Author: Zhara Simpson

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‘Heartbroken’ family’s tribute to man after fatal Plymouth crash

‘Heartbroken’ family’s tribute to man after fatal Plymouth crash

Devon and Cornwall PoliceThe family of Michael Cockburn-Hilton paid tribute to their beloved son, brother and partnerTributes have been paid to a 23-year-old man who died following a road collision in Devon.The family of Michael Cockburn-Hilton said his death had left them "heartbroken beyond words" and described him as a beloved son, brother, and partner.Devon and Cornwall Police said the motorbike rider was pronounced dead at the scene of the two-vehicle collision also involving a car at about…

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Devon mum wraps 50 gifts a day for mental health charity

Devon mum wraps 50 gifts a day for mental health charity

A Devon mum has extended her love for wrapping to strangers to help raise money for a mental health charity.Kirsty said had been wrapping on average 50 presents a day since the beginning of December in the lead up to Christmas, with the help of her eight-year-old daughter, Harper.The mum-of-two, from Plymouth, said she was raising money for Mind after the charity supported her through her postnatal depression.Kirsty said she posted on social media asking people to help…

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Missing lifeboat washes up on Devon beach

Missing lifeboat washes up on Devon beach

A lifeboat that washed off a cargo ship has come ashore on a Devon beach.HM Coastguard said teams were first alerted to the container ship lifeboat at Sidmouth Beach at about 07:30 GMT on Sunday.It said the lifeboat had previously been reported as missing from a known cargo ship on Wednesday and teams had been tracking it since but were unaware of where it was going to wash up.Beer Coastguard Rescue Team was sent to help secure the…

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Dartmoor National Park Authority appoints new chief executive

Dartmoor National Park Authority appoints new chief executive

Dartmoor National Park Authority has appointed a new chief executive following a "rigorous selection process". Tom Surrey said he was delighted to take up the role and had a "lifelong connection" with Dartmoor. He said he looked forward to shaping a bright and sustainable future for the national park. "Dartmoor is an exceptionally special place," he added.Mr Surrey joins the authority from the Department of Health and Social Care where he served as director of adult social care…

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People rescued from flooding in the South West as Storm Bram hits

People rescued from flooding in the South West as Storm Bram hits

Richard BrassettA resident said lots of cars were underwater in Lostwithiel, CornwallTwo people have been rescued from floodwater as heavy rain and strong winds brought by Storm Bram have impacted travel across Devon and Cornwall. Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service said two people were "safe and well" after being rescued from the roof of their car after it got stuck in floodwater at about 06:45 in Teigngrace, Devon.Fire services have been dealing with other weather-related incidents,…

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HMS Richmond welcomed home to Plymouth after eight months

HMS Richmond welcomed home to Plymouth after eight months

BBCThe Royal Navy frigate is crewed by 200 men and womenHundreds of relatives and friends of HMS Richmond's crew welcomed them home on Sunday following an eight-month mission. The Royal Navy said that the Plymouth-based frigate and its 200-strong ship's company, including sailors, aviators, and Royal Marine Commandos, had played an integral role in its premier deployment of 2025, Operation Highmast.HMS Richmond visited South Korea, Vietnam, the Philippines and India during its mission, in addition to taking part…

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North Devon hospital’s A&E asks for life-threatening cases only

North Devon hospital’s A&E asks for life-threatening cases only

Patients have been told they should visit a Devon hospital's A&E department only if they have a life-threatening injury or illness. North Devon District Hospital in Barnstaple is "under extreme pressure", its NHS trust explained in a Facebook post on Sunday.The post, by the Royal Devon University Healthcare trust, advised patients to call 111 or visit its website before heading to the hospital if they were unsure how serious their condition was.The trust wrote: "Please be kind to…

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Council to make decision over future of Devon street light trial

Council to make decision over future of Devon street light trial

Devon County CouncilDevon County Council said it was "on track" to deliver major savings in energy and costsA decision over whether to make a street lighting trial permanent will be made in early 2026. Devon County Council (DCC) said the year-long trial, which began in April, involved earlier switch-off times and dimmer lighting across Exeter, market towns, and rural areas as part of efforts to save money.The council said the trial was "on track" to deliver major savings…

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Exeter shop shut down for selling illegal tobacco after warnings

Exeter shop shut down for selling illegal tobacco after warnings

Devon County CouncilHeart of the South West Trading Standards Service said the proprietor of The Mini Market in Exeter, Devon, ignored repeated warningsA judge has granted a three-month closure order on a business accused of selling illegal tobacco.Trading Standards said the proprietor of the Mini Market on Cowick Street, Exeter, Devon, ignored repeated warnings and continued to sell illegal tobacco worth more than £11,000 seized over the course of five raids. The closure order was issued on Wednesday…

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Honiton doctors’ surgery fully reopens after flood damage

Honiton doctors’ surgery fully reopens after flood damage

BBCA significant leak on the top floor caused damage to the surgery in JanuaryHundreds of thousands of pounds have been spent to refit and refurbish a doctors' surgery after flooding caused significant damage. Honiton Surgery closed its doors in January after a burst toilet pipe led to collapsed ceilings, damage to 30 clinical rooms and a broken computer system.Chris Cruise, manager, said as the biggest surgery in East Devon with 18,000 registered patients and between 80 to 90…

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Three Plymouth garages damaged by large fire

Three Plymouth garages damaged by large fire

Three garages have been damaged in a large blaze, firefighters have said.Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service said one garage in Hermitage Road, Plymouth, was "well alight" when crews arrived at about 11:10 GMT, with two others also damaged by smoke and fire.Devon and Cornwall Police said they were asked to assist fire crews and put a cordon and road closures in place. The fire service confirmed there were no injuries and the cause had not yet…

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Flooding from heavy rain closes rail line in Devon

Flooding from heavy rain closes rail line in Devon

A rail line in Devon has been closed due to flooding after heavy rain. Great Western Railway (GWR) said services between Exeter St Davids and Barnstaple have been cancelled and the disruption was expected to last until Tuesday. The closure follows additional suspensions affecting the line between Crediton and Barnstaple last week, again caused by flooding.GWR said Network Rail detected water levels exceeding its threshold for triggering an automatic closure of three bridges and viaducts for the "safety…

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