Volunteers at two zoos on the English Riviera have wrapped a tree in coloured wool and decorated it with scores of knitted sea creatures.
The tree, at Living Coasts in Torquay, was swathed in knitting and crochet-work along its trunk and branches and hung with hand-made animals including penguins, Inca terns, whales, dolphins, sharks, octopus and fish.
The 10 year old rowan tree stands on Penguin Beach and was duly inspected by the Zoo’s resident African and macaroni penguins.
Neil Thomas-Childs, Volunteer Co-ordinator for Paignton Zoo and Living Coasts, said: “A...
Police are trying to locate the whereabouts of Kharim Rhony, a 15-year-old boy missing from foster parents. He was last seen at his address in the Stoke area of Plymouth intending to go swimming at the Life Centre.
He is described as being of Arabic appearance with dark olive skin. He is 5ft2in tall, with a slight build and short, curly hair.
He was last seen wearing a blue hoody, blue jeans, white canvas shoes and gloves. He was also carrying a black backpack.
Anyone who has information about his whereabouts should ring police using the 101 non emergency line and...
Organisers of the Michelmores Business Breakfast Club have announced that one of the Westcountry’s most successful lawyers is to be the next speaker at the Exeter Golf & Country Club event.
Retired Judge Neil Butterfield presided over some of the region’s most notorious cases during his 40 year career on the bench, including the trials which followed the Maria Asumpta sinking and the Lyme Bay canoe tragedy, as well as many infamous murder cases.
Mr. Justice Butterfield also pioneered a new career path for lawyers from the West Country, being the first from Devon and...
The 46-year-old skipper whose body was recovered after a major search when his boat failed to return to port on Monday 28th January, has been named as Andrew Westaway.
The body of Mr Westaway - who was known as Andy - was recovered by the Exmouth RNLI all-weather lifeboat shortly after midnight.
The Marine Accident Investigation Branch (MAIB) is investigating and an inquest into Mr Westaway's death will be opened at Torquay Coroner's Office on Monday. It is thought that he was swept from his boat, the JCK, after it was swamped in stormy conditions.
What leaves frog spawn six foot up a tree? There is a rational answer, and it doesn’t involve a new breed of super-frog!
Staff at Devon Wildlife Trust’s Working Wetlands project recently made a surprise discovery when working on land near Roadford Lake, in north Devon. They were quickly able to identify the jelly-like substance as frog spawn but weren’t able to fathom how it had come to be on a tree trunk.
Project Manager Mark Elliott picks up the story: "Finding frogspawn at this time in winter is not that unusual, especially the mild weather of the past week. But finding...
The new Cranbrook development, the Science Park, Skypark and Intermodal Freight Terminal were all discussed at Exeter Initiative for Science and Technology's (ExIST) quarterly event, held on Wednesday 23rd January at The Flybe Training Academy.
Robert McIlwraith, Chair of ExIST said, "We were delighted with the turn out for this event, despite difficult weather conditions! The presentations were extremely inspiring and gave attendees the opportunity to consider the benefits of education and business partnerships, as well as an update on Exeter's significant development programme...
Local cancer charity, FORCE, has been selected for the second year as Exeter Airport’s Charity of the Year and it will benefit from a special fundraising event when 170 of the airport’s employees run the length of the runway.
Exeter Airport’s managing director Matt Roach said: “Our members of staff were keen to continue their support for FORCE and proposed a special event to raise funds in a way that was unique to the airport. The Runway Fun Run will be a first for Exeter and we anticipate that this will be a great success.”
A man, as yet unnamed, has died after falling into the sea near the pier by Torquay's Princess Theatre in stormy conditions yesterday evening (29th January).
An attempt to save the man was made by a member of Torbay lifeboat crew, who went into the water attached to a rope and pulled the man ashore. Despite resuscitation attempts, the man died.
RNLI spokesman Colin Bower said weather conditions were extremely poor with heavy seas whipped up by winds gusting to about 60 knots (70mph).
Rail union RMT warned today that a looming shortage of skilled staff, driven by a failure to invest in training and apprenticeships and the dash to sub out key work to agencies and contractors, will threaten the timetables for future rail projects including the High Speed proposals unveiled this week.
The RMT warning is backed by research by the National Skills Academy for Railway Engineering for the Office of Rail Regulation that was published just a few days ago.
For Signalling and Telecommunications, NSARE forecasts a need for between 1,600 and 2,000 new people in the...
