Local News

The first phase of the Exeter Flood Defence Scheme is due to start this summer as part of a £36bn programme of infrastructure developments across the UK. The scheme which will cost around £30m is expected to bring an estimated £200m of direct economic benefit to Exeter. Exeter City Council and Devon County Council are each contributing £3 million to the scheme with the remainder is being funded by flood defence grant in aid. The city’s current flood defences were built in the 1960s and 70s after devastating flooding affected more than 1,000 properties and while Exeter was largely spared in...

A private investigation has been launched into the cause of a fire Tiverton pub after an initial probe by fire investigators proved ‘inconclusive’.

Forensic investigators have been hired by owners of the Twyford Inn, Enterprise Inns, to determine the cause of the blaze which took 50 firefighters close to 10 hours to extinguish last week. The company which specialises in insurance losses including fires, explosions, accidents and engineering problems will provide teams of forensic scientists to study photographs taken before the blaze, which could help with the enquiry....

The Duke of Kent is to attend the Devon County Show at Westpoint, Exeter on Friday, May 23. It will be The Duke’s first visit to the county’s largest annual event where he will be accompanied by Show President Sir Eric Dancer, KCVO, CBE, JP, the Lord Lieutenant of Devon. Sir Eric said: “We are honoured and delighted that The Duke of Kent will be with us this year and we are preparing a varied programme to reflect his interests.” The Duke undertakes a large number of official Royal engagements and has close associations with many charities, professional bodies and other organisations. The...

Organisers of the 12th Annual Michelmores Charity Run have announced that entries are now open, but are urging runners to apply early as they are expecting a bumper starting line-up.

The 5K event begins on Cathedral Green before taking in Princesshay, the Guildhall Shopping Centre, back to the Northernhay memorial statue and on to Rougemont Gardens, for a short uphill sprint finish at Exeter Castle. Entrants are limited to 1200 with a minimum age limit of 15 years. Runners will be provided with a race t-shirt sponsored by Pencarrie, which they are required to wear, unless they...