It sounds like science fiction but a team from the University of Exeter, with support from Shell, has developed a method to make bacteria produce diesel on demand. While the technology still faces many significant commercialisation challenges, the diesel, produced by special strains of E. coli bacteria, is almost identical to conventional diesel fuel and so does not need to be blended with petroleum products as is often required by biodiesels derived from plant oils. This also means that the diesel can be used with current supplies in existing infrastructure because engines, pipelines and...

Cullompton Community College hosted the Devon and Cornwall Police Families Lifesaving Club awards ceremony to celebrate and recognise the incredible achievements of local young people. In attendance were Mid Devon Police Cadets, along with students from Cullompton Community College, Tiverton High School, Uffculme School, Blundells School, Clyst Vale Community College and Stover School. All students received lifesaving awards from the Royal Life Saving Society (RLSS) after months of training and hard work for each award. Awards presented included bronze medallion, award of merit, silver...

Update: The A30 Honiton Road in Exeter has now cleared following earlier collision between two vans.

The A30 Honiton Road in Exeter is currently closed with reports of slow traffic eastbound between the Honiton Road junction and the B3184 junction, because of a serious accident involving two vehicles. The incident occurred In the roadworks area and a diversion is currently in operation.

Three appliances, one each from Middlemoor, Danes Castle and Topsham, were mobilised following a report to the Fire Service Control Room of a road traffic collision at the above location....

Despite ongoing fears of a triple dip recession, confidence in the restaurant sector remains healthy and, according to the Deloitte Consumer Tracker Report released at the end of last year, not only are consumers eating out more often, but spending more when they do (compared to the average spend during 2012) and our love affair with dining out is set to continue in 2013.

Indeed, Exeter has witnessed an influx of new restaurants, with a variety of eateries popping up all over the city – Ruby Diner on Queen Street, Loungers Cosy Club in Southernhay, the Salty Pigeon on Magdalen Road...

The WESC Foundation - a specialist day and residential centre for young people and adults with visual impairment - is confirming its commitment to excellence and innovation by playing host to an international conference today and tomorrow (23-24 April) at its campus on Topsham Road. Bringing together Visual Impairment experts from around the world, including the United States, the conference is an opportunity to share knowledge and discuss the advances being made in the field of Visual Impairment.

Over the two days, WESC Foundation will welcome hundreds of parents, carers,...

A la Ronde, the National Trust's quirky 18th century 16-sided house near Exmouth, needs extra volunteers to help with fundraising activities in order to support the conservation of its fragile shell-encrusted gallery. If you enjoy meeting people and have an interest in history or conservation then we would be delighted to meet you.

The role is that of Volunteer Fundraiser, selling raffle tickets to visitors to support vital conservation work. Usually based in house, the Volunteer Fundraiser can also spend time in the garden during fine weather. A la Ronde House Steward, Nicola...

Devon Air Ambulance Trust (DAAT) rarely endorses a product but, when approached by Katie Finn of Kidz First Aid (KFA), we knew this was something special.

Katie is a Paediatric Nurse with over 13 years’ experience of working in Accident and Emergency. She also has specialist training in paediatric burns and child protection, as well as being qualified to teach adult learners.

Katie set up Kidz First Aid (KFA) originally to offer First Aid training courses, designed specifically with babies and children in mind, for both parents and professionals. However she discovered that...

Today, as the first comprehensive analysis of how the UK’s historic buildings are used by businesses is published, the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) has launched Heritage Enterprise, a pioneering new funding programme designed to stimulate local economic growth by unlocking the commercial potential of unused historic buildings and sites.

With a commitment of at least £25 million per annum over the next five years, HLF’s new scheme will empower not-for-profit organisations, such as community groups and social enterprises to work in partnership with the private sector to rescue and...

Hard working Devon Air Ambulance Trust (DAAT) staff got a treat recently from local company Therapy Works South West, who came in to demonstrate their seated acupressure massage in the work place scheme. Each member of staff was treated to 30 minutes of treatment which combines warming and loosening strokes (to back, neck and arms) with pressure point work (to back, forearms and hands). They personalise each treatment & apply advanced massage techniques to assist clients with their specific issues. Sarah Collier of Therapy Works South West said “DAAT provide an invaluable service to...

Bus passengers using Stagecoach are more satisfied with their service than customers using other national UK operators, according to new independent research.

Consumer watchdog Passenger Focus found that 86% of Stagecoach bus passengers were either fairly or very satisfied with their overall service, with only 5% dissatisfied.

The overall customer ratings for Stagecoach were higher than three other national UK bus operators: Arriva (85%), First (81%) and National Express (78%). Passenger Focus does not include Go Ahead in the national operator results due to the small...