BBC Radio Devon

Tourism chiefs in the South West are calling for an urgent review of planned business rate changes, amid claims holiday cottage complexes are being unfairly penalised.

Larger self-catering businesses are facing hikes in their bills after the nationwide government review. 

Ministers say there's a cap on increases for the first few years and the changes overall make the system fairer. 

Two police forces have announced all front line officers will be issued with hoods to prevent arrested people spitting or biting. Thames Valley Police plans to introduce spit hoods for the first time, and Hampshire Constabulary currently only uses them in custody suites.

The two forces said the joint decision followed 432 reports of officers being spat at since April 2016. Campaign group Liberty has described the hoods as "cruel and degrading".

What do you think? Drop us an email.

Andrea Ormsby
BBC Spotlight

Children with life-limiting illnesses have released their own CD to mark the 25th anniversary of Children's Hospice South West.

Music therapy is one of the highlights for many of the children at the hospices in Devon, Cornwall and Bristol. 

Now, with help from family and friends they've chosen and performed 30 tracks for the special CD which will help raise money for the charity.  

Exeter Express & Echo

Friday February 10 will be a big night for stargazers in Devon, external, as long as the skies are clear.

BBC Travel

In Holsworthy on A3072 Rydon Road near Trewyn Park we've got reports there's an accident 

In Seaton on Valley View we've got reports there's an accident near Mead Way

BBC Radio Devon

A woman's missing after she was last seen heading on to the beach in Sidmouth last night.

Image source, Devon and Cornwall Police

Police say they're becoming increasingly concerned for 30-year-old Tanya Vickery who was last seen at about 22:40 on the Esplanade near The Marine pub. 

She's about 5ft tall with black shoulder length hair.  

BBC Spotlight

Torbay MP Kevin Foster says he's seeking an urgent meeting with NHS bosses after plans emerged to close 32 beds at Torbay Hospital.

He's worried there has not been enough of a consultation process. 

The hospital says the bed closures are part of a plan to care for more patients at home or in the community and patient safety is a top priority.   

However, government plans to treat more patients in the community are not easing pressure on NHS hospitals or saving money, the National Audit Office has said.

Emergency services searching for a missing woman say they've found her safe and well.

Amber Brown, 24, from Dawlish went missing this morning.

Police and coastguards were involved in the search along the coastpath between Dawlish and Dawlish Warren.

Plymouth Herald

Police are investigating after a couple who cancelled a carpet cleaning job because of a miscarriage claim they were told by the firm: "you deserved to lose your baby"., external

BBC Radio Devon

Emergency services are currently searching for 24-year-old Amber Brown from Dawlish.

Image source, Devon and Cornwall Police

Amber has been missing from the area since early this morning. A search involving the coastguard and search and rescue teams is currently under way.

Amber has long dark hair and is thought to wearing a hoody and pyjama bottoms.

Bee Tucker
BBC Weather

It will be cold, frosty and in places icy at first, however there will be plenty of sunshine with variable amounts of cloud. Maximum temperature: 9C (48F).

Adrian Campbell, Environment Correspondent
BBC Spotlight

A farmer says he's been involved in a wrangle with South West Water for almost eight years over his water bill.

Ray Hull, from Bickleigh near Tiverton, received one bill for more than £10,000. He says there was a leak after the company carried out works on his farm. 

He says his first bill for three months water in 2009 was £1,000 - but the next bill proved an unwelcome shock.

South West Water says it's trying to achieve a resolution to the case but it's complex and it's still investigating what happened.   

BBC Radio Cornwall

The future of Cornwall after Brexit will be centre stage at a meeting in Truro tomorrow. 

The House of Commons cross-party committee on Exiting the EU will hear evidence from economic, political and agricultural leaders from across Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly. 

Committee Chair Hilary Benn will lead the sessions involving Cornwall Council Leader John Pollard and seven other prominent business and community leaders. 

The discussions at County Hall from 12.30 on Thursday will be open to the public but there won't be an opportunity for questions.    

North Devon Gazette

Popular Port Isaac shanty group The Fisherman’s Friends have announced they will play a free concert for their North Devon fans.  , external

BBC Spotlight

• Torbay MP Kevin Foster says he's seeking an urgent meeting with NHS bosses after plans emerged to close 32 beds at Torbay Hospital
• A woman's gone missing after heading on to the beach in Sidmouth last night
• Dog owners are being warned that a substance which can kill or injure their pets has been washed up on Wembury Beach, in Devon
• "Astronomical" and "unbearable" that's how one tourism leader's branding planned business rates hikes affecting some of Cornwall's self catering complexes
• Three in 10 people aged over 60 are affected by muscle weakness according to academics at Plymouth's University of St Mark and St John

Jonathan Morris
BBC News Online

Welcome to BBC Local Live in Devon and Cornwall on this chilly morning. We'll be bringing you all the day's news, sport, weather and travel. If you have a story email us.