BBC Radio Cornwall

The Eden Project has sent a tree specialist to Florida to help a famous botanic garden recover from the ravages of Hurricane Irma.

Image source, Eden

Tropical arborist Craig Lewis has taken a chainsaw and ropes with him to The Kampong, part of the National Tropical Botanic Garden in Miami to help the clean-up operation.

Dr Mike Maunder, who was director of The Kampong until joining Eden, said: “When we heard of the damage it was clear we had to help."

Collections of plants are uniquely vulnerable to extreme weather and it is imperative that the repair is performed by horticultural experts. Craig will be joining the superb Kampong team.”

A private ambulance service for mental health patients has had its registration suspended by the Care Quality Commission (CQC).

Riviera Ambulance Service, based in Torquay, transfers NHS and private patients around Devon, Cornwall and further afield.

Image source, Google

The CQC confirmed it has taken "urgent enforcement action" against the company following an inspection, but has not released any further information.

The manager of Riviera said he is working to rectify the "faults identified" and has "no concerns about safety".

"We are taking the steps required by the CQC but our record and reputation speaks for itself," he added.

BBC News England

As a list of the most popular baby names in England and Wales was released, our readers shared the stories behind their own names.

Image source, Kate Kreke

"We named our first daughter Hazel as my husband and I both have hazel eyes and she is a bit of both of us," said Kate Kreke, who is originally from Chicago but lives in Kingsbridge in south Devon.

"I panicked when I found out I was pregnant with another girl as we had used up our girl name... so it took a few days to name Poppy.

"She was born near the 99th anniversary of the start of WWI and there were poppies everywhere and she has this lovely red hair - it seemed to fit.

"I thought I was being original again like Hazel's name but it turned out to be the 14th most popular name of the year. I blame the war."

Cornwall Live

Anger has been sparked in a Cornish community after someone flew the American Confederate flag at its village hall. , external

BBC Spotlight

A former Royal Marine from Plymouth who was injured in Afghanistan 10 years ago is preparing for his first Invictus Games., external

Triple amputee Mark Ormrod has just taken delivery of a new hand cycle in time for the competition for injured military personnel which starts on Saturday in Toronto.

He'll also be taking part in rowing and swimming events.

Devon Live

Police and local authorities try to reduce "Spice epidemic, external" in Torbay.

BBC Spotlight

More than £500,000 is going to fund research into dementia by scientists in Exeter.

They're examining how the condition affects the brain, as well as looking into different aspects of its cause and progression.

The cash from Alzheimer's Research UK is going to fund the work of three leading experts at the University of Exeter Medical School.

BBC News Magazine

Andreas Christopheros, who was attacked with acid at his Cornwall home in 2013, says he will "wear the scars to the grave".

On average in 2016, there were two acid attacks a day and 2017 is now projected to be the year with the highest number of attacks ever recorded in the UK.

Over the past few years there has been a change in the way acid has been used.

No longer just associated with shame or honour attacks, acid is now a weapon used by moped thieves as well as a means of settling gang disputes.

BBC Radio Devon

A 10-year-old Devon boy's been so moved by TV pictures of hurricane-hit islands in the Caribbean, he's started his own aid mission to help survivors.

Image source, Reuters

Alex Morgan came up with the idea of collecting clothing, shoes and essentials like bedding for those affected by the storms.

He's now in a race against time to collect the goods and get them on to a container in London by next Wednesday, to be shipped out.

After hearing his story on BBC Radio Devon, a van driver has come forward to move the goods from Devon to London.

Hurricane Irma and Maria have both caused devastation on islands in the Caribbean.

BBC Radio Devon

Police are investigating after a car was attacked with paint in Appledore, North Devon.

Image source, Bideford Police

Officers said it happened on Monday or Tuesday at Tomouth Road and they are appealing for witnesses.

BBC Weather

It's a wet and windy start this morning with heavy bursts over Dartmoor. The rain will ease during the morning and the wind will die down so the afternoon will be dry and bright. Maximum temperature: 17C (63F).

Johnny O'Shea
BBC News Online

A giant vegetable grower has got his sights set on the record for the heaviest green cabbage ever grown.

David Thomas from Cornwall already holds three world records for other giant vegetables, but the heaviest green cabbage has eluded him.

The current record holder was grown in Alaska in 2012.

He will find out if his latest effort has surpassed the 62kg (138lb) record at the National Giant Vegetables Championship in Malvern, Worcestershire, on Friday.

BBC Spotlight

A shop assistant was threatened with a knife in a raid on an Ivybridge shop, police have said.

The robber ordered the shopworker at McColl's in Costly Street to open the till before he made off with a "quantity of cash" said police. It happened at 20:15 on Wednesday.

The offender is described as male, white and 6ft (1.8m) tall. He was wearing a blue coat with a hood covering his face.

Jonathan Morris
BBC News Online

Do you worry about the amount of rubbish you throw out?

Former footballer Richard Eckersley recently opened a zero waste shop in Totnes, Devon. Here are some of his top tips for trimming your trash.

BBC Radio Cornwall

A St Austell couple say they've been left in the dark about changes that will see them have to pay for transport to hospital for regular lifesaving treatment.

For the past year Paul Crowther's wife has travelled from St Austell to the Royal Cornwall Hospital in Truro three times a week for kidney dialysis, with the cost of transport being met by the NHS.

Now they've learnt that from the end of this month they'll have to pay the full cost - which they say they can't afford.

NHS Kernow say some people may be eligible for help with their transport costs if they have either a medical need or they receive financial help.

BBC Spotlight

A marine engineer from Devon who's been living on the British Virgin Islands is calling on people to go back with him to help rebuild the islands' infrastructure.

Hurricane Irma caused devastation when it hit earlier in September and the islands were battered by 160mph winds from Hurricane Maria earlier this week.

Leo Whitting who is originally from Kingsbridge has launched a website called the British Virgin Islands Stormtroopers where people can find out more.

The group consists of BVI Islanders, residents and international tradesmen.

Jonathan Morris
BBC News Online

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