BBC Radio Devon

Image source, Getty Images

Almost 4,000 people died following a stroke in the South West in 2016, according to new figures from Public Health England (PHE)., external

The figures also showed 122,500 people in the region are currently on GP registers because they've had a stroke in their lifetime.

PHE said nationally more middle-aged people (40-69 year olds) are experiencing first-time strokes, rising from 33% to 38%.

PHE has launched its national Act F.A.S.T campaign, external in the South West to raise awareness of the symptoms.

Health bosses say that poor diet, alcohol and smoking are all to blame.

Act FAST campaign - what to look for:

• Face - Has their face fallen on one side? Can they smile?
• Arms - Can they raise both their arms and keep them there?
• Speech - Is their speech slurred?
• Time - Time to call 999

Image source, British Transport Police

A man has been arrested in Exeter this morning after he made threats to a train guard.

British Transport Police Devon tweeted that the man remains in custody after making the threats at Exeter St David's station.

Investigations are ongoing.

A Devon & Cornwall Police officer tweeted this photo of an accident in Totnes this morning:

PC Josh Marshall confirmed no-one was injured in the accident.

He added: "Thirty minutes later this could have been tragic" because of rush-hour.

Devon:

• On the A380 around Kingsteignton there are lane closures and a speed restriction due to roadworks. Traffic is very slow moving heading towards Penn Inn
• In Plymouth, Budshead Way is partially blocked around Budshead Road due to an accident. Traffic is very heavy in the area
• In Exeter, Cowick Street is closed in both directions at Cowick Lane due to an accident. Diversions are in place
• In Totnes the A385 Station Road is partially blocked around Coronation Road due to an accident. Traffic is slow moving
• In Plymouth on Embankment Road heading outbound before Marsh Mills there's an accident, traffic is very busy

Cornwall:

• The GWR service between Liskeard and Looe is suspended due to a shortage of train drivers
• In Bude on the A39 between the A3073 and Stratton Road we've got reports there's an accident
• On the A390 from Tresillian heading towards Truro there's very heavy traffic

• Near Stithians, Hendra Road is blocked between Church Road and Tresevern Hill due to an accident

Sarah Gosling
BBC News Online

A 67-year-old man has died after his car crashed into a tree.

Police were called to Wharf Road, Penzance, at about 19:30 on Wednesday.

The black Citroen C3 Picasso was travelling along Wharf Road in the direction of the railway station.

It's unclear why the vehicle then left the road and crashed into the tree.

The sole occupant, a 67-year-old local man, died at the scene.

BBC Radio Devon

A man from Devon who's lost nearly all of his sight is hoping people can help him in a challenge to raise money for blind veterans.

John Evans from Ottery St Mary has a form of tunnel vision meaning that he only sees 2% of what the average person sees.

"I have to scan around all the time to make up a picture of where I'm heading. If I lift my head to do that scanning, I lose track of what's at my feet."

Mr Evans needs people to help guide him during training for a charity walk in the summer.

He'll be walking more than 60 miles (97km) in one day from London to Brighton, and needs to get used to walking in the countryside without his guide dog.

Speaking to BBC Radio Devon, he said: "I need people who'll be happy to walk for initially about 8 or 9 miles (13 - 14km), and eventually up to 40 miles (64km).

"I need someone to look out for upright obstacles. It's literally the easier you make it for you, the easier you'll make it for me."

Brent Pilnick
BBC Sport

Plymouth Argyle made three changes to their squad as the January transfer window closed late on Wednesday night.

Defender Jakub Sokolik was released while forward Jake Jervis left Home Park for League Two leaders Luton Town for an undisclosed fee.

Image source, Getty Images

The 26-year-old, who was one of manager Derek Adams' first signings when he joined the club two-and-a-half years ago, scored 31 goals in 127 appearances for the Pilgrims.

Meanwhile West Ham youngster Moses Makasi has moved to the League One club on loan until the end of the season.

The 22-year-old is yet to make a first-team appearance for the Premier League side but has been an unused substitute on five occasions this campaign, and could make his league debut in Saturday's game with Blackburn Rovers.

Exeter loose-head Alec Hepburn is set to make his England debut against Italy in Rome on Sunday as he is named in a 25-man squad.

BBC Spotlight

A man has died after a vehicle crashed into a tree in Penzance.

An air ambulance and emergency services were called to Wharf Road at about 20:00 on Wednesday following reports of a single vehicle crashing into a tree.

The man died at the scene.

Police are appealing for witnesses to the crash which involved a black Citroen.

Police are concerned for the safety of a man missing from Cullompton.

Patrick Henwood was last seen wearing blue jeans, a blue checked fleece-lined hoody and black trainers.

Officers are asking anyone who has seen Patrick to get in touch.

Image source, Devon & Cornwall Police

Cornwall Live

An air ambulance and other emergency services rushed to the scene of a crash in Penzance, external last night after a vehicle crashed into a tree.

BBC Radio Devon

MPs are being urged to ditch single-use plastic items like straws, stirrers and cups.

Image source, Surfers Against Sewage

Cornwall-based campaigners Surfers Against Sewage , externaltold the BBC MPs should "lead by example" in the "war on plastic".

It is calling for a "plastic free parliament" after its research suggested more than two million single-use plastic items were purchased by the House of Commons and House of Lords in 2017.

Hugo Tagholm, CEO of Surfers Against Sewage said: "They must also set an example in refusing avoidable plastics, and send a strong message to the world from a plastic free parliament."

BBC Radio Cornwall

A 17-year-old ballerina from Cornwall has won a place performing at one of the most prestigious youth ballet competitions in the world.

Olivia Parham, from the Saltash area, is one of only three British dancers to be chosen for the Youth America Grand Prix in New York this April.

It was a performance in the semi finals in Paris that clinched the teenager's place in the finals.

Devon Live

Plans to improve the A38 in Devon could see years of roadworks, external - ending in extra lanes being added to the routes and busy junctions being improved.

BBC Weather

Today looks set to be a cold one, with wind chill and a few wintry showers making temperatures feel lower than thermometers show.

There will however be a fair amount of sunshine. One or two showers are likely, especially on the moors, where they may fall as sleet or snow.

Maximum Temperature: 7C (45F).

BBC Radio Devon

A gang of hooded teenagers attacked a frail man in his 60s in what police are calling a hate attack.

Image source, Google

The teenagers took his cap and threw it around before forcing him to drop his walking stick in Royal Parade, Plymouth, said police.

The gang used "hateful language" in the attack at 14:45 on Tuesday. The group later returned the cap and left the area.

The attackers have been described as wearing hooded tops and included boys and girls aged between 15 and 17.

BBC Radio Devon

People living in the South Hams are facing council tax rises and cuts to services as the district authority tries to deal with a funding squeeze.

Image source, Thinkstock

Senior councillors will meet later , externalto vote on savings proposals including stopping lifeguard cover on four beaches - Hope Cove, Slapton Sands, Thurlestone and Sedgewell - charging for toilets and possibly closing them in some areas.

In the future, three weekly bin collections could be brought in to save money.

It follows a failed bid to merge South Hams and West Devon district councils in 2017, mainly to save money and secure their financial futures. South Hams supported the move, but West Devon rejected it. At the time, the leader of South Hams said the failed merger would mean cuts to services.

Luton sign Liverpool's Lloyd Jones and Plymouth's Jake Jervis for undisclosed fees, while Flynn Downes joins on loan from Ipswich.

Jayden Stockley scores his 15th goal of the season as Exeter see off struggling Forest Green in League Two.

Plymouth Argyle sign midfielder Moses Makasi on loan from West Ham United for the rest of the season.