Disgraced officer would have been dismissed, police panel finds

A police officer who formed an inappropriate relationship with a woman he met on duty would have been sacked had he not resigned, a misconduct panel has ruled.In July Martyn Newitt from Liskeard admitted misconduct in public office and misusing a computer to secure unauthorised access to data and was given a 12 month suspended prison sentence at Bristol Crown Court. He was a temporary police sergeant when he visited the woman after an incident involving her ex…

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Newquay Zoo wins gold in first try at bloom awards

Newquay ZooThe zoo's head gardener is Damian KingNewquay Zoo has won a gold award with its first entry into the South West in Bloom contest despite it being put up for sale earlier this month. The zoo is home to 850 animals, including 49 endangered species, and is based in Trenance Gardens.A spokesperson said it was awarded a gold medal in the contest, hosted this year at the English Riviera Centre in Torquay, for its "vibrant planting schemes".Newquay…

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Plymouth man arrested after multiple crashes involving stolen van

A man has been arrested after a van hit a series of vehicles before crashing into a city centre roundabout.The delivery van was stolen from Union Street at about 15:20 BST on Thursday, Devon and Cornwall Police said.The force said it was then involved in three hit-and-run crashes with vehicles on Outland Road, Western Approach and Looseleigh Lane, before hitting another car and crashing into the barrier at Charles Cross Roundabout shortly before 17:00.Officers said a man in…

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Zack Wimbush & Orson James: Cornish Pirates sign Exeter pair on loan

Exeter winger Zack Wimbush and scrum-half Orson James have joined Champ side Cornish Pirates on loan.Wimbush, 21, has played 27 times for Exeter in all competitions and will use the spell at the Mennaye to help recover from a pre-season toe injury.Welsh scrum-half James, 21, has been out for the past 18 months after needing two operations on a knee ligament injury. "This is a great opportunity for both players to compete for spots in a competitive Pirates…

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What do visitors think of the Van Gogh experience in Exeter?

People have been given the opportunity to immerse themselves in the work of artist Vincent Van Gogh in a new exhibition in Devon. Beyond Van Gogh opened in Westpoint Exeter on Thursday until 31 October. Organisers said the exhibition featured 300 masterpieces, including the famous paintings Starry Night, Sunflowers and Café Terrace at Night. It will be open from 10:00 BST to 19:30 daily and costs between £14 and £27 to enter.Lise Moore, chief executive at the Devon…

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‘Glastonbury Festival is what’s keeping me going’

PA MediaMichael Eavis founded Glastonbury festival in 1970As he turns 90, the founder of Glastonbury Festival says he is feeling "very well" and has credited the event for "keeping him going".Michael Eavis put on the first Pilton Pop, Folk and Blues Festival in 1970 with his late wife Jean. He was a struggling dairy farmer and said at the time he hoped it would "clear his overdraft".The event is now the largest greenfield festival in the world and…

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Len Ikitau and Tom Hooper: Exeter hand debuts to Australia duo

Australia internationals Len Ikitau and Tom Hooper will make their Exeter debuts in Sunday's Prem game against Harlequins.Centre Ikitau, 27, is the Chiefs' highest-profile backs signing for some seasons and will link up with England's Henry Slade in the Exeter midfield.He joins an exciting set of backs with Paul Brown-Bampoe and England star Immanuel Feyi-Waboso on the wings and Josh Hodge returning at full-back after his two-game suspension.Ikitau's Wallabies team-mate Hooper is named at flanker in a back-row…

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Conor Hazard: Plymouth Argyle’s Northern Ireland goalkeeper aiming for World Cup

Plymouth Argyle goalkeeper Conor Hazard is relishing the chance to try and reach the World Cup with Northern Ireland.The 27-year-old was part of the squad for their win over Slovakia and narrow loss to Germany over the past international break.It leaves Northern Ireland knowing wins over Slovakia and Luxembourg next month would secure at least a play-off place for next year's tournament in the United States."We know we have a big opportunity coming up next month now," he…

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Endangered white claw crayfish released into pond in Devon

Harding-Lee MediaWildwood Devon said white-clawed crayfish have been released into a purpose-build refuge pondA wildlife conservation charity said white-clawed crayfish, which are an endangered species, have been released into a pond in Devon. Wildwood Devon, a wildlife park based in Ottery St Mary, said there were only two known surviving populations of the crayfish left in the county. Education and conversation officer Charly Mead said the creatures, which were rescued two years ago, had been moved into a…

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‘Blue plaque for children’s author’ and ‘haircuts for the homeless’

Here is our daily pick of stories from across local websites in the West of England, and interesting content from social media.A blue plaque will be unveiled in Stroud later to honour the creator of Thomas the Tank Engine, reports the Stroud News & Journal.The ceremony marks 80 years since the publication of Reverend Wilbert Awdry's first book, The Three Railway Engines.Burnham.on.Sea.com says a field gun being pulled 1,000 miles (1,609km) will be in the West later. Hundreds…

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