BBC Radio Cornwall

The new leader of Cornwall Council has promised to spend £200m on building new council houses.

Liberal Democrat Adam Paynter was elected at full council earlier today.

He will run an administration with the Independent group, despite the Conservatives winning most seats at the election three weeks ago.

He said: "This is a new council with new talent. As a council we will want to protect services to our most vulnerable and increase funding to Adult Social Care.

"We will pledge to invest in excess of £200 million in building 1,000 council houses for fair rent. We will also extend the Living Wage Foundation's living wage, to all council contracts."

A book of condolence has been opened at Exeter Cathedral this morning following last night's attack in Manchester.

Police say 22 people are confirmed dead in suspected suicide attack at Manchester Arena, where Ariana Grande had been performing.

Miles Davis
BBC News Online

Tanya Blackman, from Truro, who was with family including two young nieces at the Manchester concert devastated by last night's terror attack, told the BBC: "We told the children it was nothing to start with, and not to run as it wasn't serious.

"We then walked down the stairs closest to us and at the bottom of the stairs I said again to the girls not to worry, and not to run as it probably wasn't anything.

"But you could smell smoke or something on the lower level. When we got to the exit there was a second explosion and we knew something had happened."

Image source, Google

James Churchfield
BBC Radio Cornwall

Truro City Council is flying a flag at half mast, in respect to those affected by the attack in Manchester last night.

Miles Davis
BBC News Online

Tanya Blackman from Truro was at the concert by US singer Ariana Grande in Manchester where an explosion killed at least 22 people.

Ms Blackman had gone to the Manchester Arena with her sister Tamsyn Rowe, brother Rich Blackman and her two nieces.

They were all sitting on the upper level at the end of the concert waiting for crowds to clear when the attack took place.

She told the BBC: "We heard the first explosion below us. We were on the upper level and we saw people running below us. It was just as the lights had come on."

Image source, Tanya Blackman

A cyclist involved in a road crash has hip and leg injuries, police have said.

Officers were called to the crash between the cyclist and a car at Millbay Roundabout, Plymouth, just after 11:00.

The male cyclist will be taken to hospital shortly, police said.

A 31-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of causing grievous bodily harm and aggravated burglary in Plymouth last night.

Police say they were called to Francis Street at 03:30 to reports somebody had pushed the windows in on a property.

A 29-year-old man had multiple stab wounds and was taken to Derriford Hospital where it is understood he'll have surgery.

Image source, Google

His injuries are not thought to be life changing.

Officers and a dog unit were used to track down the suspect to an address on Hobart Street where they found and arrested a man.

A temporary cordon has been put in place on Francis Street and Hobart Street.

Tamsin Melville
Political Reporter, BBC Radio Cornwall

Adam Paynter has been elected as leader of Cornwall Council.

The Liberal Democrat was voted in by 70 votes to 44, with one abstention, beating Conservative Phil Seeva.

Independent Julian German will be deputy leader.

BBC Radio Cornwall

The Bishop of Truro, the Rt Revd Tim Thornton has offered a prayer for those affected by the suicide attack at Manchester Arena in which 22 people died and 59 were injured.

He said: "I pray that all in Manchester will come together to express their solidarity, for and with one another, and to pray that we can move forward together to work against such wicked indiscriminate acts of violence."

His prayer is:

God almightyBe with all your children who are in pain today.May your loving arms embrace all.Help us in our shock and anxiety.We pray for peace and for our world, that all may work together.We pray for wisdom and calm at this very difficult time.Through Jesus Christ our Risen Lord.

Amen.

Tamsin Melville
Political Reporter, BBC Radio Cornwall

Cornwall's councillors have voted to elect their new leader in secret.

Conservative Phil Seeva and Lib Dem Adam Paynter have been nominated at County Hall.

The Conservatives won the most seats at the election three weeks ago, but the Independents and Lib Dems are seeking to join forces and form a coalition.

Devon and Cornwall Police have tweeted their respects for those affected by the suspected terror attack in Manchester last night.

Twenty-two people died and 59 were injured in a blast at a concert venue.

Chief Constable Shaun Sawyer said his "thoughts are with the families involved and the emergency services".

Image source, GOODMAN/LNP/REX/SHUTTERSTOCK

The Mayor of Saltash, Hilary Frank has been elected as vice chair of Cornwall Council.

Full council will also be voting to elect a new leader today.

BBC Weather Watchers

Plymouth Herald

A Plymouth street has been cordoned off this morning and is currently under police guard following unconfirmed reports of a stabbing, external.

The first appointment of the full meeting of Cornwall Council has been made.

Mary May will continue as chairman.

The election of a new leader is on the agenda.

Johnny O'Shea
BBC News Online

Some of the best gardeners from Devon and Cornwall are in London putting finishing touches to displays at the Chelsea Flower Show.

The show officially opens today, and early pictures show visits from the Queen and the Duchess of Cambridge.

Image source, PA

Actress Gemma Arterton was pictured at the display by Burncoose Nurseries. The Redruth firm has had success at the show in the past, winning a gold last year.

Simon Hall, Home Affairs Correspondent
BBC Spotlight

A waste management company is being prosecuted after the death of an employee whose lorry ran over him.

Lee Jane was killed while working at Derriford hospital in Plymouth in 2015. The Health and Safety Executive is bringing four charges against Viridor. The charges relate to systems of working, training, and risk assessments.

In a statement, Viridor said "The death of our colleague Lee Jane in June 2015 was a tragedy and our thoughts continue to be with his family and friends at their devastating loss.

"Since the incident we have been cooperating fully with the relevant authorities and continue to do so. We take our health and safety responsibilities very seriously. It would be inappropriate to comment further at this stage."

Cornwall Council says it will be holding a one-minute silence before a full council meeting today in respect to those affected by the attack in Manchester.

The council will be meeting to elect a new leader.

The chief constable of Devon and Cornwall has urged people to be vigilant in the wake of the attack in Manchester in which 22 people died last night.

Shaun Sawyer said "My focus is here in Devon and Cornwall. We will focus patrols on our major urban concentrations, and we are talking to our military colleagues."

There is no suggestion of a specific threat here, but he said community intelligence is vital in stopping terror attacks.

Andrew Segal
Local Live

Image source, RSPCA

A seagull has been put down after being shot with a crossbow in what has been called a "heartless attack".

The RSPCA said the bird was found with the bolt through its body on an industrial estate in St Austell last Wednesday. It was spotted by workers who noticed the injured bird was unable to fly away.

Image source, RSPCA

It was taken to a vet "who sadly found that the injuries were too severe to make a recovery", the charity said. "The bird was put to sleep to prevent further suffering", it added.

Animal Collection Officer Peter Ferris said: “It’s a sad thought that somebody would shoot an animal for no reason and just leave it to suffer."

All wild birds are protected under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 and it is illegal - except under licence - to take, injure or kill wild birds or interfere with their nest or eggs.