county news

Sturminster Newton Bridge to shut for three nights

Sturminster Newton Bridge to shut for three nights

Pedestrians and drivers are being warned to plan ahead as a town's bridge is set to close for three nights.The Grade I listed six-arch Sturminster Newton Bridge in north Dorset over the River Stour is being resurfaced following the installation of new traffic lights. Dorset Council said the lights at the junction of the single-lane bridge, which sees a high volume of traffic, needed replacing as they were "very old" and had become difficult to repair.Bridge Street (Sturminster…

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Exeter patient first in UK to trial new 3D imaging technology for rheumatoid arthritis

Patients suspected of having rheumatoid arthritis in Exeter will be the first in the country to trial a new type of 3D imaging technology that could help avoid permanent damage to joints by detecting rheumatoid arthritis at the earliest stages. With funding from Innovate UK, the University of Exeter is undertaking the first live trials of the AdaptixOrtho350 – a new, portable imaging technology that offers 3D imaging at a similar cost and radiation dose to traditional 2D…

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‘Remarkable diversity’ of heritage sites celebrated

‘Remarkable diversity’ of heritage sites celebrated

Historic England ArchiveThe Compass Point tower in Bude has been moved twice in its historyThe selection of heritage sites in the South and South West granted protected status this year has been celebrated for its "remarkable diversity".Historic England (HE) granted protection to two Arts-and-Crafts style properties, a shipwreck and a coastal tower among a number of other heritage structures recognised on the National Heritage List for England in 2025.HE lists sites and structures of special architectural, historic or…

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Exeter woman first to trial 3D scan for early arthritis diagnosis

Exeter woman first to trial 3D scan for early arthritis diagnosis

BBCEmma Carnell is the first person to trial new 3D imaging technologyA woman will be the first person in the UK to trial new 3D imaging technology designed to give earlier diagnosis of diseases like rheumatoid arthritis, a university has said.Emma Carnell, 45, from Exeter, Devon, was on holiday in Corfu in July when she began having pain in her hands, shoulders, and knees.Initial tests carried out when she returned to the UK showed negative results for rheumatoid…

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Views on ageing sought to help tackle loneliness in Cornwall

Views on ageing sought to help tackle loneliness in Cornwall

Seb NobleCornwall political reporterBBCChristine, Rita and Jenny agreed unreliable public transport was one of the challenges of ageing in Cornwall People are being invited to share their views on the challenges of growing older in rural areas as a council looks to create more community centres to tackle social isolation.Cornwall Council said it wanted to understand how residents feel about issues such as access to public housing and transport to help shape its application to become an accredited…

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Parnham Park housing plan ‘threatens blonde badgers’

Parnham Park housing plan ‘threatens blonde badgers’

Marcus WhiteSouth of EnglandColin VarndellAlbino badgers at the site are under threat, campaigners saidA plan to build more than 80 designer homes in the grounds of a fire-hit mansion would destroy an "irreplaceable natural habitat", a campaign group has said.Former rave promoter James Perkins has applied to build a "parkland" housing estate at Grade I listed Parnham House, which was partially destroyed by fire in 2017.Dorset Natural Heritage Initiative (DNHI) said the plans lacked a "robust ecological survey",…

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Diet drug Mounjaro left Cornwall woman ‘depressed and in pain’

Diet drug Mounjaro left Cornwall woman ‘depressed and in pain’

Jen SmithSouth West health correspondentBBCPauline Miller said Mounjaro had left her in "chronic pain with no quality of life"A woman has said the weight loss drug Mounjaro has left her in chronic pain, suffering depression and with "no quality of life".Pauline Miller, from St Keyne, near Liskeard, Cornwall, is one of thousands of people across the country who have been prescribed the jab to help control her diabetes.She highlighted her concerns as the NHS prepares to expand its…

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Somerset reindeer farm could close over zoo licence dispute

Somerset reindeer farm could close over zoo licence dispute

BBCSarah Sutton has operated the reindeer visitor experience for the past 12 yearsThe owner of a reindeer visitor attraction has said she fears that her business will be forced to close after the council asked her to apply for a different licence. Sarah Sutton, who has run the Somerset Reindeer Ranch for 12 years, said Somerset Council had now told her she must obtain a zoo licence or the premises would only be able to open six days…

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It is stressful being an influencer, says Somerset gardener

It is stressful being an influencer, says Somerset gardener

Ramona JonesRamona Jones shares videos from her bountiful cottage garden in SomersetThe stress of being a social media influencer can put significant pressure on mental health, a study has revealed.Influencers struggle with work-life balance and commercial pressures, as well as negative comments and the strain of appearing to be authentic, said researchers from the University of the West of England (UWE).Content creator Ramona Jones, 32, from Somerset, said she had to create strict work-life boundaries to stop certain…

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Shipwrecks and submarines: Protecting England’s unusual heritage

Shipwrecks and submarines: Protecting England’s unusual heritage

Alix HattenstoneBBC LocalBournemouth UniversityThe Pin Wreck is an Admiralty Mooring Lighter believed to have sunk in 1903 off the Dorset coastA mysterious shipwreck, a colourful cathedral and a "birthplace of the communication age" are among the remarkable places in England that have been granted special protection this year.Historic England has added 199 new sites to its National Heritage List during 2025, while others have had their protected status upgraded.Listing gives places of special architectural or historical interest legal…

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New flags policy pushed by Plymouth City Council

New flags policy pushed by Plymouth City Council

A new policy on flags on public buildings is being developed by Plymouth City Council.The Labour-run council says it wanted to make the process of applying for permission to fly flags on council-owned buildings and light up buildings such as Smeaton's Tower, more "consistent".Flags have proved controversial in the last six months with St George's Cross and Union flags appearing on lampposts across the country.A Reform UK spokesman said the council policy on flags was meant as a…

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Man from Cornwall jailed after drilling rig load killed woman

Man from Cornwall jailed after drilling rig load killed woman

A 35-year-old man has been jailed for five years after a drilling rig fell off a trailer he was towing and landed on a woman's car, killing her.Liam Smith of Roselidden Parc, Helston admitted causing the death of 34-year-old Jessica Allman from Newquay by dangerous driving on the B3297 at Burras in July 2022.Truro Crown Court on Wednesday heard four straps should have been used - Smith had working straps on the trailer and in his vehicle but…

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