Exeter Express and Echo Latest Stories Feed

A hotel worker's neck chain was found by police on the floor of a woman guest the morning after he allegedly raped her in her bedroom. Nelu Popa was working as a handyman at the Cairn House Hotel in Ilfracombe when he is alleged to have attacked a woman who had gone to bed drunk. She claimed he punched her during a violent struggle and forensic teams found blood on her duvet, pillow and sheets, Exeter Crown Court was told. Popa, aged 37, of St Brannock's Road, Ilfracombe, denies three counts of rape. He says the woman invited him into her room but then became violent and she he had to defend himself against her attack. He denies they had sex at all. The jury have heard from the woman how she went to bed early after drinking in the hotel bar and woke to find Popa sexually assaulting him after he climbed through her open window. She said she kicked out and tried to fight him off but he punched her in the face and stopped her escaping through the window or door by dragging her back into the room. The prosecution say the forensic evidence supports the complainant's account of a violent sexual attack with traces of blood found on Popa's shirt and the window sill. Detective Constable Martin Pearce said he accompanied a Scenes of Crime Officer to the hotel the morning after the alleged rape and met the woman. She told him the rape took place on a duvet on her bed and handed over the clothes she had been wearing at the time. He said:"She said obviously she had asked him down and been drinking above and beyond. I told her she should give her full account to specially trained officers. "We seized a gold chain from the floor of the bedroom, between the bed and the wardrobe and put it in an exhibit bag. We seized other items including the duvet cover. "There were blood stains on the cover, the sheet, and the pillow case." Other officers who arrested Popa in his room at the hotel said they found blood stains on his shirt and noticed grazing on the third knuckle of his left hand.

A Judge has issued a warrant for the arrest of a care leaver after he lost contact with probation officers who were trying to help him find a job and settle down. Kieran Curtis, aged 20, escaped jail when he received a suspended sentence in January for an incident in which he threatened the foster parents of a 13-year-old girl with a steak knife. The couple had gone to his former home in Buttgarden Street, Bideford, to fetch the teenager after learning she had gone to a party. They were waiting outside in their car when Curtis came out with a steak knife and approached them before dropping the weapon and running off. Curtis, of Hostle Park, Ilfracombe, later moved to the Amber Project at Chawleigh, near Chulmleigh, Mid Devon, where he was a resident at the time of his sentence in January. He admitted having a knife in a public place and was jailed for six months, suspended for a year, and ordered to receive supervision. His case was brought back to court by the probation service after he missed a series of appointments and Judge Phillip Wassall issued a warrant for his arrest after he failed to appear in court. Miss Sarah Hornblower, prosecuting, said supervising officers had lost contact with Curtis and considered the supervision order to be unworkable. At the time of the last hearing the court heard Curtis was doing well at the Amber Project where he was receiving help to curb alcohol abuse and to fins a job.

A major road in Axminster has been closed after an air-dropped German bomb was found in a garden. Royal Navy bomb disposal team and police were called to a residential property in Alexandra Road in Axminster, East Devon, at 9:15am today. The Southern Dive Unit from Plymouth Royal Naval base in Devonport, were called by police after a home owner discovered the air-dropped German bomb when gardening. The unexploded device was found by someone digging in their garden, say police. Officers have evacuated six homes in the surrounding area as a precaution, and erected a 200 metre cordon around the property where the device was found. The explosive was largely inert and harmless because the detonator and fuse were missing. However, a spokesman for the bomb disposal team said: "The householder did the right thing by calling police because although this mostly harmless, if it was set fire to then the explosive remaining could have been dangerous and caused injury. We always urge the public who find suspicious items they suspect might be bombs or flares or other ordnance to call police and not to handle.'' Today's find was an incendiary dropped on buildings in large numbers by German warplanes designed to set fire to property, It weighs 1kg and measures about 12 inches by two inches. The bomb will be disposed of safely. The Highways Agency have also been called to close the A358 between the A35 and Musbury Road.

Road closed after German bomb found in Axminster garden

This amazing video shows the moment a Southwest swimmer was nearly swallowed whole by a shark. Lew Smart, 31, was sunbathing at Cornwall's remote Sennen Cove when he spotted a fin gliding through the water. Instead of scrambling to safety he decided to grab his underwater camera to capture some footage of the 15ft fish. Lew recognised the massive enormous open mouth of a basking shark - a species that poses no risk to humans and feeds by hoovering up plankton as it swims. But as Lew dived down the huge creature suddenly came straight at him - and for a few terrifying seconds he feared he would sucked into its 2ft wide mouth. Lew kept his nerve and the shark swam past but the frightening moment was captured in his 40 second video. Fearless Lew, of Sennen, has swam with sharks before and remained in the water observing the fish for 20 minutes. He said: "We get basking sharks quite frequently just off the beach in Sennen. "After I saw it about 30 metres out I decided to jump in the sea as I thought it would be quite cool to have a swim with it. "It came pretty close to me - at one point it came towards me with its mouth wide open. I wasn't scared but adrenaline was definitely going. "I have spent most of my life out in the ocean surfing. I have been that close before but on a surf board. "It was just cruising around, it wasn't moving too much and didn't seem phased by me. "I swam with it for around 20 minutes, I had to get out after a while as I was just in shorts and was getting cold." Around 15 years ago when Lew was just 16, he was chased by a tiger shark while in Hawaii. He was also chased by a reef shark age 21 while travelling in Bali in 2004. Lew, an actor who also runs Smart Surf School with his two brothers, Sam and Seb, said: "When I was in Bali, me and my friend were surfing and we got chased by a reef shark. "It was right behind us but we managed to get out of the water pretty fast ." The footage comes after leading experts declared the best start to basking shark season in living memory, with dozens of sightings along the Cornish coast. Basking sharks tend to swim deep in the ocean but from May to October they come to the surface to feed on plankton blooms. The harmless fish - which can reach lengths of up to 36ft - are the largest fish found in British waters and the second largest shark species. They are known for their large dorsal fin and for swimming with open mouths which can be as much as 3ft wide.

Amazing video shows basking shark just miss swimmer off Southwest beach

Police are appealing for the public's help in finding a man who has gone missing from Exeter. Matthew Rogers, 25, went missing from his home in the St Thomas area of the city on Monday 26 May. He is described as white, 6ft 2ins, of slim build, with short fair-coloured hair. He usually wears jeans, a casual top and black boots. Detective Constable Emily Sheppard, based in Exeter, said: "This is not the first time Matthew has gone missing however his family are very concerned about him. "He has not made any contact with them since Friday (30 May) and they don't know where he has gone. "Matthew doesn't drive so he may be using public transport to get around." Anyone who has seen Matthew, or knows of his whereabouts, is asked to call police on 101 quoting reference 549 of 28 May, or alternatively call the independent charity Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.

Can you help? Police appeal to trace missing Exeter man, 25

A sneak thief has been jailed for attacking a shop worker who tried to stop him running off with her handbag. Martin Murray asked to be sent to jail after having an argument with the probation officer who was supervising him and failing to turn up for a series of drug tests. He is a prolific offender who was meant to be meeting his supervising officer several times a week but repeatedly called in sick, Exeter Crown Court was told. He was made subject of a suspended sentence in February for a sneak raid on the Animal surf shop in Ilfracombe in which he attacked a member of staff who confronted him. Murray decided he wanted to serve his sentence and get it over and done with after storming out of a meeting with his supervising probation officer in April. Murray, aged 44, of High Street, Ilfracombe, admitted burglary and assault by battery at an earlier hearing before Barnstaple Magistrates in February. He admitted being in breach of his supervision and drug rehabilitation orders and Judge Phillip Wassall jailed him for 19 weeks. He knocked 5 weeks off the original 24 week sentence to mark the 22 out of 44 probation appointments which Murray kept. The Judge told him:"You may have attended three drug rehabilitation reviews at court but the reality is that you never really engaged with this order. There is plainly no alternative to prison." Miss Sarah Hornblower, prosecuting, said Murray had been abusive to his probation officer and stormed out of a meeting after being asked about his failure to keep previous appointments. She said:"He was a prolific offender who was required to attend a number of appointments. The probation service feel they cannot work with him and ask the court to activate the sentence." She said Murray had also expressed the view that he did not want the order to continue with the prospect of the sentence hanging over his head and wanted to serve it. Miss Eleanor Purkis, defending, said there were genuine medical reasons for most of the missed appointments but Murray had problems getting doctors' certificates to prove it. She said:"As a result his relationship with his supervising officer has broken down. He feels the supervisor has been unduly harsh and not given him enough leeway or acknowledged the problems of travelling between Ilfracombe and Barnstaple for appointments. "He has reached the point where he says he has given up the fight and feels even if he was given another chance the likelihood is he would be breached again. "He feels there is no point in continuing to engage with the order and he might as well go to prison." Murray arrived more than an hour late at Exeter Crown Court carrying two large carrier bags full of clothing and other possessions. In the original case he admitted going into the Animal shop in January where he tried to snatch two handbags from a back office before struggling with a female member of staff who tried to stop him.

The family of a "lovely, wonderful", wife, mother and grandmother of six from Exmouth, who was one of two victims in the Exmouth to Looe coach crash, has paid tribute to their loved one. Margaret Luxton, 59, from Exmouth tragically died when the coach she was a passenger in crashed at around 1pm on Tuesday, May 13, near the Cornish coastal town of Looe. Carol Muldoon, 68, from Newton Poppleford, had previously been named by police as the other victim of the tragedy which also left four people with serious injuries. Speaking on behalf of the Luxton family, Margaret's daughter-in-law Ruth, said: "A wonderful local Exmouth lady was taken from us far too soon at the age of 59. "Margaret was a lovely wife to Richard of 40 years and a wonderful mother to her two children Marie and Terry, all from Exmouth. "She was a fantastic nanny to her six grandchildren, Amy, Lucy, James and Alfie, Archie and Amelie, who will all miss her massively. "At Christmas she always turned up like Mother Christmas with sacks full of presents for everyone. "Margaret always had a big smile on her face and always cared for everyone else before herself. "She worked for many years at Knappe Cross nursing home who have all said they will be deeply saddened by her loss. "Margaret was a very timid lady who was afraid to fly which is why she loved going on her day trips on a coach with her sister Brenda, who was also her best friend. "When they both set off that morning on May 13, sitting at the back of the coach, little did they know that Margaret would never return. "The crash has saddened and shocked us all as a family. "We drove to the site to place flowers and posters the grandchildren had made – it was an emotional day but we would love to think that our lovely, positive Margaret will always be shining on us all. "She will be massively missed." Carol's family, including her husband and "love of her life" John who was sitting next to her on the coach but who was unhurt in the incident, previously expressed their devastation and said their "hearts have broken". Carol, who worked at Rest Haven Residential Home in Exmouth, also left behind her daughter Tammy and son Toby, and three grandchildren, Leah, 27, Myki, 26 and Elvis, 11. Her family described her as vivacious and a "one-in-a-million". Investigations are continuing into how the vehicle from Exeter-based Carmel Coaches crashed while travelling down a hill and negotiating a right-hand bend. The 57-year-old driver from Exeter was arrested on suspicion of causing death by dangerous driving and has been released on bail until August. Police are still awaiting formal identification of the two women from the coroner. The inquests into their deaths were opened by the Cornwall Coroner on Friday, May 30.

Family pay tribute to “lovely, wonderful” Exmouth grandmother killed in Looe crash

Luke Arscott has completed his move from Exeter Chiefs to Bath on a two-year contract. The 29-year-old, who made 99 appearances during two spells with the Chiefs, was allowed to leave with a year left on his Sandy Park deal for personal reasons. He returned to the club from Bristol following their promotion to the top flight in 2010. The full-back said: "I'm very excited by the opportunity to join Bath, and I'm looking forward to linking up with the squad for pre-season. "You can see how much they have developed this year, and the potential that is still there, so it will be great to be part of that going forward into the new season." Bath head coach Mike Ford added: "We are really pleased Luke is joining us. We had a gap in the squad for a more experienced out-and-out fullback, and Luke fits the bill perfectly. He's got all the attributes you'd expect, and he'll be a very good fit at the club."

Luke Arscott completes move to Bath

Centre Sam Hill is determined to keep working hard in a bid to win another call up to the England squad. The 20-year-old Exeter Chiefs ace started for an England XV as they lost 39-29 against the Barbarians on Sunday. Having had a taste of the senior international, after playing for the second-string Saxons in January, the former Crediton youngster is keen for more in the future. Hill was joined in the England team by Chiefs colleagues Henry Slade and Dave Ewers. He said: "It was a great experience to play against some world-class players, and to have some other Exeter Chiefs boys in the same side with me was a great bonus. "It was the first time I've played at Twickenham so it was quite nerve-wracking experience but it was really exciting to get out there and it was a great atmosphere. "The last two weeks' training were pretty intense and tough but it was a good experience to train with the senior guys and pick up a few things from them. "There are a lot of young centres coming through so it's tough competition for places but I've just got to keep my head down, keep working hard and you never know I might get a few more opportunities like that." Hill's inclusion in the England starting line-up capped a great 12 months, when he helped England under-20s win the Junior World Championship, made his Premiership debut and broke into the England Saxons squad for the first time. The former Queen Elizabeth's Community College pupil does not intend to rest on his laurels now. "It's been a really enjoyable year. I didn't really expect to play as much as I have done, and to get to the Saxons was quite a shock," he said. "I really enjoyed my experiences with England and to play as much in the first team with the Chiefs has been brilliant. "I've just got to keep looking to push on next year and improving." Hill is now taking a wall-earned break before returning to pre-season training later this month. He knows he needs to perform well to earn the No. 12 jersey at the club. "There's a lot of centres playing well and it's tough to get that position," he said. "I've got to work hard in pre-season and keep moving forward now."

Exeter Chiefs centre Sam Hill targets more England recognition

"I FEEL I must write to comment on Mrs V B Pollard's letter (Quayside needs some attention, Letters, May 22) concerning what she refers to as the 'unkempt' area and saying our city basin is 'dilapidated' and contains 'derelict boats'. This area is one of the oldest in the city, and as such, it retains its authentic look. As for the dilapidated boats, some have a wonderful history. This basin is a working basin and there is always someone painting, repairing and renovating their craft. Why shouldn't people live on their crafts if that is what they want to do? The city basin changes by the week with boats coming and going. Some are moored for the winter and it is a lovely sight to see when they are taken out of the water in the sinter and then returned to the water in summer. some of these boats are old and interesting and some are modern, but all have character. Whatever is Mrs Pollard talking about when she mentions free parking? Where is that available? As for serving alcoholic drinks, there are many licensed restaurants there and, as I am down there most days, I can truthfully say I have never seen debris left by restaurant owners – they take great pride in the area. Mrs Pollard, if you want to join me in a tour of the area, I will willingly educate you on the workings of this lovely area. I can only assume she seldom walks around this historic area and talks to the owners to gain a wealth of knowledge about the individual boats. Wise up Mrs Pollard and if you want to join me in a tour of the area, I will willingly educate you on the workings of this lovely area." Marian Snow Exeter

A fork lift truck driver from Cullompton killed himself with a shotgun after suffering from depression. Paul Drakes, 50, shot himself at his home in Trumps Orchard on March 5, 2013, with his own licensed gun. The inquest into his death held at County Hall in Exeter on Tuesday, heard he had been suffering from depression for several years. He reported to his GP Dr Rowbury, at College Surgery in Cullompton, that he had been experiencing suicidal thoughts in June 2005, but would not carry them out due to his family. The inquest heard that emergency services were called shortly after 7am and ambulance crews confirmed he was deceased. They said Mr Drakes, originally from Bedfordshire, had been found in the garden by family with a gunshot wound to his head and the gun was in his hand. Coroner Dr Elizabeth Earland read a statement from his wife, Yvonne Drakes, which said she had seen him in the garden when she woke up and 7am and he "had been up and down". She also read a statement from neighbour Lisa Green who confirmed hearing two shots at 4.30am. DC Ian Henshaw, from Tiverton CID, said there was evidence of some blood in the kitchen. He also found two shotgun cartridges, one on the lawn and one in the barrel. A post mortem confirmed that the cause of death was severe skull injuries. Dr Earland recorded a verdict of suicide. She said: "He had suffered intermittent bouts of depression and shot himself with his licensed shotgun in the head at 4.30 in the morning. "He had earlier cut himself with a Stanley knife." She added: "On behalf of myself and my officers I would like to offer my deepest sympathy to the family."

THE woman behind Miss England has defended the contest, arguing it is not 'outdated.' Bikini clad woman hoping to be crowned Miss England have been in town for the swimwear round of the comp. Fourteen hopefuls from Newcastle to Wiltshire, London to Manchester, Oxfordshire and South Yorkshire, lounged on the top deck of the luxury yacht 777 in Torquay marina to launch the swimwear round of this year's Miss England pageant contest which is coming to the Bay later this month. The line-up included Karina Tyrrell, 24, who is studying medicine at Cambridge University, and psychology graduate Leanne Carroll, 23, from Cheshire. Another of the girls, Miss Cornwall, Emma Smith, 22 was bullied at school because of a lazy eye - but turned the tables on her tormentors by getting straight As in her A-levels and going to medical school. There was also a host of 'Mr Worlds' in Torbay in a competition to find the world's most desirable man. Linda Hill, from the Hospitality Association, who helped bring the event to Torquay, said: "It has given us publicity that money can't buy." But the event has prompted a sexism row with one Bay councillor accusing the competition of being old fashioned. Cllr Darren Cowell also questioned why the Mayor's event budget has funded the competition by £7,000 during a time of deep cuts to front line services. He said: "It send out the wrong signal but says a lot about the priorities of an administration which is supporting an event which I question should be going on in the first place. "If this is not about glamour then I don't know what it is about. They may do a lot for charity but I do find it a little bit strange that its only women of a certain size who do this benevolent work." Director Angela Beasley said accusations that the contest was inappropriate nowadays were old fashioned. She said the view that beauty pageants were degrading was outdated. She said: "We've come a long way from girls just turning up with their heels and swimsuit and walking on a cat walk to be judged. "Now girls take part in various rounds including a tough sports round – you have to be physically fit. "The current Miss England ran the London Marathon this year and raised thousands of pounds for childrens' charities. "Miss England is about being a good role model." Ms Hill said that Cllr Cowell was the 'old fashioned' one and had not accepted an invite to meet the girls and find out more about the competition. She said: "The last thing that this competition is is old fashioned. I invite him to come along and get an accurate view." She said that the girls do a lot of good work for charity and work hard at their profession. She said: "This weekend, Miss Devon will be sitting in a bath of beans in Exeter for a children's charity. That is not old fashioned." She said that the publicity had been brilliant and great for Torbay. She said: "We want to make Torbay the events capital of the UK and everybody is welcome. "That is from the UKIP conference to bike races, we want people to come to Torbay." The boat deck photocall was followed by another photo shoot on Torre Abbey Sands. Miss England organisers said the two shoots were part of the overall competition with the winner going through to the top 15 finalists at the Miss England finals at the Riviera International Conference Centre on June 16. The favourite for the Mr World title is Jordan Williams who won the Mr England title last June at the Riviera International Conference Centre.

Miss England competition not 'old fashioned' says organiser

"I WOULD like to take this opportunity to pay tribute to Yolonda Henson, who after an excellent 32 years track record of public service, lost her city council seat in the elections just past. Yolonda was an outstanding woman of strength, courage, determination and an exceptional ambassador for our city and I know her presence on the council will be greatly missed by all. I know, as do most, the hard work Yolonda put in to ensuring that the Conservatives in Exeter were a strong voice of opposition where Labour have made decisions which have not been right for our city, as well as an advocate of their policies which have been. For the good of Exeter, Yolonda was always prepared to put party politics to one side and on behalf of city councillors of all political persuasion, I can thank her for everything that she did. I would also like to congratulate Councillor Andrew Leadbetter on his election of Shadow Leader of the council and wish him all the very best, I very much look forward to working with him." Cllr Jake Donovan Conservative Councillor for Pennsylvania

The Met Office has issued a storm warning for thundery weather to hit Devon this weekend. A yellow warning of severe weather is in place for the whole of Saturday. a spokesman said: "Thundery downpours are expected to affect parts of England, Wales and southern counties of Scotland during Saturday. "The public should be aware of the potential for localised flooding due to the intensity of these storms, although at this stage the location of the heaviest rainfall is uncertain. "Warm, humid air is likely to be pulled northwards from France late on Friday and during Saturday. "Within this airmass, there is an increasing likelihood that heavy, thundery showers will break out. "It is likely that many places within the current broad warning area will miss the worst of the storms; over the next few days it may be possible to focus on the areas most at risk."

Weather warning issued as heavy rain to hit Devon this weekend

SUPERMARKET giant Asda has reaffirmed its commitment to open a store in Exeter and said it hoped to be in a position to make an announcement soon. Discussions labelled "positive" are still on-going with the Exeter Deaf Academy site on Topsham Road still rumoured to be the favoured site. The deaf academy is understood to be reliant on selling its current site to the store to finance the high-profile move across the city it now has planning permission for. Echo readers have long called for an Asda – the only major supermarket the city currently lacks. And in a statement released to the Echo a spokesman confirmed today: "We are aware of the high level of interest and support we have in Exeter about opening a store there. At the moment all we can say is that we still have a desire to open an Asda in Exeter and that positive talks to make this happen are continuing. "We look forward to making progress soon and will keep the community fully informed and updated when we are in a position to do so."

Asda hope to make 'positive' announcement on opening Exeter store soon

Exeter scientists have established that footballer Eric Cantona was right - seagulls do follow the trawler. A study has found that sea birds really can sense a fishing boat from miles away and alter their flight patterns to zoom in. The French star left the public baffled with his 'philosophical' speech following an incident when he kicked a Crystal Palace fan in in 1995. He said: 'When seagulls follow the trawler, it is because they think sardines will be thrown into the sea.' Exeter scientists have established that his words were literally true finding that a boat creates a 'halo of influence' for seven miles in every direction. Gannets, Britain's largest seabird, can even differentiate a fishing boat from any other vessel. They are less likely to be attracted to boats that simply drift along than to boats whose crews are actively fishing. Exeter's Dr Thomas Bodey, who led the study tracking six colonies of northern gannets, said: 'While we knew that seabirds, including gannets, regularly followed fishing vessels, we were surprised at the distance at which the birds' behaviour was affected, expecting it to be a more localized phenomenon.' The study, published in the journal Current Biology, said the findings demonstrate that fishing vessels which throw discards into the water have a far bigger ecological footprint than previously thought. Dr Mark Jessopp of University College Cork said: 'The fact that birds responded differently to boats depending on whether they were fishing or not, and the type of gear they were carrying, indicates just how finely attuned these animals are to the opportunities humans can provide.'

Exeter scientist find Eric Cantona was right in famous ‘seagulls follow the trawler’ speech

Police have revealed that more than half a million pounds has been demanded from hundreds of people across the South West in "courier" frauds. Devon and Cornwall police have revealed there have been 90 incidents in the region where one victim lost £40,000 to the scam. The vast majority of victims are elderly, some of whom have been duped out of tens of thousands of pounds. In Avon and Somerset, where 15 offences have been recorded, a victim lost £34,000 while in Dorset another was conned out of £28,000. In all more than 200 offences have been recorded across the five forces in the South West. The regional organised crime unit – Zephyr – is today rolling out a high profile publicity campaign to warn people about the threat. Detective Chief Inspector Will White said: "We really don't know the extent of this extremely worrying problem. "It is possible that the thousands of pounds which have been demanded and lost and the sums that we have been prevented from being surrendered may only be the tip of the iceberg. Similar approaches have been used by the fraudsters across the South West and in other parts of the country. It started in the south east of England but has spread to other parts of the UK. Conmen contact potential victims – who are normally elderly – by telephone. They are then encouraged, using an elaborate and convincing story, to withdraw large sums of cash, which they are then asked to send to London by taxi or courier. The offenders often claim the money is potential evidence for an investigation and is required so that it can be forensically examined. Avon and Somerset Police have arrested two men from London in connection with courier fraud and have been released on police bail, pending further inquiries. Detective Chief Inspector Will White added: "It is possible that some victims may feel too embarrassed, ashamed or humiliated to come forward and report that they have been duped. "We would like to hear from these people, so that we can establish how widespread this particular crime is and so that support and advice can be provided."

Telephone fraudsters trick Devon elderly out of thousands in ‘courier’ con

Exeter City's Supporters' Trust are expected to meet tomorrow to discuss the ramifications of the Professional Footballers' Association loan, which was taken this week to cover running costs. The Supporters' Trust owners of Exeter City could tighten the purse strings at St James' Park even further, after the club requested a short-term loan from the PFA. Following the news Laurence Overend, chairman of Exeter City Supporters' Trust, admitted the central problem for the Supporters' Trust model was that of "capitalisation" – the lack of a single owner or benefactor who could inject urgent funds. The Grecians released nine first-team players last month, with manager Paul Tisdale saying he was seeking "value for money" from his squad. Assistant manager Rob Edwards also left St James' Park after eight years at the Devon club – ostensibly for financial reasons. The relegation of Westcountry rivals Torquay United and Bristol Rovers is unlikely to have helped the Grecians' cause, with boss Tisdale saying he believed it would directly affect their budget for the 2014-15 season. But Exeter City director of football Steve Perryman has said reducing the playing budget could have a knock-on effect on the team's ability to earn "football money" – basically, player sales or revenue from success in league or cup combat. Laurence Overend, chairman of Exeter City Supporters' Trust, which owns 53 per cent of shares in the club, said he was unwilling to make a formal statement due to the Trust's democratic nature.. Avoiding the "peak and troughs" of cashflow will be among the chief points of discussion at the Trust's meeting – suggesting a further reduction of the budget. Overend said: "I don't think it's critical – it's very common for businesses and particularly football clubs to take out loans, so for most clubs this wouldn't be newsworthy. "But we're not a traditional model, as Exeter City is at the forefront of the supporters-owned movement." He added: "We need to reflect on the implications for our model – one of the common traits of a co-operative in the not-for-profit sector is that they lack capitalisation – what they lack is capital. "While the club has proved to be sustainable under Trust ownership for the past ten years, it [the Trust] has never been able to provide an injection of capital into the club when it needs it." Perryman said: "At any club, I think it's important to earn football money which is player sales, a cup run or a great run in the league which puts you near the play-off places. "The more money you take out of the team – it makes life difficult. "But nobody said being at a club like Exeter City was going to be easy." A statement on the club's website said the loan was taken after finances were stretched as a result of below-par attendances and season-ticket renewals. The statement read: "As we are all aware, Exeter City AFC is not owned and funded by any one individual and this means that finances are always stretched, and 2013-14 was no different. "However, we have also been adversely affected by match attendances being below expectations and a lower than anticipated uptake of season-ticket renewals, so the finances in the close season have been under pressure. "As a result, the club received a short-term, temporary loan from the PFA on Monday, June 2."

Exeter City Supporters’ Trust chairman admits further reduction of budget is real possibility following news of PFA loan

Only one per cent of Exeter England fans have made a bet on England winning the world cup and 21% claim they will probably pray for England at some point, a new survey has revealed. Many England football fans are going to feel far more stressed, overly superstitious, fall out with a loved one, skip work or college and moan mostly about Adrian Chiles during the World Cup, William Hill research has claimed. As we strap ourselves in for a carnival of football and a rollercoaster ride of emotions, most of us agree England's chances of becoming the first European team to win a World Cup in South America are slim to nothing. But the "Three Thousand Lions Report" (so called because these are the views of 3000 England fans who were questioned by William Hill), looks at what the World Cup really means to them and how related issues will affect their lives and behaviour for the month ahead. Issues that will divide opinions and house-holds, invite ridicule and cause a social media moaning melt-down. The main findings for Exeter are: - 64% of fans expect to watch England play during the World Cup - 68% of men and 21% of women consider themselves real fans and intend to watch all of England's games - 21% claim they will probably pray for England at some point, especially if they reach a penalty shoot-out. 17% of those who said yes do not consider themselves religious! - 10% of fans believe they will have an argument with a partner or loved one as a result of watching the World Cup. 12% of people intend to watch England play in a pub with friends, making it one of the most likely reasons - Only 1% of fans have had or will have a bet on England to WIN the Tournament! A further 4% will back England to win a game at some point. Of those betting on England, 75% will do so for patriotic or superstitious reasons, 45% because the odds are very good, and 25% genuinely believe in them. - 14% of fans are so superstitious they have to watch England play in the same seat, with the same people, or wearing a specific item (typically an England shirt for 70% of the latter) - A huge 72% of fans will feel some sort of genuine disappointment if England fail to perform well and around a third of those would be "quite depressed" about it - 30% of fans will feel some sort of stress level increase when watching England play, with 1 in 3 of those expecting their stress level to probably be "unhealthy" - 7% expect to either definitely or probably skip work or lectures to watch a World Cup Game at some point - Adrian Chiles is the TV presenter/pundit fans will find the most irritating (25%), followed by Roy Keane (15%) & Rio Ferdinand (12%) William Hill spokesperson, Rupert Adams, added: "We've already heard from more than enough pundits about the football, but this gives us a snapshot of how a huge sporting event can affect our lives. Not just for ardent England fans, but even those who aren't really that interested. We can't escape the World Cup and our research clearly shows that for some people it is a temporary life-changing event" This World Cup is set to become the biggest sporting event in betting history with William Hill, the largest bookmaking firm in the UK, predicting over £200m from over 17m bets staked with them alone. "I'm very confident that this will be the first ever sporting event to see a £1Billion betting turnover in this country", continues Rupert. "Betting activity could nearly double on days when England are playing, and if they can exceed expectation and reach the latter stages, that could even be a conservative estimate"

New research shows Exeter England fans aren’t hopeful for side’s World Cup chances (and they find Adrian Chiles annoying)

Rob Baxter says the key for his Exeter Chiefs youngsters is to develop some consistency – for themselves as well as the club. Sam Hill, Dave Ewers and Henry Slade all started for England in Sunday's non-cap international against the Barbarians. In addition, Luke Cowan-Dickie is with more experienced Chiefs flanker Tom Johnson on the senior England tour of New Zealand, with the first Test this Saturday. Sandy Park head coach Baxter says that to break into the international fold, the up-and-coming players need to perform week in, week out. "The World Cup is on everybody's radar. Maybe that is a little too soon for some of our younger guys to put on their list, but what they have to do is put some consistent form together," said Baxter. "The England players who stay in that environment, what they are able to do is perform consistently over the course of a season. "That's what out young guys have got to develop, that ability to be very good in a lot of big games over an extended period of time. "If you play well when the England selectors are watching you give yourself a great chance, but you have to do it next time as well, not drop off and have an up and down season when you perform one week but not the next. "That consistency is key to them all having individual success and getting England recognition and key to us getting to the next level as a club. It's great that the two marry together so closely." An inexperienced England XV lost 39-29 against the Baa-Baas at Twickenham, with Ewers scoring a try and Slade also crossing in a 15-point haul. Baxter was particularly impressed with how well Slade stood up under pressure, with the fly-half also England's vice-captain. "They all played very well against what was a very good Barbarians team," he said. "Dave scored a try, Henry scored a try and took charge of the game so there are some positives there for us. "It was nice to hear the commentators making so many positive comments about the three of them and the club as a whole. "I think they can hold their heads up high. "Henry had to be tough out there. He stood up defensively very well and kept his composure in a tough environment, so I was very pleased for him as he had such a pivotal role in the game."

Rob Baxter: Consistency is key for Exeter Chiefs youngsters

Handyman's neck chain found at scene of alleged hotel rape

Arrest warrant issued for knife man who lost contact with probation officers

Road closed after German bomb found in Axminster garden

Amazing video shows basking shark just miss swimmer off Southwest beach

Can you help? Police appeal to trace missing Exeter man, 25

Sneak thief asks to be jailed after bust up with probation officer

Family pay tribute to "lovely, wonderful" Exmouth grandmother killed in Looe crash

Luke Arscott completes move to Bath

Exeter Chiefs centre Sam Hill targets more England recognition

Reader's Letter: In defence of Exeter Quay

Cullompton man shot himself after suffering from depression, inquest hears

Miss England competition not 'old fashioned' says organiser

Reader's Letter: Yolonda's voice will be missed in Exeter

Weather warning issued as heavy rain to hit Devon this weekend

Asda hope to make 'positive' announcement on opening Exeter store soon

Exeter scientist find Eric Cantona was right in famous 'seagulls follow the trawler' speech

Telephone fraudsters trick Devon elderly out of thousands in 'courier' con

Exeter City Supporters' Trust chairman admits further reduction of budget is real possibility following news of PFA loan

New research shows Exeter England fans aren't hopeful for side's World Cup chances (and they find Adrian Chiles annoying)

Rob Baxter: Consistency is key for Exeter Chiefs youngsters