Local News

People are being urged to check with their insurance firms before paying traders for household repair works.

In one recent case, a trader charged £11,000 for work that the insurance company then declined to reimburse, because they valued the work at under £2,000.

Devon and Somerset Trading Standards has issued the warning, stating that consumers can be left out of pocket when insurance companies don't reimburse the full amount paid to a trader.

The situation can be avoided, say Trading Standards Officers, by following simple steps before committing to work....

Newly-hatched African penguin chicks at Living Coasts are being named after stars and constellations.

Staff at Torquay’s coastal zoo and aquarium are using the pattern of spots on the belly of a young penguin – unique to each bird – to help find names.

Keeper Chris Dunn: “The idea is to take photos of the young birds’ spot patterns and compare them to star constellations. It’s not always easy to find good matches, however one chick has a row of four spots that matches the basic pattern of the constellation Aries. Conveniently, that’s quite a nice name for a penguin, too...

From Monday 4th May, Paul Mattin will march 170 miles from his Devon home to the Nepali Embassy in London where he will deliver prayer flags and pay respect for the thousands of lives that have been lost.

Paul Mattin from Woodbury Salterton is a former Royal Marines Officer (Captain) who specialises in leadership and training. He has led numerous expeditions to Everest and is in close contact with friends from a Sherpa family living in the Everest Valley.

Follow his journey on social media using #NepalYomp and donate here: http://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/team/Nepal-...

Along with other coastal authorities, East Devon District Council has designated areas on each of its beaches for many years where people can enjoy the beach and sea away from dogs.

There are no changes to the areas where dogs are welcome, but this year the council has renewed the signs at the beaches to make the message clearer.

Everyone likes to enjoy the beach but we know that users like to use the beach in different ways, and many people and families like to stay away from areas where dogs are running free. There are still plenty of areas where dog walkers can enjoy the...