Johanna Carr
BBC News Online

Roadworks in the Torbay area will be suspended for an indefinite period of time as part of Torbay Council's response to the coronavirus pandemic.

The council said work already started on the A379 Babbacombe Road would continue, however, as the site team was small and able to operate while adhering to the distancing guidance.

Councillor Mike Morey said: “This does mean that a number of planned roadworks across Torbay have to be postponed, but the first priority has to be the health and safety of our residents and workers.

"The government has been very clear that all non-essential work should stop and that where possible people should stay in their own homes to prevent the further spread of coronavirus.”

Ed Oldfield
Local Democracy Reporting Service

A new system is being used by Torbay Council for planning applications that would normally be decided in public by councillors.

Image source, Google

The measures have been put in place because all public decision-making meetings have been cancelled due to the coronavirus pandemic.

The first planning decision to be dealt with under the new system is an application for a single-storey one-bedroom home to provide temporary affordable housing for vulnerable people in the grounds of St Edmund’s House in Victoria Park Road, Paignton.

The application is from Torbay Council on land it owns.

Many decisions on planning applications are made by planning officers under delegated powers, but some have to go to the committee for councillors to decide.

Because that is now not possible due to Covid-19 restrictions, the decision will be made by the assistant director of planning and transport in consultation with councillors instead.

Johanna Carr
BBC News Online

The Plymouth Diocese has said closing churches is the "right thing to do because we need to play our part in stopping the spread of this virus to help protect the NHS and save precious lives".

The diocese, which is the Catholic Church in the South West and comprises of 66 parishes across Cornwall, Devon and Dorset, said open churches would "only tempt people to travel".

It added: "So we have to deepen our words of prayer, use the internet and all of these other things that we have to encourage one another."

Services are now being livestreamed from Plymouth Cathedral and will be led by the Bishop of Plymouth, the Rt Rev Mark O’Toole or one of his priests.

Mass in the cathedral will be celebrated at 11:00 and there is a time of prayer at 16:30.

Both events will be streamed on the Plymouth Diocese YouTube channel or via its website.

BBC Radio Cornwall

Police in Truro said about a quarter of the drivers they stopped were on "non-essential" journeys.

Charley Adams
BBC News Online

Image source, Linterior Design

A home furnishings company that has closed due to coronavirus is still busy voluntarily making masks for NHS and supermarket staff.

Linterior Design based in Cornwall said its workers had been "flat out" making masks for the local surgeries, Port Issac Surgery and Wadebridge Surgery.

Some of the masks were also delivered to the local Sainsbury's store.

The home furnishings company said it also planned to make some masks for the police.

Staff are working at home in the "rural workshop" and have thanked Cornwall Interiors for its help.

Image source, Linterior Design

On their Facebook page , externalPenzance Police warned driving to exercise at another location was not an essential journey.

Bakery chain Greggs, which announced the closure of its 2,050 stores on Monday to help fight coronavirus, has been donating food to people in Plymouth.

Police delivered the donations to drug and alcohol rehabilitation centre, Hamoaze House, primary schools and Derriford Hospital.

Johanna Carr
BBC News Online

Grants of up to £25,000 will be paid to Cornish businesses in April to help them through the coronavirus pandemic.

Cornwall Council said it would be contacting more than 25,000 Cornish businesses which are eligible for the government's financial support packages.

The local authority said it expects to receive the grant funding in early April and will make the cash immediately available to struggling businesses.

The council said there was no need to apply for the money and its staff would be in touch to check or obtain bank details.

Council leader Julian German said: “We are committed to helping our residents and businesses through this crisis."

The following grants will be made available:

The Small Business Grant Fund will be available for those in receipt of Small Business Rate Relief or Rural Rate Relief. About 19,500 Businesses will receive £10,000.

The Retail, Hospitality and Leisure Grant will be available to about 5,600 businesses in receipt of the Expanded Retail Discount:

• Rateable value over £15,000 to £51,000 will receive a grant of £25,000
• Businesses with a rateable value over £51,000 are not eligible
• Rateable value up to and including £15,000 will receive a grant of £10,000

Charley Adams
BBC News Online

Image source, University Hospitals Plymouth NHS Trust

A football club has opened up its grandstand for local NHS community services.

From Monday, two community health services will be delivered at the home of Plymouth Argyle Football Club.

Following the suspension of the English Football League, Plymouth Argyle offered its unused conference room to be used as a clinical space.

Community Phlebotomy and Community Antenatal clinics are the first services which will be relocated to the newly redeveloped main grandstand at Home Park.

The conference room has been equipped to deliver safe and effective services, as well as adhering to the necessary social distancing requirements.

Image source, University Hospitals Plymouth NHS Trust

BBC Sport

Cornish Pirates captain Brett Beukeboom has retired with immediate effect.

The Canada international lock, 30, played 107 times for the Pirates after joining the club from Plymouth Albion following the 2015 World Cup.

He intended to retire at the end of the season, but with the Championship curtailed because of coronavirus he has announced his decision early.

Adam Durbin
BBC News Online

Exeter Farmers Market will go ahead on Thursday, as food markets are "exempt" from government restrictions over shop openings, Exeter City Council has announced.

The decision prompted some on social media to question the safety of holding the market.

People expressed particular worry over the ability to practice social distancing in the space where the market is held on the corner of Fore and South Street in the city centre.

Replying to some of the concerns, the council said implementing social distancing measures had been "considered" in its decision.

"Individuals need to make sure they observe social distancing guidance when they visit the market," the council added.

One person described the decision as "dangerous incompetence", while another said it would "encourage" people to leave home and mix with others.

Johanna Carr
BBC News Online

Image source, Amelia Jane Bolam

Seagulls lined up to watch the sunrise over Sidmouth seafront this morning.

The photograph was taken by Amelia Jane Bolam during an early morning social distancing run.

Johanna Carr
BBC News Online

Devon and Cornwall Police is appealing for anyone who has previously worked for them to get in touch by 17:00 on Thursday.

People willing to offer their skills to help the fight against coronavirus are asked to email COVID19-Resiliencebank@dorset.pnn.police.uk.

Dorset Police is co-ordinating the response for both forces.

Charley Adams
BBC News Online

Fishermen around Plymouth have set up a network to deliver their produce to people's doors to help during the coronavirus pandemic.

The new group, Call4Fish, has been created to ensure the fish caught by Plymouth fishermen can be delivered to the community.

Leaders within the fishing community have been calling on the government for help after the worldwide demand for seafood fell dramatically.

Adam Durbin
BBC News Online

Image source, Samantha Rowe

People in the south west are being asked to take part in a collective round of applause to show their appreciation for all those working to fight the spread of coronavirus.

The picture above shows Derriford Hospital staff on Brent Ward holding up the message 'We stay here for you, please stay home for us'.

The Clap for our Carers campaign, external has organised for people across the UK to go outside and applaud health and social care workers together on Thursday at 20:00.

Please send us any video or pictures of yourselves or your friends and family via facebook, external or email at spotlight@bbc.co.uk

Adam Durbin
BBC News Online

Newquay airport has been "temporarily" closed with all scheduled flights suspended, the airport has announced.

The aerodrome will stay open to support "vital services", including Cornwall Air Ambulance, HM Coastguard Search and Rescue and military operations.

Staff will be redeployed throughout Cornwall "where possible" to support the wider response to the coronavirus pandemic, the airport said.

Miles Davis
BBC News Online

Police in the Penzance, Hayle and St Ives area stopped and checked more than 150 vehicles on Wednesday under the new coronavirus government guidance.

On their Facebook page, external Penzance Police warned driving to exercise at another location was not an essential journey.

Image source, Penzance Police

Miles Davis
BBC News Online

Image source, Google

Two people with coronavirus have died at the Royal Devon and Exeter Hospital.

A Royal Devon and Exeter Foundation Trust spokesperson said: “Sadly, we can confirm that two patients who were being cared for at the Royal Devon and Exeter Hospital and died at the hospital on the weekend had tested positive for Covid-19.

"Their families have been informed about the cause of death and are following national guidance. Our thoughts and condolences are with them at this difficult and distressing time."