Visitors to a well-loved east Devon nature reserve will see some improvements this year, thanks to a winning vote by local shoppers. Devon Wildlife Trust is delighted to announce that Bystock Pools nature reserve has bagged £12,000 from a Tesco funding scheme. Tesco teamed up with Groundwork to launch the second round of its Bags of Help funding initiative, which sees grants of £12,000, £10,000 and £8,000 – all raised from the 5p bag levy – being awarded to local outdoor community projects. Millions of shoppers voted in stores up and down the country. And it can now be revealed Devon...

Cofton Country Holidays, the multi award-winning holiday park near Dawlish, South Devon, has received one of the highest accolades in the world of hot tubs at the annual British and Irish Hot Tub Association (BISHTA) awards, held at the Ricoh Arena in Coventry.

Put forward in the ‘Hot Tubs in a Holiday Setting’ category by Exeter-based H2O Swimming Pools and Hot Tubs, Cofton emerged winners against stiff national competition, walking away with the top gold award.

Dan Johnson, H2O Sales Director and Marketing Manager, received the award on Cofton’s behalf and presented the...

The majority of people with inherited high cholesterol condition are ‘needlessly undiagnosed’, say BHF

Approximately one in every 250 people in the South West has familial hypercholesterolaemia (FH), a potentially deadly inherited condition which, if undiagnosed, can cause people to die from a heart attack at an early age.

The British Heart Foundation (BHF) figures suggest that FH affects around 22,000 people in the South West and is more common than type one diabetes in children, which affects around one in 500 childre. In the UK the total number of people with FH is...

Police are reminding dog owners of their responsibilities following reports of attacks on livestock in the region, caused by dogs being walked off the lead.

Last year there we over 150 crimes recorded across Devon and Cornwall linked to livestock worrying offences; the number of these incidents also usually increase during the lambing season as we exit winter.

PC Phil Johnson from the Teignmouth Crime Hub, said: “We are currently investigating a particularly nasty dog attack on a pregnant yew this week near Holne in Dartmoor, which led to the animal having to be put down...

Hat-trick hero James Short praised the contribution of the Exeter Chiefs pack as they brushed aside the attentions of Worcester Warriors in their latest Aviva Premiership encounter on Saturday.

The talented winger took his seasonal tally to ten touchdowns with his timely treble at Sixways, but it was the efforts of those around him – particularly up front – that the 27-year-old was quick to highlight following his side’s 48-32 success.

“You’re always glad to be on the scoresheet, but I thought the forwards were outstanding,” said Short. “They really pushed Worcester around...

Exeter Racecourse’s annual Clydesdale race, which is traditionally held every year on Devon Day, has raised nearly £5000 for Devon Air Ambulance.

The feathers were flying as Dartmoor’s famous racing Clydesdales came thundering down the home straight ridden by professional jockeys last November.

Noel Fehily, Aiden Coleman, James Best, Daryl Jacob, Tom Bellamy and Sean Bowen were on board the gentle giants with the eventual winner Midge.

“It’s a great cause, a good bit of fun and it’s great for the people that brought their horses here – well done to them. I’m...

South West Water has been ordered to pay £205,000 in fines and costs for discharging sewage into the Fal estuary in Cornwall. The case was brought by the Environment Agency.

On 26 August 2013 untreated sewage overflowed from the water company’s Newham sewage treatment works near Truro into the Fal, an internationally important shellfishery, Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) and Special Area of Conservation (SAC).

The illegal spill occurred after a piece of redundant grating fell and partially blocked an inlet at the works, causing sewage to back up and overflow...

RGB Building Supplies is delighted to announce it has selected Children’s Hospice South West (CHSW) as its chosen charity and will be fundraising for the cause throughout 2017.

Having had a phenomenal response to its Christmas Present Appeal in aid of CHSW at the end of 2016, when in excess of 250 gifts were donated by RGB customers and staff, the builders merchant is looking forward to continuing its support.

This year RGB staff are taking part in a number of CHSW fundraising activities and will also be holding regular events to boost the amount raised.

To kick-...

Tributes have been paid to popular Exeter councillor who has died following a battle with cancer.

Exeter City Council’s lead for Communities and Culture, Cllr Paul Bull, passed away last night (Sunday 19 February).

Paul, 60, who was the councillor for St Thomas, had been battling cancer.

His wife Cllr Rachel Sutton, who serves on the council as lead for City Development and as Labour’s Group Deputy Leader, was by his side.

Labour Leader Pete Edwards said: “Paul was Mr Community. He was an extraordinary person – his kindness was unlimited. He was...

The moment everyone in Exeter has been waiting for, the highly anticipated BierKeller is now open and the pre-launch party well and truly set the pace!

The invite-only event saw hundreds of Exeter locals come together for an exclusive first look at Exeter’s first Bavarian bar.

The drinks were flowing and the resident Oompah band, the Bavarian Strollers helped to create a fun-filled atmosphere.

The band entertained the crowd, encouraging revellers to take their dancing up on to the thick wooden tables and dishing out free drinks to those willing to get involved! As...