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Work has begun on new, poolside changing facilities at the Cornwall House Outdoor Pool on the University of Exeter's Streatham Campus. Changes will include the construction of six new pool-side changing rooms, two toilets, three "beach style" open showers and lockers alongside improvements to the entrance. Until now, swimmers have changed in the adjacent Cornwall House, walking along a short path to gain access to the pool. Assistant Director of Sport Neil Sheppard is overseeing the project and explained how the new facilities would greatly improve the customer experience of swimmers. He said: "The Cornwall House Outdoor Pool has long been a hugely popular summer haunt for students and the public alike, receiving 1000s of visitors each year. "For a while now we have known that the changing provision at the pool hasn't been good enough. Having people walking on an open path that is being used by other people at the University was less than ideal, so I am delighted that we are able to modernise facility, smarten it up and allow customers direct access to the pool once they have changed. "Over the last 12 month's we've benefitted from a huge investment across our sports facilities with developments like the Russell Seal Fitness Centre, so it is only right that we work to bring our existing facilities up to the standard of our new ones." Costing around £110,000, the new changing block will be located at the deep end of the pool, near the entrance, making use of a wall already in place. Hugely popular amongst students and members of the wider community, the heated pool is set to open for the summer on 3 May, with the new changing facilities becoming active later that month. Times are set aside in the pool for casual and lane swimming, with many visitors also making use of the large grass bank which is a popular sun-trap. Mr Sheppard added: "One of the allures of the pool is the open grass and patio space around it so a big part of this brief has been to ensure that we don't lose any part of that space or alter the relaxed feel of the pool. "This is something I think we have achieved. Putting the new block at the deep end is making use of dead-space that has minimal effect on the pool environment as a whole. Furthermore it will allow swimmers direct access to the pool from the changing rooms and increase their privacy– it's the best outcome for everyone and I personally cannot wait to see it finished."

A Honiton couple who have taken over 10 years and spent £4,000 on a model railway are hoping to raise money for Devon Air Ambulance when they open their doors to the public. These pictures show part of Roger and Barbara Stimpson's incredible model railway they've built at their Devon home. Roger has Parkinson's and Barbara motor neurone disease and their passion for model trains has taken 10 years of work at a cost of around £4,000. Mr and Mrs Stimpson, from Honiton, have been collecting model trains for around a decade and their home has been taken over by railway sets and accessories, many of which they have assembled and handcrafted themselves. Models include the Eurostar, First Great Western and a reproduction of Babbacombe Cliff Railway in Torquay. They have also turned their garden into a complete remote-controlled railway network , and they are hoping to raise thousands of pounds for the Devon Air Ambulance when they open their doors to visitors on June 15.

PICTURES: Honiton couple’s amazing model railway goes on show to the public

FLYBE has pulled the plug on a number of services from Exeter to Spain, Portugal and Italy The bad news has upset city sun-seekers and holiday home owners and comes after the airline announced a new daily service from London to Exeter, starting in October. Now it has emerged that it will be axing Exeter flights to Faro, Palma , Malaga and Alicante The last date for flights to Faro and Parma, is October 1, with Malaga and Alicante ending the following day. Flybe announced in December that it was ending its two summer-only services to Barcelona (April 30) and Nice (May 1). Exeter Airport's managing director Matt Roach, commenting on Flybe's withdrawal of routes to Spain at the end of the summer season, said: "While it is always disappointing to lose flights, unfortunately these routes no longer fit into the Flybe operating model. "Our aim as an airport is to ensure that our route network meets the needs of our passengers and we will continue to strive to offer the ability to fly to popular destinations, including Spain, in the future." "With the announcement last week of London City Airport flights and the recently introduced second daily service to Paris plus the increased capacity to Amsterdam and Dublin, the flying programme at the airport continues to evolve as we look to establish Exeter as the key gateway airport to and from the South West." Among those concerned over the soon-to-be axed routes was Mike Burch of Countess Wear, who said: " My family have used the Malaga route for over ten years and are obviously concerned about losing the connection. "Flights have almost always been full and it is difficult to understand how the route could no longer be viable." Veronica Irons of Exeter, also voiced surprise at the axing of the Malaga service. "It does not appear to have been publicised at all. "We try to go out to Malaga twice a year and using Exeter is so handy "We became a bit worried when we booked our apartment in Malaga for September this year. "We booked the flight out with Flybe for September but could not book a flight back with the airline. "My husband went on Facebook and found there were queries about Flybe flights to Alicante so he asked about Malaga and that's how we found out. "We have book our apartment so it means we fly out with Flybe from Exeter but have to fly back to Bristol with Easyjet." It was only 18 months ago that Flybe expanded its schedule with twice weekly services to Barcelona and Nice, as well as increasing the frequency of flights to Alicante, Malaga, Faro and Palma in Mallorca. At the time the airline said: "With this quite significant expansion of summer sun options we are delighted to now offer South West travellers the opportunity to travel to Barcelona from Exeter for the first time ever. "We fully expect both this brand new destination and our new route to Nice on the magnificent French Riviera to prove hugely popular." Southampton Airport is also losing 10 routes leaving Bristol, Bournemouth or Cardiff as the alternative starting points. Flybe's director of communications, Andrew McConnell, said: "As part of Flybe's turnaround plan, announced in November 2013, a number of summer sun destinations will be withdrawn from our schedule in October 2014. "Flybe is pleased to confirm a new route between Exeter and London City Airport. Destinations/schedules for the winter 2014 schedule will be announced in the coming weeks. "Passengers affected by the route withdrawals were contacted last year and offered, where possible, an alternative Flybe flight or a full refund on their ticket."

Concerns as Flybe axes several Exeter ‘sun routes’

A pensioner who rented out his home and retired to Spain swindled £12,000 in benefits by lying about where he lived. Ian Murray was the joint owner of a house in Exeter but moved out to a rented property in Spain and a caravan owned by his ex wife in Tedburn St Mary. He was receiving a share of the £680 a week rent but also claimed pension credit for more than two months by telling officials he was still living at the home. After he was caught he said he disapproved of people who fiddle money from the public purse and had been confused by the complexity of the rules. Murray, aged 66, of River Meadows, Exeter, admitted benefit fraud and was jailed for four months, suspended for two years ordered to do 200 hours unpaid community work. Judge Francis Gilbert, QC, also set a timetable for the possible seizure of his assets under the Proceeds of Crime Act at Exeter Crown Court after being told he is currently repaying the money at a rate of £12 a week. The Judge told him:"You were being paid pension credit on the basis you were living in a flat in Exeter and had no work, no income and no capital. "You rented the property to others and your former wife was paid a rent of £680 a month, part of which she handed to you and you went to live in Spain, or a caravan belonging to your ex-wife when in the UK. "You say you disapprove of people taking money from the public purse dishonestly, but that is exactly what you have done, for a large sum of money over a long period of time." Mr James Taghdissian, prosecuting, said Murray started claiming pensions credit in March 2010, when he was still living in the house but moved out in July. He informed the council but not the Department of Work and Pensions and then moved to a caravan owned by his ex wife and to Spain. He said:"The total overpayment was £12,610.16. He went to Spain but came back and was living in a caravan arranged by his wife and continued claiming. "This was not dishonest from the outset but his tenants say they moved in during July 2010 and the payments continued until he was investigated in October or November 2012." Miss Sarah Hornblower, defending, said Murray had been wilfully ignorant of the regulations but now accepts he acted dishonestly. He had never been in trouble before and is repaying the money from benefits at £16 a week.

Exeter pensioner admits fraud after swindling £12,000 in benefits while living in Spain

1) Following the departure of David Moyes Man U could be saying goodbye to another former Evertonian . According to Caughtoffside.com Arsenal are lining up a move for Manchester United midfielder Marouane Fellaini this summer. The site reports Arsene Wenger is looking to rebuild his squad in the summer. The manager is prepared to put an £18m offer on the table for the 26-year-old. 2) Following his wonder-strike at the weekend (see video below) Newcastle are rumoured to be looking at Swansea and ex-Liverpool midfielder Jonjo Shelvey. The Mirror report Alan Pardew is ready to bid for Shelvey as part of plans to revitalise his squad. The move would reunite Shelvey with the manager who handed him a professional debut when he was at Charlton 3) In other Newcastle news the Newcastle Chronicle has today reported that Demba Ba could be on his way back to the club from Chelsea. Chelsea are ready to offload the 28 year old they will look to recoup the £7m they paid Newcastle back in January 2013. 4) The Guardian report 35-year-old defender Rio Ferdinand is tempted by offers from Turkish club Galatasaray, MLS outfit LA Galaxy and Al Gharafa of Qatar this summer. However the Manchester United defender says he would prefer to agree a new contract to stay at Old Trafford, speaking at the weekend he said: "I'm going to continue playing," Ferdinand said. "Whether it's here, I don't know. But I hope so." 5) Stoke boss Mark Hughes has lined up the signing of a young Brazilian central defender for next season According to The Stoke Sentinel. Hughes is taking the plunge for a fee of around £400,000 for the mystery player believed to be Dionatan Teixeira after watching him on trial behind closed doors. The club has kept the player's identity under wraps during the trial and subsequent negotiations for his signature.

Transfer Rumours: Man U's Fellaini to Arsenal, Shelvey to Newcastle, Ba to Newcastle, Ferdinand to LA Galaxy and Teixeira to Stoke

A spurned boyfriend has been jailed for trashing his partner's home and telling her on Facebook "You won't be pretty for much longer". Lewis Nevard ripped up personal documents and left paper scattered around the floor and bundled ex partner Holly Poullier's clothes into rubbish bags and left it outside. He stole jewellery and passports belonging to her and her family and made a series of threats by phone, text and Facebook, Exeter Crown Court was told. Nevard, aged 25, of Batson Gardens, Paignton, admitted harassment, theft, and criminal damage and was jailed for 18 months by Judge Francis Gilbert, QC. He was also banned from contacting the victim or her family or from entering Devon. The judge told him:"You have a long criminal record including the assault and harassment of you ex partner. What you did here amounted to the trashing of her home, scattering paperwork around and pulling out drawers. "You stole clothing which you left in bags outside. You were bailed, and contacted her in breach of the bail conditions and left threatening and intimidating messages on her phone and on Facebook over several weeks." Mr Greg Richardson, prosecuting, said Miss Poullier was away from her home in McKay Avenue, Torquay, in April 2013 when Nevard went there with a friend and ransacked the house. Her brother Thomas found them in the process of raiding the house and recovered most of the clothes from bin bags but found other property missing. He said the stolen items were worth £2,300 and included a Gucci watch worth £750, a diamond engagement ring belonging to the victim's grandmother, and other jewellery. Mr Richardson said:"He was bailed by police and started sending a catalogue of threatening messages. They were abusive and described her as dumb, crazy and stupid. "One said that he swore on the life of his daughter she would not be pretty for much longer." Miss Kellie Enever, defending, said Nevard now accepts the best way of resolving disputes over contact with his two-year-old daughter was through the family courts. She said he did not intend to cause a lot of damage at the house and had torn up papers and documents. She said many of his problems in the past were caused by a £500 a week cocaine habit and he accepted he had acted like a hothead.

Devon man jailed for binned clothes revenge

A drug user who turned to dealing to pay off debts has been jailed after police caught him selling cocaine and heroin next to Exeter's main train station. Adrian Reid travelled from his home near Rochdale with around £2,000 of drugs hidden inside his body in ready-to-sell wraps. He was a user who was pressured into selling the drugs after he ran up debts to his dealer, Exeter Crown Court was told. He was watched by police after he went to a house near the station and then moved onto the streets to start selling his wares. Reid, aged 32, of Ormerod Street, Heywood, Greater Manchester admitted possession of heroin and cocaine with intent to supply and was jailed for two years and three months by Judge Francis Gilbert, QC. The judge told him:"You involved yourself in dealing to raise money to reduce your debt to drug dealers. You had lawful employment but had to give it up because of the impact of your drug abuse. "Those who involve themselves in the supply of heroin must face immediate imprisonment." Mr Gordon Richings, prosecuting, said police arrested Reid on November 18 last year as a result of an anti-drugs operation. He said:"Police believed drugs were being stored at an address in Exeter where the defendant was staying. They noticed someone of his description in the area of St David's Station. "He admitted he had drugs concealed in his body and was taken to the Royal Devon and Exeter Hospital where 64 wraps of heroin and seven of cocaine were recovered." Mr Richings said the heroin weighed 21.62 grams and was worth between £1,000 and £2,000 and the cocaine weighed 2.51 grams and was worth up to £250. Mr Paul Light, defending, said Reid had no previous involvement in crime but had got into debt after losing his job and agreed to sell drugs to pay it off.

Dealer caught at Exeter St David's Station jailed after concealing drugs in his body

The Fire Service is currently tackling a barn on fire at Newlands Farm, Dowland, near Winkleigh. One fire appliance from Hatherleigh, one fire appliance from Torrington, one fire appliance from North Tawton and the water bowser from Barnstaple are on the scene. Hatherleigh crews could see a large plume of smoke from several miles away and requested a fourth fire appliance from Chulmleigh as well as the incident command vehicle and a support pump from Ilfracombe. Upon arrival fire crews confirmed one farm building measuring one hundred metres by forty metres containing hay, straw and manufacturing equipment. The building was well alight. Fire crews were at work with two breathing apparatus wearers and one hose reel jet.

Hell of a fire over winkleigh way pic.twitter.com/iOH6kSi7fP
— Hallwood Fresh Veg (@HallwoodFarm) April 28, 2014

Update 14:04 hrs - Fire crews requested a further two fire appliances from Okehampton for additional crew power. Update 14:12 hrs - Fire crews requested the attendance of the environmental protection unit and a support pump from South Molton. Update 14:35 hrs - Fire crews confirmed a very large smoke plume at this incident. Torridge Environmental Health Department and the Environment Agency have been made aware of this incident. Update 14:49 hrs - Fire crews requested an additional water bowser for this incident and police to attend. Update 15:17 hrs - Fire crews requested attendance of Western Power Distribution. Crews are working defensively as cylinders are exploding at this incident This incident is on-going.

Police are appealing for information after a burglary in Brampford Speke. The dwelling burglary happened on 27/4/14 between 1230 to 1530hrs on Sandy Lane, Brampford Speke. Police said entry was gained to the rear of a family home and items including cash, jewellery and silverware were stolen and are thought to be worth thousands of pounds. A large antique clock was also taken. The burglars are thought to have travelled in a vehicle and made their way to Exeter following the incident. Currently there are enquiries on going, if anyone has been offered jewellery or silverware or an antique clock, or hears of any information which is able to assist police with their enquiries they are asked to contact 101 quoting KO/14/245 or alternatively call crime stoppers.

Police appeal after cash, jewellery and large antique clock stolen in Brampford Speke burglary

A paedophile from North Devon has been banned from contacting two fellow sex offenders after he is freed from his prison sentence. Terrence Kelly, from Ilfracombe, is due to be released in a few weeks time from a two year term for breaking an order which banned him from contact with children. He has now need banned from contacting fellow offenders Michael White and Derek Hornett, who he was associating with at the time of his last offences. Kelly was staying at a hostel in Teignmouth, South Devon, last year when he and White inveigled their way into a local family who had no idea they were both convicted paedophiles. Both men were also in contact with 53-year-old Hornett, who has a record of sexual offences against the elderly. Kelly, aged 60, formerly of Market Street, Ilfracombe, and White, aged 55, from Torquay, were both jailed for two years in July 2013 for breaching Sexual Offenders Prevention Orders. Kelly returned to Exeter Crown Court where Judge Francis Gilbert, QC, varied the existing SOPO to bar him from contacting White or Hornett. He was not represented and the application, by prosecuting barrister Mr James Taghdissian, was not opposed. Judge Gilbert agreed the amendment and asked Mr Taghdissian to edit a series of grammatical errors in the original order. An application to make a similar change to Hornett's order was adjourned to allow him to seek legal representation. In the original case the court heard how White found a pretext to remove a five-year-old boy's trousers and Kelly spent a night as a guest of the unsuspecting family, who were horrified to hear of the two men's background. Kelly was a registered sex offender because he was jailed for a year at Exeter Crown Court in 2010 for sexually assaulting three boys aged 12 or 13 when he was living in Market Street, Ilfracombe. White was jailed for four years in 2008 for having sex with a 15-year-old girl while he was living in a hotel at Exeter Road, Exmouth

Devon paedophile banned from meeting fellow sex offender

A South West rebellion over high-speed rail between London and the north has been muted by Government promises over transport investment in the region. A number of MPs from Cornwall, Devon, Somerset and Dorset said they planned to withhold their support for the so-called HS2 project, but a full-blown mutiny appeared unlikely. Many MPs said Labour's support for the new £42 billion link from the capital to Birmingham and beyond had spiked their guns, meaning even scores of Tory and Lib Dem votes against the key legislation would cause limited damage to the Government. South West MPs have complained the region would get no direct benefits from HS2, while being saddled with a vulnerable railway link and inferior main highways. But ministers appear to have made pledges to win ease doubts among South West parliamentarians. Neil Parish, Tory MP for Tiverton and Honiton, has said he "held my nose" because he "did not want to support it". But he said today he would vote for the Bill as "reasonable" commitments have been wrung out of Transport Secretary Patrick McLoughlin – particularly over upgrading the A303 cross-country road between London and the South West. He said: "It's not written in blood, but we have had a pretty reasonable commitment that I will want them to deliver. I think that it offers greater clout if we can say, yes, we supported HS2. I still think it is a lot of money. But we should be investing in infrastructure – and we need to make sure it is not just in the north but in the west as well." Mr McLoughlin has recently met with a group of Tory South West backbenchers to convince them to back HS2. Track quango Network Rail is currently weighing up options to improve the rail system in the South West after the winter storms saw the line at Dawlish crumble into the sea. Gary Streeter, Conservative MP for South West Devon, indicated he would abstain from the second reading but could still rebel on the third reading. St Ives Liberal Democrat MP Andew George said he would vote for HS2, or abstain, but may still rebel at the later stages. Ben Bradshaw, Labour MP for Exeter, is withholding his support, but signalled we would not vote against his party. Mr Streeter said: "There has been a significant increase in the interest the Government has shown to the railway line in the South West. We need our line to be more reliable and we need an additional or alternative line to keep up with the further pressure that it will come under. "Network Rail are coming up with a report in July. Unless there is a commitment to funding, whatever they come up with, I will certainly vote against the third reading of HS2." Mr George said he remained dubious over HS2 "on the basis that we will potentially have a third-world service and the London-to-the-north corridor glitzy first-world service". He said: "I am in the process of talking to Government for commitments to rail services. At the moment I will be keeping my powder dry, but I am prepared to vote against HS2 on third reading if we don't get those commitments." Mr Bradshaw said: "Although I support the principle of high speed rail I will not be supporting it in the vote tonight. "During the winter's rail chaos in the Westcountry I promised my constituents and people in the wider region that I would not be able to support tens of billions of pounds being spent on HS2 before the Government had made a clear commitment to address the frailty and vulnerability of our existing rail network in the region. "This they have signally failed to do. It would cost a fraction of the money being spent on HS2 to ensure we have a reliable and resilient railway in the Westcountry for the long term, which is why I am withholding my support from HS2 at this time."

South West rebellion over high-speed rail between London and the north muted by promises over transport investment

Angry residents are fighting plans for a residential development on an old school site in Exeter. Developers Strongvox want to build 48 homes at the old Exwick Middle School that has been empty since it closed in 2008. But residents say that, although they accept development is inevitable, the initial proposal they were shown last week would have a negative impact on the area. They say it would involve knocking down an estimated 100 trees that are subject to a Tree Preservation Order and argued the local infrastructure would not be able to cope. The developers, who are yet to exchange contracts, say they would take resident's views on board where they could. But around 50 residents attended a pre-planning meeting to showcase their opposition when details of the scheme were unveiled. And they have vowed to do everything they can to ensure it does not get the go-ahead in its current form. Resident Ray Henning, who has helped to organise the opposition, said: "We accept there will residential development on the site but it has to be in keeping with the surrounding location and of an appropriate density. "These plans are an over-development of the site. There are also two three storey block of flats proposed, which is not appropriate to the area. "This is not a NIMBY situation. We know there are going to be homes. But it needs to be a reasonable development in keeping with the area that the infrastructure can sustain." Under the early proposal, the plans show 80 car parking spaces and Mr Henning said there was also concern about the extra traffic and congestion that could result. "We want them to reduce the plans and there is no-way this development should be allowed to go through as planned," he added. "There are around 100 trees that are covered by a TPO on the site, including many mature ones and others that were planted by the schoolchildren themselves. "They need to revise it and come up with a sensible scheme if they want it to go ahead." Alan Mundy, 73, has lived in the area with his wife Jennifer for the last eight years and is also opposed to the plans.. He said: "All we have seen is more building and less facilities. We have lost two supermarkets, the local post office, we have lost a petrol station and the civil service club. It is a lot to lose. "Yet what they are propping is to build a new village up here, 50 more houses - 80-100 more cars all travel up and down a very narrow bit of road. It has got to stop. It will be hellish. "What we could do with are some facilities for people that already live here. We moved here for a quiet life but what we are going to get is a hellhole. That may sound extreme but that is the way I feel." Robert Alford, director of Strongvox said they had just carrying out exploratory work and would be listening to the concerns.. "We hope to be in a contractual position with the owners shortly and are getting ready to make a planning application," he said.. "But we always consult with local residents before we do and these will be accommodated and we will listen to them as we go through the planning process.. "We obviously employ qualified architects and design consultants but also carry out consultation to take into account local views. "We will not be taking any trees down willy-nilly. The mature trees on the northern and western boundary will be staying. Obviously some trees will have to go and a planning decision takes precedent over a TPO. That will form part of the decision making process by the city council. "We are not in the business of upsetting local residents and where we can accommodate their wishes, we will."

Residents fight plans for housing development on old Exeter school

HUNDREDS of thousands of women in the South West are overdue for a potentially life-saving cancer test. According to research from the Labour Party, there has been a rise of more than 23,000 women who have not taken up the chance to have a smear test, which can show the early signs of cervical cancer. Alison Seabeck, Labour MP for Plymouth Moor View, said access to a GP at a time which suited them was behind the increase. She called for the Government to take action as matter of the highest priority. "The steep rise in women due their smear test, over 23,000 more women in the South West, is of huge concern and should be taken very seriously by this Government," she said. "Access to a GP is an issue that comes up time and again on the doorstep here in Plymouth and a third of those women missing their appointments cite difficulty getting an appointment as the reason. "When it's difficult to get a GP appointment, people are either more likely to turn to A&E, or they don't go at all." According to figures gathered from data compiled buy the Health and Social Care Information Centre (HSCIC), in 2009/10 a total of 200,684 women between age 25-49 were overdue for their smear test. By 2012/13 this number had risen by 12% to 224,452. For women aged 50-64, there were 85,312 who were overdue for their smear test in 2009/10, but this had increased by 13% to 96,263 in 2012/13. Mrs Seabeck blamed Government cutbacks and said women were "paying the price" of a squeeze on funding. "The Government should listen to what patients want so that women don't have to choose between work and taking care of their health," she said. Richard Winder, deputy director of the NHS Cancer Screening Programmes, said screening was vital and every effort was made to encourage women to take up the offer of a smear test. "Busier lifestyles often make it more of a challenge for women to attend their cervical screening appointments, but regular screening remains the best preventative measure against cervical cancer and we strongly encourage all women to accept the offer for cervical screening when invited," he said. Figures compiled by the HSCIC has shown nationally the proportion of women aged 25 to 49 years who have had cervical screening has fallen by two percentage points. Chairman Kingsley Manning, said their data provided vital information for clinicians and planners on how many women were being screened. "While we cannot tell how many abnormalities might be being missed among those women not taking up the invitation for screening, it is concerning to see the fall in coverage among the younger women."

Cutbacks blamed for more South West women missing smear tests

Fire crews have been fighting a huge fire at a barn near Winkleigh all afternoon. The fire service received reports of a fire at Newlands Farm, Downland at around 1.40pm today. Fire engines from Hatherleigh, Torrington and North Tawton were sent out as well as the water bowser from Barnstaple. On the way Hatherleigh crews could see a large plume of smoke from several miles away and called for a fourth engine from Chulmleigh as well as the incident command vehicle and a support pump from Ilfracombe. When they got there crews found a farm building measuring 100metres by 40metres with hay, stray and manufacturing equipment on fire. At 2.04pm another two engines from Okehampton were called for and at 2.12pm crews asked for the environmental protection unit and a support pump from South Molton to attend. The Torridge Environmental Health department and the Environment Agency were made aware of the blaze at 2.35pm. At 2.49pm fire crews asked for another water bowser and police to attend. Western Power Distribution were then asked to go to the scene at 3.17pm. Cylinders began exploding on the scene at this point. The fire is ongoing. A police spokesman confirmed police did not attend and that road closures are in place at Furze Park Cross and Staples Cross. They also confirmed arson is not suspected at this stage. Torridge District Council confirmed they were officially made aware of the fire at 4.48pm. However they are not actively involved in the incident at present. Western Power Distribution confirmed they were asked to attend by the fire service for precautionary reasons because they had equipment near to the scene. 6.29pm update: North Devon group commander for Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service confirmed the fire was taking place in a commercial premises which sold pet bedding. He said a diesel tank and three propane cylinders "fully exploded" at the scene and that the fire had spread to two other buildings nearby. He said firefighters were looking to stop the fire spreading any further. A message was previously given out that asbestos may have been present in the building, but Mr Blackburn confirmed this was found not to be the case. "The fire we believe was accidental," he added. "It came from a machine that overheated but it spread very rapidly." Mr Blackburn reiterated the danger of cylinders being involved in fires, and stressed they should be stored outside of buildings when not in use. He confirmed there were no casualties in the fire.

Crews tackle large barn fire near Winkleigh

A lightning strike is causing signalling problems on the railway, leading to delays for First Great Western users. The incident happened at about 3pm, causing delays of up to an hour on the line between Plymouth and Bodmin. It had a knock-on effect to services at Tiverton Parkway, with the 2pm Penzance to London Paddington service delayed by over an hour - calling at Tiverton at 18.20 rather than 17.18. A Network Rail statement said the lightning had struck "line-side equipment". It added: "Owing to lightning having damaged equipment between Liskeard and Bodmin Parkway trains have to run at reduced speed on all lines. "Train services running through these stations are returning to normal but some services may still be delayed by up to 20 mins or revised at short notice. Normal services will be provided as soon as possible." Trains departing from Tiverton Parkway are now running on time but First Great Western recommend all customers should check before they travel.

Lightning strike causes delays on South West rail line

Network Rail has confirmed a time table of repairs for the Dawlish Warren to Dawlish and Teignmouth walkways that were battered by storms in February. Works are now being undertaken around train services, with Network Rail working in available periods to reopen the sea wall areas for the public as soon as possible. The walkways and railway line were hit by ferocious storms almost three months ago and the railway line at Dawlish was closed while the damage was repaired. It reopened on April 4. On the Dawlish Warren to Dawlish route, the walk way section from Boat Cove to Coast Guard footbridge is open, while repairs will be ongoing for the next four weeks along sections of the walkway near Dawlish Station, access along the walkway will be maintained during this period. The section from Dawlish Warren to Rockstone footbridge is currently scheduled to open for mid June The walkway between Coast Guard and Black Bridge (including Sea Lawn and Riviera Terrace) is currently scheduled to open by the end of September due to the extensive container removal and works to rebuild the outer face of the wall, which are limited by the tide and train movements. On the Teignmouth to Smugglers railside walk, East Cliff to Sprey Point is currently scheduled to be open by the end of May while, Sprey Point to Smugglers is hoped to be open by September.

Timetable confirmed for repairing Teignmouth to Dawlish rail line walkway

Fire crews were called to Bickleigh Castle yesterday after flooding hit the property. A fire engine from Tiverton was mobilised to a report of flooding inside a premise possibly affecting electrics at 19:50pm.. Crews cleared around one foot of water before entering the property.

Police have begun eviction proceedings against a 'nightmare neighbour' who has caused misery to residents at a block of flats in Exeter. Officers said the anti-social behaviour caused by Shantelle Bennett, 24, has blighted the lives of the community around her home in Rydal Mews, Windermere Close, Exeter for many years. And yesterday police served her notice of eviction proceedings with a hearing set to take place at Exeter Magistrates Court on Wednesday. If she appeals the order a trial will be held on May 12. Officers are seeking the closure order on her flat, which is owned by Sovereign Housing and shared with Joshua Cole, following issues with drugs, loud music, noise and assaults relating to the property. Notices were posted on the front door of the flat and presented to her in person. Earlier this month Bennett admitted three counts of contravening a noise abatement notice which was served last September when she was told to reduce the noise levels from her flat. Every weekend in January her stereo music was blaring out as well as her TV, according to complaints from residents and community patrols. Two positive drug raids have also been carried out at the address in 2012 and Bennett was convicted of an assault last year. PC Mark Arthurs, of Exwick Neighbourhood police team, said it would be the first closure order "this side of the river" in Exeter and said it was a last resort. He said: "We have been working for some time with our partner agencies to develop a case to commence proceedings for an Anti Social Behaviour Closure Order at this property. "The local Policing Team including myself and PCSO Mike Lippett and PCSO Charlene Keefe have been aware of on-going incidents of anti-social behaviour and criminal activity. Whilst the Police and the Council have both separately successfully prosecuted the occupant Shantelle Bennett these ASB incidents have not subsided." The other tenant Joshua Cole was not part of the criminal and environmental health investigation but is still on the tenancy hence why the notice is served on both of them. "There has been on-going anti-social behaviour, continuing issues with drugs, loud music, noise and assault," added PC Arthurs. "We have been working with the partner agencies and tried to manage her behaviour and give her an alternative to this. "This is one of the last ports of call. A lot of hard work has been put in to try and avoid this. "Despite the court proceedings, complaints have continued and there has been no change in behaviour. We are not trying to victimise anyone and we tried to work with her. We have gone through the anti-social escalation process and tried to advise her throughout but her behaviour has been unacceptable." PC Arthurs has been working in Exwick for five years and said they have not applied for a closure order in that time. "As far as I know we have not had one this side of the river before," he said. "There has been one in St Davids and one in the city centre but it is rare that we get to this." If a full closure order is granted then the property will be bordered up and remain empty for at least three months.

Pictures: Exeter police start eviction proceedings against nightmare neighbour

A courageous schoolgirl has pledged to lose her hair after being inspired by a young cancer sufferer. Charlie Tillotson, aged 6 from Sidmouth, will have almost all of her 2ft waist-length locks cut this summer for Children with Cancer UK. She said: "I'm cutting my hair for children with cancer. And I want to raise 10 hundred pounds." The youngster has already raised around £700 after her mother Amy helped to launch the fundraising bid on April 24. Mrs Tillotson said: "I will have to make this happen for her as she has always wanted it to grow as long as Rapunzel." The cut on July 14 will be only her second proper haircut in her life after she previously refused to shed her long locks. Charlie, who lost her auntie to cancer, agreed to the cut after watching a video on the internet about a young girl affected by the illness. Mrs Tillotson added: "When I heard I had to stop myself from crying. It's such an emotional issue." Charlie will send the 16 inches of cut hair to a separate charity – Little Princess Trust – that makes wigs for children with cancer. To sponsor Charlie, visit: www.justgiving.com/charlietillotson or text Text flyn66 to 70070

Video: Six-year-old Charlie to lose her 2ft-long blonde locks for children's cancer charity

A woman has been winched up by a helicopter after falling around 20 to 30ft between two turrets of a cathedral. The casualty, who is thought to be in her 60s, is believed to have been on a tour of Wells Cathedral in Somerset when she fell shortly after midday. An Avon and Somerset Police spokeswoman said a helicopter from RAF Kinloss in the north of Scotland airlifted the woman to Frenchay Hospital in Bristol with what are believed to be arm and pelvic injuries. Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue said appliances from Wells, Shepton Mallet, Bridgwater and Street were sent to the scene and worked alongside paramedics and a doctor. A spokesman for Wells Cathedral said the 68-year-old woman was part of a tour group of around a dozen, accompanied by two guides. "The emergency services did a fantastic job," he said. "She fell inside the cathedral but they took her out through the top of the roof." He said he did not have any further information about how the incident happened and an investigation would take place. A spokesman for South Western Ambulance Service said the woman was trapped in a void between two walls 150ft up inside the bell tower. She was given pain relief and its hazardous area response team worked with the fire crews to winch her up to a platform for assessment before she was then taken to the roof of the cathedral from where she was winched into the helicopter. She is suspected to have broken wrists, a broken pelvis and abdominal injuries, the spokesman said. Wells Cathedral later confirmed in a statement that the woman fell during a high parts tour. The statement said: "A group of 12 adults were undertaking the final stage of a standard Cathedral high parts tour. While the group was undertaking a briefing within this space, an incident occurred to one of the party members. "The cathedral's emergency procedure was immediately put into operation. "No details are yet available as to how the incident occurred but all further high parts tours and cathedral tower tours are cancelled until further notice while a review of the incident takes place."

Wells Cathedral Rescue: Devon firefighters help woman after 30ft fall

Work begins on new changing facilities at Cornwall House Outdoor Pool

PICTURES: Honiton couple's amazing model railway goes on show to the public

Concerns as Flybe axes several Exeter 'sun routes'