Johnny O'Shea
BBC News Online

Image source, Amanda Carpenter

Members of a hunt who were in the vicinity when a man fired a shotgun into the air "felt" the rounds go off, a court heard.

Wildlife professional Nick Harrison-White has been cleared of intentionally threatening the North Cornwall Hunt as it passed his land in January by firing his shotgun four times.

A video filmed by hunt secretary Amanda Carpenter showed riders moving up a narrow country lane past Mr Harrison-White's cottage, and gun shots can be heard.

The prosecution alleged he fired the shots over the heads of the riders, causing debris to fall down on to and around them, saying it was "threatening, irresponsible and completely reckless" behaviour.

Mrs Carpenter gave evidence, saying she "felt the sound of gunshots".

The 45-year-old, from Waterloo, Blisand, was cleared. The chairman of the magistrates, Mr Kirby-Welsh, said he accepted Mr Harrison-White "had no intention to cause harm, distress, or alarm" and described his actions as "entirely reasonable".

BBC Weather

Cloud will increase from the west this afternoon, with outbreaks of rain spreading east during the evening, accompanied by freshening winds. Maximum temperature: 20C (68F).

Cloud and rain, heavy at times, will erratically clear east tonight. It should become drier, albeit staying rather cloudy by dawn, with some hill fog possible. Winds will be easing. Minimum temperature: 15C (59F).

Sian Davies
BBC News Online

A 27-year-old man died after being rescued from the sea at Crantock beach.

A 17 and 18-year-old also rescued are in hospital but are not believed to be seriously injured.

The three are thought to have been on holiday.

Crantock is known for its strong currents due to a river which runs across the beach.

On 4 August, 11 bodyboarders were rescued from a strong current by RNLI lifeguards.

RNLI Lifeguard Supervisor John Steadman said after that incident: "Crantock beach has some unpredictable currents at the moment due to the topography of the beach constantly changing.

"The river is still running across the length of the beach which causes lateral currents at certain stages of the tide."

The team that treated the Bristol festival-goer who is ill with meningitis have released a statement on what happened.

Festival-goers have been given antibiotics after the 18-year-old man became ill with meningitis.

Public Health England (PHE) told the Bristol Post, external it was investigating the diagnosis.

Andrew Segal
Local Live

An 18-year-old man found to be suffering with meningitis at the Boardmasters Festival is critically ill.

Several people have been given antibiotics after the teenager was found to be ill at the event in Newquay.

Public Health England (PHE) said it was investigating a confirmed case of meningococcal disease at the festival.

The teenager is a student at St Brendan's Sixth Form College in Bristol, which saw two cases of meningococcal infection last spring.

• What is meningitis?

BBC Radio Devon

• One lane is blocked on the A3022 Brixham Road in Paignton due to an accident between Hunters Tor Drive and Kingsway Avenue
• In Brixham, Monksbridge Road is blocked in both directions between New Road and Mathill Road due to a broken-down lorry

BBC Radio Cornwall

• On the A30 westbound between Victoria and Indian Queens, one lane is closed due to a broken-down vehicle
• Between St Columb Major and Winnards Perch, there are very long queues of traffic both directions due to resurfacing and white line painting

Andrew Segal
Local Live

A woman has died after her quad bike overturned in Devon, police say.

Offices said, external the 63-year-old was injured at about 18:00 on Monday on the B3215 at Appledore Hill in Okehampton.

She was taken to hospital in Exeter with serious chest injuries but died early on Tuesday.

Devon and Cornwall Police said officers from its Serious Collisions Investigation Unit were investigating. They have appealed for witnesses.

Twitter

Sgt Pusey, external is based in Exeter.

A knife amnesty in July saw 411 knives and bladed items handed in to police across Devon and Cornwall.

BBC News England

Footage from the BBC News helicopter shows the moment the 65,000-tonne HMS Queen Elizabeth entered Portsmouth Harbour.

Military units from across the South West are already involved in the £3bn Royal Navy flagship's operation, including personnel and aircraft from Cornwall's RNAS Culdrose.

Read more on the arrival of the carrier or review our live coverage.

Johnny O'Shea
BBC News Online

Image source, Amanda Carpenter

A wildlife professional has been cleared of intentionally threatening a hunt by firing a shotgun in the air.

Nick Harrison-White fired his gun into the air four times when hounds, and riders on horses, were in the vicinity, Bodmin Magistrates' Court heard.

The 45-year-old, from Waterloo, Blisand, denied a charge of using threatening behaviour to cause harassment, alarm or distress and another of behaviour likely to cause harassment, alarm or distress at Bodmin Magistrates' Court.

The incident happened as the North Cornwall Hunt passed his land on 2 January 2017. It was an annual hunt made up of about 25 hounds and 50 horses.

A video filmed by hunt secretary Amanda Carpenter shows riders moving up a narrow country lane past Mr Harrison-White's cottage, and gun shots can be heard.

The chairman of the magistrates, Mr Kirby-Welsh, said he accepted Mr Harrison-White "had no intention to cause harm, distress, or alarm" and described his actions as "entirely reasonable".

Plymouth Herald

Barne Barton mums living in flats overlooking a worn-down estate that is due for demolition say they are jealous - because they want to see their homes bulldozed too, external.

Amy Gladwell, BBC News Online

A man who called 999 when three people got into trouble in a rip current off Crantock beach says he tried shouting to the holidaymakers "to swim sideways out of the rip but they was unresponsive".

A 27-year-old man died after being rescued from the sea at Newquay. He and two teenagers, who were on holiday, got into difficulty after being caught in a rip current. The 17 and 18-year-old males were in hospital but not believed seriously injured, police said.

Leigh Hallam, from Newquay, said he was on Pentire Point, overlooking Crantock, about 19:30 on Tuesday when he saw seven people "in just shorts no wetsuits" in the water near rocks.

He said: "I was watching them when they started getting dragged out. Four of them scrambled on the rocks but three of them kept getting dragged out.

"I called 999 and they kept me on the phone. I was shouting to some paddleboarders and surfer to grab them, and I was shouting to the three guys to swim sideways out of the rip but they was unresponsive.

"The paddleboarders and surfers got to them. All three was unresponsive as they got to shore."

A 27-year-old man died after being rescued from the sea at Crantock beach.

A 17 and 18-year-old also rescued are in hospital but not believed seriously injured.

Andrew Segal
Local Live

Several people have been given antibiotics after an 18-year-old man was found to be ill with meningitis at Cornwall's Boardmasters Festival.

Public Health England (PHE) said it was investigating a confirmed case of meningococcal disease at the Newquay festival.

Image source, Getty Images

But what is meningitis?

• An infection of the protective membranes that surround the brain and spinal cord
• Most common in babies, children, teenagers and young adults
• Symptoms develop suddenly and can include a high temperature over 37.5C, a dislike of bright lights and a stiff neck
• Can cause a blotchy rash that doesn't fade when a glass is rolled over it (but this won't always develop)
• Usually caused by a viral or bacterial infection
• The viruses and bacteria that cause meningitis can be spread through sneezing, coughing, kissing, and sharing utensils and toothbrushes

Source: NHS Choices, external

Andrew Segal
Local Live

Health bosses in Devon have agreed to close inpatient beds at four community hospitals in August and September, external.

The 71 beds earmarked for closure are in Okehampton, Seaton, Honiton (pictured) and Whipton.

Health managers said the move would see more people being given care at home and save £2.6m.

Protesters against the plans said more local beds were needed due to an ageing population and the closures would mean long journeys for patients, relatives and other visitors.

Health bosses said they wanted to focus on community care to make the best use of resources.

Image source, Google

Sian Davies
BBC News Online

Boardmasters Festival has confirmed an 18-year-old man was transferred to a hospital in Cornwall after being treated on site for meningitis.

People he was with have been given antibiotics after the man was diagnosed with meningococcal disease, Public Health England (PHE) said.

Image source, Science Photo Library

The teenager is a student at St Brendan's Sixth Form College in Bristol.

Organisers said he had been unwell in the days before the festival.

Administering antibiotics to close contacts was "standard procedure" with confirmed cases of meningitis, PHE said.

BBC Radio Cornwall

A 27-year-old man has died after being rescued from the sea at Newquay.

He and two teenagers, who were on holiday, got into difficulty after being caught in a rip current and swept out to sea at Crantock beach.

The three were rescued from the water by two local surfers and then airlifted to hospital.

The man was pronounced dead a short time later. The other two swimmers, aged 17 and 18, remain in hospital but were not believed seriously injured, police officers said.

RNLI community safety manager Steve Instance said everyone who went into the sea off Cornwall should make sure they were aware of the power of rip currents.

He said: "People really need to be aware that conditions can change quickly."

Matt Shepherd
BBC South West

Image source, RCA Records/PA

Fans of the late Elvis Presley will be getting “all shook up” today, as they remember their idol 40 years after his death on 16 August 1977.

Adrian Channing, from Plymouth, has been an Elvis fan all his life. He said he had never forgotten when the news broke of Presley’s passing.

He said: "I remember exactly where I was: I was lying in bed listening to the radio. A presenter came on and said Elvis had died. I locked myself in my room for three days. I couldn’t believe it."

The Devon and Cornwall branch of the Official Elvis Presley Fan Club of Great Britain has been running for a year, and has already staged three big charity fundraisers.

Branch leader Gary Cooke said: "I got a box of Elvis records when I was eight years old. It just blew me away. Elvis is in your heart - once he’s in your life, that’s it."