Summary
Updates on Wednesday 17 June 2015
More news, sport, travel and weather on Thursday
Live Reporting
Matt Pengelly and Andrew Segal
New trains for Plymouth?published at 16:01 British Summer Time 17 June 2015
16:01 BST 17 June 2015
Plymouth Herald
An announcement about new trains for Plymouth is due to be made before the end of the summer, the Chancellor has confirmed, says the Plymouth Herald., external
Image source, Plymouth HeraldChancellor George Osborne, standing in for David Cameron at Prime Minister's Questions, told Plymouth MP Johnny Mercer that he was hopeful of having "good news" on the rollout of newly built Japanese-made trains before the summer was out.
Testing for Diabetespublished at 15:54 British Summer Time 17 June 2015
15:54 BST 17 June 2015
Laurence Reed
Presenter, BBC Radio CornwallLittle did I know holding a diabetes phone-in today that I would be the centre of the story! Spencer from Diabetes UK decided I needed to find out my risk level. First, questions about age, gender, and life-style.
Then jumping on the scales and measuring my portly frame. Cutting a long story short, my 40 inch waist, 14 stone weight, combined with my six foot height give me a BMI of 27.5 - that's three points more than it should be!
I'm told by Spencer, although fairly fit, I should cut down on portion sizes and increase my exercise regime. Officially I'm not at risk at the moment but the next ten years are crucial.
Times crossword proposal man denied fakerypublished at 15:43 British Summer Time 17 June 2015
15:43 BST 17 June 2015
A man who persuaded The Times newspaper to include clues that spelt out a marriage proposal on Tuesday to his girlfriend had to convince her that it was the genuine newspaper and not a fake.
Delyth Hughes read the proposal from her now fiance, Matthew Dick, while the pair were on holiday in Cornwall. She said "no" for a joke at first, before accepting. He said: "I had to tell her this was the real Times crossword, not something I had printed out myself."
The Times' crossword editor, Richard Rogan, said he believed it was the first time the paper had included a proposal in the puzzle, adding: "We won't be doing it again."
Records Office movepublished at 15:33 British Summer Time 17 June 2015
15:33 BST 17 June 2015
BBC Radio Devon
A campaign is building in North Devon to stop some of the area's historic archives being relocated to Exeter.
The planned closure of the Records Office in Barnstaple, external would mean documents - including the town's ancient charters - would be moved to save money.
One local historian has likened the idea to 'identity theft' - Devon County Council says the archive will remain in the county and available to the public but adds that a final decision hasn't been made yet.
Top Gear controversypublished at 15:26 British Summer Time 17 June 2015
15:26 BST 17 June 2015
via Facebook
You've been having your say on the controversial announcement that Chris Evans is the new host of the BBC's Top Gear show on the BBC Radio Devon Facebook page, external:
Stephen Foster: I think Chris Evans will be a good choice. Jodie Kidd would be good choice too as she is a real petrol head. Another channel is bound to pick up Clarkson, May and Hammond then we'll have a ratings war. That would be fun.
Chris Wilkins: Who cares, Chris Evans is a joke. Jeremy Clarkson was Top Gear... The BBC should just give up with it now
Phil Townsend: It was inevitable..... My money's on Jodie Kidd to co-present
Jacqui Scott: I don't care - won't be watching
Bioblitz in west Cornwallpublished at 15:15 British Summer Time 17 June 2015
15:15 BST 17 June 2015
BBC Radio Cornwall
Conservationists have been leading a small army of volunteers today in a survey to record as many plants and animals as possible over 14 hours at Godrevy.
The data will be used to see how wildlife along the coast is changing and how best to protect it - today's 'Bioblitz', external is one of 25 at National Trust sites across the UK this summer.
Have you seen Alex Myhill?published at 15:02 British Summer Time 17 June 2015
15:02 BST 17 June 2015
Claire Hawke
BBC Local LiveThe police are appealing for information after a man escaped from Torbay Hospital, external while in custody.
Image source, Devon & Cornwall PoliceOfficers say they are concerned for the welfare of Alex Myhill from Dawlish who left the hospital around 20:20 on Tuesday night.
Mr Myhill, 23, was arrested yesterday on suspicion of shoplifting in Dawlish but later taken to hospital after he became unwell.
Cornish drones help in drugs bustpublished at 14:48 British Summer Time 17 June 2015
14:48 BST 17 June 2015
Matt Pengelly
Local LiveA team from RNAS Culdrose has helped in the seizure of nearly one tonne of heroin worth approximately £98m in the Indian Ocean.
Image source, Royal NavySix boats carrying narcotics were boarded off the east coast of Africa.
Culdrose's newest Squadron - 700X - used its unmanned 'ScanEagles' drones to provide intelligence to an international task force which included British frigate HMS Richmond.
Anger as churchyard meadow mowedpublished at 14:38 British Summer Time 17 June 2015
14:38 BST 17 June 2015
Plymouth Herald
Council workers have accidentally mown down a wildflower meadow - including strimming around the sign telling people why the grass wasn't being cut, reports the Plymouth Herald, external.
Image source, Plymouth HeraldAngry residents have found four dead hedehogs as well as mangled birds and frogs in the aftermath of the clean-up in South East Cornwall
Tywardreath Churchyard at St Andrew's is part of the Living Churchyards project run by Cornwall Wildlife Trust and the Diocese of Cornwall, which aims to provide an oasis for wildlife.
The bungalow standing at Platform 2published at 14:30 British Summer Time 17 June 2015
14:30 BST 17 June 2015
Matt Pengelly
Local LiveHere's the perfect retirement home for a trainspotter - a house with its own historic railway carriage.
The bungalow has been built around the 1882 GWR train carriage and will go under the hammer in August.
Auctioneer Philip Care said: "It's totally unique, you walk in, there's a big hallway like a platform and there it is - a full railway carriage. I've never seen anything like it before."
Roads updatepublished at 14:22 British Summer Time 17 June 2015
14:22 BST 17 June 2015
BBC Travel
Very slow traffic is reported on the A380 Torquay Road and Newton Road northbound between Gallows Gate Roundabout in Torquay and Penn Inn Roundabout in Newton Abbot. Travel time is about 20 minutes.
The B3178 Salterton Road in Exmouth blocked in both directions between the Claremont Grove junction and the Bradham Lane junction, because of an overturned car. Diversion in operation - signed.
Fog and reduced visibility on the A30 Bodmin Moor around Temple.
Bulwark should have 'adequate replacement'published at 14:11 British Summer Time 17 June 2015
14:11 BST 17 June 2015
Press Association
Devonport-based Naval warship HMS Bulwark must be replaced by an "equivalent mission" when its deployment ends, MPs have heard.
Senior Labour MP Keith Vaz told the Commons the deployment of Bulwark is set to end on July 5, and he pressed ministers to ensure it is "adequately replaced" rather than a "small and poorly financed operation".
Mr Vaz, a former chairman of the Home Affairs Select Committee, told the Commons that 1,725 people have drowned in the last six months and the world was witnessing the worst displacement crisis since the Second World War.
Solitaire du Figaro yachts 'bring jellyfish'published at 14:04 British Summer Time 17 June 2015
14:04 BST 17 June 2015
John Ayres
BBC SpotlightBBC Spotlight's John Ayres tweets, external: The Solitaire du Figaro appears to be bringing large jellyfish with it!
Zoo 'saddened' by giraffe deathpublished at 13:56 British Summer Time 17 June 2015
13:56 BST 17 June 2015
Andrew Segal
Local LiveA Devon zoo says staff have been "saddened" by a rare Rothschild's giraffe born last month, external having to be put to sleep by vets.
Image source, Paignton ZooThe male calf, born in front of visitors (pictured), was found collapsed in his stall at Paignton Zoo after becoming weak as a result of not feeding properly. Head vet Ghislaine Sayers said: "He was getting enough milk, first from his mother and then from staff, so there is likely to be an underlying cause."
Zoo spokesperson Phil Knowling said: "We all know that with animals, whether they are domestic pets, farm animals or exotic zoo species, there are ups and downs, good times and bad. This is definitely one of the bad times. People here are saddened by this."
Hoff says region 'good enough to film Baywatch'published at 13:50 British Summer Time 17 June 2015
13:50 BST 17 June 2015
Western Morning News
Baywatch star David Hasselhoff has praised Westcountry beaches and said that the TV show could easily be filmed in the South West, the Western Morning News reports, external.
Image source, Ben A Pruchnie/Getty ImagesThe Hoff, as he's known by his fans, said the hit series could have easily been filmed on a British beach.
"It could certainly work in Devon and Cornwall," he said.
Latest headlinespublished at 13:41 British Summer Time 17 June 2015
13:41 BST 17 June 2015
Claire Hawke
BBC Local LiveThe top stories on BBC Local Live: Devon & Cornwall:
The government says Britain will continue to play a full part in the operation to rescue migrants when HMS Bulwark leaves the area, sparking concerns military aid will be downgraded
A man has been arrested on suspicion of stalking and harassment after two people were injured by a suspicious package near Truro
Devon & Cornwall Police say better systems for reporting child sex offences may be a reason for a dramatic increase in cases
Politicians in Cornwall express concerns about a government letter pushing for private finance for a proposed stadium
'Active discussions for new SW trainspublished at 13:34 British Summer Time 17 June 2015
13:34 BST 17 June 2015
Martyn Oates
Political editor, South WestMartyn Oates tweets, external: @George_Osborne says "active discussions" on sealing deal on new Hitachi hybrid trains for SW. News later in summer. #pmqs
Nearly a cross word over marriage proposalpublished at 13:27 British Summer Time 17 June 2015
13:27 BST 17 June 2015
A woman who had a marriage proposal via clues in The Times crossword on Tuesday turned down the offer made in Cornwall at first, her now fiancé says.
Lawyer Matthew Dick persuaded the paper to include clues and answers which would help him pop the question to girlfriend Delyth Hughes on her birthday while they were on holiday.
Mr Dick said: "She looked so surprised and didn't say anything for about 30 seconds, before then saying 'No', which she thought was hilarious. But she did then say 'Yes' and I had to tell her this was the real Times crossword, not something I had printed out myself."
Replacing Clarksonpublished at 13:20 British Summer Time 17 June 2015
13:20 BST 17 June 2015
Bill Buckley
Presenter, BBC Radio DevonWhen we talked about Jeremy Clarkson leaving Top Gear, we got more calls than ever before on the phone-in!
Now we know his replacement, we thought we'd ask what you think .... is Chris Evans a good or bad choice?
Image source, PAThe next question we all want answered: who will present alongside him? Let me know your thoughts by calling the phone-in on 0345 3011034.
Bulwark's work will continuepublished at 13:11 British Summer Time 17 June 2015
13:11 BST 17 June 2015
Rebecca Keating
BBC NewsGeorge Osborne has promised that Britain will continue to play a full part in the operation to rescue migrants attempting to cross the Mediterranean, once Plymouth-based HMS Bulwark leaves the area next month.
The Chancellor made the statement as he stood in for David Cameron at Prime Minsters' Questions.
The assault ship has rescued thousands of migrants from unseaworthy boats since it joined the European rescue effort last month.
