BBC Radio Cornwall

Image source, Rod Farnes

A rare bird spotted near Land's End has helped raise funds for Cornwall Air Ambulance's new helicopter appeal, a landowner says.

Hundreds of people flocked to Treeve Moor to catch a glimpse of the grey catbird from North America when it arrived on the UK mainland in October last year.

Liz Trenary, who owns the land where the bird was spotted, opened her field for birdwatchers to park in exchange for donations for the charity.

Ms Trenary said she raised £1,000 for the charity after letting hundreds of cars park at the site over two weeks.

The charity is aiming to raise £2.5m by April 2020 for the new aircraft in its New Heli Appeal.

Andrew Segal
BBC South West

A flood alert has been issued by the Environment Agency for the south Cornwall coast from Lizard Point to Gribbin Head, but excluding Truro.

The alert means people should be prepared and flooding was possible over the high tide on Wednesday morning, the agency said.

Flooding is possible, external for: Lizard Point to Gribbin Head, including the tidal rivers Helford and Fal, Penryn, Flushing, St Mawes, Portscatho, Portloe, Portholland, Mevagissey and Par.

Image source, Environment Agency

The rescue of the Exeter-based airline marks a return by Virgin to domestic flights.

Flybe confirms reports that it is in talks with Virgin, after the regional airline put itself up for sale.

Johnny Rutherford
BBC Spotlight

People across Cornwall are celebrating patron saint of tinners, St Piran.

Here are a few photos of what was happening in Bodmin earlier.

BBC Radio Devon

A Harry Potter star is joining forces with University of Exeter analysts to survey plastic pollution in UK rivers.

Actor Bonnie Wright, who played Ginny Weasley, is joining Greenpeace volunteers and scientists to collect water samples from three points along the River Wye in Wales.

The samples will be analysed by the University of Exeter and compared with other samples collected from major rivers across the UK for a report on levels of small pieces of plastic pollution known as "microplastics" - tiny plastic particles, which come from degraded plastics and synthetic clothing.

Image source, Ian West/PA Wire

Scientists said they could be toxic to wildlife and make up a vast proportion of the plastics that flow from rivers into the seas.

Bonnie said she was highlighting the work after being "shocked to learn that most of the plastic that I've ever used is still somewhere here on earth".

Kirsten Thompson, from the university, said there were lots of studies on how much plastic there was in the seas but few so far had investigated the amount and types of plastic carried in rivers.

She said it was hoped the research would help uncover where the plastic was coming from and what impact it was having on creatures such as otters, kingfishers and water voles.

Emma Thomasson
BBC Spotlight

More than 70 staff working at Cornwall Airport Newquay have been having lessons in Makaton to help disabled passengers.

Makaton is a form of communication that uses signing and symbols to support speech.

It is believed that Newquay is first Makaton-friendly airport in the UK.

The Makaton Charity, external, which promotes the language, said it hoped other airports would follow Newquay's lead

Andrew Segal
BBC South West

A Lamborghini car has crashed on the A30 in Cornwall while trying to avoid hitting a deer, police say.

The Gallardo Superleggera crashed into the central reservation of the dual carriageway near Launceston on Tuesday morning.

No other vehicle was involved and the driver was not injured, Devon and Cornwall Police said.

One lane of the carriageway was blocked while the car was recovered.

The exact condition of the deer is not known, but officers at the scene said the animal "lives to fight another day".

The Gallardo was manufactured from 2003 to 2013.

BBC Radio Cornwall

A Cornish MP says a new fund announced by the government to help towns is unfair.

The £1.6bn scheme is designed to persuade MPs to vote for Theresa May's Brexit deal.

Steve Double, MP for St Austell and Newquay believes Cornwall is not receiving a fair share of the fund, despite being one of the most deprived parts of the UK.

He raised his concerns with the Secretary of State for Homes, Communities and Local Government James Brokenshire who said Cornwall was also eligible to apply for a slice of an additional pot of £600m.

He also confirmed that the Stronger Towns Fund is separate to the Shared Prosperity Fund, the government's replacement for European Structural Funding.

The Local Government Association said councils had "little choice" in order to protect services.

Andrew Segal
BBC South West

A goat-antelope which escaped its enclosure at a Devon zoo is back with its herd, staff say.

The young female West Caucasian tur cleared a fence in Paignton Zoo on Monday after getting "spooked" while vets worked on the herd.

It then entered woodland inside the perimeter of the zoo.

Staff said it was later tranquilized with a dart and returned to its enclosure.

Image source, Paignton Zoo

The same species of animal was involved in a similar incident in September last year.

The West Caucasian tur is a mountain-dwelling goat-antelope found in the Caucasus Mountains range between the Black Sea and the Caspian Sea and listed as an endangered species.

Local Democracy Reporting Service

Plans to build 45 new homes on land on the outskirts of Bodmin have been given outline approval.

Residents from Westheath Road told Cornwall Council's planning committee they were concerned about traffic in the area, describing the area as an "accident blackspot".

Highways officers also supported concerns raised by Bodmin Town Council about the speed and safety of traffic.

But after applicant Bodmin LVA LLP made amendments to access plans, highways staff withdrew their objection.

Under the proposals, 30% of the homes would be affordable.

Image source, Google

BBC Radio Cornwall

On the A30 in Launceston, one lane is closed due to an accident near the Pennygillam turn-off.

BBC Radio Devon

• On the A39 in Barnstaple, there is queueing traffic and traffic is heavier than normal eastbound due to a crash between the Instow turn-off and Roundswell
• At Blackmoor Gate, the A39 is partially blocked due to an accident at the A399. Traffic is coping well
• In South Molton, the A361 is partially blocked due to broken down vehicle at Borner's Bridge. Traffic is coping well
• In Plympton, Clifton Avenue is blocked due to a crash. Two vehicles involved between Boringdon Hill and Newnham Road. Traffic is coping well

BBC Spotlight

Cornwall Airport Newquay staff are being taught to communicate using Makaton.

It's thought Newquay is the first Makaton-friendly airport in the UK.

Makaton is a language programme that uses signs and symbols to help people to communicate.

Teacher Amanda Glenham said it was "lovely" to see Cornwall embrace Makaton...

BBC Radio Cornwall

The patron saint of tinners, St Piran, is being celebrated by people with Cornish heritage across the world.

According to legend, St Piran was born in Ireland and exiled from there in the 6th Century. He was tied to a millstone and thrown into the sea, eventually landing in Perranporth.

In Cornwall itself, hundreds of people marched across Perranporth's dunes to the holy site there on Sunday.

On St Piran's Day itself, 5 March, other celebrations will be held across the county.

The Cornish Flag, or Flag Of St Piran (white cross on a black background), represents white tin flowing from the black rock, or good overcoming evil.

BBC Spotlight

A new campaign has been launched to encourage women to book a cervical screening.

The number of women getting a smear test in England has fallen to a 20-year low.

Rhea Crighton, a clinical nurse specialist in North Devon, was diagnosed with cervical cancer two years ago.

While she had attended regular smears, she developed symptoms while pregnant, which led to her diagnosis.

She is urging women to book a smear test...

Twitter

BBC Weather

Spells of sunshine, but also the risk of a few showers on Tuesday morning.

However, it will cloud over towards midday with some rain moving in.

Cloudy in the afternoon with spells of rain. Rather windy.

Maximum temperature: 8 to 11C (46 to 52F).

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