Author: Zhara Simpson

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Exeter City Football Club investigation after fire at stadium

Exeter City Football Club investigation after fire at stadium

BBCDozens of firefighters attended the blaze amid fears it would spread to the stadium's standsAn investigation is being launched after a fire broke out at Exeter City's stadium, causing some damage.Firefighters tackled the blaze at St James Park after smoke was seen billowing from a portacabin near the Well Street end of the ground at about 22:00 GMT on Wednesday. Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue said the fire started in an electrical unit, before spreading to a…

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Traders say A382 closure in Newton Abbot has hampered sales

Traders say A382 closure in Newton Abbot has hampered sales

Plants GalorePlants Galore owner Tony Joyner said turnover at the Newton Abbot store had fallen by 34%Business owners said they have experienced a drop in sales since a two-year roadworks project started.The A382, which connects Newton Abbot to the A38, has been closed since September as part of Devon County Council's (DCC) scheme to improve safety, ease congestion and boost options for walkers and cyclists.Tony Joyner, owner of the Plants Galore garden centre just off the A382, said…

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Appeal after serious sexual assault in Sidmouth park

Appeal after serious sexual assault in Sidmouth park

Police are investigating a report of a serious sexual assault on a woman in Devon. Devon and Cornwall Police said the woman was assaulted by a man in The Byes, Sidmouth. The victim is being supported by specially trained officers and witnesses have been asked to come forward.Police said the incident happened at about 23:30 GMT on Sunday. Officers are appealing to anyone who was in the area at the time or anyone with information to assist the…

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Pair in three-wheeled car reach Africa in world record attempt

Pair in three-wheeled car reach Africa in world record attempt

Seth ScottThe Reliant Robin has endured "bumps and bruises" on the 10,000-mile journey Two men who are driving to Cape Town in a three-wheeled vehicle have reached Africa.Oliver Jenks, from Newton Abbot, Devon, and Seth Scott, from Canada, set off from London on 24 October in their Reliant Robin, called "Sheila the three-wheeler", in their attempt to break a world record.Speaking from Senegal, Mr Oliver said they had faced some bumps along the way which had taken a…

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Devon mum steps in to help control crowds at Corfu Airport

Devon mum steps in to help control crowds at Corfu Airport

Nova WilliamsFaye Williams helped staff at Corfu Airport control the crowdA mum from Devon who stepped in to help organise thousands of passengers at a crowded Greek airport said it was "one of the most random days" of her life.Exeter events company boss Faye Williams said her family were travelling home from Corfu Airport on 24 October when several flights were called to the same departure gate at the same time, leaving people unable to get through the…

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Retired banker completes 200th marathon in 200 days

Retired banker completes 200th marathon in 200 days

BBCSteve James finished his 200th marathon in 200 days in Topsham, where he began the challenge in AprilA 66-year-old man has completed 200 marathons in 200 days around the British coastline.Retired banker Steve James travelled 5,240 miles (8433km) since setting off from Topsham, Devon in April, and returned there to finish his challenge on Saturday.Researchers at the University of Exeter monitored the impact on his body throughout the journey.Mr James said: "I haven't had a day off in…

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Couple return to stage where they met for 20-year anniversary

Couple return to stage where they met for 20-year anniversary

A couple who met on stage celebrated a milestone anniversary by visiting the place where it all began. Helen and Graham Tudor met while performing in the pantomime Jack and the Beanstalk at Theatre Royal Plymouth in 2005, after unexpected changes in the production. They had not been scheduled for the show but, after a last-minute casting call, found themselves performing the lead roles of Jack and Princess Apricot. One year later, Mr Tudor proposed to the now…

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Two houses in Plymouth evacuated after high readings of fuel

Two homes were evacuated after higher than expected fuel readings were taken on a street in Plymouth, with the alarm being initially raised by an occupant.Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service said crews were called to the Dayton Close in Crownhill at about 13:25 BST on Tuesday after the occupant called them to report the smell of fuel.A spokesperson for the service said at about 20:30 crews and South West Water (SWW) remained at the scene as…

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Appeal after glass smashed in woman’s face at Devon pub

An investigation has been launched after a woman had a glass smashed in her face during an altercation at a pub in Devon, police have said.Devon and Cornwall Police said officers were appealing for witnesses after a fight broke out at the York Inn on Imperial Road, Exmouth, in the early hours of 12 October. The woman suffered cuts to the face and nose which required seven stitches, police added."During the altercation, a woman had a glass smashed…

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Devon friends climb mountain to help find cure for baby

Devon friends climb mountain to help find cure for baby

Hayley HoneychurchRory Honeychurch, right, said he climbed Mount Kilimanjaro to raise awareness of his nephew's rare conditionA man has completed a trek up Mount Kilimanjaro, the highest mountain in Africa, to raise awareness of his baby nephew's rare condition. Rory Honeychurch, 34, from Okehampton, said he and friend Brandon Horn started the ascent on 8 September and despite feeling unwell for about 30 hours of the walk, he did not "give up".He said his nephew Kobe was diagnosed…

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Bideford to hold two food and drink festivals in 2026

A food and drink event in north Devon will be held twice in 2026 after a "record-breaking" number of visitors this year, a council has said.Torridge District Council said the eat:Bideford festival had more than 8,500 attendees this year compared to 6,000 in 2023, when the event was first held.The council said "We are thrilled to announce that Bideford won't just be getting one festival in 2026… we're getting two."Economic development manager Chris Fuller said the food and…

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M5 closed in both directions in Devon after crashes

M5 closed in both directions in Devon after crashes

BBCPolice have closed the M5 in both directions between J27 at Sampford Peverell to J28 in CullomptonA number of people have been seriously injured following two multi-vehicle collisions on the M5 in Devon, police have said.The motorway has been closed since Thursday evening following the crashes, which have resulted in major traffic delays. National Highways South West said the motorway was shut at about 23:00 BST in both directions between J27 at Sampford Peverell and J28 in Cullompton.Devon…

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