county news

Warning as bird flu found in dead swans near Dorchester

Warning as bird flu found in dead swans near Dorchester

A warning has been issued by a council after bird flu was confirmed in several swans found dead on the outskirts of Dorchester.The swans were found in Fordington near a public footpath popular with dog walkers.Dorset Council said it was working with the landowner and government agencies to reduce any risk to the public with the area being monitored and warning signs set to be placed on nearby footpaths.Residents and visitors to the area are being asked not…

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Rainfall helps West Country recover from prolonged dry spell

Rainfall helps West Country recover from prolonged dry spell

Bea SwallowWest of EnglandPA MediaEngland experienced the second driest six-month period (from March to August) since records began in 1871Recent heavy rainfall has pulled the west of England into "recovery" status following an extensive dry spell.Prolonged dry weather status – a precursor to drought – was announced on 10 July by the Environment Agency (EA) for its Wessex area, which includes Bristol, Somerset, Dorset, Wiltshire and parts of south Gloucestershire. The warning followed the driest spring in a…

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Santas limber up for festive Weymouth Beach charity pudding chase

Santas limber up for festive Weymouth Beach charity pudding chase

Dozens of Santas are due to gather on Weymouth beach for the resort's festive Chase the Pudding charity race.The annual sprint along the beach sees a pudding pursued by about 200 runners along a three-mile (5km) route from the Pavilion to Greenhill and back again.The festive run in Dorset also features a Chase the Elf 1.2-mile (2km) run for under-14s, and raises funds for the Will Mackaness Trust. Running Santas need to register for the race on Sunday…

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Free Christmas parking ‘a nice surprise’ say Taunton shopkeepers

Free Christmas parking ‘a nice surprise’ say Taunton shopkeepers

Independent businesses have welcomed a town council's decision to foot the bill for parking charges for central car parks in the run-up to Christmas.Taunton Town Council is paying Somerset Council a fee so that people can use 10 of their car parks free of charge for the final Saturdays before Christmas.The move is part of an effort to support local shops and boost the festive atmosphere in the town and has been welcomed by business owners."It's a nice…

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Devon artist celebrates 100 years of photo booths

Devon artist celebrates 100 years of photo booths

Caroline RobinsonSouth WestKate TylerKate Tyler said photo booths had documented her lifeAn artist with a "lifelong, nerdy obsession" with photobooths is celebrating the 100 year anniversary of their existence.Kate Tyler, who lives in Modbury, Devon, uses analogue photo booths to create her artwork.She said she prefers them to digital booths because "there's something really lovely about the quality of those pictures" and getting a "long strip of four pictures".She has also been able to "document all the way…

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Cornwall’s trading standards see rise in fake goods online

Cornwall’s trading standards see rise in fake goods online

Shoppers are being warned of fake goods following a rise in local listings advertising counterfeit products.Cornwall Council's Trading Standards team said it had noticed an increase in local sellers advertising counterfeit items including football shirts, designer handbags, branded clothing and footwear, using online platforms.They are usually made from poor quality materials, can pose safety risks and undermine legitimate businesses, the council said.Gary Webster, trading standards group leader at Cornwall Council, said: "Anyone caught selling fake products could face…

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‘Ground-breaking’ partnership to test advanced drones in Cornwall

‘Ground-breaking’ partnership to test advanced drones in Cornwall

A new project has been launched, hoping to test advanced drones within controlled airspaces.Spaceport Cornwall, based at Cornwall Aiprort Newquay, is working with the National Drone Hub to use an area of airspace for testing uncrewed aircraft of all sizes.The partnership is designed to allow drones to fly further, faster and for longer distances than normally permitted, out of visual sight of their operators.Gail Eastaugh, head of strategic partnerships at the Cornwall Space Cluster, said the "ground-breaking" project…

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Cash seized from Tate brothers will tackle violence against women

Cash seized from Tate brothers will tackle violence against women

Robert Ghement/EPA-EFE/REX/Shutterstock Andrew Tate looks on as his brother Tristan speaks to mediaMore than £1m seized from controversial social influencer Andrew Tate and his brother Tristan from bank accounts in Devon will be used to combat violence against women and girls, police have said.It follows a December 2024 court ruling which found the brothers had not paid tax on £21m of revenue from their online business and had laundered money through bank accounts based in Devon.Westminster Magistrates' Court…

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Exeter City Council adds 813 more student and “co-living” beds to city “housing” supply with Heavitree Road approval

Exeter City Council adds 813 more student and “co-living” beds to city “housing” supply with Heavitree Road approval

An Exeter City Council decision to approve plans for an 813-bed student and “co-living” complex in Heavitree Road is to increase the number of beds in purpose-built temporary accommodation to nearly 3,250 in Newtown and more than 16,000 across the whole city.The plans for 399 student and 414 “co-living” bedspaces in seven blocks up to six storeys tall on the site of the former police station and magistrates court were submitted in May, following the eventual rejection of…

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Exeter City Council Adds 813 More Student And Co-Living Beds To City Housing Supply With Heavitree Road Approval – Exeter Observer

Exeter City Council Adds 813 More Student And Co-Living Beds To City Housing Supply With Heavitree Road Approval – Exeter Observer
Exeter City Council Adds 813 More Student And Co-Living Beds To City Housing Supply With Heavitree Road Approval – Exeter Observer

An Exeter City Council decision to approve plans for an 813-bed student and “co-living” complex in Heavitree Road is to increase the number of beds in purpose-built temporary accommodation to nearly 3,250 in Newtown and more than 16,000 across the whole city. The plans for 399 student and 414 “co-living” bedspaces in seven blocks up

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King remembers his days at Devon naval college

King remembers his days at Devon naval college

Chris Jackson/GettyKing Charles takes the salute from newly commissioned naval officersThe King has shared memories of his time in the Navy and trying to avoid becoming "yet another headline" in the tabloids while captaining a ship during a gale.He shared his experiences at Royal Britannia Naval College in Dartmouth more than 50 years after he trained there.Giving a speech to 191 cadets he said his time there prepared him for his naval career, during which he took command…

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