Judith Moritz
BBC North of England Correspondent

The cause of what made a car containing the band Viola Beach and their manager plunge into a canal in Sweden, killing all inside, may never be known, a coroner says.

Image source, AFP

The five men died in February when their car went into a canal outside Stockholm after a gig. Guitarist River Reeves grew up in Cornwall. 

At the hearing in Warrington, Coroner Nicholas Rheinberg concluded they died as a result of head injuries or drowning "as a result of a road traffic collision". 

He said: "I don't think it will ever be known what happened. It's the most awful tragedy."

Andrew Segal
Local Live

Police in Devon have warned children against going on scaffolding after reports of youngsters being on a structure erected around a church.

Officers in the Chudleigh area said on Facebook, external they were told children were seen climbing on scaffolding around Bovey Tracey Baptist Church. 

They said: "This is not only trespass but is very dangerous with the chance of serious injury should someone fall from the scaffolding".

Officers added that anyone on the scaffolding would be dealt with "appropriately", and parents should warn children "of the dangers involved" and encourage them "to stay well clear".

Plymouth Herald

A former Royal Navy lieutenant has failed with an appeal against his conviction, external for molesting a sleeping woman.

Judith Moritz
BBC North of England Correspondent

A coroner has concluded that members of the band Viola Beach and their manager, who were killed when their car plunged into a canal in Sweden, died as a result of drowning or head injuries.

The members of Viola Beach and their manager were killed in February when their car plunged into a canal outside Stockholm after a gig. Guitarist River Reeves grew up in Cornwall.

The conclusion of Coroner Nicholas Rheinberg, at the hearing in Warrington, were:

• Band member Jack Dakin - died as result of head injuries
• Band member Kris Leonard died as result of head injuries
• Band member Tomas Lowe - died as result of drowning
• Band member River Reeves - died as result of head injuries
• Manager Craig Tarry - died as result of head injuries 

BBC Radio Cornwall

Andrew Segal
Local Live

An inquest into the deaths of four band members and their manager in Sweden has been shown CCTV of their hire car driving towards a canal bridge and pictures of a damaged barrier which the band's car drove through. 

The members of Viola Beach and their manager were killed in February when their car plunged into a canal outside Stockholm after a gig. Guitarist River Reeves grew up in Cornwall.

Families of the musicians have been asking a range of questions to Cheshire Police at the hearing. Officers said their Swedish counterparts did not provide all the information the British force wanted. 

The coroner said there were "frustrating missing gaps" and he was not able to demand information from Swedish authorities in same way he could of British ones. The inquest, in Warrington, has been adjourned until later.

BBC Radio Devon

The former commanding officer of a former Devon-based Royal Marine jailed for killing a Taliban fighter has welcomed the decision to grant the case a fresh appeal.

Image source, PA

Former Royal Marine Alexander Blackman, jailed for murdering an insurgent in Afghanistan, is having his case heard by the Courts Martial Appeal Court for a second time.

Blackman - known as Marine A - from Taunton, Somerset, was given a life sentence in 2013 by a court martial over the 2011 incident, which happened when he was serving as a Royal Marine sergeant with Plymouth-based 42 Commando. 

Colonel Oliver Leem, who resigned his commission soon after Blackman was sentenced, said the marine was operating under "very acute stress".

Johnny O'Shea
BBC News Online

A student who wowed TV audiences with performances during Gareth Malone's The Choir said he is "thankful" for having Asperger's syndrome.

Twenty-two-year-old Michael Luya is a member of Semi-Toned, the group crowned winners of The Choir: Gareth's Best in Britain.

In the semi-final of the competition, he was praised for singing an emotional solo in a rendition of Elton John's Candle in the Wind.

Sophie Pierce
BBC Radio Devon

A Devon council has been asked to show some "seasonal tolerance" after banning wreaths and other Christmas decorations in the communal areas of its properties.

Residents at Dray Court in Exmouth are among those told by East Devon District Council that wreaths were a fire risk, and they couldn't them on their doors. The council said clutter in a hallway caused a serious fire earlier this year, and it wanted to keep residents safe. 

Residents it dampened the Christmas Spirit, and seemed illogical when they could put wreaths up inside their homes if they wanted.

Judith Moritz
BBC North of England Correspondent

Swedish authorities have recommended improvements to a crossing where the band Viola Beach and their manager died, including LED signs and cameras on the bridge, an inquest has heard.

The four band members and their manager were killed in February when their car plunged into a canal outside Stockholm after a gig. Guitarist River Reeves grew up in Cornwall.

The inquest at Warrington Coroner's Court was told about a "minor discrepancy" with one warning light which "had been out of action for three years". 

The hearing continues.

Exeter Express & Echo

Despite the outrage the new five pound notes has caused for vegans and vegetarians, an Exeter vegan café owner says that they will still be accepting them - but has revealed a number of vegan customers won't take the notes in their change, external.

BBC Travel

• In Cornwall, the A30 near Launceston is partially blocked westbound by a broken-down lorry near Western Road. Traffic is slow
• In Redruth, there are reports of an accident on the A30 westbound around the A3047
• In Devon,  One lane is blocked on the A380, Telegraph Hill, Exeter-bound, by a broken down car, between Ashcombe and the Splatford Split
• In Torquay, there are reports that traffic lights have failed at South Street and East Street. Approach with care
• In Ottery St Mary, there are reports of an incident on Broad Street, near Tip Hill

BBC News England

• Four-piece band from Warrington, Cheshire
• Kris Leonard - guitar, lead vocal; River Reeves - who grew up in Cornwall, guitar; Tomas Lowe - bass; Jack Dakin - drums
• Formed in May 2015
• Released debut single Swings & Waterslides last year and put out their second single Boys That Sing on 22 January
• Played several BBC Introducing sessions
• Were due to travel to the South By South West (SXSW) festival in Texas in March 2016
• In the wake of their deaths, the band's first single Swings & Waterslides reached number 11, while Coldplay paid tribute at Glastonbury by performing their song Boys That Sing
• Posthumously, Viola Beach scored a number one album in August

Video: Viola Beach perform Swings & Waterslides in session for BBC Music Introducing

BBC Radio Cornwall

A flash mob at a Cornish railway station back in the summer say they're perplexed why the event didn't make an impact on official statistics. 

In 2014, Coombe Junction Halt was the second quietest railway station in Britain. Last year it moved down to fourth. 

But the Office for Rail and Road said there were just 48 entries and exits - not the 100 or so expected as a result of the flashmob.

BBC Radio Devon

Firefighters have rescued a woman from a burning flat in Paignton.

The 48-year-old was treated by paramedics for smoke inhalation after emergency crews were called to the scene in Elsdale Road, Goodrington, at about 02:00. 

An investigation is under way into the cause of the fire, Devon and Somerset Fire Service said.

Andrew Segal
Local Live

• Health workers in Cornwall are asked to provide extra services to try to deal with a system under extreme pressure
• An inquest starts into the deaths of members of the band Viola Beach, one of whom grew up in Cornwall, and their manager, whose car plunged into a canal in Sweden
• The former commanding officer of a former Devon-based Royal Marine jailed for killing an Afghan insurgent welcomes a decision to grant the case a fresh appeal
• A petition is launched to raise concerns "about the culture, leadership, and management" at Falmouth University
• Firefighters rescue a 48-year-old woman from a burning flat in Paignton

Judith Moritz
BBC North of England Correspondent

Swedish police divers who recovered the bodies of four band members and their manager from a canal after a car crash found one of the musicians outside the vehicle, an inquest has heard.

The four members of Viola Beach and their manager were killed in February when their car plunged into a canal outside Stockholm after a gig.

The inquest at Warrington Coroner's Court was told that manager Craig Tarry was found in the driver's seat, and guitarist River Reeves (pictured), who grew up in Cornwall, was found outside the car. Three people in back of the car weren't believed to be wearing seatbelts. Those in front were, and had to be cut out of the vehicle. 

Earlier, River Reeves' father told the inquest that music was his son's world, he was "doing something he loved" and was "the happiest he's ever been". The inquest continues.