county news

£4.2m food waste collection scheme to be rolled out in Plymouth

£4.2m food waste collection scheme to be rolled out in Plymouth

Archie Farmer,DevonandAlison Stephenson,Local Democracy Reporting ServicePA MediaPlymouth City Council said the service would eventually serve every household in PlymouthFood waste collections are to be rolled out in the Plymouth area from March next year.It means that instead of putting food items in their brown bins, residents will be provided with a separate food waste caddy.The service, costing £4.2m to implement over the next few years, is expected to create an uplift in the city's under performing recycling rate…

Continue Reading£4.2m food waste collection scheme to be rolled out in Plymouth

Down’s syndrome swimmer from Somerset says title wins ‘surreal’

Down’s syndrome swimmer from Somerset says title wins ‘surreal’

A swimmer said she was feeling "proud" after winning British championships and breaking records in the pool.Caroline Faithfull, from South Petherton in Somerset, has a lifetime haul of 272 medals and is a member of the Down Syndrome GB swim team.In October, she won gold, silver and bronze medals at the European championships in Portugal and broke more swimming records.Ms Faithfull, who is preparing for the World Championships in January, said: "It's a little bit surreal, but I…

Continue ReadingDown’s syndrome swimmer from Somerset says title wins ‘surreal’

‘Santa O’Clock’ and ‘first padel championships’

‘Santa O’Clock’ and ‘first padel championships’

Rise ProductionsChristmas celebrations have been taking place across the West Country as we officially enter December.Festive events have been staged across the county, with people of all ages enjoying seasonal fun. But it is not all about Christmas - the area also played host to the inaugural padel championships.Here is a selection of pictures from the region in our weekly round-up.BristolRise ProductionsHo Ho Ho: Santa O'Clock is the first grotto the Cabot Circus shopping centre is hosting since…

Continue Reading‘Santa O’Clock’ and ‘first padel championships’

Christmas message from Cornwall air ambulance charity

Christmas message from Cornwall air ambulance charity

Cornwall Air Ambulance has launched a Christmas campaign to help keep families safe during the festive period. The charity has released a film to outline how the service can save people's lives, especially during Christmas. It shows a grandmother making a festive dinner with her family whilst she has flashbacks of her husband having a cardiac arrest on the coast path before he is helped by air ambulance crews. The new campaign is called The Empty Chair, and…

Continue ReadingChristmas message from Cornwall air ambulance charity

Business rates misery for independent shops in Newton Abbot

Business rates misery for independent shops in Newton Abbot

Miles DavisDevon political reporter, Newton AbbotBBCHayley Kyte has been put off expanding her business because of rising ratesIndependent traders in a Devon town are deeply concerned about an increase in their business rates bills.In Newton Abbot a sweet shop owner said his bill will go up by about £4,500 and a successful gift shop owner said the level of business rates means it would not be worthwhile for her to expand into a second shop.The government has brought…

Continue ReadingBusiness rates misery for independent shops in Newton Abbot

Exeter student wins award for device to detect parasite

Exeter student wins award for device to detect parasite

Clare AinsworthSouth WestUniversity of ExeterMedical student Kathryn Thomas, 21, has invented a device to test for cryptosporidium at sourceA medical student hopes her award-winning invention for detecting a deadly water parasite could save thousands of people from the risk of infection.Kathryn Thomas, 21, from Berkshire, said the system she had developed for detecting cryptosporidium - parasites that can cause a respiratory and gastrointestinal illness - could make a "huge difference to the health of thousands of adults and…

Continue ReadingExeter student wins award for device to detect parasite

Blaze that gutted Frome flats was ‘started accidentally’

Blaze that gutted Frome flats was ‘started accidentally’

A fire that gutted part of a block of flats started accidentally, firefighters have confirmed. Residents of nine flats have been forced to move into hotels after the blaze on Marigold Road, Frome, on Wednesday. No one was seriously injured but the building was extensively damaged with part of the roof collapsing. Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service confirmed on Saturday the blaze had been started accidentally.Selwood Housing, which own the flats, said it was "hard to…

Continue ReadingBlaze that gutted Frome flats was ‘started accidentally’

Discharge data review after stream in Coombe turns white

Discharge data review after stream in Coombe turns white

Data from a china clay mining company is to be reviewed by the Environment Agency after a stream near Truro turned milky white. The stream in Coombe is a contributory to the River Fal and after heavy rainfall on Friday turned from brown to white and opaque overnight.A spokesperson for the Environment Agency (EA) said they thought the discolouration was "linked to water from the Imerys china clay operations".They said the mining company had a permit for emergency…

Continue ReadingDischarge data review after stream in Coombe turns white

Hundreds of Santas ride through Cornwall and Devon for hospice

Hundreds of Santas ride through Cornwall and Devon for hospice

Hundreds of Santas on motorbikes have ridden through two counties to raise money for a children's hospice.The Santas On A Bike annual ride raises money for Little Harbour children's hospice in St Austell, Cornwall, part of Children's Hospice South West.The bikers set off from Ivybridge, Devon, earlier and travelled through Saltash, Liskeard, Lostwithiel, Par and Charlestown in Cornwall, before arriving at Little Harbour.Kevin Moorey, one of the organisers, said: "The feeling of riding with 200 plus other Santas,…

Continue ReadingHundreds of Santas ride through Cornwall and Devon for hospice

Hundreds gather as rival protests begin

Hundreds gather as rival protests begin

BBCDevon and Cornwall Police said about 50 officers were at the sceneAbout 350 people have been taking part in rival protests in Plymouth.Flag Force Plymouth and a group of counter-protesters gathered near Plymouth Civic Centre on Saturday morning.Devon and Cornwall Police said about 50 officers were managing the scene, with their presence to "enable peaceful protests".A number of people from Flag Force and associated groups were in attendance.A group describing themselves as anti-fascists marched at the same time…

Continue ReadingHundreds gather as rival protests begin

Weather warning issued by Met Office

Weather warning issued by Met Office

Sarah TurnnidgeWest of England Getty ImagesSome exposed areas could see half their average December rain fall in just one day Areas of England and Wales have been warned of potential flooding and travel disruption caused by heavy rain. The Met Office issued a yellow weather warning for south west England and south Wales earlier, which will be in place from 18:00 GMT on Monday to 18:00 on Tuesday. The forecaster said an area of low pressure approaching the…

Continue ReadingWeather warning issued by Met Office

Police investigate unexplained death in Poole

Police investigate unexplained death in Poole

Police are carrying out house-to-house enquiries following the sudden death of an elderly woman.Dorset Police officers were called to an address in Higher Blandford Road in Poole on Monday at 16:52 GMT where a cordon still remains.The death of the woman, who was in her 80s, is being treated as unexplained. Her next of kin have been informed.Police said there would be an increased police presence in the area, and that enquiries were being carried out "to establish…

Continue ReadingPolice investigate unexplained death in Poole