BBC Radio Devon

A report into a major fire in Exeter city centre has revealed "no link" between the blaze and ongoing construction work.

The report which has been given to the BBC by the Health and Safety Executive confirms welding work was taking place in the building where the fire's believed to have started.

It says there's no evidence to link the fire to that work.

In 2016, the blaze spread through several buildings destroying them and one of the UK's oldest hotels, The Royal Clarence.

In 2017, fire investigators said the cause of the blaze would probably remain a mystery, because evidence of how it started was lost when the building next door - where the fire started - collapsed.

Owners Brownsword have said a new hotel will be built on the site with the same facade as its predecessor.

BBC Radio Cornwall

• On the A30 between Chiverton Cross and Chybucca there's a broken-down lorry partially blocking the eastbound carriageway. Please approach with care
• On the A390 in Callington there's slow traffic around the B3257 due to the temporary traffic lights and roadworks

BBC Radio Devon

Devon County Council is hoping to raise thousands of pounds by increasing advertising on roundabouts and introducing it on street lamps and some verges.

The council says there are about 120 roundabouts and 70,000 street lamps in Devon, many of which could take advertising.

A report going to the authority later recommends appointing an outside contractor to organise the advertising, in exchange for a share in the profits.

Devon Live

All Saints Academy in Plymouth has announced proposals to ditch its sixth form., external

A hang glider crashed into rocks leaving a man stuck on cliffs on the south-east Cornwall coast.

It happened above Freathy Beach on Tuesday and sparked a major rescue operation involving three RNLI lifeboat crews.

The man was found stuck on rocks above a narrow gully, with deep water either side, the RNLI said.

A crewman climbed up the rocks from a lifeboat to help the uninjured man down the cliff.

David Haines, lifeboat operations manager with Looe RNLI, said "Our volunteer crews practice kedging for this type of rescue where they need to control the lifeboat in confined spaces, kedging is a skilled technique where a light anchor is used to help manoeuvre the boat into position."

BBC Spotlight

The A30 reopened in the early hours of this morning after being closed overnight because of a fatal crash.

Police haven't released the name or any details of the person who died in the collision at Connor Downs near Hayle in west Cornwall. The road was shut for several hours while officers investigated.

BBC Weather

The Met Office has issued a yellow weather warning for rain for the South West, external, with flooding of some roads and properties likely.

Rain is expected throughout the day, becoming heavier and more widespread during the afternoon.

It is expected to begin clearing from the north east of the region during late afternoon and into the night.

The Met Office says bus and train services will probably be affected with journey times taking longer. Surface water and spray on roads could also impact on motorists.

Torquay claim a vital three points in their National League relegation battle with victory against Leyton Orient.

Exeter's promotion hopes take a further hit with a goalless draw against relegation-threatened Yeovil.

BBC Spotlight

Andrew Segal
BBC Local Live

The "Beast from the East" snowy weather and Storm Emma will continue to affect motorists using the A379 in Devon because resurfacing work is behind schedule, Devon County Council says.

The work on Exeter Road in Dawish was due for completion on 19 March, but the council said freezing temperatures and poor weather had caused the loss of nine working days.

It added the delay in Dawlish would have a knock-on effect and lead to the postponement of other schemes on the same road, including: Teignmouth Hill and Iddesleigh Terrace in Dawlish, and The Strand, Exeter Road in Starcross.

All of these schemes were to be rescheduled for a later date, the council said.

Jenna Hawkey
BBC News Online

Image source, Getty Images

A marine conservationist, from the University of Exeter, has welcomed the government's pledge to crack down on single-use plastics.

Professor Brendan Godley said he was concerned about the impact of plastics on human health, as well as its impact on wildlife.

"It will need government bodies and every aspect of civil society to engage if we are to sort out the plastic problem."

Chancellor Philip Hammond announced today that the government is looking into imposing new taxes on items such as disposable coffee cups, takeaway boxes and polystyrene packaging.

Enter your postcode to see what the air quality is like where you are living in Britain.

BBC Weather

Tonight will be dry for a time with some clear spells.

However, cloud will thicken and the south-easterly wind will strengthen, bringing the chance of a little rain later on.

Minimum Temperature: 5-8C (41-46F).

Tomorrow will be cloudy and rather windy with rain at times.

Some of the rain could be on the heavy side, mainly during the afternoon.

Maximum Temperature: 8-11C (46-52F).

Jenna Hawkey
BBC News Online

Cornwall Council leader Adam Paynter has raised concerns that the lack of central government funding for Cornish schools could impact on children's opportunities.

Schools in Cornwall are among the worst funded in the country, something that the authority's Fair Funding #StandUpForCornwall campaign aims to highlight.

Mr Paynter said: "It's clearly unfair that Cornwall receives £1,645 less per pupil than the 10 best funded boroughs in inner London."

"We hope Whitehall listens to us and also our campaign and re-balances this injustice."

Twitter

East Devon District Council's doing its bit to help bugs and wildlife in local parks in the area.

"Bug posts", which will provide homes to various creatures, are being installed in public spaces across the district.

Jenna Hawkey
BBC News Online

There is "no cast-iron assurance" Cornish pasties will retain their protected EU status post-Brexit.

Currently only pasties made in Cornwall from a traditional recipe can be called Cornish pasties, having been given special status by the European Commission in 2011.

At business questions in the Commons, Business Minister Andrew Griffiths told MPs that pasties and Cornish clotted cream would continue to be protected in the UK after exit day.

Negotiations are ongoing as to whether they would have the same protection in the EU, but Mr Griffiths said: "I can categorically state that this is the government's clear objective."

• What will Brexit mean for iconic British food?

BBC Radio Devon

A Devon woman has received a lifetime achievement award for her services to children and adoption in the South West.

Caroline Davis OBE, from Cheriton Fitzpaine, is the chief executive of one of the UK's most successful voluntary adoption agencies, 'Families for Children'.

Caroline, pictured here with charity patron and celebrity chef Michael Caines MBE, has been the CEO there for 25 years, and finished ahead of three other contenders around the country to be given the award in the National Adoption Week awards in London.

Image source, Families for Children

BBC Radio Devon

In Paignton, a coach has broken down on A3022 Eugene Road in Preston, which is a one-way street. There are delays.

Andrew Segal
BBC Local Live

Train passengers travelling west of Truro will experience journeys taking about 30 minutes longer on average because of the closing of the main line to Penzance, and the St Ives branch line (pictured), next week.

Network Rail is closing the lines for four days to install new signalling systems ahead of new intercity express trains being introduced in the summer.

Train operator GWR said buses would replace trains while the work was carried out between Monday and Thursday.

Long distance services from London Paddington would terminate at Truro and replacement buses then used, it added.

Some train departure times were also due to be changed, and passengers were advised to check before they travelled, GWR said.

Trains are still to run from Truro to Falmouth.