From Friday, fully vaccinated people travelling to the UK no longer have to take any Covid tests.

Hayley Westcott
BBC News Online

Image source, Bude Sea Pool

A man has been reunited with the wedding ring he lost in Bude Sea Pool after a boy spotted it in the shallow end 24 hours later and handed it in.

Dan Cayzer didn't think he'd see his ring again until he was contacted by staff who told him the good news.

"Thank you so much to eagle-eyed Jack for finding my one-of-a-kind wedding ring," he said.

"It was forged by my wife and I thought it lost forever. A day later and a brilliant boy finds it.

"I can’t thank him enough."

Bude Sea Pool staff said there was a "billion to one" chance of it being found - especially considering there were two "huge" tides in the time between.

Mr Cayzer was able to thank Jack personally and gave him a reward.

It follows warnings that city centres could become "ghost towns" if more staff do not return.

Johnny O'Shea
BBC News Online

People are being asked not to enter the water at a beach in Cornwall after a landslide, as there is not a full lifeguard service in operation.

The steps and bridge down to Sharrow beach at Whitsand Bay near Torpoint have been severely damaged, meaning there is no access to the beach.

The RNLI said that lifeguards "will provide an observation service from the beach lifeguard unit on the cliff, so that they can alert the Coastguard in an emergency".

The damage happened after heavy rain on Thursday.

The nearest lifeguarded beaches are at Tregantle and Tregonhawke where patrols operate between 10:00 and 18:00.

Image source, RNLI lifeguards at Sharrow

Image source, RNLI lifeguards at Sharrow

BBC Radio Cornwall

Organisers of an annual music festival cancelled in the coronavirus crisis have offered refunds.

Image source, Creative Commons

Tunes in the Dunes at Perranporth beach, Cornwall, said that anyone who could make the rollover dates in June next year would get a refund.

It follows pressure on organisers for refunds on a Facebook page created by ticket buyers, external.

One customer wrote on the Tunes in the Dunes page, external: "Now I sincerely hope that you will action the refunds within a reasonable time."

Tunes in the Dunes, run by the team behind the Watering Hole pub on Perranporth beach, initially said the event, which was due to take place on 1 to 3 May would be postponed to 25 to 27 September.

Organisers now say it will be held on 18 to 20 June 2021 but for anyone who could not make those dates, refunds would be offered.

"Yesterday we rescheduled our tunes in the dunes to next June due to the global pandemic, offering refunds if they can't make the rescheduled date," they said in a statement.

Claire Gilbody-Dickerson
BBC News

A new contract holder has been found for Mevagissey Surgery in Cornwall.

St Austell Healthcare have successfully been approved to provide primary care medical services for the population registered at the surgery from 14 September.

Besides routine appointments and clinical sessions with GPs, available services planned for the surgery include contraception, substance misuse and physiotherapy assessment.

St Austell Healthcare also plans to introduce a dedicated home visiting service to support people who need an appointment at their own home for medical reasons.

Image source, Getty Images

All those registered with the practice will receive an update with details on how to contact the new provider. All those who already have an appointment should attend as planned.

James Mustoe, Cornwall Councillor for Mevagissey, said he had been "very concerned" to hear of the early ending of the current contract-holder's time at the surgery.

“I am pleased to have seen NHS Kernow recognise the urgency and priority of this situation, and that they have worked around the clock, dedicating significant time and resources into finding a solution with neighbouring practice St Austell Healthcare, in a way that means there will be no gap in service at Mevagissey," he said.

Claire Gilbody-Dickerson
BBC News

Two kayakers were rescued after getting into difficulty off Hannafore Point, Looe, on Thursday evening.

Falmouth Coastguard received multiple 999 calls about two kayaks struggling at sea, approximately 150m offshore.

Within six minutes of the alert, at about 19:15, an RNLI crew was launching the charity's D class inshore lifeboat Ollie Naismith.

Image source, RNLI

At the scene two people were found wearing buoyancy aids and sitting in a twin seat of a kayak as they struggled to return to the beach in the moderate seas and a force three wind.

The pair were cold and wet and told crew members they were using a second kayak which had capsized.

The capsized kayak was brought upright, allowing one of the crew to make their way ashore to raise the alarm. The pair and their kayak were then taken ashore.

Claire Gilbody-Dickerson
BBC News

Police investigating an alleged sexual assault in Torquay are appealing for the public to help identify a man who may have witnessed the incident.

A picture has been released of a man police think may have "vital" information on the alleged attack in the town in the early hours of 9 August.

Officers had previously appealed for information regarding a man walking and two other males in a vehicle. The two men in the vehicle were identified and have spoken to police.

Police have charged a man from Torquay in connection with the alleged assault on East Street at the junction of St Efrides Road at about 01:30.

Image source, Devon and Cornwall Police

Investigating officer DC Martin Key, said: “Whilst we have charged a man in connection to this incident, we are urgently trying to identify a potential witness who may have information vital to the investigation.

“The man pictured is believed to be a white male who was walking from Laburnum Row, onto East Street in the direction of Torquay police station, at the time of the incident.

“If you believe you know this man, or if indeed you think this may be you, please contact police on 101.”

Jonathan Morris
BBC News Online

TV chef Gordon Ramsay and wife Tara have become ambassadors for Cornwall Air Ambulance.

The couple have a house in north Cornwall.

Mr Ramsay said: "Cornwall has been our family home now for five years and we have always been totally in awe of the lifesaving work we see the Cornwall Air Ambulance do every day.

"We are so immensely proud and honoured to become ambassadors and join the team in helping continue to raise awareness and promote the fantastic service they selflessly carry out for the people of Cornwall."

Both will be spreading the word about the work of the helicopter crews.

BBC Radio Devon

Brittany Ferries is cutting back services from Plymouth amid a downturn in traffic from the coronavirus crisis.

Image source, Brittany Ferries

The Plymouth to Roscoff ferry Armorique is being laid up from 31 August and replaced by the Pont Aven from 10 September, with services dropping from 10 to three return trips a week.

The Pont Aven will stay on the once-a-week Plymouth to Santander route.

The firm said the move followed a weekend in which 35,000 passengers either cancelled or delayed their travel plans with the company.

Christophe Mathieu, director general of Brittany Ferries, said the changes, along with the axing of routes from Portsmouth would affect about 50,000 passengers with bookings and apologised for the disruption.

"This is not something we want to do," he said.

"However, in the context of a terrible summer season we have no choice but to consolidate sailings that, by virtue of lack of passenger numbers, are uneconomic to run."

The call centre is expected to be very busy in the days ahead, said the firm.

Passengers are therefore asked to wait for notification of any change to their booking and where possible to make alternative arrangements via the My Booking facility on the website., external

BBC Weather

It's another day of heavy showers ahead, with a yellow warning for thunderstorms valid from 11:00 to 20:00.

Today will be cool with scattered showers. The showers will be locally heavy with a chance of thunder. However, there will also be some sunshine at times.

There will be one or two further heavy showers in places this evening. Overnight, turning drier with clear periods. However, feeling cool in a freshening northerly wind.

Ed Oldfield
Local Democracy Reporting Service

A senior councillor has raised concerns that campervans are undercutting campsites by parking overnight on Paignton seafront for just £4.

That is the cost of the roadside parking fee collected by Torbay Council on the Esplanade which runs along the seafront.

Preston councillor Chris Lewis said: "This administration allows motor homes to park on Paignton seafront for £4 a night, thereby undercutting campsites and other establishments that previously had motor homes."

Cabinet member for tourism Swithin Long said there had been no change to the cost of parking on the stretch of the seafront.

However he added the lack of events due to the coronavirus pandemic had meant the road had not been closed as in previous years.

He said the issue had been raised in discussions between the council and holiday parks and officers were working on proposals to address the situation.

BBC Radio Devon

A summer festival is under way at The Landmark in Ilfracombe.

Wind in the Willows will be the first live theatre production in North Devon since the coronavirus lockdown.

The festival was due to take place outdoors because of Covid-19 but has now been moved indoors because of the stormy weather.

The audiences will be socially distanced, with extra safety measures in place.

The summer festival continues until Bank Holiday Monday with music, comedy, magic, panto and post-lockdown Shakespeare.

Ed Oldfield
Local Democracy Reporting Service

Image source, Google

Torbay Council is urgently asking the government to extend the furlough scheme for tourism and hospitality workers.

It is worried that there could be a big rise in job losses when the current scheme finishes in October at the same time as the end of the holiday season.

The partnership of Independents and Liberal Democrats running the council is also trying to persuade the government to let it keep leftover business support cash which has not been claimed.

Under the current rules, the surplus from the schemes delivered by the council has to be returned.

The last grants of £10,000 or £25,000 to businesses have to be paid out by Friday when the coronavirus support schemes end.

By the end of July the council had paid out £36m to eligible businesses – leaving about £11m in the pot.

The council’s deputy leader Darren Cowell said it was hoped that some of the money could go towards training for people losing their jobs

Image source, John Govier

A flash flood has left debris on the road through Plympton St Maurice in Devon.

John Govier, publican at the Brook Inn, said he had never seen the brook [next to the inn] flood so bad in the six-and-a-half years he's worked at the business.

The inn was not flooded.

Heavy, showery rain will clear to become brighter with some sunny periods developing, say forecasters.

Image source, John Govier

Image source, John Govier

BBC Radio Devon

Heavy rain has caused a flash flood in Lipson, Plymouth, with reports of water ankle deep in some properties.

This was the scene near Lipson Vale School as torrential rain overwhelmed drains and left shops and homes flooded with brown water.

Elsewhere in the city a number of roads have been blocked by flood water. Plymouth Highways is tweeting the latest closures., external

Heavy, showery rain will clear to become brighter with some sunny periods developing say forecasters.

BBC Radio Cornwall

A flash flood blocked this road in Penryn as Cornwall firefighters received a flood of calls from stricken residents.

Image source, Ben Pascoe

The fire service has urged people to call Cornwall Highways if drains are blocked - 0300 1234 222.

If there is a danger to road users, dial 999 and ask for Police. If people are in immediate danger due to flood water, dial 999 and ask for Fire.

People who have not booked to stay in the region have been advised to avoid Devon and Cornwall this coming Bank Holiday weekend amid a big rise in anti-social behaviour.

Image source, PA Media

Police said levels of anti-social behaviour and public order offences were "entirely unacceptable".

The Devon and Cornwall force said:

• Public order offences, again often drink related, are up more than 32% in August with 59 incidents reported across the force over the last weekend alone.
• Nuisance anti-social behaviour was up more than 20% to 2,091 cases and personal anti-social behaviour was up more than 23% to 1,187 reports
• Environmental anti-social behaviour such as littering, fly tipping and wild camping in August was up 29% from 2019 to 240 cases

Assistant Chief Constable Glen Mayhew said demand on police and all emergency services had been "enormous" during August.

"The levels of anti-social behaviour and public order offences are entirely unacceptable," he said.

"Drink related issues have been particularly prevalent but are avoidable if people remember their limits and act responsibly. We do not want the weekend ruined by inconsiderate actions.

"We are confident the South West is well prepared and look forward to enjoying the sunshine, but planning any journey to Devon and Cornwall is hugely important. If you travel without booking accommodation first you are unlikely to be able to find any in the region when you arrive."

BBC Radio Cornwall

A police hunt for a suspected man was launched after clothes were found abandoned at a Cornish beauty spot.

Image source, Creative Commons

Police and coastguards were called at 18:00 on Wednesday to cliffs at Chipman Point near Bude amid concerns for a possible missing man.

Officers said "following enquiries the owner of the clothes was identified".

The search was stood down as there were "no further concerns for the man’s welfare".

Jonathan Morris
BBC News Online

Plymouth City Council's leader Tudor Evans is "ramping up" warnings on Covid-19 after it emerged that at least 11 youngsters have tested positive.

The cases were from a group of 30 young people around the ages of 18 and 19, mainly from Plymouth, who have returned from holiday in Greece last week.

A further separate outbreak in a city factory was confirmed earlier this week.

Mr Evans, said: "This is our wake up call.

"We have been fortunate so far in Plymouth that we have had a low number of cases, but coronavirus has not gone away. Wash your hands as often as possible, keep your distance and wear a mask or face covering when you are told to.

"Be a good Janner- look out for Nanna."

Many of the young people who tested positive showed no symptoms or very minor symptoms such as a sore throat.

Their holiday was in the Greek island of Zante, which is not currently subject to UK quarantine rules.

The council said if you have symptoms, however mild - get a test. , external

If you can’t drive to the testing centre at Seaton Barracks, then ask for a home testing kit.