Press Association

Image source, GWR

Union members who clean Great Western Railway trains have launched a 48-hour strike in a dispute over pay and employment rights. 

Members of the National Union of Rail, Maritime and Transport Workers (RMT), employed by contractors Servest, mounted a picket line at London's Paddington station at the start of the walkout.

It is due to end at 06:00 on Saturday. 

BBC Radio Cornwall

Penzance is going to try again to win the Guinness World Record for the largest gathering of pirates in one place. 

The event is due to take place on the last bank holiday weekend in August. 

A similar attempt in 2014 attracted more than 14,000 people to the town but Penzance missed out on the record by just 77 people. It also left a big bill after £50,000 was spent on the record attempt by Penzance Town Council.

Event organiser Claire Eason-Bassett said this year's attempt would not leave taxpayers out of pocket. 

She said there would be an entry charge for those wishing to take part of £2 a head, with profits to go to the RNLI, that organisers were seeking sponsorship and a "very small grant" would be offered by the town council.

BBC Travel

In Paignton, there are reports of an incident on Long Road near Waddeton Road.

Brent Pilnick
BBC Sport

Cornish Pirates coach Gavin Cattle says Martin Haag will help develop him and fellow coach Alan Paver.

The ex-England player and England Under-20 coach, who has also coached Bath's forwards, has joined Pirates to mentor the pair.

Image source, Getty Images

"It's quite easy to focus on the players' output but you need to keep track on what you do as a coach as well," Cattle told BBC Sport.

Haag was brought up in Cornwall and played for the county, and still has family in close proximity to the Penzance-based club.  

"He's playing an observing role and watching us as coaches on the training pitch, acting as a sounding board for anything. He's got a wealth of experience and he'll be there to be a mentor of some sort and a resource for us to discuss any rugby issues if need be."

Bee Tucker
BBC Weather

If you're planning a trip to the coast or seaside, here are the next high water times around Devon and Cornwall.

We'll have the latest forecast on BBC Spotlight at 13:30.

BBC Spotlight

A multimillion-pound project to dual the A30 at Temple in Cornwall should be complete by mid-July, Cornwall Council says it has been told.

Contractors Kier have told the authority that the site should be clear of construction workers by 13 July. 

The huge project will have taken two years to complete, and has seen major driving restrictions in the area, including closing the road at night to build new bridges.

Plymouth Argyle's Wembley dream may be over for another year, but what if you could still play your way to the FA Cup final?

BBC Get Inspired has again teamed up with the Football Association to launch the 2017 FA People's Cup, a free five-a-side knockout competition that gives the people of England the chance to play in their version of the FA Cup.Watch as Radio 1Xtra DJ Nick Bright shows his (almost) silky ball skills, while explaining how you can get involved - and for all the information you need, read our Get Inspired guide.

Andrew Segal
Local Live

A farmer managed to release all of their animals kept in a barn after the structure caught fire, emergency services say, external.

Crews were called to the barn, off Ashley Back Lane, near Tiverton, at about 20:25 on Wednesday and found it well alight.

About 50% of the building was damaged, with 50% of the roof collapsing. Crews stayed at the scene overnight to dampen it down.

Andrew Segal
Local Live

• The number of crimes recorded in Devon and Cornwall in 2016 increased by almost 6% compared to 2015
• A medical professor who works in the NHS in the South West says current pressures on hospitals' emergency departments are "unsustainable"
• Emergency services thank members of the public, organisations and businesses who helped during the Cathedral Green fire in Exeter last October
• An ambitious project in Cornwall to search for lithium, which is used in high-powered batteries, is launched
• Plymouth Argyle were "unfortunate" to lose to Liverpool 0-1 in their FA Cup replay, Pilgrims boss Derek Adams says

Exeter Express & Echo

Police searching for a missing man have found a body in a reservoir, external on Dartmoor.

BBC Travel

• In Devon, there are reports of an incident on the B3165 in Axminster, near Pound Lane
• In Plymouth, traffic lights continue to be out of order on the A386 Tavistock Road at William Prance Road. Approach with care.
• In Cornwall, there's a broken-down car in a dangerous location on the A30 between the Loggans Moor roundabout and the Rosewothy Dip. Approach with care

BBC Radio Devon

People in Exeter given certificates for supporting emergency services during the Cathedral Green blaze were given the awards because they "played such a huge part" with their generosity, rescue bosses say.

It took more than 100 firefighters to tackle the fire in October when it raged for 48 hours, destroying historic buildings, including the Royal Clarence Hotel. 

People and organisitions who supplied food, drink and other support to the emergency services were presented with their certificates at a special event last night at the city's Guildhall.

Gill Lucking (pictured), from St Petrock's Homeless Shelter, said: "It's unique. We've never had an award like this before and it's a really nice and a very special thing to have. We like to thank them too."

Plymouth Herald

A dog is thought to have killed a sheep found with large neck wounds, external on Dartmoor.

Andrew Segal
Local Live

Kingsbridge Police are investigating a spate of thefts from cars in Salcombe in one night, including one vehicle being stolen.

Officers said on Facebook, external that four cars were broken into and property stolen, and one vehicle was stolen, on Tuesday night

The four vehicles broken into - in Fortescue Road, Loring Road, and Sandhills Road - had all been left unlocked. A grey VW Polo car was stolen from Berry Close.

Officers said drivers should "ensure your vehicle is kept locked at all times and the keys kept secure in your house, away from any open windows or letterboxes".

Gary Rose
BBC Sport

Home Park was a 17,048 sell-out for the game, with 2,456 Liverpool fans making the long journey to see their side win.

Plymouth are fighting for promotion from League Two. They are currently second in the division and produced a hugely impressive defensive display at Anfield earlier this month to earn the replay.

Image source, Andrew Matthews/PA Wire

As a consequence, there was an air of expectation in the build-up to the game that the Pilgrims could produce an upset, with excitement for the fixture high throughout the city.

Tickets quickly sold out as fans queued for hours to ensure they had the chance to be part of a potentially famous night for the club, while several iconic buildings around Plymouth were illuminated in green and white colours.

During the game, Plymouth fans produced a party atmosphere even after Lucas' goal and their players responded by creating one or two chances to equalise.

Although victory was not to be in the end, the club are set to earn more than £1m from the two games with Liverpool. That could provide a significant boost to their bid for promotion.

Plymouth Herald

A deer died after being struck by a vehicle, external on one of Plymouth's busiest roads.

BBC Travel

• In Devon, traffic lights on the A386 Tavistock Road in Plymouth, at William Prance Road, near the Future Inn, are still not working. Approach with care
• In Plympton there are long queues of traffic on Sandy Road, near the A38 at Deep Lane, due to temporary traffic lights and roadworks
• In Cornwall, the A388 near Treburley is partially blocked, but just passable, due to a shed load of glass. Approach with care. Police reported glass panes fell out of a lorry and smashed in the road. It is affecting traffic travelling between Launceston and Callington
• There are reports of an accident in the Mabe Burnthouse area, on Antron Hill, near the Post Office
• In South Petherwin, there are reports of an accident on the B3254 at the turn for Trecrogo, near the Winds of Change restaurant 

BBC Radio Devon

At the special event last night at the city's Guildhall, Devon's emergency services thanked the public and businesses who helped during the Exeter fire.

It took more than 100 firefighters to tackle the blaze on Cathedral Green in October when it raged for 48 hours, destroying historic buildings, including the Royal Clarence Hotel. 

Those in the community who supplied food, drink and support to the emergency services were thanked with special certificates. 

BBC Sport

Simon Hall, Home Affairs Correspondent
BBC Spotlight

Overall crime recorded by the police in Devon and Cornwall rose to 82,000 offences in 2016, an increase of 5.8% compared to 2015, police figures show.

They included rises in:  

• Rape, up 25.8% 
• Other sexual offences, up 5.6%
• Possession of weapons, up 14.1% 
• Burglary, up 10.3%

But there were falls in other serious offences:

• Murder and manslaughter fell 41.2%
• Robbery dropped 5.7%
• Drug-trafficking was down 9.5%
• Possession of drugs fell by 5.1%

Officers said Devon and Cornwall remained a relatively low crime area, and one of the safest places to live in Britain.