Teams taking part in the Ten Tors Challenge are approaching the finish line on the final day of the “phenomenal” event. Thousands of teenagers from across the south west of England and beyond have been walking either 35, 45, or 55 miles (56, 72 or 88km) across Dartmoor. The annual challenge, organised by the British...
Alex Green BBC News, South West Google Six fire engines have been sent to the scene in the St David’s area A fire has broken out at an electrical substation, leaving hundreds of homes without power. Devon and Somerset Fire & Rescue Service said it had received multiple 999 calls about a blaze off Fore...
Motorists are being urged to drive more carefully on Dartmoor to help cut the number of animals injured or killed. Devon and Cornwall Police said 144 animals, including ponies, cattle and sheep, were killed on Dartmoor’s roads in 2024. Rangers, members of the emergency services and the British Horse Society have carried out patrols to...
A new fleet of electric bikes will be available to hire in Totnes next month. The ‘Catbikes’ are being introduced as part of South Hams District Council’s commitment to promoting cycling. The bikes will be available from several places across the town and accessed by a mobile app. It is hoped the bikes will provide...
Zhara Simpson BBC News, South West BBC Kirsty Hudson and her family said they felt proud of son Ben for taking on the Jubilee Challenge Family and friends said they felt proud of their loved ones as they watched them cross the finish line of the Jubilee Challenge on Saturday. Organisers said the Jubilee Challenge,...
A man has been arrested after a 16-year-old girl was raped and a 17-year-old girl was sexually assaulted in Exeter on Friday night. The 19-year-old man, from Exeter, was arrested on suspicion of rape and sexual assault and remains in police custody, Devon and Cornwall Police said. Both incidents happened in the area of Digby...
Deaf students have been teaching some of Devon’s lifeguards sign language to help keep more people safe in and around the sea. The students from the Deaf Academy in Exmouth taught lifeguards phrases in British Sign Language (BSL) relating to water safety during Deaf Awareness Week. In return, the RNLI lifeguards shared safety tips with...
The Devon-born Luxton took up Thai boxing around the age of 10. After briefly switching to boxing, she later moved to Manchester and into the world of MMA, in which she now trains full-time. After winning the first two fights of her professional career – with her most recent victory in March, 2024 – Luxton...
Thousands of teenagers are starting the 63rd Ten Tors Challenge on Dartmoor. The annual challenge, organised by the British Army’s Headquarters South West, sees teams navigate routes across the northern half of Dartmoor in under two days. It is usually attempted by about 2,400 teenagers in 400 teams of six, with routes ranging between 35...
The NHS has started a programme aimed at screening about 45,000 people in south Devon for lung cancer. Torbay and South Devon NHS Foundation Trust will offer lung cancer screening to people aged between 55 and 74 who have ever smoked and are registered with a participating GP in the area. Himali O’Regan, clinical lead...
An inmate armed with a plastic prison knife who took a Dartmoor prison officer hostage has been jailed. Scott Patterson handcuffed the warder and held him for three hours during the attack at HMP Dartmoor in July 2023. Patterson, 37, admitted false imprisonment, assaulting an emergency worker and possessing an offensive weapon in prison. Judge...
Jeremy Field/PA Female digger wasps can remember the location of their nests, among hundreds of others, experts have found Wasp mothers have stunning brainpower when it comes to feeding their young, according to new research. Digger wasps make a short burrow for each egg, stocking it with food and returning a few days later to...
Veteran defender Dean Moxey is to leave Torquay United after five years with the club. The 39-year-old, who began his 22-year professional career at Exeter City before spells with clubs including Crystal Palace, Derby County and Bolton Wanderers, made more than 100 appearances for the Gulls. He has played in all top six tiers of...
Devon and Cornwall Police have said they are aiming to halve knife crime after receiving £1m in funding for extra foot patrols in problem areas. The force said the scheme, which initially launched in May 2024, saw more than 26,000 hours of additional foot patrols across the two counties in its first year of operation....
Exeter prop Demi Swann has agreed a deal to stay with Exeter for the 2025-26 Premiership Women’s Rugby season. The 29-year-old Canadian – who is also eligible for Scotland – moved to Sandy Park two years ago following the collapse of Worcester Warriors. She has gone on to play 19 times for the Devon side...