Summary

  • Ambulance service suffers computer failure

  • MP investigated by expenses watchdog

  • Motorcyclist dies from crash injuries

  • 'Serial arsonist' appeal prompts public response

  • Mental health care for new mums questioned

  • Paignton house fire 'started deliberately'

  • Plans for new Royal Clarence Hotel considered

  • Tractor rescues stranded car from Newquay beach

  • Updates on Monday 4 December 2017

  1. Weather for Devon and Cornwallpublished at 13:37 Greenwich Mean Time 4 December 2017

    BBC Weather

    This afternoon will see a mix of sunny spells and cloudier intervals. It should remain dry for most, although a few light showers are possible across the west.

    Light winds, with a maximum temperature of 11C (52 F).

    Weather

    Under any clear skies this evening some fog patches may form and temperatures will fall close to freezing, with a minimum temperature of 3C (37F)

  2. Dog stuck up tree after chasing squirrelpublished at 13:23 Greenwich Mean Time 4 December 2017

    A dog has been rescued from a tree after chasing a squirrel.

    Firefighters were called to Wolborough Street, Newton Abbot, after the animal was "too frightened to come down".

    Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service said the dog was stuck about 20ft (6m) up the tree that was at a 30 degree angle.

    Fire crews used a triple extension ladder to rescue the terrier earlier today.

  3. MP investigated by expenses watchdogpublished at 13:00 Greenwich Mean Time 4 December 2017

    Martyn Oates
    BBC South West Political Editor

    Expenses claims made by Johnny Mercer, the Conservative MP for Plymouth Moor View, are being investigated, the BBC can reveal.

    The investigation by the compliance officer for the Independent Parliamentary Standards Authority involves "office costs in respect of website use and other 'e-presence'".

    This is the first investigation by the compliance officer for nearly two years.

    The Independent Parliamentary Standards Authority was set up to regulate MPs' business costs and expenses in May 2010, following the parliamentary expenses scandal of the previous year.

    Mr Mercer has been approached by the BBC but hasn't yet responded.

    Johnny Mercer
  4. Ambulance staff use mobiles after phones failpublished at 12:22 Greenwich Mean Time 4 December 2017

    Call centreImage source, Getty Images

    South Western Ambulance Service says it is in a "recovery phase" after a major electrical failure led to "significant issues" with its phone and computer systems on Sunday evening.

    Staff told the BBC they had resorted to using their mobile phones to co-ordinate ambulances following the failure at its 999 call centre.

    The phone lines are now back up but the service said it was still experiencing some IT problems.

    A statement said: "We are able to provide a seamless service to out patients and are no longer having to rely on mutual aid from our neighbouring ambulance services.

    "We have launched a full investigation into the cause of the electrical failure and will be reviewing our processes and procedures in light of this event."

  5. Silver medal for Cornish surferpublished at 12:13 Greenwich Mean Time 4 December 2017

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  6. Deer killed and van written off in collision on A380 Telegraph Hillpublished at 12:07 Greenwich Mean Time 4 December 2017

    Devon Live

    A 19-year-old van driver has been taken to hospital and his van written off in a collision with a deer, external on the A380 near Telegraph Hill.

  7. Authority asked to provide free fishing safety equipmentpublished at 11:54 Greenwich Mean Time 4 December 2017

    BBC Spotlight

    Torbay Council is being urged to buy personal locator devices and life jackets for fishermen who can't afford them.

    The fishing industry has one of the highest accident and death rates in the UK, and last month Plymouth City Council announced it had successfully applied for funding to buy safety equipment.

    Fishing boat

    Now two councillors in Torbay have asked their authority to consider a similar scheme and the idea will be discussed later this week.

  8. Tractor rescues stranded car from Newquay beachpublished at 11:19 Greenwich Mean Time 4 December 2017

    Lynne French
    BBC News Online

    A farmer used his tractor to pull an elderly couple's car to safety after it got stuck on a Cornish beach.

    Newquay Coastguard said the driver had gone on to Newquay's Great Western beach to turn around when the car became stranded in the soft sand on Saturday.

    Stranded car, NewquayImage source, Newquay Coastguard

    The coastguard team said the car's elderly passengers, who were cold and had medical conditions, were taken to a nearby hotel.

    The driver was put in touch with a local farmer and by the time he arrived, the tide was lapping at the wheels of the car.

    "We remind people again, please do not drive on to beaches unless you are in a suitable vehicle and know it is safe," Newquay Coastguard said.

    Tractor rescues stranded carImage source, Newquay Coastguard
  9. Heroin and crack cocaine seized in Totnespublished at 11:11 Greenwich Mean Time 4 December 2017

    BBC Radio Devon

    Police have seized more than 20 wraps of what is believed to be heroin and crack cocaine in Totnes.

    DrugsImage source, Devon and Cornwall Police

    The drugs were found on a man at 16:45 on Sunday, said officers.

    A man has been arrested on suspicion of drugs offences.

  10. 'Recovery phase' for ambulance service after system failurepublished at 10:51 Greenwich Mean Time 4 December 2017

    Lynne French
    BBC News Online

    The South Western Ambulance Service says it's still in a "recovery phase" after an electrical fault caused a massive failure to its phone system.

    The problems with the phones and computers forced the service to revert to a backup system.

    On Sunday, it issued a statement asking people to only call 999 in a life threatening emergency.

    Today it says it's able to provide a "seamless" service to patients, but as there are still outstanding IT issues, it's reminding the public to only dial 999 in an emergency.

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  11. 'Serial arsonist' appeal prompts public responsepublished at 10:29 Greenwich Mean Time 4 December 2017

    Hamish Marshall
    BBC Spotlight

    Police say they have had a few responses to an appeal for help in trying to catch an arsonist who they believe has deliberately started 14 fires in Exeter.

    On Friday, officers released CCTV of a person they described as being a lone man wearing a "distinctive top which has a large dark strip across the front".

    Arson attack, ExeterImage source, Devon & Cornwall Police

    The footage relates to an incident on Mayflower Avenue, Exeter in the early hours of Tuesday 15 August, when the man was seen setting fire to a hedge.

    Detectives are still appealing for people with any information to come forward.

  12. Boy has cash stolen in Cornwall street robberypublished at 10:16 Greenwich Mean Time 4 December 2017

    Cornwall Live

    An 11-year-old boy was put in a headlock, external by a teen who then stole £20 from his bag in a street robbery in Fraddon.

  13. Paignton house fire 'started deliberately'published at 10:02 Greenwich Mean Time 4 December 2017

    Lynne French
    BBC News Online

    Firefighters have tackled a blaze at a house in Paignton which is thought to have been started deliberately.

    Crews were sent to the mid-terraced house in Elmsleigh Road when the alarm was raised just after 03:30.

    Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service said the blaze has totally destroyed the kitchen and the rest of the unoccupied house was "100% damaged by smoke".

    Arson is suspected and the fire service and Devon and Cornwall Police are investigating.

  14. Cornwall travel update: Spring tides affect St Mawes Ferrypublished at 09:58 Greenwich Mean Time 4 December 2017

    BBC Radio Cornwall

    There's no service on the St Mawes Ferry from the Prince of Wales Pier, Falmouth, at 11:15 or from St Mawes at 11:45 due to the spring tides.

  15. Four arrested after M5 police chasepublished at 09:42 Greenwich Mean Time 4 December 2017

    Devon Live

    Four people were arrested after a police chase along the M5 through Devon after a store was raided, external in the county.

  16. Devon travel update: Sheep on the road in Bishopsteigntonpublished at 09:41 Greenwich Mean Time 4 December 2017

    BBC Radio Devon

    Reports of sheep in the road in Bishopsteignton on A381 Newton Road around Cockhaven Road.

  17. Tide times for Devon and Cornwallpublished at 09:23 Greenwich Mean Time 4 December 2017

    Jennifer Bartram
    BBC Weather

    If you're thinking about a trip to the coast today, here are the times of high water around Devon and Cornwall.

    Tide times
  18. Travel update for Cornwall: Dogs on road in Bodminpublished at 09:16 Greenwich Mean Time 4 December 2017

    BBC Radio Cornwall

    • In Bodmin on Lostwithiel Road around Respryn Road there are reports of dogs on the road - approach with care
    • Reports of a broken-down vehicle in Delabole on the B3314 High Street at Pengelly
    • Slow traffic in Truro on the A390 Highertown around the County Hall roundabout
  19. Travel update for Devon: Debris on A380 Telegraph Hillpublished at 09:12 Greenwich Mean Time 4 December 2017

    BBC Radio Devon

    • Reports of an accident at Clyst St Mary on the A376 at junction 30 on the M5, with slow, queuing traffic
    • Slow traffic on the A38 from Kennford heading towards Exeter and heavy traffic on the M5 northbound around Exeter
    • Debris on road on the A380 Telegraph Hill around Ashcombe heading towards Exeter - approach with care