Police have hailed a roads policing operation which took place yesterday (22 December) on the M5 aimed at combating the ‘Fatal Four’ driving habits as a success.

As part of Operation Vortex, police used a number of unmarked vehicles to help target motorists who disregard road traffic laws and cause danger to others.

The operation focused on tackling the ‘Fatal Four’ behaviours - namely excessive or inappropriate speed, driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs, not wearing a seat belt and driver distractions including the use of mobile devices whilst behind the wheel...

Jenn Burston from Exeter is looking forward to an amazing Christmas and New Year as she celebrates winning £3,062,272 in the Lotto Quadruple rollover draw on Wednesday 17 December.

The unexpected present arrived after she played a chance Lucky Dip online.

Jenn who says she feels a ‘bit gobsmacked’ by the size of the win describes how she found out: “I always play EuroMillions online and saw the big Lotto rollover so decided to have a go. On Wednesday night, I was on my way to bed and thought I’d look at my account to see if I’d won anything. I logged in on my phone and it...

Stagecoach South West confirmed today (22 December) that, for the duration of the upcoming A30 to Exeter Airport roadworks, it will be necessary for the 56 service to operate a special emergency timetable.

For the duration of the Exeter airport road works the road between the A30 and Exeter Airport will be open in one direction only.

This closure will be in place from Monday 5th January for approximately 6 weeks.

Whilst journeys from Exeter to Exmouth will be unaffected, the journeys between Exmouth and Exeter will have to operate a diversion route, and a special...

Accountants and financial advisers Old Mill have turned £50 into £5,772.40 for Children’s Hospice South West.

Old Mill’s Exeter office took part in Ashfords Solicitors CHSW £50 challenge, where businesses are given £50 which they then use to raise as much money as they can for charity.

Six local businesses, including Ashford’s who put in five teams, Optix Solutions and Somerset College, took part in the challenge, which took place over 10 weeks. Old Mill raised by far the most with almost £6,000; in second place was AC Mole, with a total of £2,314.20 and in third was Bishop...

Christmas came early for the children and teenagers on Bramble Ward at the Royal Devon and Exeter Hospital when they received a special visit from the stars of Exeter City Football Club.

With the help of Build-a-Bear, the players from the club gave out dozens of bears, signed merchandise and other presents to the young patients to help bring some Christmas cheer to the ward. The players who visited were Scot Bennett, Pat Baldwin, Matt Oakley, Matt Grimes, David Noble, Ryan Harley, Clinton Morrison and Christy Pym.

The players, who were all dressed in Santa suits, chatted...

People in Exeter are being given the chance to quiz councillors on any “burning” issues for the city.

Exeter residents are invited to put forward questions to members of the joint County and City Councils' Exeter Board, at their next meeting on 15 January at 5:30pm at the Civic Centre in Paris Street. The Board allocates 15 minutes for their ‘open forum’, with 3 minutes per speaker, with a maximum of three to four speakers to allow time for discussion.

Previously, residents have prompted debate about issues including street lighting, homelessness and waste collection....

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...