Local News

The number of Job Seeker’s Allowance (JSA) claimants in Devon has fallen by 12 per cent in a year.

JSA claims in January 2016 increased slightly by 150 compared to the previous month, December 2015 with the total now standing at 3,752 claimants.

Despite this small rise, the figure is still 12% lower than the same period last year, and 65% lower than January 2012.

A small rise in January is typical of Devon’s seasonal employment associated with the festive season.

Overall the claimant rate for Devon - the proportion of the county’s working age population-...

There were a remarkable 42,142 contacts between members of the public and the local Exeter, Mid and East Devon branch of Samaritans during 2015.

Within that total there were 33,661 telephone calls from the public to volunteers at the branch, which operates every day of the year.

There were also 3,058 emails sent to the public who had contacted the branch, plus 4,478 SMS texts - both categories showing sharp increases on the 2014 figures.

In addition there were 166 face-to-face contacts - one-to-one discussions with volunteers at the charity’s premises in central...

Stagecoach South West has launched the South West Falcon - the first dedicated 24/7 coach service connecting major locations across the South West.

Last week roadshows were held across the region giving people in Exeter, Taunton and Bristol the chance to find out more about the Falcon.

The ‘round-the-clock’ service started on Sunday 14 February (3.30am departure from Plymouth and 7am departure from Bristol) and is operating 19 journeys a day, 7 days a week between Plymouth, Exeter, Taunton, Bristol Airport and Bristol City Centre, allowing passengers to travel to their...

Every child in Devon is to be invited to take part in a Battle of the Somme centenary project not only to learn about the war but also to leave a lasting legacy for future generations.

Devon Primary and Secondary Schools will be invited to contribute by entering a project that will help their students consider the impact of the Battle of the Somme on their own community.

All projects will be displayed at Exeter Library and Exeter Cathedral during the week of the commemoration of the Battle of the Somme beginning on July 1st 2016 as part of the 19240 Shrouds of the Somme art...