Bringing you the news, sport, travel and weather for Devon and Cornwall

What is it like making a living maintaining some of Britain's most remote and exposed structures?

Jenna Hawkey
BBC News Online

Image source, RNLI Newquay

Two sisters have been rescued after their kayak capsized in Newquay bay.

Newquay lifeboat was called out at 15:15 yesterday after a member of the public reported two people stranded on rocks and shouting for help.

The two women in their early 20s were rescued by the volunteer RNLI crew and brought back to the harbour, where they were met by members of Newquay Coastguard.

The sisters, who were from Somerset, were treated for minor cuts, but were otherwise unhurt.

One of them contacted the lifeboat station later to express their thanks.

Jack Shepherd slammed a vodka bottle into barman David Beech's head after being told to leave a hotel.

Parish council bills rise by a higher rate than larger authorities, analysis shows.

Daniel Clark
Local Democracy Reporting Service

A cycle trail that links Bovey Tracey and Moretonhampstead should be complete by the end of the year.

More than 5km of the 11km Wray Valley Trail have been built so far, from Moretonhampstead to Wray Barton in the north and between Bovey Tracey and Lustleigh in the south.

The final £1m section of the trail is set to be finished this autumn, and Teignbridge District Council’s executive on Thursday morning agreed to put £100,000 towards the project.

Council leader Gordon Hook said he was looking forward to using the trail himself, adding: “It will be a huge boost for the area".

Much of the route follows the old Moretonhampstead Branch Line, which opened in 1866 and closed to passengers in 1959 and freight in 1964, before the track was lifted in 1970.

Ed Oldfield
Local Democracy Reporting Service

A run-down Paignton shopping centre is line for a revamp as part of a £100m cash injection into the local economy.

Torbay Council's Liberal Democrats who have control of the council in an alliance with independents, want to help "the deprived wards where we need to turn the tide on poverty".

Local people have been calling for action to improve the eyesore Crossways, which is largely empty.

Lib Dem leader Steve Darling said Crossways was "one of the areas where we want to see a significant improvement".

The Lib Dems have also overhauled a £200m investment strategy which has included buying commercial properties outside Torbay.

Decisions to invest in a new Amazon warehouse near Exeter and a factory producing pasties in Cornwall triggered controversy earlier this year.

Critics were concerned that the council was investing outside its area and ignoring local opportunities.

The new administration has disbanded the previous investment and regeneration committee, with proposals now to be considered by the council's ruling cabinet.

The administration wants to see projects come forward which will deliver social benefits and growth in the longer term, as well as investments to produce income for the council.

Miles Davis
BBC News Online

Image source, Devon and Cornwall Police

A serious sex assault took place in Ilfracombe, according to police.

The incident is reported to have taken place in the early hours of 21 May at an address on Marlborough Road.

Police have issued an e-fit of a man they want to speak with in connection with the assault.

The man is described as about 5ft 6ins tall and of medium build, in his mid-20s and with "gelled, mousey brown hair".

He is described as wearing a dark blue zip up top with the Nike logo on the left side of the chest, a white t-shirt and dark blue jeans.

Anyone who recognises the man, and anyone with information is asked to contact police on 101.

Parapets along a Tamar Bridge footpath could be raised in height in a bid to prevent suicides.

The parapets are currently 1.5m but they could be raised to 2.6m.

Engineers and councillors have been working together to look at what options there are in a bid to make the bridge safer after a series of suicides.

Work could be completed by spring 2020 at a cost of up to £6m.

Councillors from Cornwall Council and Plymouth City Council on the Tamar Bridge and Torpoint Ferry joint committee, external will consider a report on the issue on 14 June.

Jenna Hawkey
BBC News Online

Police investigating a fatal crash, in which a 79-year-old woman died, have issued an appeal , externalfor people who stopped at the scene to come forward.

Emergency services were called to a crash between a silver Audi A5 and a blue Vauxhall Meriva at the junction of Cove Hill and the A39 at Perranarworthal at about 12:40 on 30 March.

A woman, who was the front-seat passenger of the Vauxhall, died at Treliske Hospital on 3 April.

Image source, Google

Police are appealing for a number of people who stopped at the scene to help to contact them.

They are particularly interested in speaking to a female doctor, a veterinary nurse and the occupants of a small red car that may have been directly behind the Vauxhall at the time of the crash.

Richard Whitehouse
Local Democracy Reporting Service

Plans to remove a dilapidated railway carriage and replace it with a holiday home have been rejected.

The railway carriage in a field off Tolponds Road in Porthleven had been lived in as a house for almost 20 years until 1955 but has since been used as a store for fishing equipment.

Elizabeth Griffiths had applied for planning permission to remove the carriage and replace it with a timber framed, single storey, three-bedroom holiday cottage.

Cornwall Council planning officers had recommended the plans be approved saying the proposed single-storey building would not be significantly harmful to the character of the area.

However Portheleven Town Council objected, saying it was not a suitable location for development and the site is surrounded by agricultural land.

Bopper the Whopper, once dubbed "Britain's fattest dog", has shed pounds and been rehomed.

Aisling Finn
BBC News Online

Image source, Joe Williams

A student from the University of Exeter has stumbled across a huge pile of paintings, sketches and photos on the way to his girlfriend’s house.

Joe Williams' discovery included several photo albums, telegrams and love letters - some of which can be dated back to the Victorian era.

The collection of photographs, paintings and letters were found strewn across the side of the busy Exeter road exposed to the elements.

Many of the watercolour paintings appear to have been ripped, possibly deliberately, and many of the other belongings have been damaged due to being left on the side of the road.

Image source, Joe Williams

Thanks to a clipping of a wedding announcement, the couple in the photographs has been identified as Paul and Elizabeth Ascher.

It appears the couple lived in Reading for most of their lives, later moving to Dorset; how the possessions found their way to Exeter is yet to be discovered.

A Twitter investigation also uncovered the fact that Elizabeth Ascher’s father was a recipient of a CBE and was the author of a book titled: ‘Birds of the Malay Peninsula: Singapore and Penang’. Elizabeth’s mother helped illustrate the book.

Joe is hoping to reunite the collection of mementos with their owners and is trying to track down any living relatives to do so.

Former fugitive Jack Shepherd attacked the barman in Newton Abbot, Devon, in 2018.

Hayley Westcott
BBC News Online

More than 120,000 visitors are expected through the gates over the next three days at the Royal Cornwall Show.

The threat of some afternoon showers certainly hasn't put these people off...

James Churchfield
BBC Radio Cornwall

The Royal Cornwall Show has been entertaining and informing visitors since 1793, but every year the event attracts new visitors.

Two of them this year include William and Harriet Allin from Milton Damerel in Devon.

The brother and sister duo, aged 14 and 12, have entered their own Zwartbles sheep in the show for the first time.

They completed the entry forms themselves and will be competing against the adults.

William has been describing the journey they've taken to get to this point...

Press Association

A former soldier from Cornwall who faces prosecution over a shooting during Northern Ireland's Troubles is set to find out whether his bid to have his trial heard by a jury has been successful.

Image source, Pacemaker

The UK's highest court will give its ruling on Thursday in the case of Dennis Hutchings, 78, a former member of the Life Guards regiment, who is charged in relation to the fatal shooting of a man with learning difficulties.

John Cunningham was killed in disputed circumstances in Co Armagh in June 1974.

The 27-year-old was shot in the back as he ran away from an Army patrol.

His family contend that he ran across a field because he feared men in uniform.

Image source, Pacemaker

More than 40 years on, a case was brought against Mr Hutchings after Northern Ireland's attorney general asked prosecutors to review the case.

Mr Hutchings, from Cawsand, is due to stand trial in Belfast charged with attempted murder and attempted grievous bodily harm with intent. He denies the charges.

Hayley Westcott
BBC News Online

Two fire investigation dogs are preparing to meet visitors at this year's show.

Archie and Woody will be at the Cornwall Fire and Rescue Service stand between 11:00 and 12:00 and between 13:00 and 14:00.

Image source, Cornwall Fire and Rescue Service

Image source, Cornwall Fire and Rescue Service

BBC Radio Devon

Silage, pig slurry and horse manure - that potent and pongy combination will be used to produce gas in a £12m plant in Crediton.

The anaerobic digester which has just been given the go-ahead by planners will process about 32,500 tonnes of the farm waste every year.

The plant at Lords Meadow Industrial Estate will produce enough gas to supply more than 3,000 homes.

It was approved despite concerns from two local parish councils that the location is too close to homes and businesses.

Backers say it will also produce fertilizer and won't smell at all.

BBC Radio Cornwall

A giant African land snail is getting a lot of attention at the Royal Cornwall Show.

He's been brought along by students from the Rosewarne campus at Duchy College.

The species keeps growing its entire life and is on the list of the 100 most invasive species in the world.