Summary

  • Police in Devon call off a search for missing 26-year-old doctor Lauren Phillips

  • Women taking legal action for sex discrimination over against Met Office

  • Dead whale washes up on north Devon beach

  • Tribute paid to Lauren Scott, who was killed by farm machinery

  • A Plymouth building project helps homeless veterans turn their lives around

  • Updates on Thursday 9 March 2017

Live Reporting

Sian Davies

  1. Search continues for missing junior doctor Lauren Phillips

    Sian Davies
    BBC News Online

    Police are still hunting for a missing junior doctor who has not been seen for almost two weeks .

    Police in north Devon are searching for Dr Lauren Phillips, who works for North Bristol NHS Trust, after her car was found in Woolacombe on 28 February.

    Lauren Phillips

    The 26-year-old formerly worked at Royal Cornwall Hospitals NHS Trust and has been described as a "very sweet" doctor who works "crazily hard".

  2. Serious crash on M5 near Exeter

    Sian Davies
    BBC News Online

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  3. Road collision affects traffic around Scorrier

    BBC Radio Cornwall

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  4. Charity helps veterans build homes

    Emma Thomasson
    BBC Spotlight

    Twelve former servicemen who've found themselves homeless are being taught the skills needed to build their own homes as part of a project in Plymouth.

    The Community Self Build Agency scheme helps the veterans learn by working alongside tradesmen. 

    Building

    It's estimated at least one in every 10 people who leaves the military in the South West will end up homeless and on the streets. That's the latest research from the National Audit Office.

  5. Traffic latest: M5 and A38 problems around Exeter

    BBC News Travel

    The M5 northbound is very congested at Junction 30 as the slip road has been partially blocked by a collision. 

    There are also long northbound queues on the A38 and at A380 Telegraph Hill.

    Police asking drivers to avoid the areas if possible.

  6. Collision on M5: 'Avoid area' warning from police

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  7. Travel latest: Vehicle has gone into a hedge on A39

    BBC News Travel

    • In Barnstaple, on the A39 North Road, there are temporary traffic lights and roadworks by the North Devon District Hospital. Expect delays 
    • In Paignton, the A380 King's Ash Road is closed between Churscombe Cross and Higher Ramshill Lane due to roadworks. A diversion is in place
    • On the A39 at Winnards Perch, there are reports that a vehicle has left the road and gone into a hedge near the roundabout
    • In the Glynn Valley, the A38 westbound is closed for roadworks between the superstore and the Halfway House. A diversion is in place via the A390
    • Near Saltash, at the Carkeel roundabout, on the A38 and A388, there are narrow lanes and long-term roadworks
    • In Lostwithiel, the level crossing on Grenville Road by the station is closed for upgrading work.  A diversion is in place
    • Traffic's flowing well on the Tamar Bridge, and there are three ferries running at Torpoint with up to a 10 minute wait

  8. Equal pay legal action against Met Office

    Simon Hall, Home Affairs Correspondent
    BBC Spotlight

    More than 70 women are taking legal action against the Met Office, based in Exeter, over what they claim is sex discrimination over how much they are paid. 

    The 76 women said they were given lower salaries than men for similar jobs when they began work. Some who took maternity leave were then left further behind on pay scales, they also claimed.

    Met Office

    The Prospect union, which is coordinating the case, said, overall, a settlement could run to more than £100,000. 

    Negotiations have now begun to try to resolve the dispute. 

    The Met Office said it could not directly comment on the case, but that it always tried to treat its staff well.

  9. BBC Local Live in Devon and Cornwall

    Sian Davies
    BBC News Online

    Welcome to BBC Local Live in Devon and Cornwall on Thursday 9 March. 

    We'll be bringing you all the day's news, sport, weather and travel and, if you have a story, please  email us.