Lynne French
BBC News Online

Traffic officers from HIghways England have teamed up with the police to patrol parts of the A30 in Cornwall.

The trial with the Devon and Cornwall force aims to help deal with increased traffic and related incidents.

Based at Bodmin police station and Cornwall Council’s Castle Canyke depot during peak holiday months, traffic officers will patrol the A30 between Carland Cross and Lifton Down.

Ch Insp Adrian Leisk, head of roads policing, said the force was delighted to expand its partnership with Highways England into Cornwall.

"This ‘one team’ approach will undoubtedly help support communities and businesses who rely on a resilient and capable road network in Cornwall, during what will be the busiest periods of the year.

Although not an enforcement agency, Highways England traffic officers have the power to stop and direct traffic, close lanes and carriageways and manage traffic.

Devon Live

Misplaced gas cylinders worth £10,000 were among more than £550,000 of "losses and special payments, external" racked up by Devon hospitals last year.

Press Association

An anti-aircraft gun at Pendennis Castle in Cornwall, used to protect troops and supplies amassing at Falmouth for the D-Day embarkations during World War Two, is being damaged by sea spray and salty air.

English Heritage has warned that historic guns on cliff tops and castle battlements around the coast are corroding 20 times faster than those inland.

The charity is launching a fundraising appeal for four cannons in urgent need of repair, including the gun at Pendennis, one at Dover Castle and two 18th Century cannons at Etal Castle in Northumberland.

Image source, PA

English Heritage, which looks after more than 400 cannons, carriages and historic guns, has already completed intensive conservation to cannons and carriages on the Garrison Walls at St Mary's on the Isles of Scilly.

Senior collections conservator Bethan Stanley, said: "Our cannons are precious objects, vital alongside our castles and fortifications in telling the story of England as an island nation.

"To many, they are an integral part of the landscape, but unless we act now, they could ultimately be lost to the elements."

Hayley Westcott
BBC News Online

A Plymouth schoolgirl has been selected for the England boxing squad - just a year after she took up the sport.

Jilly Jean Newton-Westlake has already claimed two national titles after dedicating herself to training six days a week.

The 15-year-old is from a strong boxing pedigree, as her uncle, Scott Dann, held the British and Commonwealth middleweight titles.

She will offically pick up her England kit in May.

Jilly Jean says she's glad she decided to choose boxing over other sports despite initial concerns...

Cornwall Live

Derek Thomas, the Conservative MP for St Ives, has questioned whether Theresa May has the 'guts and resolve' to get Brixit right, external.

BBC Radio Cornwall

Brook Street in Falmouth is partially blocked at Berkeley Vale due to a broken down vehicle.

BBC Radio Devon

• The Embankment in Plymouth is partially blocked heading inbound due to an accident, with very heavy traffic
• In Coffinswell on Waterwell Lane at Connybear Lane we've got reports there's a goat on the road

Hamish Marshall
BBC Spotlight

A scheme at the University of Exeter to use more "wonky" vegetables has been given £17,000 by the National Union of Students to help it expand.

The Exeter VegShare doesn't use plastic and sells locally sourced produce to students and staff, with some of the produce grown on the campus.

BBC Radio Devon

• There are reports of a broken-down vehicle on the Exeter-bound A38 at Haldon Hill
• In Plymouth on the A38 Parkway heading between Manadon and Forder Valley one lane is blocked with very slow moving traffic due to an accident.

BBC Spotlight

A man whose family has been church vergers in Devon since the early 17th Century is to receive Maundy money from the Queen later.

Norman Betts, who was baptised and confirmed at Stoke Gabriel Parish Church, has been the verger for more than 30 years.

The Royal Maundy is an ancient Christian ceremony inspired by Jesus washing the feet of his disciples and commanding them to love one another on the day before Good Friday.

The tradition of washing the feet of the poor faded out in the 18th Century, but the king or queen still gave people food and clothing and since the 19th Century the monarch has just distributed the Maundy money.

Mr Betts, who'll attend a ceremony at St George's Chapel in Windsor, says he's always wanted to meet the Queen and was "very overcome" by the invitation.

BBC Radio Cornwall

The only care home on the Isles of Scilly, which was facing closure a year ago, has not only managed to stay open but has also picked up a national award.

Park House on St Mary's was unable to attract and keep staff and it looked as if the elderly residents would have to be moved to the mainland.

Aisling Khan, Director of Children and Adult Services for the Council of the Isles of Scilly said they had struggled with recruitment up to the point where they risked closure due to a very competitive job market on the island and a care recruitment crisis across the UK.

She said the risk of closure helped put the recruitment concerns at the forefront of people's minds which encouraged them to apply for jobs. Ms Khan said she was also able to secure funding to increase workers pay which also helped with the recruitment problem.

The home has been awarded the Outstanding Residential and Nursing Homecare Team of the Year at the National Care Awards.

BBC Radio Cornwall

There are reports of a broken-down vehicle in Falmouth on Brook Street at Berkley.

Devon Live

A paedophile teacher who abused four young boys, external over four decades ago has had his "unduly lenient" jail term increased by top judges.

Devon and Cornwall Police are advertising for more special constables.

Lucy Martin
BBC Weather

If you're planning a trip to the coast today, here are the times of high water.

There will be a full weather forecast in Spotlight's lunchtime news at 13:30 on BBC One.

BBC Weather

Cloudy at times as showers continue to move in from the southwest - some of them heavy and prolonged, with thunder and hail also a risk.

However, some bright or sunny intervals should develop between the showers.

Light to moderate south or southwesterly winds with maximum temperatures between 5 and 8C (41 to 46F).

BBC Radio Devon

On the A361 through Tiverton, there's slow traffic in both directions due to roadworks.

BBC Radio Cornwall

There's slow traffic on the A388 at Lawhitton, caused by temporary traffic lights and roadworks.

BBC Radio Devon

Some of Devon's most experienced foster carers say they are concerned their allowances could be cut and they wont be able to afford to continue looking after some of the county's most vulnerable children.

Devon County Council, external has confirmed its reviewing its payment system but has not yet given specific proposals.

Image source, Devon County Council

Specialist skilled carers are worried their higher payments will be reduced to help boost the amount paid to lower level carers as the council wants to recruit more people to the role.

Councillor James Mcinnes, who is responsible for Children's Services at Devon County Council, said the idea is to "simplify the payments".

Cornwall Live

Investigations continue and a warning has been sent out following a spate of burglaries., external