Kate and Alan Burrows built their home from tree trunks covered with mud and straw.

BBC Weather

Mostly cloudy tonight, with spells of rain, which will be heavy and persistent for a time.

The rain is expected to become increasingly light and patchy later in the night. Breezy.

Minimum temperature: 5C to 10C (41F to 50F).

It will be a rather cloudy and breezy day during Tuesday, with some patchy light rain and drizzle.

Outbreaks of more persistent rain may start to push in from the west later.

Maximum temperature: 9C to 12C (48F to 54F).

A woman with three children says she is still suffering from the after-effects of extreme morning sickness.

Andrew Segal
BBC Local Live

Plymouth city councillors have approved plans to bring in a compulsory dress code for taxi drivers.

The approved proposals, external, which have had criticism from some drivers, are part of plans to smarten up the trade ahead of visitors arriving in the city for the 2020 Mayflower celebrations, external.

But what is allowed and what's not?

The code states that drivers "must wearing clean clothing in good condition, and have good standards of personal hygiene".

Minimum standard include:

• A collared shirt, collared polo shirt, or collared blouses, which have a full body and short or long sleeves
• Smart long-legged trousers (no denim), or knee-length tailored shorts, or knee-length skirts or dresses
• Footwear for all drivers "shall fit around the heel of the foot"

Image source, Getty Images

And what's banned?

• Bare chests
• Poor personal hygiene
• Clothing or footwear that is unclean or damaged
• Clothing printed with words, logos or graphics which might offend
• Clothing intended to support any political party, pressure group or other organisation designed to provoke discrimination or objection
• Sports replica shirts, eg: football, rugby or cricket tops, or track suits
• Beach-type footwear, such as flip-flops or mules
• High heels
• The wearing of hoods or other clothing that obscures the driver's vision or their identity
• Sports shorts or swimming trunks

Andrew Segal
BBC Local Live

A man who was changing a tyre on a vehicle on the A30 in Devon has died after being hit by a passing van, police say.

Officers said, external emergency services were called to the scene at Alphington at 12:25 after reports a grey Renault van hit the man on the eastbound carriageway.

Ambulance and the air ambulance were called but the man was pronounced dead at the scene.

A 32-year-old man from Exeter has been arrested on suspicion of causing death by dangerous driving.

The road has been closed for an investigation, including using a police drone to get aerial footage of the scene, highways bosses tweeted, external.

Devon and Cornwall Police said: "This appears to be a serious incident and we ask that road users seek alternative routes for the foreseeable future."

Officers have appealed for witnesses.

Andrew Segal
BBC Local Live

Scientists have discovered a way to stop the spread of a fungus that destroys up to 30% of the world's rice crop each year.

An international team led by the University of Exeter said the work discovered how the fungus, called rice blast, was "able to move stealthily between rice cells, evading recognition by the plant immune system".

Researchers said they found a way to chemically inhibit a single protein in the fungus, preventing it from spreading inside a rice leaf, and leaving it trapped within a single plant cell.

The researchers said their finding was a breakthrough in terms of understanding the disease, but was not yet a cure that can be applied outside the laboratory.

Rice blast destroyed enough of the crop each year to feed 60 million people, the researchers said.

The research has been published in the journal Science, external.

Image source, Getty Images

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Cornwall Live

Cornwall Council's Cabinet will make one of its biggest decisions of the year so far on 28 March, external when it considers whether the council should help provide the last £6m needed to build the Stadium for Cornwall.

Jenny Kumah
BBC South West

Plans to bring in a compulsory dress code for taxi drivers banning jeans, track suits and hoods have been approved by Plymouth city councillors.

The controversial plans are part of a new policy and the council's plans to smarten up the trade ahead of visitors arriving in the city for the 2020 Mayflower celebrations, external.

Under the approved proposals, external, replacing a voluntary dress code, drivers are also to be banned from wearing flip-flops.

The council's opposition Labour group also proposed banning drivers from using e-cigarettes at any time, even when they were alone in their cab.

This motion was defeated, meaning the devices can still be used when no passengers are on board.

Andrew Segal
BBC Local Live

Oxygen equipment for injured animals is "not just for cats and dogs", firefighters say.

Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service said its green watch crew in Yeovil used its Smokey Paws mask during the rescue of two sheep at the end of last week.

The equipment is more commonly deployed to help domestic pets injured in fires.

The two sheep were found stuck in a river in the Yeovilton area last Thursday, with one needing oxygen therapy.

The treated sheep "made a good recovery" and both animals were handed back to the farmer "fit and well".

BBC Radio Cornwall

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A water main burst has causing major supply problems across parts of the Camborne and St Ives areas.

BBC Radio Devon

One lane has re-opened eastbound on the A30 between Fingle Glen and the M5 following a serious accident earlier.

Although a lane has reopened, traffic in the area is still very congested.

Ben Woolvin
BBC South West Home Affairs correspondent

Police say the number of children identified as victims of modern-day slavery in Devon and Cornwall is increasing.

Last year, 40 cases were reported. Nineteen of those involved people under 18.

Police say there's a link between the increase in the number of teenagers being exploited and the drugs gangs which are said to be colonising the South West.

They say there's increasing evidence that criminals based in London, Manchester and Liverpool are sending young people to Plymouth and Exeter to serve as their "drugs mules" - distributing heroin and cocaine to a previously untapped market.

Other young victims are working in the sex trade, either in pop-up brothels or through so-called "adult work" websites.

In the cases linked to drugs, the police say it’s very hard gathering enough evidence for a prosecution. The teenagers don't see themselves as victims, and even those that do are often very reluctant to give evidence.

The police say more cases are now reaching court, but investigations can take two years.

Hayley Westcott
BBC News Online

People falling into the River Exe at Exeter Quay "happens all too regularly", Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service has said.

Now, Exeter Quay traders have been given special training to rescue people from the water.

It's hoped it'll help to cut the number of fatalities after five people lost their lives in the River Exe or canal basin last year.

Watch Manager at the fire service, Dan Searle, has been speaking to reporter Kirk England about the importance of the pilot.

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BBC Radio Cornwall

In Ponsanooth, there are reports of slow traffic due to a collision involving a moped on the A393 at Speech Lane.

Cornwall Live

A couple from Newquay have won £1m on Lotto Millionaire Raffle after the husband, Grant Hawkes, became ill and had to stop working, external.

South West Water said it has found and isolated a burst pipe on one of its large mains, which has been causing supply problems across parts of the Camborne and St Ives areas.

The company says it is now using a secondary water main, which runs alongside the affected one.

However, customers on higher ground may still experience some disruption while the network restores and South West Water is encouraging people to use water carefully while water supplies return to full pressure.

About 7,000 properties have been affected by the burst water main at Trevu Reservoir.