A 28-year-old donkey who had her ears removed with a shovel in a vicious attack is to be brought back to a sanctuary in Devon.

It will be the first time a donkey has been brought to the Sidmouth-based sanctuary from Europe for 15 years ago.

The sanctuary was asked by a Greek charity for help and she will be brought over in the New Year with her close companions - another donkey and a miniature Shetland Pony.

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Road dualling announcement due

A national newspaper is reporting the government will announce the dualling of the A303 between Exeter and Basingstoke in a �2 billion road-building programme.

The Sunday Times said that the money will go towards the expansion of the most congested parts of the UK's motorway system.

Devon's business leaders and local people have long been calling for the dualling of the A303 to improve links to the county.

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Recycling scheme gets improvement grant

West Devon Borough Council has been given more than �100,000 pounds to improve recycling.

The grant comes from the National Waste Minimisation and Recycling Fund.

The money is going to be spent on 10 new plastic milk bottle banks, a can compactor and improvements at the council's recycling points.

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Civic society wins award

Torbay Civic Society has beat off competition from 800 other societies around the country to win a national award.

Every year the Civic Trust runs the Civic Society Award scheme and this year the Torbay society has come second.

Chairman Ian Handford said the society has run a lot of interesting projects this year.

He said member are not afraid to get involved in controversial proposals.

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Appeal to secure artist's legacy

Efforts to secure the legacy of the Plymouth artist Robert Lenkiewicz have finally taken a step forward.

The Friends of the Lenkiewicz Foundation is appealing for help from the public to secure the artist's collection for future generations.