Some curious creatures have given birth at Paignton Zoo.

Despite their name, common tenrecs - from Madagascar – are rarely seen in zoos. This litter of four is the Zoo’s second - mother Felicia came from the first litter, born at the Zoo just last year. The four were born on 3rd April but can now be spotted coming out for mealworms with the adults.

Paignton Zoo spokesperson Phil Knowling said: “Tenrecs are real oddballs. Not many collections keep them, which is a shame, because they are pretty amazing. They have both fur and spines and resemble hedgehogs, but are only...

Leading Devon law firm WBW Solicitors have appointed a new Partner to head up their private client team in Exeter.

Peter Cox, 47, joined the Southernhay office at the beginning of April from Torquay firm Boyce Hatton and is leading the growing team.

Born and bred in the West Country, Peter is well known in Exeter, having stood for parliament in the 2005 General Election.

He said: “I joined WBW because I wanted the opportunity to come back to Exeter and move to a bigger firm with a commitment to the type of work I specialise in. I was also keen to be part of a bigger...

Approximately 40 retailers and restaurants are now taking part in the extended trading hours campaign launched by Princesshay, The Guildhall Shopping Centre, Stagecoach South West and Exeter Chamber of Commerce.

Since the campaign started on 3rd April this year more businesses have opted to take part in opening until 7pm on Thursdays with restaurants continuing to open late into the evening for dining.

Wayne Pearce, Centre Director, Princesshay said: “We are pleased that half of Princesshay has now signed up to extended trading hours with more retailers showing interest as...

England flanker Matt Kvesic and Exeter Chiefs rising star Henry Slade helped host a series of O2 Touch sessions for local students at the Univeristy of Exeter yesterday (15 May).

The event marked the launch of O2 Touch in universities, designed to encourage students up and down the country to boost their fitness and alleviate exam-stress in a fun and sociable environment. As part of the wider national O2 Touch programme, run by England Rugby and O2, participants were amongst the first to experience O2 Touch in universities.

Local Exeter students and their friends took to...

The community tickets launch for Rugby World Cup 2015 has been unexpectedly delayed following a request by booking agents, Ticketmaster. 500,000 tickets, available in limited numbers from clubs and RFU affiliated organisations, were expected to go on sale this afternoon (Friday 16 May) as part of the build-up to next year’s World Cup games. But rugby fans will now have to wait until 1pm on 29 May following a last-minute request from Ticketmaster for more time to test the online ticketing system. The September launch for the general sale of world cup tickets is unaffected by today’s delay....

Pupils at an Exeter primary enjoy coming to school and say they learn well because their teachers make lessons fun.

Nearly every parent who responded to a survey by education inspectors said they would recommend Newtown Primary School to other families.

One said: “Our child is achieving a great deal more and progressing further than we dared to think possible as a direct result of the first class teaching he receives.”

Three inspectors from the school standards agency, Ofsted, spent two days at Newtown, and their report has just been published.

Lead...

Government proposals to cut subsidies to large solar farms could be extremely detrimental for the South West, according to one of the Westcountry’s leading renewable energy lawyers.

In a move which would end the current system two years early, the proposal is to force owners of solar power installations which are larger than 5 megawatts to compete with other renewable energy technologies for financing.

Sonya Bedford a partner and head of renewable energy at Stephens Scown LLP said: “This could be potentially devastating for the Westcountry. With the highest irradiation...

Exeter Chiefs quintet Luke Cowan-Dickie, Dave Ewers, Sam Hill, Tom Johnson and Henry Slade have today all been named in Stuart Lancaster's squad that will report for training with England at the Lensbury Club,Teddington on Sunday. The five players are among 20 that have been named from the Chiefs, Gloucester Rugby, London Irish, Newcastle Falcons, Sale Sharks and Worcester Warriors - and who will be in contention for selection for the tour to New Zealand next month and the match against the Barbarians at Twickenham Stadium on Sunday, June 1. Back-row forward Johnson, who forms part of...

Devon County Council has announced its new Chairman for the next year.

Outgoing Chairman Councillor Bernard Hughes OBE handed over to the Council's new Chairman, Councillor George Gribble at a meeting of the Full Council this week.

Councillor George John Gribble is local member representing Bovey Tracey Rural, the town in which he was born and has lived all his life, serving on many of the County Council's Committees.

The seven times Mayor of Bovey Tracey, Cllr Gribble also sits on Teignbridge District Council, and still sits on the Bovey Tracey Town Council where...