Sarah Gosling
BBC News Online

A new campaign is being launched to reduce the number of older people in Devon drinking too much alcohol.

Devon has been chosen as one of five trial areas for the the Drink Wise Age Well project, external, which hopes to cut the number of over 50s who are drinking more than they should.

People are being urged to ignore the stigma about talking about how much they drink and seek help if they think it's a problem.

Research carried out by the charity suggests that over 50s may begin to drink more because of "difficult life transitions", such as retirement, loneliness, or children leaving home.

The South West is one of the most positive places in the country, according to analysis of people's use of emojis.

The Brandwatch study suggests Cornwall is right behind Belfast, which is top of the list, with just under 82% of emojis classed as positive in the county.

Image source, PA

Devon is fifth in the study, which analysed six billion tweets over two years, external.

West Lothian in Scotland was identified as the most pessimistic place in the nation and the UK as a whole was found to be one of the most negative countries in Europe for overall emoji use, alongside the Netherlands and Greece.

BBC Radio Devon

On the A3072/B3215 Okehampton to North Tawton road, cars are stuck in flood water.

Heavy showers in the area are causing localised flooding. Drivers are being warned to approach with caution.

• In Exeter, on Bridge Road, a broken-down vehicle is on the approach to Countess Wear Roundabout. Minor delays in the area

• On the A38 near Tideford heading westbound we've got reports there's an accident. There are delays in both directions

BBC Radio Devon

A five-car crash on the A30 eastbound near Bodmin earlier has caused tailbacks reported to be three miles long.

The road is still blocked while the vehicles are recovered.

BBC Radio Devon

In Budleigh Salterton the High Street is closed in both directions due to an overturned vehicle at Chapel Street.

Sarah Gosling
BBC News Online

After having a sausage roll thrown at him by a disqualified drink-driver, a Devon police officer pepper sprayed the suspect:

Cornwall:

• Around Bodmin on the A30 heading eastbound we've got reports there's an accident. Traffic is queuing back to Innis Downs
• Between Gunnislake and Drakewalls the A390 is closed in both directions for resurfacing work. A diversion is in place
• On the A38 in the Glynn Valley near Drift Lane there's deep muddy water on the road. Approach with care
• At Temple the A30 eastbound is partially blocked due to a broken-down vehicle
• At Redruth on the A30 at Avers Roundabout we've got reports there's a broken-down vehicle

Devon:

• In Plymouth on Tavistock Road there's heavy traffic approaching the Derriford Roundabout in all directions due to the roadworks. Miller Way and Dover Road are also stop start at the moment
• On the A38 between Plymouth and Exeter we've got reports there's deep standing water in places
• In Plymouth the traffic lights on Laira Road have failed, proceed with caution
• In Paignton on Torbay Road the level crossing has failed. Approach with care
• A399 reports of flooding at Blackmoor Gate, please take care if driving in this area
• In Plymstock on the A379 Billacombe Road at the junction with The Ride the traffic lights are faulty. Approach with care

Sarah Gosling
BBC News Online

One person has been injured in a five-car crash near Bodmin, police have said.

The crash happened on the A30 eastbound close to the A38 turnoff.

The road is blocked while the vehicles are recovered.

The injured person is receiving treatment for non life-threatening injuries.

Sarah Gosling
BBC News Online

Following complaints, Cornwall Council has confirmed an "urgent" review of its current disabled parking policy will take place.

The policy means residents must pay approximately £3,300 to apply and pay for a parking space in a residential area.

In comparison, the same procedure in Kent costs £40.

Council Leader Adam Paynter said: “People with a disability should not be disadvantaged by a policy and our practice needs to be consistent with the rest of the country.”

The council has immediately suspended any further charges while the review is ongoing.

Sarah Gosling
BBC News Online

Training to spot child sexual exploitation is being offered to taxi drivers in South Devon.

The project by South Hams District Council aims to teach taxi drivers "how to spot the signs of child sexual exploitation or vulnerable people at risk", and how to report concerns.

With the programme now in its third year, councillor Tom Holway, said: "It is important for the drivers to learn about safeguarding the vulnerable because they are the ears and eyes of our community."

Devon Live

A new retail park could be built , externalnext to the A38 on the border between Devon and Cornwall.

Sarah Gosling
BBC News Online

Image source, Easy Devon District Council

Plans to turn the site of East Devon District Council's Sidmouth headquarters into a retirement home have been given the go-ahead.

Following an appeal, the planning inspector has approved the plans from Pegasis Life.

It means the council is a step closer to moving its base to Honiton from the site which the authority said was not fit for purpose for council use.

It is hoped that the move could happen by the end of 2018.

BBC Radio Devon

A radically different way of cleaning up plastic pollution at sea is being pioneered in the South West.

Neil Hembrow, beachcare officer in the South West for Keep Britain Tidy, is part of a scheme to turn washed up plastic into a useful product - kayaks.

He said that "all the plastic we collect will be sorted, chipped and flaked, then processed into pellets, which will then be sorted and moulded into products".

Waste collected is taken to recycling centres in 11 harbours across the South West.

The kayaks produced will be used by local community groups, so that they can help clean up even more plastic from our rivers and coastline.

Two emergency services have begun an exchange programme to share life-saving skills.

A team of paramedics from South Western Ambulance Service are teaching firefighters lessons in medicine.

In return the Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service crews are giving the paramedics training in dealing with hazardous environments.

They hope it will mean that they can treat casualties faster and on the spot.

Press Association

Despite supporting the largest population of the UK's most endangered butterfly, Exmoor's high brown fritillary population remains at risk, a conservationist has warned.

Almost 60 hectares (150 acres) of natural habitat is being restored in a bid to save the butterfly, which has seen its population decline by two thirds since the 1970s.

Butterfly Conservation said it only survives at about 50 sites where conservationists are working to save it from extinction.

The National Trust has been working in the Heddon Valley with partners in a bid to save the species.

A new £100,000 project will focus on restoring parts of the natural landscape along the coast as part of a £750,000 award from the People's Postcode Lottery.

Image source, Matthew Oates/National Trust Images/PA Wire

Cornwall Live

Surrounded by properties with an average price tag of £315,000 in Mevagissey sits a derelict former hotel that has been empty for years., external

Sarah Gosling
BBC News Online

Exeter Racecourse has tweeted that today's scheduled January Jump meeting will be cancelled due to poor conditions.

Jamie Chestney and Scotland's Lesley Doig win the World Indoor mixed doubles final as the Englishman adds a second title in 24 hours.

BBC Radio Devon

Devon:

• The Teignmouth to Shaldon ferry has been cancelled due to poor weather
• Between the M5 and Tiverton on the A361 there are lane restrictions and a contraflow due to roadworks. There's heavy traffic in both directions

• In Plymouth at Derriford the traffic lights at Brest Road, Looseleigh Lane and Tavistock Road are currently not working. Traffic is now very slow on Forder Valley Road inbound
• Around Kingsteignton on the A380 heading towards Exeter there's slow moving traffic

Cornwall:

• In Launceston on the A388 Tavistock Road near Robin Drive there are temporary traffic lights and slow traffic
• Services have been cancelled on the St Mawes Ferry due to the current sea conditions. The 08:30 service from Falmouth and 09:00 service from St Mawes have been cancelled. The first ferry from Falmouth will be at 0915 and from St Mawes at 0945