Businesses and consumers are being warned to be on the look out for counterfeit Smirnoff vodka which could potentially pose health risks.

Trading Standards has discovered that the fake spirits have been sold in the Weston-Super-Mare area. Concerns were raised after the complainant reported that a batch of the vodka sold to a nightclub had a hint of an acetone or nail varnish smell.

Initial examinations found problems with the labelling and, following a sample analysis by Trading Standards officers, the contaminated bottles were found to contain industrial solvents, possibly...

Devon Wildlife Trust has announced that one of its most popular and beautiful nature reserves is about to grow.

An extra three hectares of land have been bought by the charity to add to its existing 33 hectare nature reserve of Andrew’s Wood, near Loddiswell, in South Devon. The purchase was made possible after the Devon Wildlife Trust secured generous support from the Heritage Lottery Fund and donations from DWT supporters.

The new land is known locally as Wizaller Wood and is a charming mix of silver birch, oak, ash, hazel and willow. Along with hundreds of plants and...

Devon County Council will receive £220m to spend on repairing potholes and improving roads, Transport Secretary Patrick McLoughlin announced today.

The cash is part of a record £847 million that will be spent on improving local roads between 2015 and 2021 in the South West.

It is the first time councils have been given locked-in funding over this length of time, which will help them plan ahead and save money for the taxpayer. Patrick McLoughlin said: “Roads play a significant part in everyday life. Poorly maintained local roads, blighted by potholes, are a menace to all...

As the Exeter Business Improvement District (BID) reaches the next stage in its campaign, those involved in the BID are beginning to explore options with other businesses within the city centre with a view to design, plan, manage and deliver a Business Plan that reflects their business priorities to take the city centre forward for the next five years.

Patrick Cunningham from Exeter Phoenix is one of the faces of Exeter BID who are supporting the scheme.

1. How do you feel about the Exeter BID?

It's a great chance to really push on and improve the attractiveness of...

Work to reinstate the depleted shingle on Sidmouth’s Main Beach will start early in the New Year, now that East Devon District Council has received approval for the job and funding has been agreed.

The council announced in October that it was looking into the possibility of accessing Government funding to reinstate both Main Beach and East Beach to the levels they were at before last winter’s storms. Work will go ahead early in the New Year on Main Beach, whilst East Beach has already been improved by natural shingle movement.

Councillor Andrew Moulding, the council’s...

Two rare and distinctive fungi species have been spotted on Devon Wildlife Trust nature reserves in one week. Hazel gloves (Hypocreopsis rhododendri) fungus can be found in hazel woodland in western Britain. It was recorded for the first time at Devon Wildlife Trust’s Vealand Farm nature reserve, near Holsworthy, last week. Likened in appearance to miniature rubber gloves, this fungus sometimes grows on blackthorn, but is primarily found on hazel. Hence the name ‘hazel gloves’, though in Sweden it is known as ‘trollhand.’ The fungus was found by DWT reserves assistant Adam Rhodes, who said...

Devon and Cornwall Police will have £9m less to spend next year following last week’s Home Office announcement on police funding.

Police and Crime Commissioner Tony Hogg says the figure is more than expected as he and Chief Constable Shaun Sawyer battle to provide the most efficient police service despite continuing further budget reductions.

“These cuts are substantial and, have no doubt, they will impact on the way that Devon and Cornwall is policed over the coming years,” said Mr Hogg.

“We have been working very hard to prepare for these cuts by developing our...

Millions of UK workers are putting their health at risk by postponing important medical appointments because of their work, according to new research by the British Heart Foundation (BHF).

The BHF polled over 1,300 UK workers and found more than two thirds of workers (71%) had gone to work despite being too unwell to do their job. Two fifths (40%) had put off going to the doctors because of their job while almost two in ten (19%) had postponed a scheduled hospital appointment.

The findings showed two fifths (41%) of workers felt their job has had a negative impact on their...