst cycling on the A379 at Stoke Fleming in Devon.

The crash between the cyclist and a Hyundai occurred at around 11:50 on 16 June on Blackpool Hill near Blackpool Sands. Mr Norris was taken to Derriford Hospital where he later died from his injuries.

Image source, Devon and Cornwall Police

His family released a picture of him sitting with his grandson Jack and said: “John was a very special, warm-hearted and caring man who was loved and respected by all who knew him. He will be sadly missed." 

The Guardian

After an absence from England of at least 500 years, beavers have been found living in the wild in east Devon, external - but the rodents aren’t keen on the spotlight.

Bee Tucker
BBC Weather

After a dry and bright start, cloud and rain will soon feed in from the west, turning heavy in places.

The wet weather will continue its eastwards journey through the afternoon, clearing western parts by mid afternoon. Maximum temperature: 18C (64F).

BBC Spotlight

Devon and Cornwall Police are aiming to cut waiting times for their non-emergency 101 number by asking people to get in touch via email.

Sandy Brooks from Devon and Cornwall Police , externalsaid: "It means we will see a significant reduction in our waiting times. We are an emergency service and we do need to prioritise our emergency calls.

"If you can think before you call, or if you can click before you call, and then those people who we really do need to speak to on our urgent number, we will be able to get to quickly."

BBC Radio Devon

More councils in Devon could start collecting rubbish every three weeks, and charging to take away garden waste, as part of a push to save money and improve recycling rates.

A report by Devon County Council suggests millions of pounds could be saved if people recycled more. 

A trial in East Devon, where general waste bins are collected every three weeks, has seen a drop in the amount of rubbish left out.

Cornish Guardian

Parents are complaining about the lack of privacy , externalafter the doors to boys' toilets at a St Austell school were removed.

Andrew Segal
Local Live

Two local council elections could be held next month, a district authority says, external.

South Hams District Council said it had a vacancy in its Totnes Ward, and that Totnes Town Council currently had four seats to fill.

It said nominations were open and those wishing to stand needed to have nomination papers in by 30 June. If there were multiple nominations, elections would be held on 27 July, the council added.

Brent Pilnick
BBC Sport

Prop Greg Holmes will be well suited to English rugby, according to Exeter Chiefs head coach Rob Baxter.

Holmes, who featured in all three of Australia's tests in their 3-0 series loss to England, is moving to the Premiership runners-up this summer.

Image source, Getty Images

"I think he's a very positive scrummager, I think he's a scrummager who will really suit the Premiership," Baxter told BBC Sport. "Everything about his set-up and the way he looks is very legal and I think the referees will really like how he looks and the picture he shows at the scrum."  

Andrew Segal
Local Live

Two people arrested on suspicion of murder by police investigating the death of a four-week-old baby have been released on bail, officers say, external.

The 22-year-old woman and a 20-year-old man were taken into custody after the infant was found in a property in St Blazey, near St Austell, with "serious injuries" on Sunday. The baby later died at the Royal Cornwall Hospital. 

Devon and Cornwall Police said the death of the baby, who has not been formal identified, was "being treated as suspicious". They added they were waiting for the results of a post-mortem examination and "a number of associated tests".

BBC Radio Cornwall

Kelly's ice cream makers is investing £2m into its Bodmin factory. 

The company says sales are increasing by 20% year-on-year and its expansion plans will create more jobs.

Kelly's has been manufacturing in Cornwall for more than 100 years and is now the UK's sixth biggest ice cream brand. The new plan aims to increase partnerships with local farmers, through their relationship with Trewithen Dairy, which provides the factory with milk. Sales are projected to reach a record high this year with turnover expected to exceed £23m.   

BBC Spotlight

Devon and Cornwall Police are making another attempt to cut long waiting times for their non-emergency 101 number. 

They're asking the public to get in touch via email, external, or look up policing information online, and say it could make a big difference in improving the service.

BBC Travel

• In Cornwall, the A3047 is blocked in both directions near Redruth School after a road accident near the B3300
• In Devon, the A361 North Devon Link Road is closed in both directions between the Bolham roundabout and South Molton due to roadworks

Exeter Express & Echo

Cranbrook's first pub is on the horizon as pub chain Hall & Woodhouse, who operate Topsham's The Lighter Inn, has handed a licensing request, external to East Devon District Council.

BBC Spotlight

A Devon pensioner says he's losing hope of ever being reunited with his family after an 11-year battle to get them to the UK. 

Sixty-five-year-old William Drummond fled with his wife and children from war-torn Venezuela in 2002, where he says they'd been held at gunpoint and feared for their lives. They made it as far as Peru but complications in getting British passports for his children has meant they're still in South America more than a decade on. He hasn't seen them for five years after returning to the UK to fight for the documents.

The Passport Office said it could not issue a passport until all necessary checks had been satisfactorily completed, and the timescale depended on overseas authorities.

Andrew Segal
Local Live

Good morning from the BBC Local Live team. 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.