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Temperatures in Devon are set to plummet and are likely to remain below the winter average right through until March, forecasters have warned. The Met Office has said the 'big freeze' will begin next week, with snow in the North of the country and an icy blast bringing an end to the mild spell in the South. The normal average January temperature is just 3.6C with December only slightly warmer at 3.9C. The Met Office said: "Indications are that December will most likely be colder than average. "For December-January-February as a whole uncertainty is quite large but below-average temperatures are more likely than above-average." It is believed the below-average conditions could last for the next three months with what has been described as "a long, hard winter". James Madden, forecaster for Exacta Weather, said: "A significant change to much colder conditions is likely to develop next week. This wintry blast has all the ingredients to become a potentially widespread snow event. "This will give an appropriate feel to the weather at the start of what is set to be a long, hard winter with abundant snowfall. "January in particular could see temperatures hovering at several degrees below the seasonal average for a prolonged period of time." Bookmakers are giving 5/1 odds of a white Christmas, although forecasters have said it is too early to say for sure. The Express have reported that long-range forecasters warned that this winter could be one of the worst in history. Jonathan Powell, forecaster for Vantage Weather Services, told the newspaper: "Signs at the moment are that this winter could break records. "Although it is milder at the moment, it will quickly descend into a much colder theme towards the end of December and into next year. "Temperatures may well struggle to get above freezing during the day, sinking much lower overnight at times. There is every possibility we could parallel one of the severe historic winters like 1947 or 1962. "Although it is early, it is best to be prepared and this winter could deliver something really nasty. We could see one of the worst winters in history." The warning comes days after official figures revealed the number of deaths last winter in the South West because of the cold was 27% higher than the previous year - with more than 3,000 deaths. The ONS said there were 31,000 additional deaths in England last winter with March, when the number would normally begin to subside, being almost as high as the peak month of January.

Devon weather: 'Big Freeze' to return with colder than average temperatures for the next three months

Exeter Chiefs wing Jack Nowell and his team-mates have been putting in the hard yards in training this week as they look to make up the inches which will help them take on the Premiership's 'big four'. In a tight league where points on the board are precious and victories are almost always earned the hard way, Chiefs again proved they can more than mix it with the top sides, but getting over the line requires just that little bit extra. Certainly, the television match official thought so against top side Saracens at Sandy Park last Saturday, with Exeter flanker Tom Johnson adjudged to be just a whisker away from what could have been a last-minute, match-drawing try. "We were making the opportunities [against Saracens] and just the TMO decision went against us at the end," said 20-year-old Nowell. "So we are getting there as a team, now it's just about going that extra inch over the line to finish these sides off." And, with Chiefs travelling to third-placed Bath tomorrow, flying wing Nowell admits the focus is less on ending a winless run against their bogey side, and more about ensuring they sustain performance levels from the first minute to the last. They did not quite manage that the last time they visited the Rec, two weeks ago, conceding two tries in the opening six minutes of their LV= Cup encounter and being unable to recover. And, with the narrow home loss to Sarries still fresh in the mind, Nowell can see motivation enough to put some matters right. He said: "I think we have a lot to make up for from the last time we played Bath, and a lot to prove. "It's never nice to go down two tries and be at 14-0 within six minutes played. Rarely are a lot of tries scored in the Premiership now because it's so close, so two tries is a lot to come back from, so we made it very hard for ourselves. "It would be nice to quieten the crowd up there early on. The crowd are a big part of playing at Bath and they get behind their team a lot. I think a couple of weeks ago, with their side scoring those two tries very early, it made it a lot worse for us, so we'd very much like to go up there and get on top straight away. "With our squad this year, the team we went up there with was very good, we just didn't show up in the first couple of minutes. Now, with the boys coming back who had rested for those two weeks [of the LV= Cup] we just have to go and play as a team again." Despite the 16-9 loss to Saracens which kept them in fifth place, a point behind Harlequins and level with Leicester, Nowell can see plenty of reasons why Chiefs could be optimistic about securing their first winning margin against Bath since 1978. He said: "It's the same every Saturday, it doesn't matter who we're playing, we just have to perform. Obviously with that result a couple of weeks ago we just need to make sure we get off the bus and are ready to play straight away. "There's a lot of chat about us not having beaten them. But it's just like any game in the Premiership – it's a physical game, no different to any other."

Jack Nowell: Exeter Chiefs can break top four

A leading union has ruled out industrial action over plans for 500 job cuts at Exeter-based airline Flybe. Unite has pledged to scrutinise the company's cost-cutting plans in a bid to avoid compulsory redundancies, but it is understood that the union has no plans to ballot staff on strike action. Representatives of Unite, the British Airline Pilots' Association (BALPA), Unite and Prospect met Flybe management this week as consultation continues over the proposed cuts, which include 116 redundancies in Exeter. A Unite spokeswoman said Flybe had been "very open" but stressed that the consultation process was still at an early stage. Flybe chief executive Saad Hammad has previously thanked union and staff representatives for the "very constructive manner" in which the talks began earlier this month. Unite regional officer Rob Miguel said: "The airline faces some real challenges to its UK business with Flybe pulling out of several UK bases and routes. Our members have borne the brunt of these cuts over the past year. To date, Unite has ensured that no compulsory redundancies have taken place and we expect the company to work with us to achieve that aim going forward. "Our priorities are to ensure as many jobs as possible are secure and we will be working hard once again to try to make it a reality." Among those facing the prospect of redundancy are 179 pilots. BALPA has said it expects all bases except Manchester to see a reduction in pilot numbers, while Flybe is proposing to close its bases at Aberdeen, Guernsey, Inverness, Isle of Man, Jersey and Newcastle. Knock-on effects on routes are not yet known. BALPA's general secretary Jim McAuslan said: "Flybe needs to get back on the right track, but it is extremely disappointing that redundancies will be needed to do that. We will be working with the company day-in, day-out to keep compulsory redundancies to an absolute minimum and to help pilots who have loyally served the company and its passengers find new jobs. "Pilots and their families will be suffering as they await further news. But so will the communities and islands served by Flybe who – apart from losing high-quality jobs from the area – will be wanting assurances that their connectivity will continue. "Flybe plays an important part in connecting the countries, regions and islands of the UK and it would harm the local economy of those areas if connections are lost. That is why the Government should assist Flybe by reducing Air Passenger Duty." If the proposed cuts go ahead, staff affected will leave the company in two phases, at the end of January and the end of March. As the home of the airline's headquarters, aircraft maintenance hub and training academy, Exeter is facing the prospect of more job losses than any other location. Flybe is also proposing to close its bases in Aberdeen, Guernsey, Inverness, the Isle of Man, Jersey and Newcastle. The new cost-cutting drive was announced as Flybe reported pre-tax profits of £13.8m for the six months to the end of September, compared with a loss of £1.6m a year earlier. It comes on top of the first two phases of a turnaround plan unveiled in January and is expected to deliver an extra £7m of savings this year and £26m next year. Flybe cut 490 jobs in 2012-13, with a further 100 going in the first half of 2013-14. It now employs 2,700 people. The current proposals would leave Flybe with about 2,200 employees.

Strikes ruled out as unions aim to minimise Flybe redundancies

Shoppers in Exeter are on the lookout for bargains as the Black Friday phenomenon continues to sweep the UK. In America, the Friday after Thanksgiving traditionally heralds the start of the Christmas shopping season, with retailers competing to woo customers with big discounts. With a growing number of UK retailers following suit, John Lewis, Boots, Debenhams and the Apple store in Princesshay are among the Exeter shops holding special one-day shopping events with discounts on certain products. A variety of other retailers are currently holding sales, including Debenhams, Karen Millen, Hobbs and LK Bennett, though their promotions are believed to be early festive period sales not necessarily related to Black Friday. Wayne Pearce, Princesshay centre director, said: "The run up to Christmas is in full swing. We had an incredible turnout to the Christmas lights switch-on event and a successful Christmas shopping event on Thursday, November 28. "Our retailers have some fantastic Christmas offers and we look forward to welcoming visitors and shoppers to the centre this Christmas."

Exeter shoppers snap up Black Friday bargains

A judge has shown mercy on a man who abused a young girl after hearing that he was only a teenager at the time and is no longer a risk to children. Jason Cheshire, 26, abused a girl who was seven years younger than him when he was aged 14 to 17 and the offences came to light after she made disclosures during counselling. He escaped jail after a probation assessment concluded he was not a paedophile and did not pose any risk to others. Father-of-two Cheshire, of Royal Crescent, Exeter, pleaded guilty to four offences of indecency and one of attempted rape against the same young victim. He was ordered to receive two years supervision under a community order and told he must remain on the Sex offenders' Register for five years. Judge Francis Gilbert, QC, said: "I am taking a very, very exceptional course. The police have seen the pre-sentence report and support a community penalty with supervision and monitoring. "You made a full confession and have shown remorse and regret." Mary McCarthy, prosecuting, said the offences happened in Exeter when Cheshire was an adolescent and came to light as a result of the victim revealing them during counselling and going to the police last year. She said the most serious offence was an attempted rape which took place while Cheshire was in a swimming pool and the victim was aged about ten. All the offences happened when he was aged 14 to 16 or 17. Nigel Wraith, defending, said: "The probation service have liaised with the police and the social services and the overwhelming view of that assessment is that, despite these offences and the problems he had in early life, he is not regarded as a paedophile or as posing any risk in the future."

Judge shows mercy on Exeter man who abused a young girl

Devon & Somerset Fire & Rescue Service is looking for people in the Seaton community to be on-call or 'retained' firefighters. No previous experience of fire fighting is necessary for this role – the ideal prospective firefighter starts with a commitment to the community, a positive attitude and a good level of fitness.

This is an opportunity for men and women who live and/or work within five minutes response time to the fire station to potentially save lives in fire, flood and road traffic emergencies. Being on-call means that you provide a level of cover whilst at work or at home and when you are needed your pager will alert you to attend the station.

People who can give cover during the day are particularly needed. Many people have primary occupations whilst on-call - either employed or self-employed, the Service has examples of employees in factories, shops, takeaways and restaurants who are on-call firefighters.

You need to be over 18 and have a good level of fitness and strength, but sometimes people overestimate the levels required and this can deter them (particularly women) from applying. The Service will give people advice and help in preparing for both the written and practical assessments. Equally living with a disability is not automatically a barrier to operational fire fighting; it depends on the nature of the disability. Once you are recruited full training is provided.

We are an inclusive employer and are working towards a workforce which reflects the local community , so if you are interested please come along to Seaton Fire Station on Mondays between 7pm and 9pm and find out what it means to be an on-call firefighter.

Hundreds of children are expected to attend Exeter Cathedral's Christingle service, which for many heralds the start of the Christmas season. Nearly 500 Christingles – made up of an orange, candle and sweets – will be put together by volunteers beforehand to ensure every child receives one at the service on Saturday, November 30 at 4pm. This service is in aid of The Children's Society, which works with some of this country's most disadvantaged children. This year the focus of The Children''s Society annual appeal is on child poverty. A Christingle is a lighted candle mounted on an orange. On the orange are four cocktail sticks with sweets. The Christingle symbolises the world, the fruits of the seasons and the candle represents Jesus, the Light of the World. Last year, around £1.2 million was raised for The Children's Society at Christingle services throughout the country. This helped 30,000 vulnerable children.

Hundreds of children expected for Exeter Cathedral Christingle service

AN entire Exeter street is becoming one big Advent Calendar for Christmas. Portland Street, in Newtown is embracing the festive countdown which is the braincild of residents Louise Fearns and her husband Steve. Said Louise: "Portland Street lends itself to a project like this as it is a long Victorian terrace with over a hundred houses. "Steve and I run a design and marketing agency, Sfimedia Ltd, from our home in Portland Street and creativity and community spirit have always been important factors in our lives. We are very involved in our children's school Newtown Primary as Governor and on the PTA. "In times gone by everyone knew everyone on this street and people's doors were always open. There were shops in the middle of the street where residents met and chatted and children played in the street, there being no cars to worry about. "Nowadays life is very different. A large proportion of the houses are rented to students who only stay a couple of years before moving on. People don't know their neighbours anymore let alone residents who live at the other end of the street to them. "In this project each participating house is given a date in Advent. They create a seasonal display in their sitting room window and then reveal it on their date like a giant living Advent calendar. " Each day people can walk down the street and see a new window unveiled. "By Christmas Eve there will be a street full of lovely scenes, lights and decorations to look at. It gives people a common interest, something to talk about with their neighbours and a sense of who lives in the street." Louise sent a letter to everyone in Portland Street explaining the project along with a list of ideas to get people started and went door to door to encourage some of the student houses to get involved. She said: "I soon had lots of responses from very enthusiastic people saying they couldn't wait to get started on their display. "We now have more than 24 houses involved so on some of the days there will be two displays being revealed! Through doing this I've already met a lot of lovely people on the street and many people I know living in other streets have said how much they would like to do the same next year. "Wouldn't it be great if it caught on?" Come and have a look for yourselves from now until December 24 or follow the event on Facebook at www.facebook.co.uk/sfimedia as it unfolds.

A drunken intruder has been jailed for an attack in which he forced a vulnerable victim to strip naked before locking him into a tiny dog cage. Colin Daniels throttled the terrified householder with a piece of electric cord and punched and headbutted him before humiliating him by making him climb into the cage. He left victim David Collier trapped naked inside the metal pen after tying it shut with the electric flex after he fled the scene. The terrified man was only rescued because a neighbour in the house in Tiverton heard the commotion and went to check on him, Exeter Crown Court was told. Daniels, aged 38, of The Maples, Barnstaple, who was living at Cannington Road, Witheridge, at the time, admitted causing actual bodily harm and was jailed for two years. A second man who took part in the attack and who stole some of Mr Collier's property from the flat at The Retreat, Tiverton, has not been identified. Judge Francis Gilbert, QC, told Daniels:"The victim was alone and you had been drinking. You put an electric cable around his neck from behind and pulled it tight so he could not breathe and feared for his life. "He managed to get his fingers between the cord and his neck but you told him to take them away. He did not and began to release the ligature and you responded by punching him twice in the face and headbutting him. "With the ligature still around his neck, you forced him to strip naked apart from his socks and to get into that dog cage, which you secured with the cable to prevent him escaping. "You told him if he grassed on you he would be dead. He was rescued by a concerned neighbour and his victim impact statement shows this has had an enduring effect on him. "This was a very serious assault. It was sustained and there were two of you attacking this man in his own home. You used the cable as a weapon." Miss Mary McCarthy, prosecuting, said Daniels and the other man arrived at Mr Collier's flat at 5.30 pm carrying whisky and he invited them in and at first everything went well. Daniels asked if he could find a cannabis dealer and attacked him when he failed, cutting the cord off his vacuum cleaner and using it to throttle him. The victim was left with cuts and bruises on his face and a cut and red mark on his neck and is psychologically scarred by being locked in the dog cage. The two intruders left with some of his property and his dogs, which were found by police after being released to stray on the streets of Tiverton. Miss McCarthy said:"Mr Collier is now scared to go out and suffers depression and anxiety. He cannot understand why it happened and is worried about what will happen in the future." Mr Lee Bremridge, defending, said Daniels has changed his lifestyle in the 13 months since the attack and has been combating his alcohol problem with the help of specialist counsellors in Barnstaple, where he is living in supported accommodation. He said:"At the time he was drinking heavily and had problems with accommodation and with his partner." He said Daniels is now reconciled with his girlfriend, who is the mother of his two children and lives in South Molton.

Intruder forced victim to strip naked before putting him in dog cage

A Devon man appeared in court on Friday charged with murdering a 43-year-old Exeter man last week. Steven Webster, of East Street, Okehampton, is accused of murdering Stephen Crook at his home in Alphington Road, Exeter, last Thursday evening. Webster, 40, is the second man to be charged in connection with the murder. On Monday Ryan Singleton, 25, from Coventry, West Midlands, was also charged with Mr Crook's murder. Singleton has also been charged with possessing a black handled kitchen knife in a public place. Webster was remanded in custody and both defendants will appear before a judge at Exeter Crown Court next month. Mr Crook died from knife injuries. Two other men aged 39 and 17, both from Coventry, are still being detained for questioning at Launceston police station.

Second man charged with Exeter murder appears in court

Express & Echo editor Paul Burton will leave the paper at the end of next week. Paul, who was appointed at the Echo in February, has today been named as the new boss of Plymouth newspaper The Herald. Jim Parker, editor of the Herald Express, will oversee the Express and Echo until Paul's successor is appointed. Blanche Sainsbury, managing director of South West Media Group which owns both the Echo and The Herald, said: "I am delighted that Paul will be joining the Herald team. He is a talented editor who has brought new ideas for building audience online and in-print. He is a community champion and is passionate about the development of our people." While in Exeter Paul has overseen the launch the Echo's new website, a new East Devon edition of the paper and a new leisure supplement. He said: "Leaving Exeter will be tremendously difficult; the team has been wonderful to work with and have managed to more than double the Echo's online audience. I'm immensely proud of what we've achieved. "I'm looking forward to the challenge in Plymouth, The Herald is newspaper with a big reputation and extremely talented team who I know are committed to making The Herald the best it can be." Paul replaces editor Ian Wood at the Herald.

Express and Echo editor moves into new role

A record turnout took part in today's Santa Dash through Exeter High Street. More than 300 people registered for the event, which saw charity fundraisers setting off from the Guildhall at 1.15pm and running, jogging or walking to St James's Park.

Shane Hogan, a coach at Moors Youth FC in Tiverton, said: "We've brought 13 players and 10 adults and have raised £488 for the Adam Stansfield Foundation and Exeter City. It's the first time we've done it. It's just something different and we thought it would be a laugh. They're all excited and they're doing the penalty shootout on the pitch at half time." Kath Bamsey, 69, from Exmouth, was raising money for the East Budleigh Church Bells appeal. "I have never done the Santa Dash before but I thought it would be fun. I signed up because I'm a Senior Red. My husband and I are season ticket holders and my father took me to watch Exeter when I was a child. It's a great atmosphere. The kids are loving it and it's a lovely day for it." Lord Mayor of Exeter Councillor Rachel Lyons, who rang the bell to set the runners on their way, said: "That was great. It's a lovely day and to see all those Santa's going up the High Street was wonderful. I've heard about the Santa Dash but haven't seen it before." The entry fee of £17 for adults and £5 for children included a Santa suit and entry to the Exeter City v Bury match. Participants opted to collect sponsorship for a range of suggested charities or choose to support one close to their hearts. Club reception at St James's Park opened from 11am until around midday on Saturday to give any late entrants a chance to sign up. David Evans, Exeter City's youth commercial manager, said: "It's a terrific sight seeing 300-odd Santas going up the High Street and obviously we are looking to raise as much money as we can for good causes." Last year's event raised more than £8,000 for charity. This year, fundraisers will be supporting causes including Devon Air Ambulance Trust, the Adam Stansfield Foundation, Help For Heroes and Prostate Cancer UK. With prizes for the most sponsorship raised, an Exeter University student is currently leading the way, having already raised £525 for Diabetes Research, followed by a member of staff at the Jurys Inn hotel, who has raised £301 for Children's Hospice South West. "It's difficult to know how much we are going to raise because most of the sponsorship comes in after the event," said David. The event is now in its third year. Lord Mayor of Exeter Councillor Rachel Lyons will set the Santas on their way. Those taking part include five youth football teams. Moors Youth under-11s, from Tiverton, and South Molton under-12s will also be contesting the half-time shoot-out on the pitch at St James's Park in their Santa outfits. They will be joined on the dash by Okehampton Argyle under-11s, Sidmouth Vikings under-8s and Holsworthy under-13s.

VIDEO: Anyone seen Father Christmas? Exeter City Santa Dash is record breaker

The final two members of a major drug gang have been jailed for their part in a plot to bring large amounts of heroin to Devon. The Liverpool based drug ring was smashed when police carried out a surveillance operation in which they tracked couriers and dealers using a dead letter drop on a late within yards of two Exeter schools. Another branch of the police inquiry tracked cash as it was paid through a network of accounts in East Devon, Newton Abbot and Exeter and channeled straight up to Liverpool. In some cases money from the sale of heroin on the streets in Devon back to the North West and was taken out again in cash within minutes. The police operation, named Cranefly, led to the ringleaders and most senior members being jailed in May this year at Exeter Crown Court. The final two members of the gang have now joined their co conspirators behind bars after they took part in the high speed money laundering operation. Fork lift truck driver Paul Ellis, aged 29, and used car salesman George Sweeney, aged 30, both from Liverpool, admitted money laundering and were jailed for two years and 14 months respectively. Judge Phillip Wassall told them:"You allowed a drugs conspiracy to operate at different levels. Without people willing to launder money the conspiracy could not have worked. "You both knew you were laundering money from criminal activities even if you averted your eyes as to exactly where it came from." Miss Mary Cowe, prosecuting, said at the time Ellis had no legitimate source of income but his bank account was used to channel £13,000 in just three months and he had direct links with £6,615 of it. Sweeney was caught on CCTV as he paid in £2,300 into the Halifax branch in Roman Way in Exeter in February last year just minutes before it was withdrawn in Liverpool. He told police he had made the money selling second hand cars and it was a legitimate transaction. Mr Anthony O'Donohoe, defending, said both men had been pawns in a larger operation and had not known it involved class A drugs. He said they had both moved on to find work and settle down into normal lives, which would be disrupted if they went to jail. The original trial heard how the heroin supply operation was exposed by a major police surveillance operation. The gang brought tens of thousands of pounds worth of heroin and used a secret hiding place in Hollow Lane, Exeter, which was just a few minutes drive from the motorway but was also yards away from St Luke's High School and the Ellen Pinkham special school. The gang recruited desperate addicts in Devon to sell the drugs on the streets and pass it on to Exeter based middle managers, who paid it into banks. The total size of the operation was never established but was thought to have been worth tens of thousands of pounds. Ringleader Craig Shaw, from Liverpool, was jailed for eight years in May and eight others have now been jailed for their part in either the conspiracy or the money laundering.

Two more dealers jailed in plot to bring heroin to Exeter

Unprecedented demand from investors for luxury student apartments in Exeter city centre has led to a new £17m scheme selling out in just seven weeks. All 161 apartments in Vita Student's Portland House development on Longbrook Street scheme have been purchased off-plan by UK and overseas investors. Work has also started on site by main contractor Create Construction, with the project due to be completed in time for the 2014/15 student intake. Exeter was chosen as the location for Vita Student's latest luxury student scheme due to the academic reputation of the university and increasing student population, which has been boosted by an influx of overseas students. Chief operating officer of Vita Ventures, Mark Oakes, said: "Exeter was chosen as a location for a Vita Student project due to the severe undersupply of suitable accommodation in the city. The academic excellence of the university means that the city is very attractive to investors because the student population will continue to grow, further increasing the need for accommodation. "The speed at which our development has sold proves that our investment model is successfully catering for the market demand for student property." Investment opportunities in the student property market have been increasingly sought after in recent years. Global property consultancy Knight Frank's 2014 report on the sector shows that total returns from student accommodation have outperformed all other property asset classes since 2011. The report also predicts this trend will continue well into next year thanks to a maturing market and increasing student demand. Vita Student said investors were attracted by the guaranteed seven per cent rental yield for five years and the central location and premium specification of the project. One of the investors in the scheme, Jeff Elder, said: "After examining the company and the student property sector I realised that the yields that can be achieved are stronger than any other property group – and indeed any savings group at the moment. "Vita Student's luxury proposition stacked up well with my market research and the assured seven per cent rental return for five years also put my mind at rest that my money would be working hard for me."

New student apartments in Exeter sell out as investors snap them up

One man was taken to hospital suffering from smoke inhalation and burns following a house fire in Okehampton on Friday night. The alarm was raised just after midnight. Two fire crews from the town were sent to De Brionne Heights, where they found smoke coming from the loft area of the property. Four firefighters donned breathing apparatus and used one hose reel and a safety jet to extinguish the fire. The injured man was given oxygen therapy by firefighters before being taken to hospital by ambulance.

Man taken to hospital after Okehampton house fire

Residents of a property in Broadclyst were evacuated after a carbon monoxide alarm alerted them to a gas leak. Firefighters from Exeter's Danes Castle and Middlemoor stations were called to the property in Clyst Avenue after the alarm sounded at 9.45pm on Friday. All residents evacuated the home. Carbon monoxide was detected in the property by firefighters wearing breathing apparatus and using a gas detector. The property was ventilated and made safe before the occupants were allowed back in.

Broadclyst residents evacuated as gas leak triggers alarm

Crowds of demonstrators marched through Exeter city centre last night to call for an end to violence against women. The Reclaim the Night March was organised by Devon Rape Crisis Service. The event started at 8.15pm with a rhythm dance in the Mint Methodist Church in Fore Street before the march began at 10pm. Many of those taking part carried banners showing their commitment to ending violence against women and girls. It is estimated that 7,000 women in Devon experience rape and sexual violence every year, yet only 10 per cent of these crimes are ever reported to the police. Alongside this is the common experience of sexual harassment; in bars, on public transport and on the streets which organisers said makes up a picture of a hostile environment for women and girls and an atmosphere in our communities where fear is common.

Reclaim the Night marchers in Exeter call for end to violence against women

THIS wonderful listed property is situated in the heart of the extremely sought after village of Silverton. Number three Fore Street offers a substantial and versatile arrangement of accommodation with period features which include sash windows, decorative mouldings and feature fireplaces. As a family home, the layout can accommodate multi-generational living with seven bedrooms and generous reception rooms. In addition is a delightful two-bedroom coach house to the rear of the property, which provides further ancillary accommodation. The generous gardens are positioned to the rear, arranged with a gravelled parking area, patios and two enclosed lawned areas. The sole agents Stags are quoting a guide price of £775,000 and a brochure is available from them on 01392 255202 or visit their website www.stags.co.uk where a pdf of the brochure is available.

Property of the day: Listed family home in Silverton

Exeter City stopped a five-match losing run with a creditable 1-1 draw at Wycombe Wanderers on Tuesday, and now the emphasis is on ending a seven-match winless run in Saturday's home League Two clash with Bury. Performances have not been as bad as that sequence suggests for Exeter, who for the large part have played quite well. But their November run bears an uncanny resemblance to a spell just over a year ago, where they lost seven out of nine games. There are one or two areas of the side that need to do better, most notably in attack with City scoring just four goals in the last seven fixtures, but manager Paul Tisdale hopes Tuesday's draw at Adams Park and some hard graft on the training ground can help turn the tide back in City's favour. "What we have shown before is that we have galvanised our structure and our form when we have had a dip and I am hoping we will do the same again now," Tisdale said. "We have had a shocking November, so I will be glad when we get into December and start a new month, but there are reasons for that. "Some of them, we can alter and we can change. We can control certain things, but we can't control everything. We have lost some key players to our side, like Matthew Oakley, but you can't control those things. There are other things we can work on and do our best to play in a certain way." One criticism from supporters of the team this season is the way they start games. The statistics back that claim, with Exeter scoring only once in the opening quarter of a game. Five goals have come in both the second and third quarter with an incredible 12 in the final 23 minutes of a game. "We would like to start games with a goal, but the statistics show we score about half of our goals in the last quarter of games, which is a real strength in many ways," Tisdale said. "It is something we have actively been engaging in this season with our coaching and the way we are setting the team up, but, given that [scoring late] is something we were so poor with last year, we haven't quite got the balance right this year. "We haven't achieved very often a quick start in terms of goals, but it is easier said than done. You can go for that and get caught out on the break, so we have to be careful. We have to get the balance right, but it doesn't help at home when we don't score the crowd becoming anxious. "We all play a part, we are all on the same team together and we work off each other. We'd like to get in the habit of scoring early, because I think it would help everyone and we are doing our best to make that happen." The one time Exeter did score in the opening quarter, they turned in perhaps their best performance of the season by beating AFC Wimbledon 2-0 at St James' Park, but any type of win will do for City. The last thing they want is to head into a two-week break having not won since October 19 and Tisdale admits that does add a little more pressure to Saturday's encounter. "It would be very nice to have two weeks felling happy," he admitted. "I mean, forget the league position and forget the run we are in and looking purely at a game of football, it is a very reactive type of industry and you do feel gloomy and frustrated and whatever else off the back of a defeat. "It plays a large part in the way people feel and think and the decisions we make, so, when you have a gap of two weeks, it is nice to enter that break with a win. It is worse to go into it with a loss because you have two weeks to be gloomy about it. "Even without our recent run of form, it is good for everyone if we can get a win, but, added to the fact we haven't won for a month, it's even more important." City are pretty much at full-strength for this weekend's game, with only long-term absentee Oakley missing. Even Tisdale will be fit for action after a bruising night at Wycombe, where he was clattered into by midfielder Liam Sercombe and sent flying into the dug-out. Tisdale joked: "I was very close to a serious injury, but the good news is that I will be fit to walk onto the Park!" Exeter City (from): Krysiak, Pym; Butterfield, Woodman, Bennett, Baldwin, Coles, Sercombe, Oakley, Gow, Davies, Parkin, Doherty, Moore-Taylor, Dawson, Gill, O'Flynn, Reid, Nichols, Gosling, Keohane, Wannell, Jagger-Cane, Parkin, Tillson, Chamberlain, Grimes, Jay, Wheeler. Unavailable: Oakley (injured), Bergqvist (on loan to Welling United).

Exeter City v Bury: Match preview

Ignoring something in the belief that it might go away is not usually the best tactic for dealing with thorny issues, but it might just work for Exeter Chiefs against Bath on Saturday (3.15pm). Their failure to beat the side from the Rec either home or away in the top-flight has become something of an elephant on the pitch for head coach Rob Baxter and his squad. But, while he is quick to acknowledge its looming presence as Chiefs try once again to complete a full set of Premiership scalps, Baxter is unwilling to lend the statistic too much significance. There is a great will to beat Bath, especially after their most recent trip there saw them on the wrong side of a 37-15 LV= Cup result. But rather than get mad about that, Baxter is just keen to get even as soon as possible. He said: "People are going to wonder when we are going to beat them. It's not something I'm massively focused on to be honest. It's one of those things that will happen when it happens. "I talk a lot about where I see us going as a club and I look at it very much as we'll get where we want to be one day. I've never said it has to happen this year or next because it isn't really about that. It's about getting better slowly and giving yourself the chance to finally get there one day. "The Bath game will feel a little bit like that for us as well. We've beaten every other team in the Premiership and one day we'll beat them. "What we have to do is prepare for the game in a way that gives us an opportunity, and when you do that, sometimes you take them." If they do take their chance against Bath, they will have done something few teams have managed this season. Currently third in the Premiership and unbeaten in their past seven matches in all competitions, Chiefs have picked a tough moment to tackle their betes noires. But that does not deter Baxter, who knows they should have beaten them at least once already, when a last-gasp penalty try earned the visitors a 12-12 draw at Sandy Park last December. He said: "The draw here last year was tough on us for a number of reasons. We controlled the game, were camped in the opposition 22, and probably forced a couple of penalty decisions that we didn't get on the night. Any of those would have put us ten points up with time running out, which would have been game over. "As it was, Bath got to the other end of the pitch, forced a pressure situation and got the try for a draw. "When you look back, you can't worry too much about there being some mythical thing there. It hasn't been about that. The games we've lost, they've played better than us." After last Saturday's 16-9 defeat to leaders Saracens, Baxter has tinkered with his formation, offering a first league start of the season to Luke Arscott at full-back. His inclusion means Phil Dollman drops back into the midfield, where he will partner the recalled Jason Shoemark. Up front, the only change sees Ben Moon come in at loosehead for Brett Sturgess, who drops to the bench. Exeter Chiefs: Arscott; Nowell, Dollman, Shoemark, Jess; Steenson, Lewis; Moon, Yeandle, Tui; Mumm (capt), Welch; Johnson, White, Ewers. Replacements: Whitehead, Sturgess, Brown, Armand, Horstmann, Thomas, Slade, Whitten.

Bath v Exeter Chiefs: Match preview