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Employees in Exeter are believed to be among the first in the world to be offered a genetic test to help them improve their health and fitness. Landmark Information Group has teamed up with British Olympian and double Commonwealth Games medal-winning cyclist Jess Varnish and British nutrigenetics firm DNAFit Life Sciences to offer DNAFit, a test which reveals the best workout and diet to help weight loss and improve wellness. The company, which specialises in environmental reports and digital mapping, is thought to be the first in the world to offer 'genetically guided corporate wellness programmes' to help employees manage their diet and boost their fitness. Jess, who visited Landmark's Sowton office on Monday, has used the DNAFit test to refine her training and 50 employees at Landmark have followed suit, including CEO Mark Milner. All will receive their own bespoke DNAFit diet, nutrition and exercise plans to help change their lives. They will also have the chance to join in Landmark's Bike Week 'Jess's JOGLE' challenge – to 'virtually' cycle the 955 miles from John O'Groats to Land's End. Exercise bikes allowing all employees to take up the challenge will be located at the firm's offices in Exeter, Brighton and Reading. Participating employees are also helping to raise money for Cycling Projects, which promotes accessible cycling nationwide. All employees will also be invited to attend genetic workshops hosted by DNAFit consultant and athlete Andrew Steele, who used the programme as part of his training for the British Olympics men's 400m. Landmark's health and wellbeing initiative comes at a time when the NHS has raised concerns that obesity is causing millions to suffer life-long illness. NHS chief executive Simon Stevens will publish plans next month to encourage private companies to help employees lose weight by holding slimming classes, running clubs and promote cycling. "At Landmark, we are already powering ahead by promoting healthy lifestyles through a range of initiatives, like Jess's JOGLE challenge," said chief technology officer Ian Clarke. "A healthy employee is a productive employee. DNAFit enables employees to know the very best diet for their own genetics and train according to their unique genetic makeup, in the process influencing behavioural change and creating motivation." The revolutionary DNAFit test – which made news around the world when it was revealed it was being used by English Premier League soccer teams and Olympic athletes – scans up to 45 gene variants linked to a body's capacity to cope with training and food. The tests reveal if a person is best suited to endurance exercise (heavy cardio) or power exercise (weights and sprints), how much recovery time is needed between training and the risk of soft tissue damage. In a recent study of 191 obese people by the University of Trieste, those using a DNA matched diet lost 33 per cent more weight than those counting calories. The DNAFit test also reveals a person's carbohydrate and saturated fat sensitivity, lactose and gluten intolerance risk, as well as their ideal diet, detox ability, anti-oxidant needs, vitamin and micronutrient intake, salt and caffeine sensitivity. Jess said: "I think it's excellent that Landmark is the first to offer this test to its employees. It's really important to me to promote positive values around overall fitness, health and wellbeing. As Landmark's ambassador I'm really excited to see how they are embedding this approach as part of their own internal ethos." DNAFit founder Avi Lasarow added: "We're delighted Landmark has become the first firm to offer genetic testing for its employees. They will now be able to train and eat smarter, confident that they have a workout and diet that is personalised." For more information visit www.landmarkbikeweek.co.uk and follow Landmark's Twitter account @LandmarkUK #blazeatrail. To support the week and make a donation to Cycle Projects, please visit the JustGiving page at: https://www.justgiving.com/landmarkbikeweek/

DNA tests to help Exeter-based Landmark Information Group staff get fitter

Work on a £9.3 million scheme to provide an extra lane to ease congestion at one of Devon's busiest junctions will start this month. The work, at Splatford, near Exeter, is part of the Government's Pinch Point Programme and will extend the existing two lanes of the A380 to the junction with the A38 and continue to the Wobbly Wheel junction. It is due to be completed in March 2015. Initial work, between 6 October to the end of the month, will involve the installation of CCTV cameras and crossing points for contraflow traffic, which will take place overnight. During the majority of the work, five traffic lanes will be maintained with two lanes in each direction and the centre lane used to cater for peak commuter flows (eastbound in the mornings and westbound in the evenings). A temporary 50mph speed limit will be enforced from 6 October with average speed cameras for the safety of road users and the workforce. The increase in capacity on the road will improve the flow of traffic through the area which suffers severe congestion and delays. It will also cater for traffic following the opening of the Kingskerswell bypass due at the end of 2015. Highways Agency project sponsor, David Stock, said: "This major investment in the A38 will reduce congestion and help economic development in the wider Exeter area. "Drivers will benefit from reduced journey times through reduced congestion at peak times."

Work on £9.3 million scheme to ease congestion on A380 near Exeter to start this month

A pub-owning couple has been fined £4,999 each after a wedding party of 80 guests - made up of serving police officers - fell ill with norovirus. The happy couple and dozens of their guests became unwell after eating food at a wedding reception at the Globe Inn in Frogmore, South Hams. Inspectors found not only a dirty towel and cleaning sponge, but also a suspect vegetarian lasagne and a fish pie 'unfit for human consumption'. An inspection of the kitchen by South Hams District Council's environmental health department. found unacceptable levels of bacteria on a towel used for hand drying and a pot sponge. John Horsley, 64, and his wife Lynda, 63, owners of the Globe Inn, each admitted three charges of breaching food hygiene laws when they appeared before magistrates in Torquay. They were each fined £4,999. The court was told the pair were both 'upstanding members of the community' who had spent hundreds of thousands of pounds improving the pub, which is a favourite with summer visitors. But they failed to have a proper system in place to check hygiene standards were being upheld, failed to keep premises clean, and failed to comply with food safety requirements. Prosecutor Graham Gover told the court: "There was a report of an outbreak of food poisoning at the hotel, which had been taken over by a couple celebrating their marriage, and was available for guests." Shortly afterwards, inspectors visited the property and found unacceptable levels of harmful bacteria in the kitchen. Mr Gover did not link the state of the kitchen and bacteria found to the outbreak of sickness at the wedding. However, the Horsleys were still in breach of hygiene laws. Mitigating, Ashley Harold said the couple had informed the council as soon as they could after the incident which had prompted 'sickness and diarrhoea' in guests. She said the couple were 'absolutely devastated' by what had happened. Since the inspection, deep cleaning has been undertaken and is now done on a routine basis. The food areas have been redesigned, all staff have been retrained and better food safety management systems are now in place. Following the hearing, Cllr Simon Wright, South Hams District Council's executive member with responsibility for environmental health, said: "We are always happy to work with businesses to ensure that public health is protected. However, where conditions are consistently poor, we will take any necessary action to protect the public. "If any businesses have concerns about any food hygiene on their premises they should always contact the council for appropriate advice." Fleur Barr, environmental health officer for South Hams District Council, said: "Our approach to enforcing food law is normally to provide advice and guidance in the first instance to give businesses an opportunity to meet the standards expected. In this case, the proprietors were already aware of their obligations and, when the premises were inspected, they had failed to meet them on that occasion. We do not take prosecution lightly."

Devon pub fined for health and safety breaches after police guests got food poisoning

Manager Martyn Rogers concedes that the absences of both Owen Howe and James Richards are a 'massive blow' to Tiverton Town's hopes of victory at home to Didcot Town on Saturday. Both players miss the visit of the Railwaymen through suspension, with Howe serving the second of a three-match ban incurred for his headbutt on Matt Wright during a fiery FA Cup draw with Bideford. Richards is suspended for one game having been shown two yellow cards in the 1-0 defeat at AFC Totton. "With this league, with the small squads that everybody has got, if you get one or two injuries then it is going to affect you," said Rogers. "We have got James Richards out and Owen Howe suspended for Saturday so that is going to be a massive blow to us. "However, it is about how we cope with that and how we deal with it and try and go forward. "Didcot will be a difficult match because they are riding high at the top of the league as well, but I think the players relish those matches against the teams up near the top rather than perhaps some of the other sides in the league." Tivvy go into the game in high spirits having performed well in Saturday's 3-1 victory at Wimborne Town. Wimborne went into the match second in the table just three points off leaders Stratford Town, but were blown away by the Yellows' second-half performance. Two came from Jamie Mudge, who picked up the man-of-the-match award, but Rogers praised the entire team. "There wasn't a bad performance out there from anyone," said Rogers. "To a man, everybody played well and deserved credit for the win. "We had a good workrate and you have got to have that first and foremost. "I have said before that we might not be the best side in the league, but we will always work hard. Teams will struggle to out-work us in this division and that gives us a chance in any game. "We have played 10 games so far and we have been in every one of those games. "I felt we were unlucky to lose the previous Saturday (against Totton) and we could have won a lot more games than we have done so far this season." Wimborne started the game the brighter of the two teams, but Tiverton showed a clinical nature in the second half that was missing in the first 45. Jimmy Hinds put Tivvy in front as he picked the ball up 40 yards out before advancing and firing home into the top corner. Moments later it was 2-0 as Matt Bye set up Mudge to fire home a left-foot shot. Ethan Phillips then teed up Mudge for his second of the match. Jamie Davidson pulled a goal back with 14 minutes left, but it was to no avail.

Key Tiverton Town duo missing for visit of Railwaymen

After three wins in a row optimism is high in the Exeter City camp, but former captain Danny Coles' criticised the club's ambition this week and there is an injury crisis on the horizon. ECFC Talk discuss these two issues, plus the chance of City signing Ryan Harley and the England under-20s call-up for Matt Grimes and Christy Pym. Listen to the show above

PODCAST: ECFC Talk discuss Exeter City's ambition, Danny Coles, Ryan Harley and the injury crisis

Exeter's RD&E Hospital is among the top 20 per cent of acute trusts in England across a range of key cancer care patient experience indicators, according to national survey results published today. Some 94% of patients rated their care at the RD&E 'excellent/very good' – a result that is up 5% since 2012 and places the RD&E in the top 20% highest scoring trusts for this indicator. More than 1,000 adult cancer care patients from different cancer groups gave opinions on their experience of care at the RD&E in a national survey by NHS England. Their opinions were analysed and the results compared with those gathered in all other acute Trusts in England providing cancer care. Other areas where the RD&E scored in the top 20% included the quality of communication given to patients by clinicians; the patient's involvement in their own treatment; and the respect and dignity they were treated with. Some of the specific survey indicators where the trust was in the top 20% in England were: - Patients definitely involved in decisions about care and treatment - Patients got understandable answers to important questions all/most of the time - Patients had confidence and trust in all doctors/nurses treating them - Patient's family definitely had opportunity to talk to doctor/nurse - Always/nearly always enough nurses on duty - Patients never thought they were given conflicting information - Hospital staff did everything to help control pain all of the time - Patients always treated with respect and dignity by staff - Hospital staff definitely gave patients enough emotional support - Patients' rating of care 'excellent/very good'.

Em Wilkinson-Brice, chief nurse/chief operating officer at the RD&E, said: "Treating patients with compassion, respect and dignity are enshrined in the trust's values and behaviour and these results confirm our own internal evidence that staff are putting them into action every day. "Being treated for cancer can be a hugely challenging time for patients but we can significantly improve their overall experience while in hospital through respectful communication and closely involving them in decisions about their treatment. "Our clinical and management teams will continue to use this valuable survey tool to maintain and continue to improve the experience of our adult cancer patients, acknowledging and building on the fantastic support from the voluntary sector which contributes to the cancer patient experience."

Police are appealing to help trace an escaped prisoner who has links to the South West

Gary Cooper was found to be missing at the midday roll call on Monday, September 22, from HMP Leyhill in South Gloucestershire.

Avon and Somerset Police have circulated him as wanted and made enquiries with Devon and Cornwall Police as his previous addresses include Newquay, Truro and St Austell.

Cooper had been convicted of burglary at Truro Crown Court and jailed for four years.

He was transferred to the open prison in June 2014 ahead of his planned release in February 2015.

The 53-year-old is described as white, about 5ft 11ins tall, with grey hair and blue eyes. He has a scar on his forehead and tattoos on his arms of a dagger and a rose, a dagger and a snake, and a mermaid.

Neighbourhoods Manager Inspector Bob Evely said: "We would ask any member of the public who sees him to call us immediately on 999. Anyone with any other information which could help us trace him is asked to contact us online at www.avonandsomerset.police.uk/contact or call 101 quoting the reference 98472/14."

Have you seen this man? Police appeal to trace escaped prisoner with South West links

The AA's flood rescue team is warning of the risk of flash flooding tomorrow (3 October) and into the weekend with a Met Office yellow weather warning for western areas. Darron Burness, head of the AA's flood rescue team, says: "It's a case of change of month, change of weather. After precious little rain in September, autumn will fall sharply into focus tomorrow as it turns wet and windy across many areas. "We could see upwards of 60mm rain and gusts up to 60mph in places. While river catchments may well be able to take this volume of water after the very dry September, a lot may fall within 12 to 24 hours, so flash flooding is likely to be the main issue for drivers in the affected areas. "Be wary of places where water may accumulate, for instance, dips in the road and under bridges. In dark, wet conditions it can be extremely difficult to distinguish between a road that's flooded and one that is simply very wet until it's too late. "Tomorrow evening's rush hour could be particularly affected, so allow a bit more time if you're heading away for the weekend and check your car's lights and wiper blades. "There's nothing worse than driving in the dark in heavy rain with wipers not up to the job. They should ideally be replaced annually and, for the sake of around 20 quid, the benefit is clear."

AA warns drivers of flash flood danger as rain and 60mph winds predicted

Emergency services were called to Sidmouth's Donkey Sanctuary this afternoon after reports of a collision. The fire service received a call from police to reports of a collision in the area, with possible persons trapped, at 3pm. Two fire appliances, one from Sidmouth and a second from Seaton were sent. On attendance of the Sidmouth appliance the incident commander confirmed that no further appliances were required as everyone was out of the vehicles before arrival of the fire service. Crews made the area safe and left incident in the hands of the police.

Emergency services called to collision at Sidmouth’s Donkey Sanctuary

Exeter City Council has launched a major public consultation as it looks to save a further £4m over the next three years. The authority has teamed up with the Express & Echo to find out what services are most important to the citizens of Exeter at a time of deepening public spending cuts. Exeter City Council's grant from central government has already shrunk from £12m in 2011/12 to £7.7m in the current financial year. It is bracing itself for further reductions, to around £5m, by 2017/18. So far the council says it has managed to preserve frontline services by making efficiency savings – but it is warning that this will no longer be possible in the coming years as more savings have to be found. Areas that could be affected by cuts in services include public toilets, street cleaning and city centre CCTV coverage. The Stronger Exeter initiative will help to inform the tough decisions councillors will have to make when it comes to setting the authority's budget for next year and beyond. Council leader Pete Edwards said: "Like all councils, Exeter City Council faces some difficult budget decisions. Reductions in government spending and additional spending pressures mean that the council needs to save £4m to balance the budget. "We have already made savings of £4.7m since April 2012, but, looking ahead, we will need to do more than make efficiency savings – we will need to do some things differently and stop doing some things altogether. "To date, most people will not have seen major changes in the way their services have been delivered, in spite of us reducing our net budget by about 25 per cent. "But it is inevitable that this will change." A giant poster inside this week's Express & Echo marks the start of the consultation exercise. As well as highlighting how investment has boosted Exeter's economy in recent years, it outlines the financial challenges facing the authority. Over the next four weeks, under the four headings of Parks and Public Spaces, Helping People, Cultural City, and Safer City, a series of special features will explain the services provided by the council, the challenges it is facing, and some of the options for change. Readers will be encouraged to complete a brief survey on each topic to help the council decide its spending priorities. Urging residents to have their say, Councillor Edwards said: "We want to inform you about the challenges we face and we want you to inform the spending plans that will build a Stronger Exeter and shape the services that you value. "I look forward to hearing your contribution to a Stronger Exeter."For more information, see the giant poster free inside this week's Express & Echo or visit www.expressandecho.co.uk/strongerexeter

Exeter City Council wants your views on how to save £4m

Bergerac and Midsomer Murders star John Nettles was on hand to raise a glass and toast the Mare and Foal Sanctuary's fourth farm at Devon's Upcott Park near Holsworthy It cost £1.2m, funded by donations from supporters, and will enable the charity to take in a further 90 horses in need. Charity patron John said: "I thoroughly enjoyed my tour and am so pleased the Sanctuary will be able to take in many more horses in need. "Living in Devon myself, I know how beautiful this area is and it's wonderful to think that the Sanctuary is going to do so much good while keep the existing character of the land."

Students holding umbrellas held a silent rally at Exeter University today in a sign of solidarity with pro-democracy protestors in Hong Kong. Around 300 students wearing yellow ribbons took part in the sit-down protest outside the INTO building on the Streatham Campus between 11am and 5pm. The Exeter Solidarity with Hong Kong group is intending to show support and raise awareness of the ongoing political unrest on the southern coast of China. Huge protests were triggered by claims that the Chinese government has failed to honour the promise of universal suffrage to Hong Kong by 2017. Keith Mak, a politics and sociology student from Hong Kong, said: "Personally I think it's really unfair for them to have gone back on its promises. They have betrayed Hong Kong and its people." The Exeter students are urging the British government to "do more" in support of democracy in the Hong Kong. He added: "Hopefully our protest will also put more pressure on the Chinese government to back down and give the people democratic and free elections." Tens of thousands of residents have peacefully occupied major transport routes and buildings across the Asian city since last week. The protesters oppose Beijing's decision last month that candidates in the territory's inaugural 2017 elections must be approved by a committee of mostly pro-Beijing local elites. They are posing the toughest challenge to Beijing's authority since China took control of the former British colony in 1997. Terry Leung, a Psychology masters student from Hong Kong, said: "This is a mockery of the idea of universal suffrage and has led to various protests and subsequently, our sit-down rally." China's communist government has condemned the student-led protests in the country as illegal. Police fired tear gas and pepper spray over the weekend in an unsuccessful attempt to disperse the activists. The protests have been coined the "Umbrella Revolution" after protesters used umbrellas to protect themselves against the police tactics. People around the world have worn yellow ribbons – the symbol expressing the wish for universal suffrage. Exeter MP Ben Bradshaw spoke out in the support of the rally in the city as well as the ongoing protests in Hong Kong. He said: "To protest peacefully is as much their democratic right, as it is the right to vote freely, which they are campaigning for. "I congratulate the students of Exeter University in their sign of solidarity with the people of Hong Kong."

Students stage silent protest at Exeter University to back Hong Kong democracy campaign

TRIBUTES have been paid to a civil engineer who was found hanged at his home in Newton Abbot. Darren Cates, 47, from Quay Road, was found hanging at his home address on Thursday, July 17, this year. His wife, Emilie Cates, paid tribute after the inquest to her loving husband. She said: "He was a lovely bloke. He worked hard and had a loving family. We did love him." The inquest heard that Emilie and Darren, who had been together for 28 years and had a son, had split up about six weeks before his death, but Emilie said she kept in touch with Darren who just 'lost his way'. "He was a good person and left behind plenty of friends at work," she added. Shane Glanfield, a friend of Darren's, said that he attended his house on July 15 as Darren was feeling upset and depressed. He had called him on July 16 and had arranged to pick up something from Darren on the following day. However, he had no reply when he arrived at his house at 2.05pm. He then tried again at 7.05pm but got no reply. He found the back door open so went inside. He went into the living room and saw a chair. He looked upstairs and saw him. He called for help and called 999 but he appeared deceased. PC Tim Kerr went into the property at 7.48pm on July 17 and confirmed there was a male at the top of the stairs with a rope around his neck. Jeanette Harris of Ivybridge CID confirmed there were no suspicious circumstances surrounding Darren's death. South Devon and Torbay Coroner Ian Arrow confirmed this was a self-inflicted death and Darren had taken his own life. He said: "He made particular arrangements and there was thoughtful preparation and other arrangements so he could view certain pictures that were carefully arranged." Pathologist Dr John Bridger in his post mortem confirmed the death as being from asphyxia.

Tributes paid to loving Newton Abbot civil engineer who hanged himself

A 77-year-old local woman was killed when she was hit by a train in Topsham on Wednesday night, police have confirmed. Officers from BTP and Devon & Cornwall Police were called to the railway line at Holman Way, Topsham, on Wednesday, 1 October after a report that a person had been struck by a train. On arrival crews confirmed the body of a woman was located. She was pronounced dead at the scene. British transport police have today confirmed that the body of a 77-year-old woman from the Topsham area was located. Her family is aware. A representative added: "The incident, which was reported to BTP at 8.57pm, is currently being treated as non-suspicious. "A file will be prepared for the Coroner."

Update: Person killed by train in Topsham was 77-year-old local woman

A Westcountry health board has admitted lessons must be learnt from the case of a man who killed his landlord while in its care, following recommendations made by an independent review. Mike Bithrey from East Devon, died after he was stabbed in the neck Anthony Andrews outside his Bridgwater property in June 2012. Mr Andrews, who was a dementia patient under the care of Somerset Partnership NHS Foundation Trust at the time, had made threats against his landlord but an investigation into the incident found this had not been fully disclosed to Mr Bithrey. The review by health consultancy Verita also discovered that the Trust's community mental health team (CMHT) had not disclosed Mr Andrews' previous conviction for stabbing his wife to Mr Bithrey. And it found that CMHT staff had not met with the Trust's safeguarding team to discuss whether Andrews should have been referred to Multi-Agency Public Protection Arrangements (Mappa) which deals with violent offenders. The report concluded that the incident may have been prevented had Mr Bithrey been informed about Mr Andrews' previous conviction, his lack of remorse about stabbing his wife and his threats against him. Lucy Watson from Somerset Clinical Commissioning Group, said she accepted that the "timely sharing of information regarding a potential threat to a person was the central lesson to be learnt from this review". She also said she was "reassured" that the Trust was implementing the recommendations made in the report, but added: "It can be challenging for health professionals to come to an accurate judgement regarding the potential risk of an individual harming themselves or others." Andrews was detained at a secure psychiatric hospital following the incident and has since died.

Health board concedes 'lessons to learn' following stabbing of East Devon man

An Exeter-based company has been fined £70,000 following hundreds of complaints about nuisance calls. The penalty imposed by the Information Commissioner's Office comes after EMC Advisory Services Ltd (EMCAS) used two third-party companies to make calls on its behalf to identify potential compensation claims for mis-sold payment protection insurance. However, the company failed to make sure that people registered with the Telephone Preference Service, or who had previously asked not to be contacted, were not being called. The company was responsible for 630 complaints to the ICO and the TPS in the 12 months to the end of February this year. The ICO warned the company last year that under electronic marketing regulations they were responsible for ensuring third parties making calls on their behalf were not contacting people who had previously opted out of receiving marketing calls. Despite the warning, the ICO and the TPS continued to receive complaints from people receiving nuisance calls from either EMC Advisory Services or the other companies acting on its behalf. The ICO's head of enforcement, Stephen Eckersley, said: "Getting other businesses to make marketing calls on your behalf does not absolve you of your legal responsibilities. "EMC Advisory Services Ltd has received today's penalty because they fundamentally failed to understand the law and didn't act on our warning. The result was that hundreds of people continued to receive nuisance calls due to their actions." EMCAS, which has offices in Exeter, Torquay, Paignton and Taunton, is one of the largest financial claims management companies in the UK, employing more than 350 staff. A spokesman for EMCAS said: "As an ethical and responsible organisation that holds financial institutions to account, we knowingly place ourselves on a pedestal; working hard to ensure that our actions are beyond reproach. "However, if we fail to meet those exacting standards, it is important to hold our hands up, apologise and ensure that we learn from any shortcomings. "Across our business, we aim to ensure that we only contact people who have given their permission for us to do so. However, between March 2013 and February 2014, this aim was not met for a small percentage of our customers, and we failed to prevent some unwanted calls from being made; for this, we offer our sincerest apologies. "We have worked tirelessly for some time; engaging our many suppliers and reinforcing our standards and expectations. All to ensure that we offer the high level of service that we demand of ourselves, and that we have taken the necessary steps to prevent a reoccurrence. "We appreciate that for those customers let down, these actions come too late, and to those people, we offer our sincerest apologies." In November 2012, the ICO revealed it was monitoring the company following a "significant number" of complaints about unsolicited sales calls. At the time, EMCAS said it was working with the Information Commissioner's Office to review its processes. The latest fine takes the total value of penalties served by the ICO on companies making live nuisance calls to over £500,000. Mr Eckersley added: "With over half a million pounds in fines issued to companies making live nuisance calls, we know our penalties are sending a clear message to the industry that making nuisance calls is unacceptable. "The public has had enough and are continuing to support our enforcement action by letting the TPS and our office know about the calls they are receiving. "But there's more that we could be doing, which is why we've asked the Government to review the threshold to make it easier for our office to issue fines to companies that are knowingly breaking the law. This change will mean that we don't have to wait until these calls have caused substantial damage and distress before we can issue a fine."

Exeter-based EMCAS fined £70,000 for nuisance calls about PPI claims

Rob Baxter makes three changes as he shuffles his pack for Exeter Chiefs' trip to struggling Newcastle Falcons on Sunday. Sam Hill and Jack Nowell make way as Tom James and Ian Whitten slot into the backs, while Don Armand replaces Mitch Lees in the second row. The match will see Baxter celebrate his 500th league match as a player or a coach with the Chiefs, and the Sandy Park side are looking to build on a fine start to the season with a fourth win from five games. The Falcons have not won in their last 20 top-flight matches, but Baxter feels that places the pressure on his players' shoulders rather than those of their hosts. "Every game we have played this season has looked winnable because we have been on good form," said Baxter. "But I think the big issue with this game - and I know people will say there is pressure on Newcastle because they are near the bottom of the table - but is there really any pressure on a team that has lost 19, 20 games? Not really, simply because you can go and play because no one is expecting a different result. "You can go out and put in one of those big emotional performances and you can celebrate having your first win in a long time - that's the danger with them. "Very few teams go on losing runs forever and I think the danger is you don't want to be the team that chances that. "They have changed their game as they said they would and they have broadened their threatening game, so we have to be very aware because in some ways they bring more threats than what Harlequins did last week. "I know that sound strange, but the way they play and the way we defended, we snuffed out some key individuals for them. "On Sunday, we are going to be attacked in a different way, so we have to be just as focused on the way they attack and be just as physical."Exeter Chiefs team to face Newcastle Falcons: Phil Dollman, Tom James, Henry Slade, Ian Whitten, Matt Jess, Gareth Steenson, Will Chudley, Ben Moon, Jack Yeandle, Tomas Francis, Don Armand, Damian Welch, Dave Ewers, Ben White, Thomas Waldrom Replacements: Elvis Taione, Carl Rimmer, Moray Low, Ryan Caldwell, Kai Horstmann, Haydn Thomas, Sam Hill, Chrysander Botha

Three changes to Exeter Chiefs side to face Newcastle Falcons

Exeter's adopted Royal Navy ship,HMS Defender has arrived on station to provide support for the campaign against ISIL. She will back a US Navy carrier task group in the Gulf, using her world-class air defence weapon systems to protect the US Navy aircraft carrier, USS George H W Bush and her aircraft as they launch airstrikes as part of the international coalition against ISIL. HMS Defender, one of the most advanced warships ever built for the Royal Navy, is operating as a fully integrated part of the carrier strike group. Using her air defence radar and Sea Viper missile system, the ship provides an 'umbrella' of air defence to the Nimitz class aircraft carrier and her escort ships while they patrol the Gulf and launch airstrikes against the terrorist group ISIL.

Exeter's HMS Defender joins fight against ISIL

EXETER City Council has slammed cost cutting proposals from Devon as a 'bolt out of the blue'. Devon County Council has announced today that it is to consult the public on a list of cuts which includes stopping weed spraying, restocking or maintaining grit bins, no longer cutting grass verges except to maintain visibility at junctions, and reducing the number of roads it grits. Cllr Pete Edwards, leader of the city council said: "We have had no warning of these cost cutting measures only nine working days after we thought we had resolved the situation with county. "A meeting was called to address the situation of weeds in the city on September 22 and now this comes like a bolt out of the blue! If we're taking time to talk to county about these things then why aren't we told about what is around the corner?" Cllr Edwards said: "We are doing everything possible to dress this city as a place of investment but how can we do that if basic things like weeds cannot be tackled properly? "The eyes of the world will be on Exeter next year for the Rugby World Cup 2015. We understand more than anyone how tight money is but there has to be dialogue between the two councils so that we understand perfectly what the challenges are that we need to look at." Cllr Edwards said that county-wide issues such as cutting back of gritting routes to smaller communities and not re-stocking grit bins would have wider reaching implications for places like Exeter. He said: "How can we expect to attract investment to the city if people can't get a car off their own drive or catch a bus in the middle of winter, "People will soon be asking the question 'why am I paying so much money to Devon County Council in council tax if so many of their key services are being shut down or reduced'. This question has been echoed by Cllr Alan Connett, leader of the Lib Dems in Devon who said: "Across the county, people will see they are being forced to pay more in council tax and yet getting less and less for their money. "Yesterday at the county council meeting I asked how much each area of the council would need to save next year but the answers avoided the question. "Today, the first batch of cuts amounting to over £3m were announced. "The Conservatives running County Hall will have known about these cuts at the meeting. They said nothing. "It seems they've announced the cuts today to bury the news over the weekend, but communities and town and parish councils need to respond if they have any hope of protecting their local services."

Exeter Council slams Devon County Council’s cost cutting proposals that will stop weed spraying

A pub customer who glassed a fellow drinker after a jury rejected his story that he had been framed in a police conspiracy, has escaped an immediate jail sentence. Melvin Brady claimed he was goaded into the fight in a pub in Honiton as part of a 30-year-long police campaign to discredit him as a potential witness in the Genette Tate case. Brady, 61, believes he has crucial evidence to suggest the schoolgirl, who vanished in 1978, was murdered by a soldier who buried her body in woods on Woodbury Common near Exeter. He says his story about meeting the killer on the night of the disappearance has not been taken seriously by the police, who have instead chosen to suppress the truth. Brady was being treated for depression and was on strong anti depressant medication when he attacked a fellow drinker at the Heathfield Inn at Honiton last year. He told Exeter Crown Court he lashed out in panic and had no memory of smashing a glass over another customer's head in the ensuing scuffle. Brady, of Butts Close, Honiton, was found guilty of wounding cider drinker Scott Saint and assault by battery on 71-year-old Brian White. He was cleared of the more serious charge of wounding with intent to cause grievous bodily harm after insisting he had never meant to hurt anyone. Brady was jailed for 18 months, suspended for 18 months. He was also ordered to pay his victim £500 compensation and a £100 victim surcharge. During a two day trial Mr White told the court how an innocuous conversation about driving tests turned into an argument when he took exception to Brady telling him it was normal to bribe the examiner. He said he was punched in the face and knocked six feet back off his bar stool. The second victim, Scott Saint, said he was hit over the back of the head with a glass after asking Brady why he had hit an older man. Brady told the jury he was on tablets for depression at the time which increased the effect of alcohol and left him with little memory of the night. He said he had no intention of hurting anyone and although he swung at Mr White he had missed. He said he could not recall using the glass but must have acted in panic and confusion. Brady claimed he had been goaded during the initial argument about driving tests as part of a 30 year long police conspiracy against him.

Honiton pub goer who glassed drinker and says he was involved in Genette Tate cover-up escapes jail sentence