BBC Radio Cornwall

A former Cornwall MP claims the permanent closure of three of Cornwall's community hospitals is inevitable - despite a plan to put their future out to public consultation.

A decision has been made to spend 18 months on asking people about what should happen to the inpatient facilities in Saltash (pictured), Fowey and St Ives - all of which are now temporarily closed.

Former St Ives Liberal Democrat MP Andrew George said he did not believe it was a sensible way ahead and there was a high chance the hospitals would not be reopened...

Hayley Westcott
BBC News Online

A 44-year-old woman has gone missing from Great Torrington, police have said.

Emma Adderley was last seen in the town at about 17:45 on Tuesday and police are concerned for her welfare.

She is described as white, about 5ft 4in (1.6m) tall, with straight, dark brown hair in a pony tail and of average build.

She was last seen wearing a grey jacket, blue jeans, and it's believed she has a burgundy handbag with her.

Anyone with information is asked to call 999.

The photos at Dawlish Warren appear to show a child being held over an estimated 100ft drop.

Hayley Westcott
BBC News Online

A car has been "severely damaged" by fire on the A30, a fire service has said.

Crews were called to the road between Fingle Glen and Woodleigh at about 07:45.

On arrival, the car was "well alight" in a lay-by.

The fire was extinguished and was believed to be an "accidental ignition", Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service added.

BBC Spotlight

A £1.6m project to conserve and repair Tavistock's guildhall has been given the go-ahead after a funding boost from the National Lottery.

The idea is to create a new heritage visitor attraction as well as a one-stop-shop facility for council services.

The project will open up public access to the guildhall's historic courtroom and police cells.

Building work is expected to start in 2019, opening to the public a year later.

BBC Radio Cornwall

Image source, Getty Images

Newquay has been awarded plastic-free community status after residents launched a successful campaign to cut down on single-use bottles, straws cups and packaging.

The town's work has resulted in it being bestowed the status by campaign group Surfers Against Sewage, joining the likes of Penzance, external.

People in the town started work on cutting out the plastics in January. Since then, locals have been trying to eradicate single-use plastics and holding coastal clean-ups.

Changes have included many coffee shops in the town swapping to compostable cups, and residents switching to the likes of bamboo toothbrushes and using shampoo bars instead of bottled shampoo.

Damien Box, who owns Box and Barber coffee house, said social media had played a big part...

Are you interested in being more plastic-free? BBC Three has some tips that might help.

A Top Gun fan who sent a letter to Paramount Pictures receives a reply from Tom Cruise.

BBC Radio Cornwall

At Quintrell Downs, the A392 is blocked in both directions by an overturned car between Bridle Way and the Holiday Park at Whitecross.

Search our interactive map of Britain to see where rent is judged as "unaffordable".

Daily Mirror

A Conservative university society has caused outrage among fellow students by posing for a shocking picture which was put on Facebook, external showing them wearing T-shirts scrawled with offensive graffiti, and one man looking like he is sporting a Hitler-style moustache.

BBC Radio Devon

Firefighters dealt with a large fire involving waste materials, suspected gas cylinders, a diesel tank and an HGV trailer in Woodbury Salterton just before about 21:00 on Tuesday.

Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service said, external three fire appliances and an environmental protection unit were called to the scene and, after putting out the fire, monitored hotspots for some time before leaving.

Andrew Segal
BBC South West

The business case for merging Devon and Cornwall Police with Dorset Police claims that it could save more than £70m over 10 years.

The two police forces are already working together in a number of different areas but last year they announced plans to merge and bring all operations together.

The merger itself would cost more than £3m to implement, the case said.

Going ahead with the merger will depend on whether the forces' chief constables and commissioners decide to submit a business case to the Home Office for consideration.

However, last week the police said the decision had been delayed, with Devon and Cornwall Police Commissioner (PCC) Alison Hernandez saying she was unlikely to support the merger as she had concerns about the impact it could have on council tax and the lack of public support for the plans.

She agreed when asked if the merger was "dead in the water".

The merger may not be in the best interest of communities if people have to pay more "but get less or the same" service, Devon and Cornwall Chief Constable Shaun Sawyer previously said.

Council tax bills in Devon and Cornwall might have to go up to match those in Dorset with households facing possible rises of up to £18 a year as Dorset taxpayers currently pay more.

The Devon and Cornwall Police and Crime Panel is due to discuss the merger and the business plan when it meets in Plymouth on Friday, the Local Democracy Reporting Service says.

BBC Weather

Wednesday will be a largely cloudy day with some light drizzle in places. The cloud will cover hills at times and it will also be misty around some exposed coasts in the morning.

However, it'll be brighter with some sunshine possible towards the southeast at times. Light or moderate northwesterly winds will turn to the southwest during the day.

Maximum temperature: 14 to 17C (57 to 62F).

BBC Radio Cornwall

No decision will be made about the future of three community hospitals in Cornwall until 2020.

Inpatient facilities at Saltash and Fowey Hospitals are both currently closed, and the 12-bed ward at Edward Hain in St Ives (pictured) has been closed for more than two years.

A report from health service commissioning body NHS Kernow due for publication next Monday is expected to put the future of all three hospitals out to public consultation.

Dr Francis Old from health service commissioning body NHS Kernow, said it was about "getting it right" for the needs of the three areas...

Andrew Segal
BBC South West

Exeter's home game against Stevenage was halted at the 15-minute mark due to a medical emergency, the Press Association reported.

A supporter needed urgent attention and was taken away in a waiting ambulance before the match resumed.

Exeter went on to win 1-0.