Paignton Zoo Environmental Park is celebrating its first orang utan birth in 16 years.

Bornean orang utan Mali gave birth on Thursday 11th April. The last orang to be born at Paignton Zoo was female Gambira, on 22nd March 1997.

Paignton Zoo Environmental Park Director of Operations and Curator of Mammals Neil Bemment said: "We are absolutely thrilled that our years of patience have been rewarded and that Mali is proving to be an excellent and attentive mother. The babies are such enchanting and vulnerable looking creatures that you can't help but want to do something to save orangs from extinction."

Zoo spokesperson Phil Knowling said: "Mother and baby have access to the show dens in the Ape Centre but inevitably the baby is going to be difficult to spot at first. It should be more active and a great draw for the summer season."

Bornean orang utans have suffered declines but the population is estimated at around 50,000. To put this in context, there are fewer Bornean orang utans in the entire world than there are human beings in Torquay (the population of Torquay is about 62,000).

The Bornean orang utan (Pongo pygmaeus) is threatened by hunting, the pet trade and the destruction of its rainforest habitat. Forest is being destroyed to create palm oil plantations. Given the declining populations, measures such as switching to alternative oil products and maintaining sustainable populations of orangs in zoos are becoming ever more important.

Paignton Zoo and Living Coasts are working to become palm-oil free sites. Curator of Mammals Neil Bemment is vice-coordinator of the orang-utan European Endangered species Programme, which coordinates the efforts of top European zoos to conserve the species.

MOVING house in the current financial climate can be a daunting for anyone – from single professionals to large families.

But, despite that and the other concerns which surround the housing market, there are still plenty of happy movers around Exeter.

James Priday, aged 25, an investment manager, is one such person.

He has recently moved into a two-bedroom apartment which overlooks Exeter Cathedral.

The address is a Grade II listed building, a former bank, and sits in between the High Street and Cathedral Yard.

The top-floor apartment has two double bedrooms, one of which is en-suite, an open-plan living room and kitchen and a bathroom with spa bath and a double shower.

Estate agents Pyne and Lyon said: "The apartment is well-suited for young professionals, a retiree, a first-time buyer or a discerning investor."

Mr Priday said: "I was not really worried about moving in this financial climate as I got a very good deal. The apartment was on sale for a very good price.

"Interest rates are low at the moment, so it makes sense to borrow now."

Mr Priday was also successful in avoiding other concerns that are often raised by would-be movers.

He said: "I didn't have to look at too many other properties. I only saw about three others.

"Things ran smoothly thanks to the selling agent, even though this was a complex purchase.

"The agent took the lead in talking to the two lawyers on either side and it was pushed through quickly."

Mr Priday chose the apartment because of its prime location in relation to his business – Prydis Wealth Investment Managers, which is based in the city centre.

IN the words of Winston Churchill, it was "the worst journey in the world", and Bob Selley is among the ever-diminishing band of men alive to have done it.

It was a journey into sub-zero temperatures, mountainous seas, biting gale-force winds and almost constant darkness, with an icy death awaiting on your shoulder at all times.

It was the Arctic Convoys taking vital supplies from Britain to Russia.

Scores of ships were sunk, hundreds of brave men died and thousands were left scarred for life in that desperate bid to keep the Soviets battling on a second front against the might of Germany.

Bob, 92, of Leigh Dene Close, St Leonard's, Exeter, survived four such trips into hell and back.

"I can't help wondering if there are any more like me left," he said. "I might be the last one, I don't know, but I'd love to find out. There must be three or four still alive in their 90s."

Born and brought up in Alphington, when it was still a village separate from Exeter, Bob's father was away serving in the Royal Navy at the start of the Second World War.

Bob, a village schoolboy, was one of two pupils to win a scholarship to the old Hele's School, then fee-paying. The other was Margaret Nutting who went on to become headmistress of Queen Elizabeth Grammar School in Crediton.

Bob, who himself was to become Devon's chief ambulance officer, was inducted into the war as a teenager when the village bobby took him aside and told him he had been chosen for "secret war work".

"It turned out I was one of three lads who had been chosen for secret underground work, a bit like the French marquis.

"We met up with a Professor Arnold Riley from Exeter University who took us out to Dawlish woods with explosives and showed us how to sabotage and blow up German tanks and lorries should they invade.

"You have to remember that at that time everyone was very nervous and worried and tension was high about an invasion that seemed imminent. Prof Riley told us: "I don't suppose you will live very long!"

When the threat of an invasion had passed Bob applied to join the Fleet Air Arm and joined up, aged 20, as a Naval Airman 2nd Class, spending three months at Gosport learning navigation, Morse code, flag waving and the customs of the Royal Navy.

After more training at Birmingham, then Nether Avon, on Tiger Moths he went to Crail in the north east of Scotland flying Swordfish, single-engined biplanes affectionately known as Stringbags.

After a spell at the Royal Navy College, Greenwich, to learn how to be an officer and gentlemen. Bob was sent home on leave to await an appointment.

He said: "After three days I sent a telegram to the Admiralty saying I am still awaiting information, and they replied that I should join 825 Squadron at Lee-on-Solent.

"The squadron had been decimated when it had engaged the battleships Gneisenau and Sharnhorst – known as the Ugly Sisters – when they broke through the English Channel and all six Swordfish were lost.

"After that I joined 835 Squadron and flew from escort carriers, HMS Activity, HMS Battler and HMS Chaser on Atlantic convoy duty before joining HMS Nairana and sailing from Scapa Flow for the Arctic Circle and northern Russia.

"It was November/December and it was pitch black for 22 hours a day with just two hours of twilight. The seas were mountainous with the ship rolling 40 to 50 degrees from the upright and pitching 30 to 40 feet up and down in snowstorms driven by 60 knot winds."

The captain was a seaman who knew nothing about flying.

"On one particular occasion he called our squadron commanding officer and ordered an aircraft take off and check ahead for German U-boat," he said. "It was a 60-knot snowstorm and the ship was pitching about like a cork.

"The CO said he wasn't going to send any of his pilots up in that weather but would ask for a volunteer. He told me what the captain wanted and said if I refused he would tell him he was refusing to go and take the court martial on himself.

"I said OK and I took off with the CO as the observer. We had been up about 20 minutes when the CO asked if I could go faster. I asked why, and he told me we were still over the convoy.

"Following that the engine just stopped. To save weight we dropped all our depth charges which weren't armed so didn't go off and our flares, which did go off – and there was the convoy still below us.

"The power of the wind kept the propeller turning giving us just enough to stay in the air. The engine then started up and I headed back to Nairana. I don't know how many times I went round but I finally managed to land. The captain called us up the bridge and all he said was: 'You made a bloody good job of illuminating the convoy!'

"In another incident we were being shadowed by a German reconnaissance aircraft flying out of Norway. The weather was too bad for the Wildcat fighters to go up so they sent me with my observer Dave Newbury.

"We no longer had an air gunner, because his space was needed for our radar, so Dave grabbed a Tommy gun from the ship's armoury. We were directed to the German aircraft but it must have picked up our messages and thought we were a Wildcat because they flew off.

"I believe it was the only time a Swordfish was used as a nightfighter."

"Survival time in the water if one had to ditch our aircraft was a maximum of four minutes before you froze to death.

"Some aircrews had to be hoisted out of their aircraft after they landed on as they were literally frozen stiff. In addition the seas were so rough that the carrier was rolling through 80 degrees – 40 degrees to port and then 40 degrees to starboard. There were several times when I thought we were going to capsize.

"That was all before account had to be taken of the other perils we had to contend with. The Germans, with their control of Norway, were able to position their JU88 aircraft along the coast to our south and attack us at will. There was also the constant menace of U-boat attacks."

It was after his fourth convoy, from Russia back to Great Britain, that Bob and his flying colleagues was sent home on leave and then Dorset where he flew Seafires and Spitfires and met his wife Margaret, who was serving as a WREN. He stayed in the RNR, going on to fly Sea Fury aircraft from Yeovilton, only leaving in 1956 as a Lieutenant Commander RNR.

The couple moved to their present home in St Leonard's in 1959, Bob going on to become chief ambulance officer for Devon.

It took more than 70 years for British governments to finally recognise the vital and daring work done by those on the Arctic Convoys.

At long last a campaign medal for the heroes of the Arctic has been awarded.

Bob said: "Mine arrived on March 30 – two days before April Fool's Day. I really would like to know if there are any other Arctic Convoy survivors around – but whatever you do, don't make me out to be any kind of hero."

KEITH Roderick drove 100 miles and travelled across seven decades to meet the sister he never knew he had in Exeter.

In an emotional get-together there was hardly a dry eye in Shirley Harris' front room when the two met for the first time.

Shirley, 74, in her new Marks & Spencer floral dress and Keith, resplendent in his Welsh red shirt, hugged and kissed like long-lost brother and sister should.

Shirley said: "It is amazing to see him here like this after all these years.

"I always thought I might have a brother but to see him now is wonderful.

"I have been counting down the minutes since I knew he was coming and yet I still can't quite believe it."

Keith, 69, who had travelled from Cwmbran, in South Wales, for the day, said: "She is wonderful. This has been such a great day. I don't know what to say but I know I will not be losing contact with her ever again."

Shirley, who lives in Abbeville Close, St Leonard's, was adopted before Keith was born to their mother. She said: "I was only small when I was adopted but for some reason I always told myself I had a brother. I don't really know why.

"It was about 40 years ago that I tried to find out more about my family and I saw my gran in Exmouth. She showed me a picture of the lad. She said she would get in touch with him but she never did, I suppose.

"After all these years, to finally find I do have a brother – it is a wonderful, happy story – a dream come true."

The day did not start that well for Keith – as he approached Shirley's home he could hear the loud squawks of her pet parrot Alfie.

"I hate parrots," he said with some trepidation. "I had a bad experience with a big one in Spain once and I don't get on with them. But this is worth it."

Alfie escaped from his cage and flew around the small room as Keith and Shirley kissed and hugged.

"I'll shoot that parrot if he doesn't shut up," joked Keith, before looking at Shirley and saying: "You look wonderful You are not bad for your age you know, and I'm not far behind you.

"It is almost like a miracle, like a missing piece in a jigsaw. I never knew I had a sister until about a month ago. I am so lucky. It seems my mother had a daughter when she was just 18 and hadn't told any of the family about it.

"I came along later and when I was a kid I was always going to Exmouth. I was coming down here for years not knowing I had a sister just a few miles away in Exeter.

"I have put together a folder of our family tree and I'm going to go through it with Shirley.

Then, like any brother would, he gently berated his sister for smoking cigarettes.

"We want a long time together now we found each other," he said.

SWEETHAM Cottage is a newly-built bespoke cottage on an individual plot a few miles from Newton St Cyres and a stone's throw from the popular Beer Engine pub and train station.

Situated approximately five miles from Exeter with transport links nearby into town, facilities including a primary school, playing fields, tennis courts and a golf course all nearby.

The property is beautifully finished in a character-cottage style with features including oak beams, oak lintel, window sills as well as reclaimed pine cottage doors throughout.

Accommodation includes a spacious entrance hall with tumbled marble flooring.

The living/dining room is fitted with solid oak flooring and a multi fuel stove, with French doors opening onto the garden and an oak beam.

There is a farmhouse-style kitchen with integrated fridge/freezer and dishwasher and Rangemaster dual fuel range cooker with oak beam and tumbled marble flooring.

There is a separate utility room with space for a washing machine and tumble dryer and housing a gas combi boiler and downstairs WC.

Upstairs are three doubles and a single bedroom/study, with an en-suite shower room to the master. There is also a period-style bathroom.

There is a driveway with planning permission being sought for a garage/workshop.

The pretty cottage gardens open onto farmland with rural views.

Finished with painted wooden double glazed windows and benefiting from gas central heating and a six-year architect's certificate, this beautiful family home offers character country living in an energy efficient and light property, with the added bonus of being offered with no chain. It is on the market for £375,000.

Contact estate agents Underhills on 01392 434172 to view.

THE Express & Echo's Get Moving campaign has showcased some of the most positive stories to come out of the local property market during the first quarter of the year.

Launched with the intention of injecting optimism and buoyancy back into the housing market in Exeter and the surrounding areas, we have not had to look hard to uncover signs that things are on the up for buyers and sellers and those industries closely linked to the property scene.

Starting in early February, estate agents welcomed our attempt to help them build on what was a busy winter for sales.

And since then the Echo has offered readers a detailed insight into why now is the time to get moving.

The merits of the Government's First Buy scheme, aimed at first-time buyers, have been discussed, while an initiative launched in the Exeter area which will see agents and solicitors working closer together in order to make the moving process quicker has been applauded.

The campaign has also featured expert opinions, with Bainbridge Tancock of Bainbridge's discussing how Exeter could benefit from the London ripple effect.

Mr Tancock said: "There is definitely light at the end of the tunnel for the property market in Exeter and the surrounding areas. People are positive about selling and they are more accepting of offers.

Stags' Simon Cooper examined how the executive homes market is faring.

He said: "We have had the busiest start to the year for six years in the mid-to-upper price bracket, with a lot of activity despite the very wintry weather, so it is a good time if you think 2013 could be the year to move."

Meanwhile, Peter Marriott of Westexe Mortgage Solutions talked mortgages for first-time buyers.

Mr Marriott said: "I think it's about time people became more positive about what's out there.

"It's not all doom and gloom. Subject to status and affordability, there are mortgages out there for people, and the situation for first-time buyers is certainly not as bad as the majority of people think."

However the Get Moving campaign still has work to do in the coming weeks and months, as the area gears up for a potentially busy spring period, so continue to look out for the Get Moving logo in future editions of the Express & Echo's Property section.

EXETER City Council is to face a jury after denying that safety failings led to the death of an 80-year-old grandmother who fell off a ferry.

Dorothy Stevens, from Silverton, died in July 2010 after her walking stick broke as she was getting off the historic Butts Ferry at Exeter Quay.

The hand-pulled chair ferry on Exeter Quay is operated by Exeter City Council which is facing prosecution by the Health and Safety Executive over the death.

A trial date has been set for December 2 this year after the council's barrister Ian Dixey indicated they intend to plead not guilty to the charge when the case is heard at Exeter Crown Court. The council is accused of failing to conduct the ferry safely because they had not done everything reasonably practical to ensure the safety of those getting on and off.

Judge Francis Gilbert, QC, adjourned the case and set a timetable for the exchange of experts' reports from the prosecution and defence.

A TEENAGE girl whose head was "kicked like a football" in a horrifying late-night attack in Exeter said she feels safer now the offender has been jailed.

Gabrielle Clarke spoke out after her attacker – a former work colleague she considered a friend – was sentenced to nine months in prison.

Miss Clarke had been for drinks with friends from South West Water in October last year and had to deter the unwelcome advances of former colleague Alexander Vernon throughout the evening.

And as she waited for a train home on the platform at Digby and Sowton he continued to pursue her and launched the vicious attack that the judge said could have killed her.

Miss Clarke, 18, of St Thomas, told the Echo she lay dazed and confused on the floor while he bounced her head up and down with his foot.

The brutal attack was only stopped by the presence of a passer-by. Miss Clarke, who has lived her whole life in Exeter, needed hospital treatment for concussion and whiplash and is still feeling the effects several months later.

Vernon, 28, of Fore Street, Exeter, admitted ABH. But after the sentencing Miss Clarke told the Echo he was lucky it was not a more serious charge.

She said: "I am happy he is jailed but if it was my choice it would have been a lot more.

"Maybe I am lucky. Even though it hurt and my injuries changed things for me at least there is nothing that has changed for the rest of my life.

"He was not showing any signs of stopping and I wonder what would have happened if he had not been disturbed. He would have carried on."

Recalling the incident Miss Clarke, who had left South West Water a few days previously, said she met Vernon and some other former colleagues for a few drinks and then at about 10.30pm left to catch a train home.

"He had been weird all night and I did not want to be around him. He was very drunk and followed me to the station. I told him to leave me alone.

"I moved into the seated area. He came over and started to cry – telling me how much he loved me. I laughed at him and then put my headphones in.

"I was looking away and then felt something hit the left side of my head. I fell onto my side and he started stamping on me.

"He kept kicking me in the face and was leaning against the railings to get a better grip. He was driving his foot down with his whole body weight.

"He was bouncing my head like a ball onto the ground. I just remember feeling dizzy and thinking what is going on – he is supposed to be my friend. All he said was 'you are not laughing now.' It was so unexpected. When the woman turned up to disturb him he said I deserved everything I got. But then, like the coward he was, he ran off."

Miss Clarke said she could not stop crying after the incident.

"I felt nauseous, dizzy and disorientated," she added.

"I was confused and not sure what was going on. At the time I was in such shock that I did not register the pain but I could not move my neck or head."

Friends turned up to help escort her home and the following day she went to hospital where she was told she had suffered whiplash and concussion.

Miss Clarke said it took her around a month to get over the physical effects of the attack but she will often still lose focus and has trouble with her eyesight.

"After it happened I could not go out. Even to this day when I am walking alone I panic thinking something could happen. If someone I thought was a friend could do this to me then what could a stranger be capable of.

"I still don't feel safe in the town where I have lived my whole life but feel more comfortable now he is in prison."

Sentencing Vernon, Judge Francis Gilbert said: "It was a violent and unprovoked attack. Stamping on someone's head is extremely dangerous and can and does often lead to serious injury or even death."

The court heard Vernon, who lost his job at South West Water, was unable to explain the attack and has started therapy to control his drinking. He had never been in trouble before and acted totally out of character, his defence team said.

A MAN wounded by a knife in an unprovoked attack by a gang in Exmouth said he feels lucky to be alive.

Aaron Gill, 24, suffered stab wounds to his leg when he stopped in Summer Lane to check on one of his tyres.

Three men approached him and, after they fled the scene on foot, Mr Gill noticed his leg gushing with blood.

Police have launched an appeal to catch the suspects and said there appears to be no motive for the attack.

Mr Gill, who lives with a partner and daughter in Torquay, was taken to Exmouth Hospital where he was treated.

He said: "Thankfully I appear to be ok physically but I have not been able to go back to work yet. My head is a bit messed up.

"I feel lucky to have escaped without serious injury. I could have died."

Police have issued an appeal for witnesses to the attack at around 9am on Friday and information and said the suspects are all white males, aged in their mid-20s, who were all wearing dark clothing. Following the attack they fled across a footpath.

Contact DC Randall on 101 quoting KE/13/757.

EXETER estate agents Knight Frank are celebrating their fastest sale so far this year.

In a further sign of the demand for properties in the area, they managed to agree a sale worth £830,000 for a beachfront house in Budleigh Salterton in less than seven days.

While attending a competitive pitch for business at the seaside property last month, Isabel Clifton knew that the house would be perfect for a buyer she already had on her books.

After being instructed and arranging a viewing for the buyer, a sale was agreed that very week off a guide price of £830,000 and contracts have now exchanged.

The owners, who had lived in the property for more than 20 years, were thrilled that not only had the house sold so quickly but also that it didn't need to go on the open market.

Isabel said: "We have a large number of quality local, national and often international buyers on our books looking for that perfect property in the South West and in this case I knew instantly who the right buyer for this property in Cliff Terrace would be.

"The owners were absolutely delighted to be able to sell their house so quickly, easily and at the right price. It was a very smooth transaction."

Budleigh Salterton is a popular seaside town on the Jurassic coast, only 15 miles from Exeter. The property on Cliff Terrace is a large semi-detached, five bedroom house with origins dating back to 1815 and is located in one of the town's most desirable roads with open views of the beach and bay beyond.

The property has access and a garage at the rear as well as a garden in front of the house. Just across the road is a further lawned garden with a summerhouse and a gate that leads directly on to the beach.

After the sale was agreed in double-quick time, vendor Martin Wooller said: "Throughout Isabel Clifton at Knight Frank has been most professional and helpful with a very proactive approach."