One of the largest - and smelliest - blooms on the planet is opening at Paignton Zoo Environmental Park.

The flower of the Titan Arum (Amorphophallus titanum) can be up to 3 metres high and 3 metres in circumference. And the smell? Curator of Plants and Gardens Giles Palmer said: “Imagine you have the smell of rotting meat in a tin can and you open that can on the hottest, most humid day of the year!”

Experts think the plant could flower within the week.

The plant - from the rainforests of Sumatra and a member of the Arum family - is classed as Vulnerable on the...

Two in five (41%) landlords in the South West admit that they struggle to keep up with changes in law relating to letting property a week before a new deadline that could leave them with heavy fines for missing.

There are already over 50 Acts of Parliament and more than 70 sets of regulations that govern the private-rented sector (PRS).

The new deadline – 23rd June – imposed as part of the Deregulation Act, affects landlords and agents in England and Wales who still hold a deposit on a tenancy that began before 6 April 2007 – when Tenancy Deposit Protection (TDP) laws were...

Weekly rep returns to the Manor Pavilion Theatre in Sidmouth next week, when The Summer Rep Season 2015 opens with a new production of Noel Corward’s Hay Fever from Thursday 25 June to Wednesday 1 July 2015.

The Summer Rep Season sees one company of actors present a season of twelve classic revivals throughout summer, with a new production each week until the end of September.

Season producer Paul Taylor-Mills said today: “This is my third year producing the Summer Rep Season at the Manor Pavilion Theatre, and this is by far the most ambitious. Audiences can expect West End...

The Government must make an immediate decision to proceed with badger cull roll out this year or risk losing the trust of the farmers who helped to elect them, say industry leaders in the South West.

Implementing a 25-year bovine TB eradication plan, including badger cull roll out, was one of the Conservatives’ manifesto pledges, but despite winning a majority in the general election ministers have so far hesitated about giving further cull areas the go ahead.

This has led to concerns that a key policy for many rural constituencies might fall victim to post-election...

Exeter has been recognised for its pioneering work to promote healthy and sustainable food and has become the 40th member of the Sustainable Food Cities Network, one of the fastest growing social movements in the UK today.

Exeter joins cities such as Belfast, Cardiff, Edinburgh and London that have made exemplary progress in improving access to good food and in tackling key issues like food poverty and waste. Exeter Community Food Network - which is a growing partnership of organisations that includes the City Council, businesses and community groups - will be sharing Exeter’s...

An evening of music and readings on Saturday 20 June at 7.30 pm to raise funds for the Army’s National Charity

Some of the South West’s most talented musicians are joining forces on 20 June to support the Devon branch of the Army’s charity, ABF The Soldiers’ Charity. The combined talents of the Exeter Symphony Orchestra and the Exeter Philharmonic Choir will provide a programme of music to honour the courage, service and sacrifice of our soldiers from 1815 to 2015. Joining them will be internationally renowned violinist Tamsin Waley-Cohen whose family roots are in Exmoor. She will...

Martin Cooper, former head of cancer services in Exeter, has been appointed as the new patron of FORCE.

Mr Cooper retired as Medical Director at the Royal Devon and Exeter Foundation Trust in March.

He becomes only the third patron of the Exeter cancer charity after former diplomat Sir Anthony Parsons and FORCE co-founder Chris Rowland, who died last year.

“Chris and I worked closely in patient care. He was an incredibly innovative individual. He got the charity off the ground and it is amazing to see what it has grown into. FORCE is a remarkable asset to the...