Totnes pound killed by 'cashless economy'published at 19:52 Greenwich Mean Time 6 March 2019
A town that began printing its own money more than a decade ago is pulling the plug on the currency.
Read MoreSummary
MP calls for Cornwall to have an elected mayor
Dead whale washes up in Cornish creek
Jury retires in Exmouth rape and attempted murder case
Looe has some of the 'longest' ambulance waits in Britain
Environmental activists clean up 35 huge bags of rubbish in Scilly
Controversial plans to build on park in Westward Ho! dropped
Totnes pound scheme halting after 12 years
Updates from Wednesday 6 March 2019
Totnes pound killed by 'cashless economy'published at 19:52 Greenwich Mean Time 6 March 2019
Weather: Heavy showers possible, and sunny spellspublished at 17:47 Greenwich Mean Time 6 March 2019
There will be clear spells on Wednesday evening and overnight, but also further scattered showers, which could be heavy.
It will remain breezy and the winds are expected to strengthen towards dawn.
Minimum temperature: 2 to 5C (36 to 41F).
It looks set to be a windy day on Thursday with spells of sunshine, but also further scattered showers.
The showers could continue to be heavy in places. Feeling chillier too.
Maximum temperature: 8 to 11C (46 to 52F).
Car stolen in Torquay burglarypublished at 17:30 Greenwich Mean Time 6 March 2019
Hayley Westcott
BBC News OnlineA car was one of a number of items stolen in a burglary in Torquay, police have said.
It happened between 04:30 and 06:00 on 4 March on Higher Erith Road.
It was reported that an offender had gained access to the property and took a number of items, including a number of electrical items, two car keys and a BMW.
One of the car keys was later located nearby by a member of the public and handed in to police, officers added.
The suspect was described as being between 5ft 10in (1.77m) and 6ft (1.82m) tall and of stocky build.
Anyone with information is asked to contact Devon and Cornwall Police via 101.
Mayor 'would give Cornwall stronger voice'published at 17:24 Greenwich Mean Time 6 March 2019
A directly elected leader would benefit the county, according to St Austell and Newquay MP Steve Double.
Read MoreTotnes pound scheme halting after 12 yearspublished at 17:15 Greenwich Mean Time 6 March 2019
Andrew Segal
BBC South West
Image source, Totnes PoundAn experiment in a south Devon town which saw it print its own currency to encourage local shopping is ceasing after 12 years, organisers say.
Totnes pounds were initially printed in March 2007 in a month-long experiment before it was extended.
Totnes Pound Steering Group said it was finishing because of a decline in their use "partly due to an increasingly cashless economy".
People would be able to spend or redeem the pounds before 30 June, they added.
The project saw more than 30,000 Totnes pounds circulated among local businesses over the years.
The city of Exeter also started a similar scheme in 2015. It stopped last year, external.
Fate of new Barnstaple beer garden to be decidedpublished at 16:50 Greenwich Mean Time 6 March 2019
Daniel Clark
Local Democracy Reporting ServiceA new riverfront beer garden for Barnstaple's waterside Wetherspoons should be refused over concerns about crime, anti-social behaviour and intoxicated patrons crossing the road, planners say.
North Devon Council's planning committee will meet next week to determine an application by the pub chain to change the use of the land opposite The Water Gate to allow it to be used as a beer garden.
The plans would see the existing green space and quadrant area opposite the pub and next to the River Taw become a beer garden for the pub - although it would be physically separate from the pub by The Strand.
Image source, Via LDRSCouncil planners, though, are recommending the application be refused saying the "proposal is not designed to provide a safe place and minimise anti-social and criminal behaviour".
Benefits to Barnstaple if the scheme was approved are recognised by the report to the planning committee.
Points include helping the town centre to support its vitality, viability and economic prosperity - including a vibrant and diverse evening economy.
North Devon Council's planning committee meets on 13 March to determine the fate of the application.
Dead whale washes up in Cornish creekpublished at 15:59 Greenwich Mean Time 6 March 2019
Hayley Westcott
BBC News OnlineA dead whale has washed up in a creek off Falmouth, the Cornwall Wildlife Trust has said.
The pilot whale was fully examined in situ by the trust's volunteers, but, because of its location, it was not possible for it to be taken for a full post-mortem examination.
This meant it was unlikely the cause of death would ever be determined, the trust said.
The trust added if anyone finds a dead, stranded marine animal around the Cornish coast, to get in touch on 0345 201 26 26.
Image source, Kerry Holbrook/Cornwall Wildlife TrustPatients stranded after travellers lock up park and ridepublished at 15:46 Greenwich Mean Time 6 March 2019
Patients and visitors have been unable to access the Royal Devon & Exeter Hospital after a group of travellers padlocked themselves into a park and ride site, external on Wednesday morning, closing to the public.
Plans for Perranporth skate park move closerpublished at 15:43 Greenwich Mean Time 6 March 2019
Plans for a large state of the art skate park in Perranporth appear to be one step closer.
A meeting has taken place this week to discuss the scheme, which could cost almost £250,000.
If approved, the park would be located near the town's football and rugby pitches in the Ponsmere Valley.
Members of Perranzabuloe Parish Council said that the area already had a "thriving board-riding culture" and they hoped to harness "this local potential to provide board riding facilities of the highest standard".
Rape accused 'checked news at home'published at 15:38 Greenwich Mean Time 6 March 2019
The boy left the girl, 10, to die and then checked to see if her body had been found, a court hears.
Read MoreFairy door makers want to 'keep magic alive'published at 15:35 Greenwich Mean Time 6 March 2019
Emma Thomasson
BBC SpotlightA couple in Cornwall that makes and paints fairy doors to leave around their local town say they want to "keep the magic alive" for children.
Danny Saville and Demelza Cremin leave the fairy doors out overnight in and around Hayle for children to find...
The Hoosiers to headline new Exeter festivalpublished at 15:20 Greenwich Mean Time 6 March 2019
Hayley Westcott
BBC News OnlineTickets have gone on sale for a new Exeter festival this summer.
The Hoosiers will be headlining the three-day event in July, which will also include screenings of films Bohemian Rhapsody, The Greatest Showman and Mary Poppins Returns.
Set in the surrounds of Northernhay Gardens, organisers said local musicians would perform and a community and family day was also planned across the three days.
Football: Adams nominated for monthly awardpublished at 15:04 Greenwich Mean Time 6 March 2019
Brent Pilnick
BBC SportPlymouth Argyle manager Derek Adams has been nominated for the League One Manager of the Month award for the second successive month.
Image source, Getty ImagesThe Pilgrims were unbeaten in February, winning two and drawing two of their four games.
He is nominated alongside Luton boss Mick Harford, Daniel Stendel of Barnsley and Sunderland manager Jack Ross.
Van der Sluys leaves Exeter for Lionspublished at 14:49 Greenwich Mean Time 6 March 2019
Exeter second-row Wilhelm van der Sluys leaves the club to join Johannesburg-based Super Rugby side the Lions.
Read MoreNew festival hopes to 'ignite' Cornwall business scenepublished at 14:46 Greenwich Mean Time 6 March 2019
Hayley Westcott
BBC News OnlineCornish businesses are being asked to join the Cornwall Chamber of Commerce at a festival celebrating the county's "pioneering and entrepreneurial spirit".
The Cornwall Festival of Business will take place from 28 October to 1 November.
The event looks to provide opportunities for the local business community to "connect, share best practice and collaborate" for the benefit of the region and for their own business.
Quote MessageWe now need Cornwall’s businesses – large or small, who share the same desire to see the region reach its full thriving commercial potential – to get behind the festival and get involved. Allowing businesses to collectively open their doors and showcase."
Toby Parkins, President of Cornwall Chamber of Commerce
Jury retires in Exmouth rape and attempted murder casepublished at 14:21 Greenwich Mean Time 6 March 2019
Ben Woolvin
BBC South West Home Affairs correspondentThe jury in the trial of a 17-year-old accused of raping and attempting to murder a 10-year-old girl has retired to consider its verdict.
The boy, who was 16 at the time, cannot be named for legal reasons.
He denies the charges but has admitted choking and sexually assaulting the girl in Exmouth, Devon, on 4 October 2018.
Campaigners 'overjoyed' by planning refusal recommendationpublished at 14:15 Greenwich Mean Time 6 March 2019
Sophie Pierce
BBC Radio DevonCampaigners opposed to a high rise development on the harbourside in Torquay say they're "overjoyed" planners are now recommending it be refused.
Last year, the "Save Cary Green" campaign succeeded in getting a judicial review of the controversial scheme for an 11-storey block of flats and a five-storey hotel.
Now, planning officers at Torbay Council say the developer has failed to come up with enough evidence to justify the scheme and are recommending refusal.
Cordelia Law is from "Save Cary Green"...
Media caption, Campaigners opposed a scheme for an 11-storey block of flats and a five-storey hotel
Dartmoor mast plans labelled 'preposterous' by localspublished at 13:43 Greenwich Mean Time 6 March 2019
Sophie Pierce
BBC Radio DevonPlans for a new mobile communications mast on Dartmoor are causing concern among local people.
More than 100 have so far objected to a plan by the Home Office and EE for a mast in the Dart Valley, near New Bridge.
In its submission to the planners, it said the mast was needed for use by the emergency services as part of a roll-out of new technology to remote areas which don't currently have coverage.
Objectors, though, said the plans contravened policy which said structures should not be allowed which adversely affected the visual landscape of Dartmoor.
One campaigner has called it "a preposterous and huge intrusion".
There is also the concern that, once it is approved, all other mobile operators will want to put their masts on it.
Quote MessageThe Emergency Services Network represents cutting edge technology and will be the future platform for communications in the emergency services. As part of this development, we are building around 300 new masts in some of the most remote and rural areas of Britain, which will potentially improve commercial coverage in most of these areas."
The Home Office
The building of the masts is subject to local planning authorities granting permission.
Sea defence works costing £3.7m start at Long Rockpublished at 13:29 Greenwich Mean Time 6 March 2019
Hayley Westcott
BBC News OnlineWork has started to protect and improve one of Cornwall's most iconic seafronts as part of a £3.7m sea defence project., external
Cormac will install almost 1,000ft (304m) of new rock armour sea defences on Long Rock beach, near Penzance, in a bid to safeguard the coastline.
The work, which is being carried out on behalf of Cornwall Council, will be completed by September or sooner if weather conditions were favourable, the council said.
The works are being wholly funded by grants from the European Regional Development Fund , external(ERDF) and the Environment Agency Flood Defence Grant-in-Aid , external(FDGiA).
Image source, GoogleJob losses as pre-school closes 'due to falling birthrate'published at 13:27 Greenwich Mean Time 6 March 2019
A nursery in Paignton will be closing its doors in April because of a dramatic fall in the birth rate in Torbay, it says, external.
