Summary

  • New leads exhausted in Kate Bushell's murder

  • Tributes paid in Parliament to 'youngest councillor'

  • Scilly care home picks up award in reversal of fortunes

  • HMS Ocean: 'Farewell to this unique and remarkable vessel'

  • Appeal to save Pendennis gun from sea corrosion

  • Plymouth teen picked for England after a year in the sport

  • Updates from Monday 26 March until Thursday 29 March 2018

  1. Bath 11-28 Exeterpublished at 16:32 British Summer Time 30 March 2018

    Premiership champions Exeter win the Anglo-Welsh Cup for a second time with victory against Bath at Kingsholm.

    Read More
  2. Fire service puts out blaze in Newquay flatpublished at 18:49 British Summer Time 29 March 2018

    Del Crookes
    BBC News Online

    Cornwall Fire and Rescue Service says it has put out a blaze in Newquay, external.

    999 operators say a large number of people called them about the incident, on the third (and top) floor of a block of flats.

    Three crews used breathing apparatus, an aerial ladder platform and a hose reel jet to put out the fire and say a working alarm alerted residents to the incident quickly.

  3. Plan for airshows in Teignmouth and Dawlish are groundedpublished at 18:39 British Summer Time 29 March 2018

    Daniel Clark
    Local Democracy Reporting Service

    Plans for an airshow at Teignmouth on 25 August and Dawlish the following day have been shelved until 2019.

    The Red Arrows

    Councillors say time has run out to put a show on this year but say they remain confident the show will take place next year.

    Councillor Robert Phipps, who had headed up a working party to look into the airshow for Teignmouth Town Council, said: "It is taking a bit of time to get it off the ground, but if it happens it would be a great thing and a great boost for the area and for the tourism industry.

    "We are still looking at trying to put on airshow as an event next summer, but it not going to happen this year."

    The Red Arrows

    Meanwhile, Sidmouth Town Council has confirmed the Red Arrows will fly over the seafront on the opening day of the town's regatta on 24 August.

    The RAF's aerobatic team is also expected to fly over Paignton at the Torbay Airshow on 2 and 3 June.

  4. Street sign confusion in Exeterpublished at 18:27 British Summer Time 29 March 2018

    Jenna Hawkey
    BBC News Online

    Confusion has erupted over some new street signs in St Thomas in Exeter.

    The new signs, stating "Buddle Lane leading to Newman Road", have been put in directly over the old tile signs saying Newman Road.

    A few of the properties at the junction of Newman Road are in Buddle Lane, but local residents have described the actual location and wording of the signage, as "daft" and "misleading".

    Sign reading "Buddle Road" with sign reading "Newman Road" behind

    Meanwhile a third sign has appeared a little way down the road, reading Newman Road.

    Exeter City Council, who are responsible for the installation of street signs, has not yet responded to a request for comment.

  5. Public urged to report suspicions of child neglectpublished at 18:08 British Summer Time 29 March 2018

    Local Democracy Reporting Service

    Devon County Council is urging residents who are worried about a child's welfare, or about abuse or neglect of a child, to act on their suspicions.

    A recent YouGov survey revealed nearly a third of parents of under 16s have worried about a child's welfare.

    Just over half (57%) did something about it, but nearly half didn't.

    Child sitting with head between kneesImage source, Getty Images

    Possible signs of abuse or neglect to look out for include:

    • Appearance: Such as unusual injuries or consistently poor hygiene
    • Behaviour: Such as being withdrawn, overly anxious, disruptive or self-harming or any other sudden changes in behaviour
    • Communication: Such as talking aggressively, using sexual language or becoming secretive

    The advice to anyone in Devon who may have suspicions of child abuse or neglect is to contact Devon's Multi-Agency Safeguarding Hub (MASH) on 0345 155 1071.

  6. Weather: Drier tonight with clear spellspublished at 17:58 British Summer Time 29 March 2018

    BBC Weather

    There will be clear spells through this evening and into tonight.

    It may turn cloudier in places towards the end of the night with the chance of the odd spot of rain.

    Minimum temperature: -1 to 2C (30 to 36F).

    Tomorrow, any brightness first thing will soon fade, leaving a cloudy day with outbreaks of rain moving up from the south.

    Weather forecast for Friday
  7. Exmouth restaurant could be replaced by flatspublished at 17:44 British Summer Time 29 March 2018

    Local Democracy Reporting Service

    Spice Lounge, ExmouthImage source, Google

    An Indian restaurant in Exmouth could be demolished and replaced with houses and flats.

    Pub company Punch Taverns has submitted a planning application to East Devon District Council, which would see them knock down the Spice Lounge, in Prince of Wales Drive.

    Seven two-bedroom houses, one one-bedroom flat, and two two-bedroom flats would be built on the land in its place.

  8. Police dispatcher receives special award for braverypublished at 17:34 British Summer Time 29 March 2018

    Jenna Hawkey
    BBC News Online

    A Devon and Cornwall Police dispatcher has received a special bravery award after going to the aid of a vulnerable man while off duty.

    Julie Burgess was honoured at the APD Control Room Awards 2018 - the first ever national awards for staff who work in the control rooms of the UK’s blue light services.

    Julie Burgess at the APD Control Room Awards 2018Image source, Devon and Cornwall Police
    Image caption,

    Julie Burgess (centre) at the APD Control Room Awards 2018

    Ch Supt Glen Mayhew of Devon and Cornwall Police said: "Julie was on her way home from the Force control room in Plymouth in January of this year when she saw a man on the wrong side of the barriers of the Tamar Bridge.

    "Julie parked her car safely on the bridge and climbed across the bridge infrastructure to access the pedestrian cantilever and return back to where she had seen the man.

    "She spoke with the man and held on to him until officers arrived to bring him to safety.

    "Her speedy response was key to saving a life."

  9. Council relocation gets final rubber stamppublished at 17:19 British Summer Time 29 March 2018

    Local Democracy Reporting Service

    East Devon District Council headquartersImage source, East Devon District Council

    The final rubber stamp on East Devon District Council's plans to relocate from its current headquarters at the Knowle in Sidmouth to new offices in Honiton and Exmouth has been given.

    Development company PegasusLife has been granted planning permission to redevelop the offices into a 113-apartment assisted-living community for older people.

    This means the company and the council are now committed to the sale of the site.

    The authority's new headquarters at Heathpark in Honiton are expected to be completed in December.

  10. Cornish wine producer awarded Royal Warrantpublished at 17:03 British Summer Time 29 March 2018

    Jenna Hawkey
    BBC News Online

    Camel Valley vineyardImage source, Camel Valley Wines 2018

    Cornish wine producer Camel Valley has been awarded a Royal Warrant by Command of His Royal Highness, the Prince of Wales.

    It's the first English sparkling wine to bear the Royal coat of arms.

    Bob Lindo who, along with his wife Annie, owns Camel Valley Vineyard in Bodmin, said: "It's a great honour for Camel Valley and it speaks for the whole industry that there is now an English sparkling wine ranked alongside some of the finest suppliers of wines to the Royal Household."

  11. Devon verger receives Maundy money from the Queenpublished at 16:47 British Summer Time 29 March 2018

    Jenna Hawkey
    BBC News Online

    Verger Norman Betts from Stoke Gabriel Parish Church

    A church verger from Devon has received Maundy money from Her Majesty the Queen at a Royal ceremony in Windsor today.

    Norman Betts has been the verger at Stoke Gabriel Parish Church for more than 30 years, and his family has held the role for almost 400 years.

    Norman, who was nominated for his outstanding service to the church, was among 92 men and 92 women to receive the commemorative coins.

  12. Truro City still eyeing title says striker Cookepublished at 16:36 British Summer Time 29 March 2018

    Brent Pilnick
    BBC Sport

    Truro City forward Cody Cooke says the club are still aiming to win National League South.

    The White Tigers go into the crucial Easter period on the back of four successive wins which has seen them rise to fifth in National League South, nine points off the leaders with a game in hand.

    Fifth-placed City host sixth-placed Hemel Hempstead Town on Good Friday before a trip to Weston-Super-Mare on Easter Monday.

    Cody CookeImage source, Getty Images

    "If we kick on the form we've had against the lesser teams as such, there's no reason we can't go on and win it," Cooke told BBC Radio Cornwall.

    "We've proven all year that we can beat the teams above us, it's just about those teams below us.

    "Who's to say we can't go on an unbeaten run until the end of the year and that puts us in an unbelievable position and could we go and win the league? I can't see why not if we continue the form that we've got.

    "It's definitely an important few weeks and everyone's excited and looking forward to it."

  13. Burglars wanted after Plymouth break-inpublished at 16:29 British Summer Time 29 March 2018

    BBC Radio Devon

    Police are appealing for witnesses and anyone with information after a burglary in Mutley, Plymouth.

    The incident took place between 15:15 and 15:30 on Monday at a property on Seaton Avenue.

    The burglars gained entry to the property by breaking a downstairs window and took a 42in Hitachi LCD TV.

  14. Cornwall schools receive £8.8m funding boostpublished at 16:20 British Summer Time 29 March 2018

    Jenna Hawkey
    BBC News Online

    The Department for Education has announced an investment of £8.8m for schools in Cornwall.

    The funding is part of £514m being allocated to improve and expand the facilities of schools in England.

  15. Pirates to 'give it some beans' in B&I Cuppublished at 16:13 British Summer Time 29 March 2018

    Brent Pilnick
    BBC Sport

    Cornish pirates coach Gavin Cattle says his side is aiming to upset the form book and win at Ealing in the quarter-finals of the British and Irish Cup.

    Cattle led the Pirates to victory in the inaugural competition in 2010 and are hoping to progress in what is the final installment of the competition.

    "We're going to go up there and give it some beans," he told BBC Radio Cornwall.

    Cornish PiratesImage source, Brian tempest

    "We know what we have to do in terms of how to pressure them, it'll be more about us and executing our roles.

    "It's a massive opportunity for us, it's a different focus from the league.

    "You don't get many chances to play for silverware and to go away to Ealing, a strong team, is what rugby is about, those big occasions and big challenges."

  16. Garage boss sentenced for VAT fraudpublished at 15:54 British Summer Time 29 March 2018

    Jenna Hawkey
    BBC News Online

    A garage boss from St Blazey has been sentenced to 200 hours of community service after being found guilty of tax fraud.

    Derren White, who was director of St Austell Motor Company, Mid Cornwall Motors and Mac Tools St Austell, filed false invoices in order to claim £42,750 in VAT repayments.

    Appearing at Truro Crown Court on 27 March, Mr White was sentenced to 10 months in prison suspended for two years, ordered to carry out 200 hours of community service and fined £450, plus a £100 victim surcharge.

    HM Revenue and Customs will pursue Mr White for the repayment of the money through the civil courts.

    Truro Crown Court
  17. Man arrested for firearm, explosive and drug offencespublished at 15:43 British Summer Time 29 March 2018

    Jenna Hawkey
    BBC News Online

    Devon and Cornwall Police car

    Two people from Ivybridge and a third from Liverpool have been arrested as part of a joint operation by Devon and Cornwall Police and Merseyside Police.

    Officers attended a property at St John's Road in the Devon town at midday today.

    A 33-year-old man from Ivybridge was arrested on suspicion of possession of a prohibited weapon and assisting an offender, while a 38-year-old woman from the town was arrested on suspicion of assisting an offender.

    A 34-year-old man from Liverpool was arrested for possession of a firearm, explosives and drugs supply.

    All three are being held at a Devon police station.

  18. Brewster leaves Plymouth Argyle rolepublished at 15:39 British Summer Time 29 March 2018

    Craig Brewster is to leave his role as assistant manager at league One side Plymouth Argyle following hip surgery.

    Read More
  19. Man rescued from mud on the banks of River Tamarpublished at 15:28 British Summer Time 29 March 2018

    Jenna Hawkey
    BBC News Online

    A man has been rescued after getting stuck up to his waist in mud on the banks of the River Tamar in Plymouth.

    Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue used throw lines to pull the man from the mud under the Tamar Bridge, in a rescue that also involved the Plymouth Lifeboat, Plymouth Coastguard and local police and ambulance services.

    Tamar Bridge