The gamer who spent seven years in his dressing gownpublished at 00:29 GMT 9 November 2018
A gamer who spent years adrift in an online world has developed a board game to help isolated young people.
Read MoreSummary
Trains cancelled on main line at Dawlish
Hit-and-run victim, 21, remains in hospital
Two injured in six-vehicle A38 crash
Wrong autopilot settings caused plane plummet
People 'in tears' after death of Paignton Zoo giraffe
Recruitment freeze on cards amid overspend at Devon County Council
Police hunt 'freckled' teen who said he would knife women
Police hunt two men after early morning assault
Schoolgirl Mollie is one of UK's youngest Remembrance standard bearers
Updates on Thursday 8 November 2018
The gamer who spent seven years in his dressing gownpublished at 00:29 GMT 9 November 2018
'My entire existence was online'published at 00:26 GMT 9 November 2018
Former agoraphobic Billy Brown is launching a game aimed at helping others like him.
Read MoreHalf-haircut firefighter gets flamedpublished at 20:25 GMT 8 November 2018
The semi-shorn blazebuster's barnet left some social media users missing the point.
Read MoreFifteen arrested in £5m drug raidspublished at 17:56 GMT 8 November 2018
Heroin, cocaine and amphetamines were seized in a series of raids across the country.
Read MoreThousands of hand-made poppies go on displaypublished at 17:11 GMT 8 November 2018
Jenna Hawkey
BBC News OnlineThousands of poppies created by local school children and the community will go on display in Tiverton’s Pannier Market this month, external.
The project marks 100 years since the end of the First World War and will be on show until 17 November.
Market traders contacted schools around the town asking pupils to paint their own poppies, while members of the public were also requested to either knit or make poppies.
Quote MessageThe result was fantastic. There have been thousands of poppies, in some form or other, made and delivered to the market with virtually all the infant and junior schools in the area responding. The public were also great with the art and craft groups contributing well. One lady, who had no means of getting into town, knitted over 50 and the market ensured they got there to be part of the display.”
Alan Ottey, Town Centre Manager
Image source, Mid Devon District CouncilA book of remembrance has also been opened.
The first entry was written by Marilyn Hall, who wished to commemorate her two uncles, whom she never knew.
One of them died aged 15, having lied about his age to join the army.
'Pick a turkey' threats will not be tolerated, police saypublished at 16:59 GMT 8 November 2018
Millicent Cooke
BBC News Online
Image source, Greendale Farm ShopPolice are investigating "criminal damage" and "alarming calls" made to a Devon farm shop.
Greendale Farm Shop in Woodbury Salterton faced backlash for providing a service where people can name their own turkey and "help look after it for the next two months".
"Murder" and "Go vegan" were spray-painted on the door at Greendale Farm Shop in Woodbury Salterton, Devon earlier this week.
While one person reportedly called and asked the butcher: "How would you like it if I cut you up and put you on the counter?"
Image source, Greendale Farm ShopNeighbourhood beat manager Dave Pilling visited Greendale Farm to meet with staff on Wednesday following "criminal damage to the shopfront and produce" on Monday night.
He said: “I am also aware of some alarming calls made to the store in recent days; I will be meeting one of the people who was subjected to this abuse in the coming days to follow up on this matter.
“Criminal damage and making malicious calls is against the law and will not be tolerated; regardless of individuals views, these actions are simply not acceptable and cannot be justified.
"Police inquiries into this matter are under way."
Flu outbreak at Devon primary schoolpublished at 16:42 GMT 8 November 2018
Millicent Cooke
BBC News Online
Image source, GoogleA primary school in Tiverton, Devon, has been hit by a flu outbreak.
Public Health England (PHE) and Devon County Council are working with Tidcombe Primary School after a number of pupils and staff reported catching a flu-like illness.
One child at the school has already been diagnosed with influenza (flu) A.
PHE South West's Dominic Mellon said: “We are working with Tidcombe Primary School and have provided information to parents on the best way to avoid catching flu."
40-year-old crisp packet discovered on Devon beachpublished at 16:19 GMT 8 November 2018
Millicent Cooke
BBC News OnlineA very old packet of crisps has been found during a Devon beach clean.
The perfectly preserved Golden Wonder packet was discovered by a young volunteer on Saunton Sands near Braunton on Sunday.
In a post on Facebook, Plastic Free North Devon, external said: “Anyone drop this...about 40 years ago!”
They added: "#Noexcuseforsingleuse"
Image source, Plastic Free North DevonCity College Plymouth boss: Ignore 'hearsay'published at 15:42 GMT 8 November 2018
Ed Oldfield
Local Democracy Reporting ServiceThe under-fire boss of City College Plymouth has told staff to ignore "hearsay, speculation and rumour" about his past.
New principal and chief executive Garry Phillips has been heavily criticised in a report into serious financial problems at his previous college.
It has now emerged that two FE Commissioners were due to visit City College Plymouth this week to assess its finances too.
Mr Phillips and the City College Plymouth governors - who are backing him - are facing a vote of no confidence, called for by union chiefs.
Image source, GoogleThe crisis is unfolding at a time when more than 50 staff are about to lose their jobs.
City College Plymouth has so far not responded to requests for comment since the FE Commissioner report was published on Friday.
Mr Phillips told staff in an email on Monday: "We must continue to recognise and grow on our key strengths, and why we are a good, stable and sound College, with a strong regional and national reputation.
"We must not focus too much on hearsay, speculation, rumour or perceived outcomes that might not yet be realised.
City College Plymouth has put forward a plan to save £1.4m this year including more than 50 job losses by Christmas.
The college union has asked for the restructuring to be halted until questions they have raised about Mr Phillips' appointment have been answered.
Hit-and-run victim, 21, remains in hospitalpublished at 15:34 GMT 8 November 2018
Millicent Cooke
BBC News Online
Image source, Getty ImagesA 21-year-old woman who was seriously injured by a hit-and-run driver in Plymouth remains in hospital.
She was mowed down at the junction of Greenbank Road and Lipson Road at about 23:00 on Wednesday.
Police say she sustained a double leg fracture in the smash.
Officers say a wing mirror was left at the scene and they are now trying to track down the driver.
Trains cancelled on main line at Dawlishpublished at 15:19 GMT 8 November 2018
Chris Ellis
BBC News OnlineTrains have been cancelled on the main line at Dawlish because of high tides and strong winds.
National Rail Enquiries said: "No CrossCountry Voyager trains will run between Exeter St Davids and Newton Abbot from 16:30 until 21:30.
"You can see the amended CrossCountry timetable here, external. This also shows suggested alternative services to travel on, operated by Great Western Railway."
The main line at Dawlish is expected to be "completely blocked to all trains" due to " severe weather" on Friday. Train travellers are warned to check before they travel., external
'Boiling water' poured on dogpublished at 15:14 GMT 8 November 2018
Jenna Hawkey
BBC News OnlineA dog has been severely injured after boiling water was poured over its back, according to Kingsbridge Police, external.
'Scally-Wag' was found with serious burns to both her sides after her 81-year-old owner heard her crying in pain in the back garden of their home in Thurlestone, Devon.
Image source, Devon & Cornwall PoliceThe four-year-old collie was taken to the local vet where she received urgent treatment.
Police are appealing for witnesses and the RSPCA is also investigating following the incident on 20 October.
Work starts on Central Park cafepublished at 14:56 GMT 8 November 2018
Millicent Cooke
BBC News Online
Image source, Plymouth City CouncilWork has started on a new cafe in one of Plymouth’s busiest parks.
The project is part of a four-year £9m scheme to improve Central Park.
It will have a grass roof and a canopy-covered seating area.
Plymouth City Council said it will be completed by summer 2019.
Image source, Plymouth City CouncilQuote MessageWe have worked very hard to get to this stage of the project and so I am very pleased to see the first spades in the ground."
Councillor Sue Dann, Cabinet member for Street Scene and the Environment
RNLI Coxswain collects OBE from Prince Williampublished at 14:52 GMT 8 November 2018
Millicent Cooke
BBC News OnlineAn RNLI Coxswain who has been saving lives for almost 30 years has been awarded an OBE.
Mark Criddle has launched the lifeboat more than 415 times and is the RNLI’s most decorated serving Coxswain.
He has held various roles at the RNLI but took on the role of Coxswain in Torbay in 2002.
Mr Criddle received the award from Prince William at Buckingham Palace on Wednesday.
Missing Dartmouth man Martin Bennett found deadpublished at 14:14 GMT 8 November 2018
The body of a man that washed up in east Devon was missing Dartmouth man Martin Bennett, emergency services say.
Image source, PoliceIt follows the discovery of a man's body near Otterton on Monday.
Mr Bennett was reported missing on 4 November.
Dart RNLI said on Facebook: "It is with great sadness to report that Martin Bennett, some of us knew him as Ben, has been found dead.
"Our sincere and deepest condolences to Martin's family."
Kingsbridge Police also shared its "deep regret" at the discovery.
Sorry, we're having trouble displaying this content.View original content on FacebookThe BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites. Facebook content may contain adverts.One in six properties advertised 'illegally'published at 14:05 GMT 8 November 2018
Chris Quevatre
BBC News OnlineNearly 20% of properties for rent in the South West are being advertised illegally, according to research from the National Housing Federation.
One in six properties are advertised as not accepting people on benefits, despite it being against the law.
The NHF said adverts in the South West are worse than any other area in the country.
It said one in 10 adverts across all of England explicitly discriminate against those on housing benefit - this is compared to 6% in the North East and 7% in London.
Quote MessageWe assume the days of private landlords discriminating against people has been resigned to history with the signs that said 'No Irish, No Blacks, No Dogs'. However, this research shows the rampant and shocking discrimination against people on housing benefits in the private market."
Nikki Knowles, National Housing Federation
Police swoop in 'county lines' drugs raidspublished at 13:12 GMT 8 November 2018
Police pursuing drug dealers who operate from the region to supply the west country and Wales carried out a series of arrests in dawn raids earlier.
Image source, Merseyside PoliceA joint operation involving the North West Regional Crime Unit with Devon and Cornwall Police raided 30 addresses in Merseyside, Greater Manchester, South Wales, Devon and Cornwall to disrupt the trafficking of class A and class B drugs.
The crackdown is focusing on so-called county lines drug dealing, which sees vulnerable people being groomed, threatened and coerced into criminal activity in different regions.
Det Ch Insp Ian Hussey said: "Many of these people feel that they have not got a choice and struggle to find a way to escape from the hurt and harm they are enduring on a daily basis."
People ‘in tears’ after 14-year-old giraffe dies suddenlypublished at 12:30 GMT 8 November 2018
Millicent Cooke
BBC News Online
Image source, Paignton ZooPaignton Zoo has said it is shocked and saddened by the sudden death of its 14-year-old northern giraffe.
The animal, named Yoda, was found dead in the early hours of the morning.
Spokesman Phil Knowling said: "This has come as a huge shock.
"He was a noble animal, one of the best-known and best-loved characters in the zoo.
"There was no warning. People are in tears."
A post-mortem examination will be carried out by the zoo's vet team.
Devon travel: Lane closed on A38 Plymouth-boundpublished at 12:29 GMT 8 November 2018
- On the A38 at Heathfield, one lane is closed due to a broken down vehicle heading Plymouth-bound between Drumbridges roundabout and the Goodstone junction.
- In Shute, Gammons Hill is closed from Taunton Cross station to Whitford Road due to fallen power cables.
- On the Torpoint Ferries, there is only one in service at the moment, until further notice. This is causing long delays, with waits of up to 30 minutes.
Rare pink pigeon hatched by Paignton Zoo bird keeperpublished at 12:10 GMT 8 November 2018
Millicent Cooke
BBC News Online
Image source, Paignton ZooA Devon bird keeper has hatched an extremely rare pink pigeon in Mauritius.
Paignton Zoo's senior bird keeper Tom Tooley is working with local conservationists on the island to help bolster the population of the endangered species.
The zoo said Mr Tooley was an expert on pigeons and hand-rearing. On previous visits had trained local staff.
Image source, Paignton ZooHe said: “Bringing a chick through is satisfying – it’s rewarding. It’s not easy – you need to be patient, precise and very well organised.
“It’s a responsibility – you have to be prepared to put in the hours – early starts, late finishes.”
