Local News

The Government has pledged an extra £31.45m to bring superfast broadband to the South West today.

The Government hopes the extra money announced by Culture Secretary, Maria Miller, earlier today will help promote business start-ups and job creation in some of the hardest to reach rural areas in the South West.

Local projects in the South West will now receive additional funding from a £250m pot, with coming in addition to the £1.2bn already invested by central and local Government.

Chris Garcia, Chief Executive of the Heart of the South West Local Enterprise...

Work on to re-open the railway line could be completed earlier than expected, according to Network Rail. The work to repair the area of track destroyed during the recent heavy storms was initially expected to be completed by mid-March but was pushed back to mid-April after further storm damage frustrated repairs. However the Rail Minister, Steve Hammond, said the rail company had given a “commitment” that “if they can beat that target they will.” He continued: "Network Rail had a good weekend last weekend and they have had some 20-hour days." "They are also looking at the long-term options...

On 27 February 2014, WESC Foundation will host an Academies Open Day aimed at informing teachers, principals, Special Education Needs (SEN) professionals and anyone who works with visually impaired young people in an academy setting on how they can best support learners with a visual impairment.

The Open Day is being held in direct response to the Families and Children Bill, which was published by the Government in February and comes into effect towards the end of 2014. Academies, of which there are 60 across Devon, are currently required to follow the law and guidance on...

Devon and Somerset Trading Standards are warning residents today to be aware of unscrupulous traders offering carpet cleaning services, following complaints from concerned consumers.

The traders, some of whom operate nationally, normally make initial contact by telephone, offering to clean carpets for a low or special price, often around £20 per room.

A card then arrives with a date for when the work will be carried out.

However, Trading Standards officers say that this just 'a foot in the door', and once in the house, the trader will say that they have found...