county news

Cornwall police bus patrols to combat “predatory behaviour”

Cornwall police bus patrols to combat “predatory behaviour”

Plain clothes police officers are to be stationed on buses in the new year to help tackle anti-social behaviour.Patrols will be carried out in south east Cornwall, with officers on the lookout for passengers who make others uncomfortable with repeat or unwanted attention, or who are acting drunk and disorderly.Similar operations have been carried out in Saltash, Looe, and Torpoint. Devon and Cornwall Police said previous patrols had been "very positive" but that it was aware "predatory or…

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Hedgehog rescue centre. Prickles and Paws, nearing completition

Hedgehog rescue centre. Prickles and Paws, nearing completition

A purpose-built hedgehog rescue centre costing £290,000 is nearing completion, bosses say.Hedgehogs rescued by the Prickles and Paws charity, in Cornwall, have been cared for in the back garden of founder Diane South.But a fundraiser, which has been match-funded, has meant a dedicated rescue centre on a plot of land at Carnanton, near Newquay, is being built. Charity co-founder and rescue director Katy South said: "The new 'hogspital', which is in the final stages of construction, will substantially…

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New surgery facilities planned at Exeter hospital

New surgery facilities planned at Exeter hospital

A new day surgery centre for children and adults is planned in an expansion of a city centre hospital.New operating theatres and recovery areas could be built at the site in the Heavitree area of Exeter, which is part of the Royal Devon and Exeter Hospital (RD&E).A planning application has been made for the site with buildings which will overlook the neighbouring Waitrose store.The RD&E said it had secured a £20m commitment from NHS England to create a…

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Search for two men missing after Christmas Day swim called off

Search for two men missing after Christmas Day swim called off

BBCTwo men remain missing after a Christmas Day swim at Budleigh Salterton, DevonA coastguard search operation for two men who went missing in the sea during a Christmas Day swim has been called off.Emergency services were called to Budleigh Salterton, in Devon, shortly after 10:25 GMT on Thursday.While some people were brought back to shore, two men in their 40s and 60s could not be located. The coastguard stopped searching the water at 17:00, but police said on-shore…

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Christmas recycling tips issued for Devon and Cornwall households

Christmas recycling tips issued for Devon and Cornwall households

Bradley GerrardLocal Democracy Reporting ServiceJason Gillman/PixabayCouncil bosses said a lot of wrapping paper can be recycledPeople have been urged to take the right approach when it comes to getting rid of waste and recycling after Christmas.Advice has been issued by Devon County Council and Cornwall Council about what households should do with items such as cards, batteries, wrapping paper and Christmas trees.Council bosses have said people should make sure items destined for the bin can be recycled or…

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Got an e-scooter for Christmas? Here’s what you should know

Got an e-scooter for Christmas? Here’s what you should know

Joe SkirkowskiWest of EnglandGetty ImagesPolice forces have warned people to be aware of the law if they have received an e-scooter for ChristmasE-scooters have seen a big surge in popularity in recent years, but if you got one for Christmas this year, what are the rules around where they can be used? In the West, legal rental schemes are already operating in Bristol, Bath, Cheltenham and Gloucester, and those e-scooters can be ridden on the road.But these trial…

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Endangered curlew numbers boosted on Dartmoor

Endangered curlew numbers boosted on Dartmoor

Breeding numbers of a bird species which was "close to disappearing" in part of Devon have recovered, organisers of a project have said.The Duchy of Cornwall said the Dartmoor Curlew Recovery Programme had been running for five years at the national park in an attempt to boost curlew numbers.The project aimed to increase the population of the bird, which has been classed as endangered by the RSPB and had one or two breeding pairs on Dartmoor for more…

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The 77-year-old Bristol ballet dancer who still love to performs

The 77-year-old Bristol ballet dancer who still love to performs

BBCAlexandra Pickford has danced ballet since she was 11-years-old and never stoppedA ballet dancer in her 70s who is still touring and has started her own theatre company says it is "wonderful" to still succeed in her profession.Alexandra Picford, 77, learned ballet at the Bristol School of Dancing aged 11 and has had a long and successful career touring the world. After her retirement, she decided to start her own theatre company, which has performed at the Edinburgh…

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Old loo and evidence of murder among archaeological finds of 2025

Old loo and evidence of murder among archaeological finds of 2025

David McKennaBBC East Yorkshire and LincolnshireAlexander Jansen/Durham UniversityThere were 1,446 discoveries in England in 2024 - up from 1,266 the previous year, according to official figuresA medieval toilet, a "murder" victim and the remains of an extinct species of cattle are among the discoveries that have helped to shed light on the past this year.Archaeologists also uncovered one of the largest Iron Age hoards to date and part of a shipyard linked to Lord Nelson's fleet.Meanwhile, a growing…

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Bournemouth apprentice lands ‘ideal’ placement after viral plea

Bournemouth apprentice lands ‘ideal’ placement after viral plea

An apprentice electrician whose work placement fell through is back on track with her studies after receiving an "insane" response to a social media plea for help.Sophia Hunt,18, was in the first year of her apprenticeship at Bournemouth and Poole College in Dorset last year when her placement company let her down, just before Christmas.Without an employer, she would have had to restart her course, so her mother sent a message on social media "in sheer panic", receiving…

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Two men still missing after Budleigh Salterton Christmas swim

Two men still missing after Budleigh Salterton Christmas swim

Archie Farmer,DevonandJanine Jansen,Budleigh SaltertonVideo shows sea conditions on Devon coastTwo men are believed to be missing off the Devon coast after reports of swimmers in difficulty, police have said.Devon and Cornwall Police were called at 10:25 GMT to the beach at Budleigh Salterton after concern was raised for people in the water, prompting a significant emergency response which was called off at 17:00.A number of people were safely brought back to shore and were checked either by paramedics…

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