IF YOU think you are old and frail you will act old and frail, according to a new study by the University of Exeter.

This is the conclusion of a study conducted by Krystal Warmoth and colleagues at the University of Exeter Medical School, which is being presented at the British Psychological Society Annual Conference in Harrogate.

Researcher Krystal interviewed 29 older adults in the South West. Interviews conducted asked about their experiences of ageing and frailty and perceptions of health.

The attitude could lead to a loss of interest in participating in social and physical activities, poor health, stigmatisation, and reduced quality of life. In the interviews one respondent stated clearly: "If people think that they are old and frail, they will act like they're old and frail."

THE 50 candidates for Exeter's nine county council seats have been announced.

There is one BNP candidate, standing in the Priory and St Leonard's ward, while UKIP and the Green Party have people standing in every ward.

A former Mayor of Exeter, Alan Williamson, is standing as a Liberal Democrat in Newtown and Polsloe.

In fact the ward could be called a battleground of the mayors as Mr Williamson, who served as the city's mayor in 1986, is running against the current Lord Mayor, city councillor for Topsham Rob Newby, who is now standing for the county council.

Another former mayor, Roy Hill, is standing as the Labour candidate in Alphington and Cowick.

Jill Owen, currently Labour county councillor for Priory and St Leonard's, is standing as the candidate for St David's and St James.

Cynthia Thompson, who lost her seat as a city councillor for Pinhoe last year is now standing for Pinhoe and Mincinglake for the county.

The elections will be held across the county on Thursday, May 2.

On the same day St James' residents will vote in a referendum to decide if they want to adopt the St James' Neighbourhood Development Plan.

THE most recent RICS Housing Market Survey predicted sales of homes across the South West will increase this year.

Chartered surveyors across the region are anticipating this spring season will be the busiest sales period for some years.

With the sales market having struggled right across the country in recent years, it appears optimism may be gradually starting to creep back and those who are in a position to do so are choosing now to make the move.

RICS spokesperson Mike Woodliffe, of Woodliffe & Co Estate Agents and Chartered Surveyors, said: "Transactions are finally on the rise, as a degree of confidence has returned to the marketplace. We anticipate many more buyers and sellers will come to the market.

"Spring is typically a busy period for house sales, as the lighter nights and warmer weather make it much easier and enjoyable to view homes at various times of the day. Furthermore fewer people tend to go on holiday in spring, so if you're thinking about selling, now certainly is the time."

Mr Woodliffe says the procedure for selling any home is simple and straightforward, providing sellers take professional advice, make well-informed decisions and prepare their home properly to be in with the best chance of selling at the highest-possible price.

Mr Woodliffe said: "Always check an agent's terms and conditions to be sure of what you are paying – the old adage of 'get what you pay for' is relevant.

"Also, in this difficult climate, it is important to be realistic about price and selling time. For example, the agent offering to sell your home at the highest price may not always be the best for you as your property could remain on the market for a very long time.

"Choose a RICS qualified estate agent too, as this means they will have undergone a strict auditing process.

"It is crucial you give your home a thorough deep clean from top to bottom to ensure it looks in top condition. Minimise clutter as much as possible too, in order to make your home look as spacious as possible.

"Estate agents' fees are taken out of the sale price of your property. Solicitors costs should also be considered for both the sale and any subsequent purchase. Don't forget removal costs and, crucially, Stamp Duty."

For more impartial advice and tips on selling your home download the RICS' Guide to Selling Your Home at: www.rics.org

WINKWORTH Estate Agents have been chosen by national homebuilders Redrow Homes to market their high-profile new development of 230 homes in Pinhoe.

Winkworths' new homes department is holding an open day this Saturday, April 13 from 10am to 5pm, and is inviting potential new residents to come and meet them and see this prestigious new selection of homes.

Once completed The Harrington's will be made up of 230 new homes, with a wide selection of two, three and four bedrooms built with the local community in mind.

The new heritage collection homes, designed for family life, is sure to attract couples and families from across the region and are priced between £239,995 and £379,995.

Emma Solman, area sales manager for Redrow, said: "Pinhoe is a beautiful part of the country and The Harrington's has been designed to create a superb range of family homes that captures the essence of traditional house building and will provide another example of quality and workmanship synonymous with Redrow.

"We have brought the under-utilised brownfield site, formerly the Brick Works, back to life and in doing so will make a vital contribution to Exeter's housing demand.

"As with all Redrow developments, we will also be making substantial contributions to the area in the form of a £810,000 education contribution and £800,000 contribution to highway and sustainable transport improvements."

Simon Scott-Nelson, director at Winkworth said: "The specialised Winkworth new homes department is really becoming the choice for national housebuilders across Devon.

"We are delighted to be working with Redrow Homes, who are a great company to be associated with, and we very much look forward to launching the scheme on Saturday.

"They are very special houses and we urge people to get in at this early stage so they can have the pick of the crop."

HOUSEBUILDER Linden Homes have welcomed Whitehall's call for their industry to demonstrate clearly the economic and social benefits that developments can bring to communities.

Linden implemented a standard community engagement policy last year to cement its involvement with the communities where it builds new homes – recruiting employees and sourcing materials locally.

The strategy complements the recent national shake-up of planning policy which aims to encourage construction, jobs and economic growth by giving housebuilders greater leeway to make proposals viable.

Linden Homes' divisional managing director Tom Nicholson, who is responsible for special projects, said: "We are fulfilling an array of needs for employment, housing, infrastructure, transport and a diverse range of extra benefits.

"We welcome the Government's call for housebuilders to demonstrate how they are achieving this, but for us it will be business as usual."

Ogwell Brook – a Linden Homes development near Newton Abbot – is a showcase for how the company has brought a raft of benefits to the community.

The biggest boost is from the 73 jobs on site which have been created for local people. Young apprentices have been taken on too, tackling the building industry's skills shortage.

So far 95 per cent of buyers of the new homes have moved from within 15 miles of Ogwell Brook, with the remaining five per cent all having family links nearby.

The direct financial investment will reach further still, as the New Homes Bonus will generate £1,021,451 over six years for the district council, as well as a further £255,363 towards Devon County Council.

Other funding includes a £100,000 contribution to bus services. A cycleway is benefiting from £90,000 support on top of £50 vouchers for each household to put towards buying a bicycle. A full public transport travel pack has also been produced.

Close involvement with the community has been important too – Linden donated high visibility vests for pupils walking to class at Canada Hill School and it sponsored Newton Abbot's annual music and beer festival.

MP for Newton Abbot, Anne-Marie Morris and Jeremy Christophers, leader of Teignbridge Council, recently visited the site and were both impressed by what they saw.

Mrs Morris said: "It's important that we ensure there is enough affordable housing in this part of the country, so I'm glad to see 56 affordable homes have been included in the development.

"I also welcome the jobs the building works have provided. The opportunity for young people to take on apprenticeships is a valuable starting place."

Cllr Christophers said: "We are very lucky in Teignbridge. It's a beautiful part of the country which makes it all the more difficult when we have to look at the need for new homes. I meet many families whose grown-up children still live at home because they can't afford their own place – not a great way to start their adult lives.

"We need to acknowledge what positive development can bring: affordable homes, jobs, apprenticeships and significant financial contributions to the communities of Teignbridge. This all helps address many of the issues we face locally.

"Teignbridge has made a commitment to making housing a top priority and we are looking at different, new and innovative ways of doing this. Every planning application will be determined on its merits, but we need to be thinking carefully about the wider community benefits."

WHETHER you like your clocks to look practical, retro, simply elegant or quirky, there's no doubt a timepiece can transform the look of a room.

Choose well and you'll never pull a face when you look at the time again, and counting the hours will be a pleasure.

So celebrate the clocks turning back with a stylish new clock for your home.

Star gazer

You might not be able to bring the stars down to earth but the moon is within your reach with a Moon Clock, £95, available in store at Liberty. Call 020 7734 1234 or visit www.liberty.co.uk

Watch the birdy

Contemporary style and birdsong combine to mark the hours. John Lewis Diamantini & Domeniconi Meridiana Cuckoo Clock, £172. Call 0845 6049 049 or visit www.johnlewis.com

Colour burst

Bring vibrant colour to a wall in an instant with a Colour Wheel Wall clock, £60, Babatude. Visit www.babatude.com

Naval inspired

A Harrison clock, £45-£75, Neptune, is named after the famous clock maker John Harrison, who invented the first marine chronometer so sailors could plot the longitude of their ships at sea. For stockists call 0179 3427 300 or visit www.neptune.com

Me time

You can use the Blank clock, £86, Alessi, like a diary by marking out appointments on its face using a pen provided for customising the hours. Call 020 7518 9090 or visit www.alessi.co.uk

A MAN was punched and whipped with a dog lead after requesting an aggressive dog was kept under control in Tiverton.

Police are hoping fellow dog walkers can provide vital clues to help identify a man who is alleged to have carried out the unprovoked assault.

The violent incident occurred on the old railway line footpath, in the stretch between Lea Road and Hawks Drive, which is popular with dog walkers.

The victim sustained a broken nose and extensive bruising to the face and eyes after he was punched numerous times. The assault followed an altercation between the two men at 8pm on Friday, April 5.

The attacker is described as a white, Eastern European man, around six foot tall.

EXETER grandmother Shirley Harris is set to hug the brother she dreamed she might have, but has never met.

Shirley, 74, is counting down the hours until she can finally put her arms around Keith Roderick, who never even knew he had a sister.

Keith, 69, is travelling from Cwmbran, in South Wales, next week, for the emotional get-together with Shirley, who was adopted before Keith was born.

Shirley, of Abbeville Close, St Leonard's, said: "I was only small when I was adopted but for some reason I always told myself I had a brother. I don't really know why.

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

"Now I know he is coming I can't wait. I don't know what I will do. I may break down in pieces or just try to be calm but I know I will put my arms around him.

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

Keith is also bursting with excitement at the prospect of meeting Shirley.

He said: "It is almost like a miracle. I never knew I had a sister until about a month ago and now I am making plans to meet her in Exeter.

"I am absolutely delighted and I can't wait to see her. I am so lucky. It seems my mother had a daughter when she was just 18 and hadn't told any of the family about it.

"In those days it was just not on and so the little girl was adopted. I came along later and when I was a kid I was always going to Exmouth where my gran, Kate Salmon, had a boarding house in Victoria Road. My gran was buried at Woodbury Church graveyard and it was while preparing a family tree that my cousin in London made some inquiries and found out about the background.

"I called my cousin Wendy Jarrett in Exeter a few weeks ago and she was able to tell me I had a sister, Shirley, and that she lived in Exeter. I couldn't wait to come down to Exeter. I have made arrangements to drive down to and meet up with Shirley in Exmouth. I'm sure we will have lots to talk about but it is just amazing to realise that I really have a sister."

Mrs Jarrett said: "It is a wonderful story and is really quite strange because Shirley had married my late husband's best friend Bernard and in fact worked for me for a while when we had a retirement home in Exeter."

Mrs Jarrett, who now runs Sunny Mead Kennels in Langaton Lane, Pinhoe, said: "Shirley is absolutely delighted and burst into tears of delight when she heard the news.

THE Tallet House is Grade II Listed and is thought to date from the 17th Century or earlier.

For many years it was a Tallet, the Devon name for a hayloft, and is understood to have been converted into a delightful home about 35 years ago.

The property is constructed of stone and cob, with leaded casement windows under a thatched roof.

The area of Lustleigh known as Wreyland features in a book entitled 'Small Talk at Wreyland' by Cecil Torr who, it is understood, wrote much of the book in the bedroom of the Tallet House long before it was converted from an agricultural building.

The Tallett House presents a unique opportunity to purchase a beautiful home which has undergone an extensive program of refurbishment and modernisation to a very high standard.

The well-proportioned, bright-living accommodation offers a unique blend of modern contemporary living, but with the immense character of the circa 17th-century building coming through.

The large sitting room features a stone fireplace and wonderful oak-framed alcove and window seat.

On the southern elevation a beautiful, timber-constructed conservatory provides further living space and overlooks the well-tended garden.

The dining area lies next to the re-modelled oak kitchen, fitted with a comprehensive range of stylish units and integrated appliances.

There is also a utility room and contemporary shower room on the ground floor.

On the first floor there are two fabulous double bedrooms with fitted storage. Both rooms feature ornate plastered ceilings and the second bedroom has an impressive old wood mullioned-and-transformed window with oval-moulded mullions.

There is a further beautifully-presented shower room upstairs and a hatch with a ladder leads to the large, insulated loft storage space with window.

The property is being marketed by Fine & Country Homes from Pennys, at an asking price of £525,000.

For more information call 01392 219300.

CRIME across Devon, Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly has fallen by 6.7 per cent, leading to more than 6,000 fewer recorded offences. But there has been a rise in the number of sexual offences, new police figures have revealed.

Chief Constable Shaun Sawyer said he was encouraged by the fall in crime but said there was still work to do. And that high profile prosecutions, along with the Jimmy Saville investigation, encouraged sexual abuse victims to come forward.

He said: "I am in no doubt that my officers and staff have responded and worked extremely hard these last 12 months, after some disappointing figures last year, so that once again we are back to some historically low crime levels.

"There has been significant falls in domestic burglaries – down nearly 21 per cent – and vehicle crime is down by over 12 per cent. Criminal damage – the sort of crimes that blight our neighbourhoods – has also fallen by nearly 14 per cent and robbery has fallen by just over 16 per cent.

"There is more work to do though, particularly around violent crime."

BUYING a home can be exciting, but with all the housing jargon prospective buyers are exposed to it can easily turn into a frustrating experience.

Recent figures show more than 40 per cent of people looking into buying a home say jargon confuses them.

House hunter numbers are rising and first-time buyers now make up a quarter of the market. With this in mind the National Association of Estate Agents has released a jargon-busting list to assist house hunters with the buying process.

Mark Hayward, president of the NAEA, said: "It can be easy to forget that language and terms used when speaking with colleagues can be confusing and difficult to understand to buyers. Many have a limited knowledge of the vocabulary around buying and selling a home and will often find it off-putting.

"Agents must remember to take time to explain terminology to those taking their first steps on the property ladder."

Here are some definitions of the more common terms surrounding house buying.

Chain

The sequence of buyers and sellers. Because most sellers are also buyers there can often be a chain of people waiting on each other

Completion date

When the transaction is complete and ownership of the property passes from the seller to the buyer

Conveyancing

The legal process where all the issues arising from the sale or purchase of a house is taken care of

Disbursements

Payments made by your solicitor to other people on your behalf, such as stamp duty

Exchange of contracts

The point both parties are committed to the transaction, before this point the buyer and seller can walk away at any time

Freehold

Ownership of the land and any property that stands on it

Leasehold

Ownership of property for a certain length of time. This is common for flats and maisonettes and usually involves payment of ground rent and maintenance charges

Building survey

A report into the physical state of the property, also sometimes referred to as a full structural survey

Vendor

The seller of the property

RENDELLS estate agent in Newton Abbot has sold Hazelwood House – a Victorian country residence with 65 acres and outbuildings near Hennock with an asking price of £1,275,000.

Previously owned by Major Robert Kitson, High Sheriff of Devon in 1930, Hazelwood House is a fine and admirable Victorian gentleman's residence.

The subject of a grand rebuild in 1985, its character is unblemished with many original features preserved, including magnificent fireplaces of granite, Portland Stone and brick with intricately moulded timber surrounds, ornate ceiling plasterwork, floor-mounted radiator grills, some stone mullion windows and the former servants' wing, which remains largely unaltered since it was built.

The purchaser, who is moving to Devon from Oxfordshire is due to take possession of the grand property in April.

Robert Bryant at the Newton Abbot office of Rendells, said: "Landed properties in Devon are very popular with buyers from the Home Counties who are looking for a country retreat with good access for commuting to a place of work.

"Within easy reach from this area are the mainline railway stations in Newton Abbot and Exeter with hourly services to both Birmingham and London.

"We are delighted to have negotiated a sale on Hazelwood House and the purchaser is thrilled to have found a property of such refinement."

Smallacombe Farm at Ilsington, Newton Abbot, near Haytor, is also a detached country retreat with substantial outbuildings and about 56 acres of land.

Sitting within the Dartmoor National Park in a quiet secluded valley between Haytor and Ilsington just a few miles from the towns of Newton Abbot and Bovey Tracey, Smallacombe is in need of repair and renovation and is subject to an Agricultural Occupancy clause.

But with an asking price of just £650,000, it will provide its new owner the opportunity and scope to improve and enhance the extensive three-storey, eight double bedroom accommodation to their own requirements.

The house is believed to have been rebuilt in the middle-to-late 19th century and was rewired in 2003 when refurbishment was started but not completed.

Downstairs is an entrance vestibule, hall, drawing room, sitting room, walk-in cloakroom/office, rear hall, old dairy, dining room, kitchen leading to the cook's accommodation/store room above, utility area, pantry store, toilet and rear lobby and below this is a cellar/basement.

On the first floor, the landings lead to five double bedrooms – some with disused fireplaces and spectacular rural views with the sea in the distance, bathroom and separate toilet.

On the second floor are three further double bedrooms.

The gardens are in need of attention and lay to the east and south of the house, with an orchard to the west.

There is a stream and waterfall; the Smallacombe Brook runs through the centre of the grounds with a former leat in the orchard and there are bridleways leading to Haytor Vale and to the moors.

The majority of traditional farm buildings set around a courtyard to the side of the farmhouse are in good condition.

The main two-storey farm building was used as stabling and a piggery.

There is also a former stable building, a store/greenhouse once used as a farm shop, a stable and a barn/root store.

Adjoining the driveway is a barn/livestock shelter, machinery/workshop store incorporating two further stables and a timber framed barn.

There is also a three-bay Dutch barn and the two-storey Devon Bank Barn is Grade II Listed and offers huge potential, subject to planning consents.

Mr Bryant said: "Smallacombe is in need of renovation but is a large detached country house offering a huge amount of potential, as do the barns and outbuildings, which could lend themselves for a number of uses with the relevant planning consents."

For further information pop into Rendells at 13 Market Street in Newton Abbot, call 01626 353881 or visit www.rendells.co.uk

FORGET streets with the X-factor. Living on a street with a name beginning with the letter U could mean your property is worth a lot more, according to new research from property website Zoopla.co.uk.

We analysed the average value of 750,000 streets based on the first letter for that street name, and found that average property prices on streets that start with U currently stand at £251,307 – the highest of any letter in the alphabet and £25,503 more than the current average UK property value of £225,804.

The most expensive street beginning with U is Upper Phillimore Gardens in Kensington, where the average home is worth £5,640,496.

At the other end of the scale, streets beginning with Z have the lowest property values, with the average worth just £180,046 – 20 per cent less than the UK average.

One particular example is Zeus Lane, in Waterlooville, Hampshire. Despite being named after a Greek god, property values on the street are far from Olympian. The average value is just £141,278 – 37 per cent lower than the national average of £225,804.

Streets beginning with the letters T (£248,008) and O (£244,450) came in second and third respectively in terms of the highest average property values, while those starting with the letters J (£190,802) and A (£211,744) record the second and third lowest property prices.

And vowels beat consonants hands down when it comes to house prices. The average property on a street beginning with a vowel is worth £6,306 (three per cent) more than a street beginning with a consonant. Street names beginning with a consonant have an average value of £222,789, compared with £229,095 for those with a vowel.

So, with a £70,000 difference between the average price on streets starting with the letters U and Z, and a £6,000 difference on average on streets beginning with vowels and consonants, it is advisable to select your street wisely!

Here's the full list, in order of first letter, number and average property value: U 3,565 £251,307; T 44,927 £248,008; O 16,358 £244,450; H 53,223 £234,045; C 77,769 £233,873; P 36,065 £233,550; W 50,979 £231,145; F 25,835 £228,489; L 39,563 £228,400; S 71,304 £228,237; B 71,884 £227,105; Q 3,826 £226,824; N 18,475 £225,911; R 31,154 £223,241; M 51,216 £221,498; K 16,728 £221,106; G 33,335 £219,248; I 4,316 £219,125; E 19,216 £218,849; D 25,395 £218,643; Y 2,751 £218,367; V 7,752 £217,240; A 31,333 £211,744; J 5,565 £190,802; and Z 180 £180,046

A YOUNG woman who was left in a critical condition after being crushed against a shop wall by a car has shown signs of improvement.

Investigations are continuing into the cause of the incident that left the 26-year-old fighting for her life.

She was walking along a pavement in Heavitree Road, Exeter, when she was hit by a blue Honda Jazz that mounted the curb and trapped her against a shop wall.

People at the scene described the driver travelling down the hill towards the city centre when he hit a bollard and ended up facing the other direction when the incident happened on Thursday, March 28.

Onlookers rushed to try to save the woman before paramedics arrived at the scene.

The victim, who was initially cared for by a road worker and nearby shop staff, was said to be "unconscious" when emergency crews arrived.

She was taken to the Royal Devon & Exeter Hospital in a critical condition.

But a police spokesman said that, although she remained in hospital, her condition had improved.

The driver, a 93-year-old man from the Teignbridge area, and a female passenger, had to be rescued from their vehicle by fire crews who cut the roof off.

The police spokesman said that an investigation into the cause of the crash was still on-going and no decision had yet been made on whether any action would be taken against the driver.

Heavitree Road was closed for several hours following the accident with delays both ways between the Western Way junction and Gladstone Road junctions.

The accident occurred on the same day the road layout was changed, although it is not thought to have been a contributing factor.

Officers from the serious collisions investigation team are investigating. Witnesses who have not yet made a statement are asked to call 101, quoting reference 251 of 28/03/13.

AN extraordinary community appeal, launched to support the family tragically affected by the blaze, has attracted hundreds of supporters.

A Facebook page called The Honiton Fire Collection Group attracted 1,150 members within 48 hours with hundreds of items being donated by people across East Devon and beyond.

The appeal was set up by Clyst Honiton firm Beaumont and Mills Removals which is close to the family, and which has been working tirelessly with the help of other volunteers to collect all the donations and put them into storage.

One of the business owners Fiona Beaumont launched the appeal and set up the Facebook page late Saturday evening – by the morning there were more than 500 members which continued to rise.

Around 14 collection points sprung up by volunteers touched by the tragedy, including in Exmouth, Sidmouth, Ottery St Mary, Tiverton and further afield including Plymouth, Lyme Regis and Taunton.

In addition to hundreds of items, including clothes and furniture, being donated to the family who lost everything in the fire, Fiona set up a PayPal account in which hundreds of pounds was pledged within a few hours.

And a bank account which has since been opened has also seen generous members of the community raising hundreds of pounds for the appeal including an anonymous lady, thought to live locally, who donated £2,500.

"People have been absolutely heartbroken by what's happened," said Fiona. "Children have lost their lives and this has had a huge impact on everyone.

"We launched the appeal because we wanted to take some of the pressure off the family – they've lost everything.

"The support and generosity people have shown has been unbelievable.

"People at the collection points haven't just been collecting but helping in other ways as well.

"We never imagined the support the collection has received, It's been overwhelming, everyone's been fantastic."

The appeal has been for "everything and anything" to help the family rebuild their lives.

The appeal will be open to items other than clothes, of which there are now plenty, until this weekend, from which time donations to the bank account will continue only.

"We've had fridges, freezers, a three piece suite and other furniture, and we've been inundated with clothes," said Fiona, who has been sorting through the items each day.

"Any duplications will be sold and then the funds put into the bank account," she added.

"We have found small, independent local businesses to have been so generous."

Donations will also be pledged to the Devon Air Ambulance Trust, the Intensive Care Units at the Royal Devon & Exeter Hospital and Bristol Royal Hospital for Children, and the Fire Services National Benevolent Fund. Spare clothes will be donated to the RD&E's Bramble Ward.

Young volunteer Stephanie Sparks, 16, has been helping to coordinate the collection point in Honiton.

She said she felt compelled to help the family and went along to the town's Chamber of Commerce breakfast meeting urging businesses to contribute to the appeal.

The Honiton Community College student said: "All the business people were really helpful and understanding.

"I couldn't stand back and not do anything, I hope that this inspires people to help others when they most need it."

The whole community has been rocked by the tragedy.

Dozens of businesses and organisations in the town and across the region, as well as some national firms, have donated items to the family as part of the appeal and for the Mayor's Quiz, Raffle and Auction event which will raise funds for the appeal.

Many businesses have collection tins in their shops for people to donate.

Honiton Rugby and Football Club held a minute's silence at their game on Saturday as a mark of respect for the family.

A minute's silence was held by councillors on Honiton Town Council at their meeting on Monday.

Glenn Smith, principal of Honiton Community College has paid tribute to Rosie, a former student at the college.

"Rosie was a jovial and much liked student and staff have been left deeply shocked and saddened," he said.

"She used to visit from time to time and she always had the time of day for myself and other staff. She will be sorely missed."

Prayers and financial support have been given by churches in the town.

Rector of Honiton the Reverend Sue Roberts said: "The whole community is shocked and very saddened at what has happened.

"Our thoughts and prayers are with the family. All are welcome to come to the churches, particularly those who need space and time for contemplation at this time."

The Mayor of Honiton Councillor David Foster said: "The community is deeply saddened by what's happened," he said.

"The impact on the community of Honiton, which is not a large town, has been great. It has been such a shock.

"The way the community and beyond have come together and rallied around the family has been incredible.

"This is a friendly town and this shows how caring people are towards each other."

In light of the overwhelming community support, instead of taking place on one night, the Mayor's Quiz event will take place over three days.

Details are yet to be confirmed but it is likely two quiz nights and raffles will be held on Friday, April 26, and Saturday, April 27, with an auction on Sunday, April 28.

To find out more about how to support the collection and donate items, visit the appeal Facebook page, Honiton Fire Collection Group. Donations to the fund can also be made to the Lloyds Bank account in Fiona Beaumont's name, account number 85299160 and sort code 30 80 37.

Donations can also be made via Paypal to the following account – thehonitonfirefamily@hotmail.co.uk

Nicola Burns , 37, of Emmanuel Close, Exeter, changed her plea and admitted stealing a wallet and a bank card worth £15 belonging to a man between March 1 and October 14 last year. She received an 11-month conditional discharge with no order for compensation because the items were recovered. There was also no order for costs due to her limited means.

Christopher Crossley , 23, of May Street, Exeter, admitted having 0.4g of diamorphine, a Class A drug, in his possession on March 3. He also admitted that he had 1.4g of crack cocaine, also a Class A drug, in his possession on the same date. An attendance order was made for 12 hours as part of a community order. The drugs will be considered forfeit and destroyed and he will also have to pay a victim surcharge of £60. There was no order for costs.

Nigel Gigg , 46, of Newtown, Sidmouth, has had his community order revoked on the grounds that it had become unworkable. It was issued in respect of an offence of driving while the proportion of alcohol in his breath was 125mcg in 100ml, exceeding the prescribed limit on September 11 last year. A new community order has now been issued which will see him electronically monitored and subject to a curfew at his address until June 3.

Patricia Frampton , 57, of Chapel Street, Tiverton, failed to promptly notify the Department for Work and Pensions of a change of circumstances which she knew would affect her entitlement to income support, namely that she was in remunerative employment between February 2008 and September 2010. She pleaded guilty and received a nine-month conditional discharge and was ordered to pay £50 costs.

Tom Adams , 40, who gave an address care of Water Meadow, Cullompton, changed his plea and admitted that he made a statement to the Department for Work and Pensions which he knew to be false on November 3 2011 with a view to obtaining a benefit or other payment by claiming he was "sofa surfing" when he actually had a residence. He also changed his plea and accepted that he committed a similar offence on October 25, 2011, by failing to declare that he had a partner. A community order was made which will see him have to carry out 100 hours of unpaid work within the next 12 months. He will also have to pay £50 costs.

Sarah Bamber , 33, of St Peter's Street, Tiverton, was sent to prison for a total of six weeks suspended for a year after pleading guilty to assaulting a constable in the execution of his duty on November 10; assaulting a man by beating him in Tiverton on the same date; and committing offences while subject to a conditional discharge which she had received in June last year for an offence of assaulting a constable in the execution of his duty. Magistrates said the offences were serious because of the violent nature of the assault which included kicking and biting while heavily in drink, and the nature of her previous offending. She will have to pay £100 in compensation to each of her victims and there was no order for costs.

Nathan Murray , 23, of no fixed abode, admitted that he failed to comply with the notification requirements of a Sexual Offences Prevention Order by failing to sign on weekly at Heavitree Road police station. He was committed to prison for four weeks after magistrates determined that it was serious as he had a "complete disregard for court orders", the nature and seriousness of his offences, and his previous convictions.

Luke Mason , 27, of King Street, Silverton, changed his plea and accepted that he had driven on the A396 near Tiverton on October 27 when the proportion of alcohol in his breath was 59mcg in 100ml, exceeding the legal limit. He was fined £135 with a victim surcharge of £20 and no order for costs due to his limited means. He was also disqualified from driving for three years which can be reduced by 36 weeks if he satisfactorily completes an approved driving course.

Stuart Densham , 31, of Dryden Road, Exeter, was made the subject of a community order after changing his plea and admitting that entered a building, namely the pavilion at Exeter School, as a trespasser on September 24 last year and stole a number of items including a set of keys to the value of £750. He was also found guilty of attempting to steal a copper cylinder from a property in Heavitree Road on October 2. The community order has a supervision requirement and he will have to pay £250 in compensation to Exeter School and there was no order for costs due to his limited means.

Dzhoskun Burukov , 21, of Fore Street, Exeter, drove in Sidwell Street on February 18 when the proportion of alcohol in his breath was 57mcg in 100ml, exceeding the prescribed limit. He was fined £120 with a £20 victim surcharge and an order for £85 costs. He was also disqualified from driving for a year which can be reduced by three months if he satisfactorily completes an approved course.

Liam Drake , 19, of Sadler Close, Exmouth, pleaded guilty to damaging a telephone handset belonging to BT without lawful excuse on December 20 last year. He also admitted failing to surrender to custody on February 26 having been released on bail. he received a 12-month conditional discharge and will have to pay £116.76 in compensation to BT as well as a £15 victim surcharge.

Jason Shipley , 39, of no fixed abode, did an act on March 4, namely attended a city address, which he was prohibited from doing as part of a non-molestation order made by Devon County Court. He was fined £80 with a £20 victim surcharge and no order for costs due to his limited means.

Paul McGahey , 23, of Shepherds Farm, Clyst St Mary, pleaded guilty to driving in Magdalen Road in Exeter on Febaury 15 when the proportion of alcohol in his breath was 98mcg in100ml, exceeding the prescribed limit. He was fined £200 with a £20 victim surcharge and costs of £85. He was also disqualified from driving for two years which can be reduced by six months if he satisfactorily completes an approved driving course.

Daniel Brooks , 20, of Cheshire Road, Exmouth, admitted being in possession of 4.06g of cannabis resin, a Class B drug, on February 13. He received a 12-month conditional discharge with a victim surcharge of £15 and £85 costs. The drugs will be destroyed.

Matthew Campbell , 20, of York Road, Exeter, stole two bank cars belonging to a man on September 19, last year. He pleaded guilty to this and to making a false representation, namely using the details of stolen bank cards on the internet to pay for mobile phone credit on the same date. He also admitted that, knowing that payment on the spot was required for goods supplied by Pizza Hut, namely food and drink on November 6, he dishonestly made off without payment of £156, and stealing two bottles of fragrance worth £98 belonging to Boots on December 7. A community order was made which will see him have to complete 90 hours of unpaid work within the next 12 months, pay the full amount of the goods taken to Boots and Pizza Hut in compensation. There was no order for costs or a victim surcharge and compensation was seen to be the priority.

John Hankinson , 55, of Kinnerton Way, Exeter, drove in Southernhay East on January 3 when the proportion of alcohol in his urine was 193mlg in 100ml, exceeding the prescribed limit. He pleaded guilty and was fined £500 with a £50 victim surcharge. He was also disqualified from driving for 18 months which can be reduced by 18 weeks if he satisfactorily completes a course approved by the secretary of state.

Glenn Cullen , 39, of Princes Square, St Thomas, used threatening, abusive or insulting words or behaviour within the hearing or sight of a person likely to be caused harassment, alarm or distress on February 16. He pleaded guilty and received a 12-month conditional discharge with a victim surcharge of £15 and no order for costs. The offence put him in breach of a conditional discharge for an offence of harassment but no action was taken in respect of this.

Stephen Gannaway-Pitts , 50, of Park Road, Exeter, pleaded guilty to stealing a handheld vacuum cleaner worth £134 from Sainsbury's on February 4. He received a 12-month conditional discharge with a victim surcharge of £15. There was no order for costs.

Belinda Parsons , 43, of Baker Close, Sidmouth, drove in Woolbrook Road in the town on February 16 when the proportion of alcohol in her breath was 108mcg in 100ml, exceeding the prescribed limit. She pleaded guilty and a community order was made which will see her have to carry out 50 hours of unpaid work within the next 12 months. She will also have to pay a £60 victim surcharge and £85 costs. She is disqualified from holding or obtaining a licence for 26 months.

A POLICEWOMAN has told the Echo how she dramatically stopped two men, intent on decapitating Joss Stone, from reaching the singer's home.

The high-profile trial of Kevin Liverpool, 35 and Junior Bradshaw, 32, both of St Stephen's Close, Longsight, Manchester, concluded last week when they were convicted by a jury of conspiracy to murder and conspiracy to rob.

Liverpool was given a life sentence and told he would have to serve a minimum jail term of 10 years and eight months before he could be considered for parole.

Judge Francis Gilbert QC, told him: "You intended to rob her and kill her and dump her body in the river, according to your words, and then leave the country with your accomplice Junior Bradshaw."

Bradshaw will be sentenced at a later date.

On conclusion of the case, local officers and members of the community were praised for their efforts in thwarting the two men and potentially saving the life of Miss Stone.

The two defendants had set off from their Manchester home armed with an arsenal of weapons in their car including a Samurai sword, gaffer tape, knives and a hammer. The prosecution argued their intended target was Joss Stone at her home near Ashill and several notes recovered included references to a plot to kill her.

They had been stopped by police earlier in their journey after crashing their car at a service station in Gloucestershire but were allowed to carry on after officers deemed their car too badly damaged to be moved.

And it was members of the public in Cullompton – including postman Alex Greening – who eventually raised concern after the men stopped to ask for directions to the star's home. A call was put out and it was PC Victoria Dixon – on her own in a response car – who eventually found and stopped the car.

PC Dixon told the Express & Echo she did not know the full consequences when she pulled over the Fiat in the town centre.

She said: "The call came out that they had been actively and suspiciously looking at houses in the area.

"I managed to find the car, pulled in behind it, discovered the driver was disqualified and so arrested him.

"It was just a normal stop and check at the time. My colleague then turned up. We did a search and found everything in the car – including all the weapons. It was all seized.

"But it was not until we were on our way to custody and going through the paperwork that we discovered who the intended target was.

"It was a bit scary and is not the normal thing we deal with in Devon.

"At least they were not able to get to Joss – that is the main thing. I am glad they have been put away.

"The whole thing could have been very nasty and could potentially have been a murder. Joss doesn't deserve that.

"Thinking about it later does make you concerned about what could have happened. I didn't expect to pull them over on the main road in the middle of the town centre.

"They seemed fine and like it was an everyday thing. They said 'we have been stopped before' and were very blasé about the whole thing. They thought we were just going to let them go.

"I was shaken up a little bit by what we found. You since think that she could have died, and it brings it all home.

"They were certainly equipped to kill her and it was just surreal. It was an unusual case all around."

Superintendent Steve Parker, who led the investigation, said after the case: "I have no doubt that Liverpool and Bradshaw were intending to harm Miss Stone and it was through the alertness of the public and good police work that we were able to bring this incident to a successful conclusion.

"I would like to thank those members of the public who recognised the suspicious behaviour of Liverpool and Bradshaw and acted positively by calling the police, along with those who have supported the investigation by providing witness statements.

"I would also like to highlight the professionalism and quick thinking of the attending officers who saw through the innocent picture they were presented with and whose actions foiled the defendants' plan.

"I would also like to commend the investigation team who have worked tirelessly on this inquiry, and turned every stone to reveal the evidence hidden beneath in what have at times been extremely trying circumstances.

"Finally, I would like to thank Joss Stone, her family and management for their ongoing support and assistance to the investigation team throughout this investigation, despite the distressing and disturbing nature of the events which were being uncovered."

In a statement after the verdicts, Stone said: "I'd like to thank everyone for all their support and kind wishes.

"I am relieved the trial is now over and that these men are no longer in a position to cause harm to anyone."

POLICE trapped a sex fiend after a policewoman set up a Facebook account posing as a teenage schoolgirl.

They snared pervert Tony Bradbury, from Exeter, who immediately took the bait and engaged in sexualised conversations with the "girl" called Holly James.

A court heard Bradbury, 41, told her he wanted to "take off her clothes and give her a massage".

He later arranged to meet the girl at Exeter's main railway station and when he got there police arrested him.

They searched his home and found indecent images of seven different girls and hundreds of other pornographic images.

On his digital camera they found photos of a 15-year-old girl posing in underwear and exposing her breasts and private parts.

Bradbury, from Exeter, asked girls on social networking sites to send him sexy photos of themselves showing off their breasts and asked one girl to strip and perform sex acts on herself, said prosecutor Edward Hetherington.

He admitted 22 sex-related charges, including sexual activity with a child, possessing and distributing indecent images, and inciting pornography.

Bradbury, who has no previous convictions, also admitted attempting to meet a 13-year-old for sex after grooming her on the internet.

Exeter Crown Court heard that Bradbury had become known to the police, who launched a covert operation to snare him.

Judge Erik Salomonsen said he needed to know "what lies behind his sexual offending" before he could sentence him.

"He had a 15-year-old naked in his bedroom," he said.

"He had sexual activity on more than one occasion with a child. It is a course of conduct which gives me real cause for concern over harm in the future.

"He came to the attention of the police. The police were aware of his activities before that operation with Holly James was in place. The police rightly have considerable concerns about him."

The judge ordered a probation report and remanded Bradbury in custody until he is sentenced at a later date.