Summary

  • Plymouth businessman and former Royal Navy officer Charles Howeson guilty of sexual offences

  • Lorry crashes into building in North Cornwall

  • Deer dies after being 'hit by rocks' thrown by youths

  • Barn blaze 'suspected arson'

  • Flood-hit Coverack residents await repairs

  • Thousands of days lost to NHS in bed blocking

  • More news, sport, travel and weather from 07:00 on 27 December

Live Reporting

John O'Shea

  1. Weather: Rain and drizzle at first

    BBC Weather

    Outbreaks of light rain or drizzle will die out to become mainly dry this afternoon, but it'll remain mostly cloudy with fog over high ground.

    Maximum temperature: 12C (54F).

    Weather

  2. Devon travel: Road partially blocked in Tavistock

    BBC Radio Devon

    • In Tavistock the A386 is partially blocked at Grenville Drive due to an accident and debris on the road
    • At Highampton the A3072 is partially blocked at Burdon Lane due to a broken-down vehicle
    • In Plymouth at the Derriford Roundabout, and on Tavistock Road, we've got reports the traffic lights are faulty

  3. Crane ready to replace Devon's Overton

    Brent Pilnick
    BBC Sport

    Leg-spinner Mason Crane is ready to make his England Test debut if given the opportunity in the Boxing Day Test.

    With Australia having already sealed the Ashes, Crane could earn his first cap in Melbourne in place of Barnstaple-born pace bowler Craig Overton, who is a doubt with a hairline fracture of the rib.

    Mason CraneGetty Images

    "I'll be preparing as if I'm going to play," Crane told BBC Sport.

    "I'm excited. A lot of hard work has gone into it. Hopefully it can be the start of a long journey."

    In Overton's absence, England could change the balance of their attack, going down to three frontline seamers and Crane, especially with all-rounder Moeen Ali struggling with his off-breaks so far in the series.

  4. Coverack pensioners moved seven times since flash flood

    Tamsin Melville
    Political Reporter, BBC Radio Cornwall

    A couple whose home was badly damaged by flash floods in Coverack, in Cornwall, in July, says they have been moved seven times since it happened.

    Leigh Bernard, 86, was airlifted from her home, after torrential rain caused extensive damage and she was trapped upstairs with her husband.

    Leigh Bernard

    She said: "It's going to take a long, long time. People have thought we're back to normal, we're doing our best, but it's going to take much longer than anybody thought."

    About 50 properties are still being repaired, and Leigh has been told she may not be able to return home until next July.

  5. Pilot scheme in Cornwall helping bed blocking

    Jenny Walrond
    Health Correspondent, BBC Spotlight

    A pilot scheme in Cornwall has succeeded in getting people out of hospital to free up much needed beds.

    It means they can be moved into a care home, paid for by the NHS for six weeks, while a more permanent solution is found.

    So far 57 people have been helped in this way.

    Care home

    One care home taking part is North Hill House in St Austell. David Smith is the owner and says: "I think this is a good news story and shows that the independent sector can work with the NHS in true partnership so everyone has a win-win situation."

  6. Barn blaze 'suspected arson'

    BBC Radio Devon

    Police are investigating a suspected arson attack at a barn in south Devon.

    Six fire crews have been at the scene of the blaze at Stokenteignhead near Newton Abbot since midnight.

  7. Hunt to find places for disabled as Plymouth centre closes

    BBC Spotlight

    The search is on to find places for adults with disabilities who use a day centre in Plymouth which is due to close down indefinitely later.

    Rockville

    Independence South West, the trust which runs Rockville House, says it's liaising with families and the city council is trying to find alternatives.

    Some parents have raised concerns that they won't get the support they say they need in the new year.

  8. Flood-hit Coverack residents await repairs

    BBC Spotlight

    Flood

    Some residents in a Cornish village are still not back in their homes five months after torrential rain caused a flash flood.

    Drone footage of the flash floods which hit the village of Coverack in Cornwall

    The main road into Coverack was torn up but fixed within a week.

    However, some residents are still waiting for some of the 50 properties affected to be repaired.

    So far, one pensioner has had to move seven times while her home is renovated. They're not expected to be back home until July.

    During the flood, residents reported roads being blocked and hailstones the size of 50 pence pieces smashing windows. No-one was injured.

    The coastguard helicopter crew winch people to safety in Coverack, Cornwall

  9. Thousands of days lost to NHS in bed blocking

    Jenny Walrond
    Health Correspondent, BBC Spotlight

    Nearly 13,000 days were lost to the NHS in the South West in September because beds were occupied by people who were well enough to leave hospital, it's been revealed.

    Patient

    On an average day, 426 beds were affected by so called bed blocking.

    One of the main reasons is people waiting for care packages to be arranged.

    A pilot in Cornwall has allowed 57 people to move into care home beds paid for by the NHS while their needs are assessed.

  10. Welcome to BBC Local Live for Devon and Cornwall

    Johnny O'Shea
    BBC News Online

    Welcome to BBC Local Live in Devon & Cornwall, we'll be bringing you all the day's news, sport, weather and travel and if you have a story email us.