In Devon, 33 residents have died due to the shortage of organs in the last five years and there are currently 168 people in the county waiting for a transplant.

NHS Blood and Transplant is highlighting the figures to encourage people to spell out their decision to be an organ donor during National Transplant Week 2014 (7-13 July).

The aim of this year’s campaign is to increase awareness that the decision to donate a loved one’s organs falls to the family if you die in circumstances where you can donate. If you’ve already talked about it, your family won’t have the burden of...

People are being asked to have their say on proposals to extend the principles of licensing for houses of multiple occupation (HMOs) not already covered by the current scheme.

Exeter City Council wants to broaden its licensing to cover rented properties in buildings which have been poorly converted into self-contained flats or flats in multiple occupation above shops and businesses.

Landlords, tenants, partnership agencies and the public in general are being encouraged to complete a short questionnaire by visiting the City Council's website at www.exeter.gov.uk/...

In partnership with the High Sheriff of Devon and Devon & Cornwall Police, local charity Devon Community Foundation have awarded £16,850 to projects supporting people at the risk of criminal or anti-social behaviour across Devon and build safer communities.

Play Torbay, a charity committed to providing play opportunities for all children in Torbay, was one of seven groups to receive a grant. They were awarded £850 to address the disruptive behaviour taking place in the local neighbourhood as well as helping to bridge the gap between the older and younger members of the...

Plans to improve out of hospital care for the elderly and vulnerable will reduce emergency admissions, the Department of Health and Department for Communities and Local Government have announced.

Following a review of the first set of local plans for the Better Care Fund, a renewed agreement has strengthened a commitment to bring health and care service providers closer together to make joint decisions, ensuring more people receive joined-up, personalised care closer to home. The fund and the benefits it is creating will be an enduring feature of health and care provision beyond...

Devon County Council has welcomed today’s (Monday 7 July) Growth Deal announcement by the Government as a good deal for Devon’s economy.

The Heart of the South West Local Enterprise Partnership has secured £130.3 million from the Government’s Local Growth Fund to support economic growth in the area to 2021.

The deal will support significant improvements in transport infrastructure, open up key housing and employment sites, and invest in skills in existing and growth industries across Devon, Somerset, Plymouth and Torbay. By 2021, the deal will create 13,000 jobs and enable...

A man has been charged with the murder of 17-year-old Alex Peguero Sosa in Kingsbridge on Sunday.

Lee Andrew Dent, 42, of East Portlemouth near Salcombe, remains in police custody and is due to appear before Torquay Magistrates’ Court today (Tuesday 8 July).

Alex, from the Kingsbridge area, was found with injuries in Prince of Wales Road around 2.20am on Sunday 6 July.

He was taken to Derriford Hospital where he was later pronounced deceased.

A 22-year-old Kingsbridge man arrested on suspicion of assisting an offender and perverting the course of justice has...

The search is on to find the most dog friendly places in the South West, as the Kennel Club launches its Be Dog Friendly Awards 2014.

Even though we are regarded as a nation of pet lovers, many dog owners struggle to find shops, pubs, restaurants, hotels and even beaches that welcome their four-legged friends. That is why the Kennel Club has launched the 2014 Be Dog Friendly Awards to reward and encourage businesses and public places across the UK that adopt a dog friendly attitude.

The awards are being held in association with Dog Friendly, the UK’s leading directory with...

Not long to go to recognise your favourite working women!

The nominations for the Natwest Venus Awards in Devon will close in one week following more than a thousand nominations so far.

This is the second year the Venus Awards have run in the county and organisers say the support is bigger and better than ever before.

The Venus Awards recognise the efforts and talents of local businesswomen and are split into 15 categories covering all aspects of business and personal achievement.

Founded by Tara Howard, a mother of four and managing director of the...