Animal campaigners have called for a shop in Truro to cancel plans to use live reindeer in a Christmas themed event next week. 

People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) campaigner Sonul Badiani-Hamment sent a letter to the manager of Mallett's Home Hardware saying: "There are many other ways that the people of Truro could celebrate the holidays that would be far more in keeping with the Christmas spirit than treating scared animals like decorations."

The shop has replied to PETA saying they have been assured of the welfare and well-being of the animals by the Cairngorm Reindeer Centre who provide them.  

The shop says reindeer have been an annual feature of the 'Real Reindeer' event since 2007 and they say they've not witnessed any incidents that make them consider not booking them.

Read more on the Christmas reindeer debate.

Sian Davies
BBC News Online

A man has appeared in court charged with murder following the death of 30-year-old James Woodhouse (pictured below) in Exeter.

Police continue to investigate the death of Mr Woodhouse, whose body was found in flat 1, Okehampton Road, Exeter, on Monday 21 November. 

Image source, Devon and Cornwall Police

Brett Williams Edwards, 37, from Okehampton Road, Exeter, has been charged with murder and appeared at Exeter Crown Court.

A 47-year-old local man was also arrested on suspicion of murder and bailed by police until the 1 February 2017 pending further enquiries. 

BBC Radio Cornwall

Business owners and residents in Fowey say they're "pleased" that an emergency mobile flood defence system will be tested in the town today. 

Engineers from the Environment Agency will ferry in these large metal brackets which then support a flexible plastic wall designed to keep flood water out. What do you think? Drop us an email.

Image source, Environment Agency

BBC Weather

It'll be mainly dry with the cloud breaking to give some bright or sunny spells. 

However, it will be windy, particularly around the coast and over high ground where moderate or fresh northeasterly winds will be strong and may gust to gale force around the headlands. 

The maximum temperature will be 12C.

Plymouth Herald

A "paedophile hunter" has been warned to stop trying to entrap people online, external after he submitted his latest dossier to police.

Sian Davies
BBC News Online

People over 65 are being encouraged to prepare for colder temperatures in a new campaign Stay Well This Winter.

About 25,000 more people die over the course of each winter compared to other times of the year and there are a range of conditions worsened by the cold weather – 80% of these deaths are accounted for by people with circulatory diseases (such as heart disease, lung illnesses and stroke), dementia and respiratory diseases (such as asthma).

Image source, PA

Deputy Mayor and Torbay Councillor Derek Mills said: "This national campaign highlights the importance preparing for the winter months.

"Exposure to cold indoor or outdoor temperatures increases blood pressure, thereby increasing the risk of heart failure, kidney disease, stroke or dementia."

Hamish Marshall
BBC Spotlight

Mrs Justice Andrews has refused a Ministry of Defence request to have more time to submit documents in defence of claims that it didn't do enough to prevent Philip Eaglesham catching Q Fever while serving in Afghanstan.

She said: "Even though this was not a case of a deliberate flouting of a court order it is not an appropriate case in which to grant the defendant any further indulgence."

It means 35-year-old Cpl Eagelsham, who is weak, lethargic and has suffered depression has won. His lawyers want compensation of more than a million ponds to fund future care, house adaptions and to cover his inability to work.

The exact amount will be decided at a future hearing.

The MoD had said the delay was because it had found more documents than first thought and national security and a shortage of resources were to blame. It has no right of appeal but can ask for a hearing to do so.

BBC Travel

• At Bovey Tracey the A382 is now clear following an earlier incident near Southbrook Lane 
• The A386 is partially blocked by a collision of two vehicles between Dousland Road and Little Down Lane, Roborough

Hamish Marshall
BBC Spotlight

A High Court judge has today ruled that the Ministry of Defence has run out of time to submit its defence to claims that it didn't do enough to prevent Philip Eaglesham catching Q Fever while serving in Afghanistan.

The Corporal, who now uses a wheelchair, was with Taunton-based 40 commando on tour in 2010. He trained in Devon and used to live in Plymouth. 

Mrs Justice Andrews refused a Ministry of Defence request to have yet more time to submit documents. 

Hamish Marshall
BBC Spotlight

A Royal Marine who contracted a debilitating fever after serving in Afghanistan has won his case for compensation from the Ministry of Defence.

Philip Eaglesham, who trained in Devon and used to live in Plymouth, was diagnosed with Q Fever which made him weak, and depressed. He now uses a wheelchair.

BBC Travel

• In Roborough there are reports of an accident on the A386 near New Road and the Dartmoor Diner
• In Plymouth, the incident on Embankment Road has been cleared
• In Combe Martin a fallen tree has just been removed from Leigh Road near the Wildlife & Dinosaur Park
• At Connor Downs, Gwinear Road is closed between Trenawin Lane and Station Road in Carnhell Green for repairs to the level crossing
• In Chybucca the accident on the A30 near the Allet Turn Off is now cleared

Christine Butler
BBC Radio Cornwall

The coroner at the inquest into the death of Susan Norman has started summing up at Truro Magistrates Court.

Mrs Norman, a grandmother and great grandmother, died after a landslide engulfed her home in Looe on 22 March 2013.

Sian Davies
BBC News Online

The Devon Air Ambulance Trust is getting £1m for night landing sites. 

It was announced in the Autumn Statement that further grants will be made from the Libor Bank Fines Fund to charities, including the Cornwall Air Ambulance Trust which will also get £1m.

The fund comes from fines imposed on banks.

Image source, Devon Air Ambulance

Nigel Hare is operations director at Devon Air Ambulance Trust: "The money that's being provided could help fund the installation of up to 300 sites across Devon so probably 300 communities, it really could benefit the whole of the county. It's great news."  

Sian Davies
BBC News Online

A mine has been granted permission to continue operating for the next 20 years despite noise complaints from local residents.

Image source, Robin May

Many local people have complained about noise levels around the Wold Minerals site at Drakelands near Plymouth.

Robin May, chairman of Sparkwell Parish Council said: "People who are suffering badly, I'm sure, will be quite upset about it. But for the parish we'll carry on going."

Sian Davies
BBC News Online

Beaches left decimated by the "severe" winter of 2013/14 have still not recovered almost three years later, according to new research led by the University of Plymouth.

The study, published in Marine Geology, examined 38 natural beaches, and showed around eight weeks of storms left many beaches along the UK’s Atlantic coastline in their most eroded state since records began.

Image source, Carl Stevenson

Dr Tim Scott, who led the study alongside colleagues in the University’s Coastal Processes Research Group, said: “As of October 2016, Perranporth had only recovered about half of the sand lost in 2013/14, while Slapton Sands has seen a marked and lasting shift of sand from the western end of the beach to the east. 

"Since 2013/14, wave conditions have remained southwesterly-dominated and that is why we are seeing the current, and dramatic, effects.”

Torquay Herald Express

A six-year-old girl from Torquay has been left 'heartbroken' after her school denied her a day off, external to take part in a Christmas advertising campaign.

BBC Radio Cornwall

People living in Fowey are welcoming tests on a new emergency mobile flood defence system in the town today. 

Engineers from the Environment Agency will ferry in large metal brackets that are bolted in the quayside, which then support a flexible plastic wall designed to keep flood water out. 

Ann Willmore, who runs Bookends Bookshop, says lots of businesses have been affected by flooding in the past.

Plymouth Herald

A brave woman who faced up to her violent ex, external has spoken of how she now lives "like a prisoner" in her high-security home.

Sian Davies
BBC News Online

Thousands of people lined the streets of Truro last night for the 20th City of Lights Festival.   

BBC Travel

• At Bovey Tracey there are reports of an accident on the A382 near Southbrook Lane
• In Plymouth there are reports of an incident on the A374 Embankment Road near Embankment Lane
• In Plymouth city centre there is congestion at Charles Church Roundabout on Exeter Street and at Drake Circus
• On the M5 all lanes are open, debris has been removed between J30 Exeter Services and J31 Exminster
• In Plymouth, Plymbridge Road is now clear following an accident near Darklake View