Updates on Thursday 14 July 2016
Live updates for Devon and Cornwall have finished for the day, but we'll be back at 08:00 on Friday with the latest news, sport, travel and weather.
Don't forget Spotlight on BBC One this evening and the late bulletin at 22:30. There will also be news through the night on your BBC Local Radio station.
The skies will turn increasingly cloudy through tomorrow, becoming thick enough in places to give the odd spot of rain or drizzle. The cloud will lower through the day too, perhaps leading to hill and coastal fog later. Maximum Temperature: 19C (66F)
The female sperm whale has been removed from Perranporth beach, according to Perranzabuloe Parish Council.
Image source, Reg ButlerIt was found stranded on its side in the shallows, when the tide went out and died on the shore.
Scientists had carried out an a post mortem on the 38ft (12m) giant, taking some samples back to London to learn more about the creatures.
Claire Jones
BBC News Online
Following an attack on a three-year-old boy by a "pack" of squirrels as he fed them the RSPCA has the following advice for those wanting to feed wild animals.
A spokeswoman said: "Many people enjoy seeing grey squirrels while out in the countryside and they can be safely observed from a reasonable distance. Squirrel feeders are available to buy or make for people who want to feed squirrels in their garden."
She added: "We would never recommend any adult or child hand feed any wild animal by hand as they can be unpredictable.
"This must have been very upsetting, but fortunately these incidents are extremely rare."
Plans for a Premier Inn hotel at Wadebridge are set to be approved, external, after town councillors agreed last night to support a revised design.
The green light for a new Lidl store in East Devon has been described as "an enormous boost for growth and confidence".
Last week East Devon District Council approved planning permission for Lidl to build their new regional distribution centre, a move which will see the supermarket create about 500 jobs for the area.
Image source, AFPCouncillor Paul Diviani, leader of East Devon District Council, said: "Planning approval for Lidl's new regional distribution centre is an enormous boost for growth and confidence for East Devon and indeed greater Exeter, greater Devon.
"Lidl coming here underlines the incredible credentials of the area for strategic employment growth."
Adrienne Howells, from Lidl UK, added: "We are of course thrilled that this will lead to considerable investment and job creation in the area, and we're very much looking forward to getting started on construction."
Claire Jones
BBC News Online
Devon and Cornwall Police are holding an award ceremony today to honour the professionalism and commitment of police officers, staff and volunteers from across Cornwall and Isles of Scilly.
The ceremony will take place at County Hall, Truro and the awards will be presented by Chief Superintendent Jim Pearce, Superintendent Ian Drummond-Smith, Temporary Superintendent Mark Bolt and Detective Superintendent Stephen Parker.
Conservative MP Andrea Leadsom has told the Commons that nothing would maker her happier than a "nice holiday in Cornwall".
Mrs Leadsom made her first appearance at the despatch box since withdrawing from the leadership contest, clearing the way for Theresa May to become Prime Minister.
Average speed cameras could be introduced on the new South Devon Highway, external.
A major restoration project in Exeter - which is costing £500,000 - has reached the halfway stage.
The money is being spent on repairing the Georgian library roof of the Devon and Exeter Institution in Cathedral Close.
Bosses say the work will protecting the institution's collection of rare books and newspapers - some dating back to the 16th Century.
Work to protect an endangered species of ray that lives in Cornish waters has received a boost.
Image source, Blue Reef AquariumOne small-eyed ray has hatched and three more are due to emerge from their egg cases at Blue Reef Aquarium in Newquay.
Once hatched, the rays will remain at the aquarium.
Tourism boss Samantha Groom has been presented with a British Empire Medal for services to tourism in Cornwall.
Image source, Excess EnergyMs Groom said "this has been a very special day for me" and she was "absolutely thrilled" to receive the medal, which acknowledges community work.
Colonel Edward Bolitho presented the award on behalf of Her Majesty The Queen.
Torridge District Council is being criticised for not giving people enough chance to have their say on new housing plans.
The authority wants to build homes on four tennis courts in Westward Ho! and create a new children's play area.
The plans are online and are going on show at two drop-in sessions but people like Maggie Durkin say they haven't been given enough notice.
Ms Durkin said: "I'm just very angry as Torridge District Council keeps gobbling up more and more land in this area."
The Conservative Leader of Torridge District Council Jane Whittaker says the space has potential for more homes.
A dream wedding at Dartmoor Zoo has come under threat amid fears the missing lynx might return, external and disrupt the party.
Jonathan Morris, BBC News Online
The mother of a three-year-old boy attacked by squirrels has spoken of her shock after the incident.
Sophie Renouf, a shop assistant from Pool, said she had been to the park several times before and fed the squirrels with her son Finlay.
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"He was feeding them as normal with nuts, I wouldn't let him feed them if I thought there was any danger. One squirrel came up and then all of a sudden six of them came out of the hedge. One of them bit him on the hand five times. There was blood pouring out of his hand and down his legs, it was all over him."
She rushed Finlay to a nearby minor injuries unit but he was transferred to Cornwall's main hospital, Treliske, near Truro.
BBC Travel
Chris Ellis
BBC News Online
Police investigating a knifepoint robbery in Okehampton have released images of a man they want to speak to in connection with the incident.
At around 21:15 on 9 July a man entered the Costcutter store on Exeter Road and is reported to have threatened two members of staff with a large carving knife, police said.
The man forced open the till drawer and stole cash before leaving the shop, heading in the direction of The Giblands Estate. Police are appealing for witnesses to come forward.
Image source, Devon and Cornwall PoliceA ground-breaking study into the life of seagulls in St Ives has revealed the birds spend little time scavenging, external for food on the streets.
Image source, BBC Weather Watchers
Image source, BBC Weather Watchers
