One Devon doctor has really adapted his commute to match his surroundings - by riding George the tractor seven miles to the snowbound surgery.

Dr David Gwynne of the Beacon Medical Group saw the snow and rather than be defeated by the elements, decided to raise the bar - the roll-bar of his small-holding's tractor that is.

"I looked out at the ice today and just thought, there's no way I'm leaving the house in the car.

"We've got to help people and get to see our patients. At the end of the day, we can’t just leave them to it."

Although contingency plans were always in place to continue caring for people during the storm, no one had quite expected this creative dedication to get into the office.

Dr Udeka Senaratne-Niland, also from the Ivybridge practice, said: "We knew that the blizzard was coming and joked that he might need the tractor to come in. We never expected him to actually do it!"

"A lot of our doctors live rurally and have worked their damnedest to get in today."

Do you know any more unsung snow day heroes? If so, email us.

Rob England
BBC News Online

"Unless it is a genuine life threatening emergency" the public have been urged by South West Ambulance Service (SWAS) not to dial 999.

A spokeswoman said there was a "critical level of demand" for the service due to the weather, and warned less urgent patients should expect a "significant wait" for an ambulance.

SWAS defines "life threatening emergency" as incidents such as:

• Cardiac arrests
• Strokes
• Serious bleeding that cannot be stopped
• A severe allergic reaction
• Serious breathing difficulties
• Loss of consciousness

Julie Skentelbery
BBC Radio Cornwall

Fully embracing the wintry weather, Alex Butters from Polperro decided to ski into the village today.

The journey was filmed from a quad bike, which was later used to pull him back up the hill.

Whilst this may not be out of place in Canada, or perhaps Finland, it is a bit of an unusual sight in Cornwall.

Rob England
BBC News Online

Officers have been lent poles to search for vehicles buried in the snow on the A386 in Devon.

Supt Toby Davies said the force was working with partners attending "collisions and stranded vehicles".

Image source, Supt Toby Davies

Image source, Supt Toby Davies

Image source, Supt Toby Davies

Mark struggles to adjust to the laid-back way of living in Ottery.

Emma Thomasson
BBC Spotlight

Tony Clarke caught this dramatic scene at Shoalstone Pool in Brixham.

Rob England
BBC News Online

A senior police officer has asked drivers who found themselves stranded yesterday on roads across Devon and Cornwall to "reflect" on that journey, and the "impact" it had on emergency services.

Image source, Devon and Cornwall Police

Ch Insp Adrian Leisk, head of roads policing across Devon, Cornwall and Dorset said emergency services and volunteers "risked their safety" in coming to drivers rescue, and asked them to think again about whether to travel - to avoid a repeat situation.

He said: "We have also been made aware of road users using their mobiles behind the wheel in these treacherous conditions.

"If drivers are identified using a mobile device whilst driving in these terrible conditions, they risk prosecution for dangerous driving, which carries a prison sentence.

“This stupid and selfish action places other motorists’ lives at risk and is completely unacceptable.”

Ch Insp Leisk advised road users only to travel if they "absolutely had to" in order to provide "lifesaving support" to others.

In this event, he said, drivers should prepare to be in their vehicle "for several hours". He said: "We are not over the worst of the weather for some time yet."

Anna Varle
BBC News Online

Diggers and residents are working to clear the mass of shingle which has cut off the road at Torcross.

Earlier the council said parts of the road has been "washed away".

A number of properties have been flooded and there are unconfirmed reports of a mine further up the beach.

Rob England
BBC News Online

Image source, Environment Agency

The Environment Agency have updated several flood alerts for Devon and Cornwall:

• Cornwall, south coast from Lizard Point to Gribbin Head - excluding Truro, external
• Cornwall, south coast from Gribbin Head to Rame Head, external
• Cornwall, south coast from Land's End to Lizard Point, external
• Cornwall, south coast from Rame Head to Plymouth, external
• Cornwall, north coast from The Rumps to Hartland Point - excluding Bude, external
• Cornwall, north coast from Lands End to Chapel Porth, external
• Cornwall, north coast from Chapel Porth to The Rumps excluding the tidal River Camel, external
• Cornwall, north coast Tidal River Camel excluding Wadebridge and Chapel Amble, external
• Devon, south coast from Start Point to Dawlish Warren, external
• South Devon estuaries, external

Flood warnings are also still in place, requiring immediate action:

• Cornwall, south coast at Mounts Bay, seafront properties, external
• Cornwall, south coast from Land's End to Lizard Point excluding Mounts Bay, external

You can check the latest flood alerts and warnings here, external.

Twitter

Hayley Westcott
BBC News Online

An old World War Two lookout at Torcross has fallen into the sea, Kingsbridge Police have said.

It added the cliff path is now "very unsafe" and is advising people to stay away.

Image source, KINGSBRIDGE POLICE

Image source, KINGSBRIDGE POLICE

Rob England
BBC News Online

Police have urged the public not to attempt to drive across Dartmoor, unless in an emergency.

Officers said: "We are aware that drivers are attempting to drive on to Dartmoor looking for snow. Please do not drive on to Dartmoor. The roads are extremely dangerous, with many remaining untreated with ice and snow drifts."

A spokesman added the potential for vehicle accidents was "high".

Twitter

The groundsmen at Exeter Chiefs are working hard to clear the snow from the ground ahead of this weekend's game.

The Chiefs face Saracens at Sandy Park on Sunday.

BBC Weather Watchers

Image source, Scamp191

Image source, Kayelle

Image source, Sarah

Hayley Westcott
BBC News Online

The local community has been "devastated" by the death of a seven-year-old girl who died in a car crash in Looe, the town mayor has said.

Devon and Cornwall Police are investigating the crash that happened in Bodrigan Road on Thursday.

Councillor Armand Toms said the "well-known family" is getting lots of support.

"It's reverberated around the community and actually it's brought the community together because they're going to support the family. Everybody that I've spoken to today is absolutely gutted that this has happened. The offers of help have poured in."

Rob England
BBC News Online

The A386 at Sourton Cross is still "closed with vehicles" after hundreds of drivers were stuck on the A30 late last night, according to Devon County Council.

Hayley Westcott
BBC News Online

There are several power cuts across Devon this afternoon.

Western Power Distribution said it is working to restore supplies.

Areas affected include:

• EX14 area of Honiton - aimed to be restored by 20:00
• TQ10 postcode area in South Brent - aimed to be restored by 16:00
• PL21 Ivybridge area - aimed to be restored by 18:00

Hayley Westcott
BBC News Online

Engineers are working to make the main rail line at Dawlish safe after it was damaged by Storm Emma.

Network Rail said there had been no structural damage to the sea wall, but some fencing and coping stones have been damaged - some of which are now lying on the railway.

Dawlish station itself has also suffered minor damage, with wooden panels and handrails washed on to the track and a small section of the platform damaged.

Mark Langman, Network Rail western route managing director, said: "Team Orange will be working round the clock to make the railway safe so that it can reopen. There will be no services on this line today and we will issue an update later today confirming when we expect to reopen this section of the railway. Currently reopening is anticipated to be within the next 24-36 hours."

All train services through Dawlish have been suspended with a limited shuttle service in place.

Hayley Westcott
BBC News Online

South West based Royal Marines have stepped in to support the emergency services with additional 4x4 vehicles.

The marines are helping to transport medical staff to urgent appointments and to assist stranded hospital staff in getting to work.

At this stage only a small number of marines with suitable vehicles are involved.

• Storm Emma: Army called in to rescue drivers stuck in snow

Twitter