The funeral of Bristol paramedic Kath Osmond, who died of cancer last week, is due to take place later today.

Last year, her colleagues took part in a "Running Man" dance-off to raise money for a pioneering new cancer treatment - but she died on her 41st birthday on 18th April.

Members of the South Western Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust will form a full honour guard at the funeral in Exeter. 

Kath was diagnosed with malignant melanoma five years ago, and shared her experiences of the disease in an online blog, in the hope of helping others. 

Devon Live

A murderer who killed a Royal Navy Wren, external after picking her up in a Devon nightclub has had his application for parole refused.

BBC News England

A young boy has been rescued after falling into a large sinkhole that he mistook for a puddle on a popular beach in Devon.

The three-year-old was submerged up to his waist in the the sinkhole in Exmouth Beach on Wednesday morning.

He was pulled out uninjured by his father, the Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) said.

The coastguard agency erected a safety cordon and a 100m (328ft) exclusion zone on the west side of Orcombe Point.

Image source, East Devon District Council

Falmouth Packet

A Camborne landlord whose negligence placed his tenants at "serious risk of harm" has been ordered to pay almost £3,000, external in fines and costs by magistrates. 

BBC Spotlight

Firefighters are still damping down and searching for hotspots after a major fire involving tyres and cars at a scrapyard near Dobwalls in South East Cornwall. 

People living near WH Orchard and Son were warned to stay indoors after the fire, which started about lunchtime on Thursday, caused large plumes of smoke. 

Diggers are being brought in to separate the cars and enable crews to deal with hotspots, with the road from Doublebois to Minions remains closed until this work has been completed, which could take most of the day.

Image source, David Young

BBC News England

The Royal Marine who shot dead a wounded Taliban fighter has been released from prison, after having his original murder conviction quashed last month.

Sgt Alexander Blackman, 42, was serving with Plymouth-based 42 Commando and received a life term in 2013 for murder, but his conviction was later reduced to manslaughter and he served more than three years of a seven-year sentence.

Judges at the Court Martial Appeal Court were told Blackman - who was known as Marine A during his trial - had a recognised mental illness at the time of the killing in September 2011.

He was released from Erlestoke Prison, near Devizes in Wiltshire at 00:18 BST.

Supporters had hoped the quashing of the murder conviction could lead to his reinstatement in the Royal Marines, but the appeal judges ruled his dismissal from the service should remain.

Plymouth Herald

Drake Circus Shopping Centre has changed its parking charges. The minimum stay at the car park, which has 1,270 spaces, has been increased from one hour to two hours, meaning all drivers are now charged a minimum of £2.80, external.

BBC Radio Cornwall

Four rowers have been rescued after they ran aground near the Isles of Scilly.

The team was attempting a charity row from Penzance to the islands on Thursday evening ahead of this weekend's 28th World Pilot Gig Championships. 

Image source, RNLI

They were rescued by the crew of the RNLI's St Mary's all-weather lifeboat.

Neil Gallacher, Business & Industry Correspondent
BBC Spotlight

There are fears of significant job cuts at Plymouth University because of falling student numbers.

According to the university's website numbers have dropped by nearly 25% over the past five years.

A statement from the university said informal discussions had begun with staff about the current "challenging external environment".

BBC News Travel

• Roadwork delays expected in Plymouth on the A386 Tavistock Road between Budshead Road and the Derriford Roundabout
• In Exeter, on Bridge Road, Topsham Road and Rydon Lane there's stop-start traffic due to the roadworks
• In Barnstaple, on the A361 , externalat the Portmoor Roundabout there are roadworks and lane restrictions
• Partial road closures in Bovey Tracey in place with temporary traffic lights for road improvements
• On the A394 Marazion Bypass there are temporary traffic lights for roadworks
• On the A30 In Cornwall between Temple and Millpool there's a lane closure and a speed restriction of 40mph due to long-term roadworks
• Delays expected near Merrymeeton the A390 with temporary traffic lights for water main work

BBC Weather

Today should be dry for most with some bright or sunny spells, although there is also a chance of a few showers.

In the sunshine it will feel a little milder than of late with light winds and a maximum temperature of 13C (55F).

Devon Live

There was victory for a pair of Devon mums this morning after it was stated Vauxhall had shown a "reckless disregard for safety, external" by not stopping motorists driving Zafira B vehicles it knew were a fire risk.

Jonathan Morris
BBC News Online

Conservationists have warned that sharks could die in the struggle after they are caught after pictures emerged of a large shark caught by fishermen.

Image source, Apex

The porbeagle shark, estimated at about 9ft long, was caught off north Devon. 

The Shark Trust said many sharks were pregnant at this time of year and "playing" them for several hours could fatally exhaust them. 

"The trust discourages the targeting of porbeagle in these spring-summer months," it said.  

BBC News England

The Royal Marine jailed for shooting dead a wounded Taliban fighter has been released from prison.

Sgt Alexander Blackman received a life term in 2013 for murder, but his conviction was reduced to manslaughter.

The 42-year-old former Plymouth-based Royal Marine served more than three years of a seven-year sentence.

Judges at the Court Martial Appeal Court were told he had a recognised mental illness at the time of the killing in September 2011.

Image source, PA

BBC Spotlight

Firefighters are still tackling a fire at a scrapyard near Dobwalls in South East Cornwall. 

People living nearby have been warned to stay indoors.

Crews from across Cornwall remain at the scene and say they're making steady progress at WH Orchard and Son. 

Tyres and cars are involved in the blaze. 

It started yesterday lunchtime and caused large plumes of smoke . 

Image source, David Young

Lynne French
BBC News Online

Good morning from BBC Local Live. We'll be bringing you Friday's news, sport, travel and weather for Devon and Cornwall. 

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