Durham University PhD student Matthew Hedges is accused of spying while on a research trip.

Theo had just turned 17 when he became homeless. He turned to the council for help - but was given only a one-man tent.

Rob Byrne
BBC News Online

The chief executive of the Cornwall Air Ambulance says she's delighted by Phillip Hammond's surprise £10m commitment towards funding air ambulances across the country.

Until now, the services which started in Cornwall have been entirely funded by the public.

"This was very, very welcome, and it was unexpected," Paula Martin, who also represents all of the 21 charities across the UK, said.

"This was a complete surprise announcement, none of us knew anything about it. Certainly if our MPs here in Cornwall had any inkling about it they were keeping their lips tightly sealed."

It's not yet clear how much of the £10m will be allocated to each service, she added.

The chancellor has pledged an extra £1bn, between now and the end of next year, to boost the UK's defences.

In his Budget speech, Philip Hammond said the plan was to modernise key areas such as anti-submarine warfare and cyber capabilities.

He said the extra funding was prompted by "stark reminders in the past year of the scale, scope and complexity of the threats we face".

The extra £1bn for defence comes on top of an £800m increase in the summer.

Plymouth Conservative MP Johnny Mercer has welcomed the announcement.

Rob Byrne
BBC News Online

The Chancellor's announcement on transport funding has been labelled as "not good enough" by Plymouth Labour MP Luke Pollard.

In response to the Budget, the MP tweeted the far South West would have to wait until next summer to find out if funding will be given to upgrade rail services around Dawlish.

He had previously called for a commitment in the Budget to upgrade rail services in the area.

Earlier this month, a huge hole under the main track through Devon caused by flood damage was repaired.

A section of the line was washed away at Dawlish in 2014, cutting off the service linking Cornwall and much of Devon with the rest of the UK for two months.

However, in the Budget it was announced that following the £15m of funding committed in November 2016, "essential work" will begin in November to strengthen the cliffs and protect the seawall at Dawlish, external. Plans for major improvements for the seawall at Dawlish will be published in summer 2019.

Johnny O'Shea
BBC News Online

A closure order has been issued for a property described by police as "a hive of youth disorder" in Exeter.

Exeter Magistrates Court was told about alcohol and drug misuse both day and night with people coming and going at 18 Orwell Garth in Whipton.

The closure order lasts for three months.

Devon and Cornwall Police said: "Following months of spiralling anti-social behaviour problems that have left neighbours the subject of criminal damage, significant noise disturbance and youth alcohol and drug misuse the tenant Shevon Campbell aged 34 was issued a premises closure order at Exeter Magistrates Court."

Image source, Google

Sgt Emma Storey-Barrett said “We would like to thank the residents in the locality for their assistance, which has enabled us to deal with the issues robustly."

Amy Gladwell
BBC News Online

The decision to scrap business rates for public toilet operators has been welcomed by Cornish MPs.

Steve Double, Conservative MP for St Austell and Newquay said it was an issue he has been campaigning on for six years.

Richard Whitehouse
Local Democracy Reporting Service

Plans to build new homes in a village next to the A30 in Cornwall have been approved despite concerns about the impact of noise from the busy road.

Westcountry Land had applied for outline planning permission for the development of 37 homes, including 11 affordable properties, and a shop on land in Mitchell.

The application went before Cornwall Council's central sub-area planning committee earlier with planning officers recommending it should be approved subject to a Section 106 agreement, which relates to details of contributions to local infrastructure.

There had been 29 comments posted about the plans on the council's website, with 28 against and one in support.

Mark Roberts, a resident of Mitchell, said the site was "not sustainable" for such a development and had "poor connections" with the village.

St Newlyn East Parish Council had objected saying the noise levels would be "unacceptable" and there was a lack of infrastructure in the village to support the development.

Justin Dodge, agent for the applicants, told councillors: "This is a very logical proposal to make the best and most appropriate use of the site." The committee approved the application with nine in favour and four against.

Johnny O'Shea
BBC News Online

Three people have been injured in a crash on the A30 near Truro.

Devon and Cornwall Police says none of the injuries are considered to be life-threatening.

The road remains closed in both directions between Chiverton Cross and the Allet turn-off.

Drivers are advised to find alternative routes.

The accident involved five vehicles, one of which ended up on its roof.

Image source, Google

Johnny O'Shea
BBC News Online

Dampening down has started at the site of a large commercial fire that has closed part of central Torquay for much of the day.

Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service said it had "scaled down" the response and only three fire engines remained.

At its peak there were eight engines, an aerial ladder platform and dozens of firefighters fighting the blaze on Victoria Parade.

It has been reported elsewhere that the blaze was caused by a tumble drier, but the fire service has not confirmed this.

The fire service says it is "working with the local authority regarding housing issues".

Image source, Ian Morgan

Johnny O'Shea
BBC News Online

An 11-year-old has been rescued from a tree in a park by a fire crew.

The child had its leg "wedged in the tree" in Rock Park, Barnstaple according to Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service.

The fire crew from Barnstaple released the child using air bags, hydraulic spreaders and a saw.

A judge praises the courage of the man's granddaughter for ending a 40-year "wall of silence".

Johnny O'Shea
BBC News Online

A large quantity of rare UK sterling coins worth about £4,000 has been stolen from a property in Plymouth.

Devon and Cornwall Police said the coins were taken during the summer, from a property in Efford.

They said: "The coins were not just a financial loss to the victim but of great sentimental value as they had been collected to pass on to family members".

The coins included.

• A £25 gold & silver coloured coin
• A large number of £5 coins,
• A £5 Princess Diana commemorative coin,
• Five 50p Shakespeare commemorative coins,
• A £2 Isambard Kingdom Brunel commemorative coin
• A quantity of 50p London 2012 Olympics commemorative coins complete with packaging.

Johnny O'Shea
BBC News Online

A stretch of the A30 in Cornwall remains closed in both directions after an accident involving five vehicles.

It happened between the Chiverton roundabout and the Allet turn-off near Truro at about 13:40.

Highways England says there is "debris and spillage in the carriageway".

Officers from Devon and Cornwall Police are at the scene and said: "Details on injuries are currently unknown and closures are in place locally including at Chybucca.

"It is believed that this will be in place for the foreseeable future and road users are advised to avoid the area."

Motorists have been advised to avoid the area.

Richard Whitehouse
Local Democracy Reporting Service

Cornwall Council looks set to take a £600m gamble in the hope that its ambitious investment programme will fund council services in the future.

The authority is aiming to borrow money in order to invest in projects which could provide new homes, work space and infrastructure in Cornwall.

It has set a target of generating a 3.5% return from its investments from 2022 with the plan set to run for between 25 and 40 years.

Council chief executive Kate Kennally told councillors that achieving that return was important as without the money the council could be forced to cut more services.

She said the investment programme was "in tune" with the changes which are happening in local government finance as well as being in a position to help "Cornwall in a post-Brexit condition".

The briefing heard that the investment programme would be focused on projects in Cornwall, but investing in schemes outside the county had not been ruled out entirely. Officers involved in the project admitted that the 3.5% return target was "ambitious, difficult and challenging" and said it might require looking further afield in future.

Councillors were told there would be a need to set up a new company to lead the investment programme and this development company would be set up by April 2019. The company was referred to as Devco in the presentation.

Johnny O'Shea
BBC News Online

A gas leak in Plymouth has caused a lane closure on Billacombe Road.

Wales and West Utilities said it was alerted to a smell of gas earlier, and has been liaising with Plymouth City Council.

One lane has been closed on the road at its junction with Sugar Mill Business Park and Billacombe roundabout.

Image source, Google

Image source, Harrison Willmott

Firefighters remain at the scene of a building blaze in Torquay.

The fire involves a three-floor commercial building in Victoria Parade.

No injuries have been reported.

Image source, Harrison Willmott

Lauren Scott was volunteering on the farm when she became "catastrophically entangled" in a machine.

Fire crews are tackling a large fire that broke out in a building near Torquay harbour.