BBC Radio Cornwall

Image source, Tideford Abattoir

A family-run abattoir near Saltash is closing its doors after 50 years with the loss of five jobs.

Managers at Tideford Abattoir said they could not afford to replace concrete floors to meet updated legislation - especially after they had just spent thousands on a CCTV system.

Plant manager Kelly Budden said the closure would have knock-on effects for the whole of south east Cornwall...

Hayley Westcott
BBC News Online

The body of a man has been found near a campsite in Plymouth, police have said.

Officers were called to Little Lane in Wembury at about 10:30.

It was found on the bridleway near Bovisand campsite and Staddon Heights golf course by a member of the public.

The body is believed to be that of a man in his 60s, officers added.

The blaze, which gutted the building, also resulted in the death of a dog.

Laurence Reed
BBC Radio Cornwall

A two-year-old springer spaniel dog is believed to have died in a pub fire in Newlyn, a friend of the landlord and landlady's family says.

Four members of the family were taken to hospital after the blaze broke out in the Fisherman's Arms, in Fore Street, between midnight and 01:00.

At its height, seven fire engines from across the west of the county were involved. The fire started in a first-floor room and gutted the building.

The landlord, landlady and two other members of their family were taken to hospital to be treated for the effects of smoke inhalation, firefighters said.

Family friend Julie Haynes told the BBC that the family was "devastated at what has happened".

An appeal for aid and clothes for the family had been started by people in the area, she added.

Twitter

The hashtag #fatal5 refers to what police say are the main causes of serious injuries and deaths on roads.

They are:

• Inappropriate or excessive speed
• Not wearing a seat belt
• Driver distractions including using mobile devices such as phones, sat navs and computer tablets
• Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs
• Careless and inconsiderate driving

Oscar Threlkeld sets his sights on a regular place in the Plymouth side after scoring in his first game since rejoining.

Daniel Clark
Local Democracy Reporting Service

Appledore Shipyard will close on 15 March, Devon's economy boss has told the county council.

Speaking at the council's full council meeting, economy cabinet member councillor Rufus Gilbert confirmed the date in which the shipyard site, which employs 198 people, would shut its doors.

Babcock announced in November 2018 that it was to leave the north Devon shipyard because of financial difficulties when its lease expired.

Staff have been offered the opportunity to transfer to Devonport Shipyard in Plymouth.

Mr Gilbert said a task force had been formed involving the council, unions and JobCentre Plus.

Cllr Andrew Eastman, who represents the Northam ward in which Appledore sits, questioned whether the closure date was correct.

Mr Eastman pointed out that North Devon MP Peter Heaton-Jones and Torridge and West Devon MP Geoffrey Cox had both been lobbying for the potential construction of the Scillonian III passenger ferry between Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly to take place at Appledore, which could provide enough work to save the premises.

But Cllr Gilbert said: "I was updated just before the start of the council meeting with the date of 15 March."

Image source, LDRS

Hayley Westcott
BBC News Online

A man has been arrested on suspicion of causing death by dangerous after a fatal hit-and-run in Plymouth, police have said.

Officers were called to Budshead Road in Whitleigh at about 03:30 on Sunday.

They added the 28-year-old man handed himself in at Crownhill Police Station later that afternoon.

He has since been released pending further investigations, Devon and Cornwall Police added.

Image source, Google

BBC Radio Cornwall

Cornwall Council has paid more than £28,000 to repair the community hall in St Cleer which was badly damaged when a tree fell on it last summer.

A beech tree smashed into the 200-year-old Open Doors Community Centre last June. The roof had only been replaced in December 2016.

It was thought a spell of dry weather affected the tree, which was in the church yard next door.

But the hall is now reopening after major building work.

Image source, Iain Chorlton

Cornish Pirates coach Alan Paver says his side 'imploded' in their 58-26 Championship Cup semi-final loss at Ealing.

Truro City manager Leigh Robinson says the club's takeover came as a surprise to him and his players.

Hamish Marshall
BBC Spotlight

The number of sheep being attacked by dogs in the south west is rising, with authorities warning dogs could be banned from moorland if it does not improve.

New figures from NFU Mutual show livestock worrying has cost the south west economy more than £1m in the past four years.

One of the worst affected areas is Bodmin Moor, where 54 sheep were killed recently though it is thought the real number of incidents could be much higher as many attacks are not reported.

Worried female livestock had also lost unborn lambs as a result, farmers said.

Constable Chris Collins, of Devon and Cornwall Police, said cases were "hugely under-reported" and more people reporting incidents would help police "work out where this problem is coming from".

BBC Radio Devon

The Exeter Repair Cafe has broken the world record for the highest number of items mended in a single day, organisers say.

Hundreds of people turned up to take advantage of the free service, which sees volunteers fix items including clothes, furniture, electrical appliances, bicycles, crockery, appliances and toys.

The cafe mended 263 items on Saturday - the previous record was held by a shop in Cambridge at 232 items.

Big Fix event organiser Catherine Causley said many items are "relatively easy to fix"...

A crew of volunteers goes to the Isles of Scilly to clean the hardest to reach coves and islands.

Andrew Segal
BBC South West

A 27-year-old man is due in court later after a stabbing in Plymouth, police say.

Officers said on Facebook, external emergency services were called to a stabbing incident in Ham Green in the city at about 06:40 on Friday "where a man had been stabbed numerous times to his arms and chest".

The arrested man, from Plymouth, is due before Plymouth Magistrates' Court, charged with causing grievous bodily harm with intent, and a number of weapons offences.

Image source, Google

BBC Radio Devon

A six-year-old boy from one of Devon's newest towns, Cranbrook, near Exeter, has taken it upon himself to try and save the planet by starting up a litter picking club.

Fin Smith came up with the idea after constantly seeing rubbish on his walk to school.

He said: “There is so much litter everywhere and it could destroy our planet so if you put it in the bin that is not going to happen.”

Now his club has snowballed into a popular town event and the town council has pitched in, lending the group its litter pickers and collecting the bags of waste after the picks.

Fin's mother, Beckah Smith, said she hoped such clubs could also be started in other towns.

Johanna Carr
BBC News Online

Coastguards have issued a plea to dog owners after a major rescue on the Cornish coast.

They are urging people to keep pets on leads, after one fell down the 80ft round hole at Trevone.

Coastguard teams from Padstow, external and Newquay managed to winch Issey to safety on Saturday morning.

They said the springer-doodle - a cross between a English springer spaniel and a poodle - only suffered superficial injuries and was taken to be checked over by vets.

Image source, Getty Images

Image source, Padstow Coastguard

Tubby tabby Mitzi, dubbed "Britain's fattest cat", has finally found her "fairytale ending".

How do you cope when allergies prevent you from eating a long list of foods?

Pebbles and driftwood are the building blocks for Sam Bennett's amazing sculptures.