Exeter City slipped to a 3-1 defeat on Boxing Day at home to a lively Oxford United side, who fared better in the wet weather.

James Constable broke the deadlock in the first half by capitalising on a bouncing ball, despite Exeter starting the brightest.

His second early after the interval was followed immediately by a strike from Peter Leven, putting the U’s in the driving seat.

Jamie Cureton netted a penalty midway through the second half to give Exeter a fighting chance, but defensive resolve by the visitors allowed them to hold onto their lead and subsequently...

Shops in Exeter were busy with shoppers today as bargain-hunters made the most of the traditional Boxing Day sales.

Dozens of eager shoppers were queing up before 6am in an effort to grab the best bargains but some stores started their sales early this year. M&S began its online sale at noon on Christmas Eve, John Lewis kicked off its sale at 5pm and Currys/PC World at 7pm. M&S has even bought the "Christmas Eve sales" search terms on Google in an attempt to attract shoppers.

Across the UK up to 7.1 million shoppers are expected in stores, with one in 10 venturing...

Owen Patterson, the Environment Secretary and the Cabinet’s leading supporter of hunting and other country sports has admitted there is little hope of the hunting ban being repealed.

Mr Patterson told today's Daily Telegraph that he accepts there is no prospect of winning a vote next year, saying only that the vote will come "at an appropriate moment."

Mr Paterson said: "There’s only a point having a vote if you’re going to win. "At the moment I, it would not be my proposal to bring forward a vote which we were going to lose. There needs to be more work done on members of...

If you want to get a little post-feast exercise there is still time to join in with Exeter City FC's Charity Santa Dash on 29 December.

The event takes place at the Guildhall at 1.15pm on Saturday 29 December and finishes at St James’ Park ahead of kick-off in the home game against Barnet and for just £17 an adult and £5 per child (up to age 18) participants will receive a Santa suit and a match ticket for the game that afternoon.

"Last year we had 310 Santas running and this year we are hoping to have 500 people and raise in excess of £10,000 for local charities," says...

From 3:30 pm on Monday 24th December 2012 to Tuesday 1st January 2013 Cleansing Service offices will be closed.

However, waste collections continue during the holiday period.

To support residents who need help or information about waste collections during this period Exeter City Council will be operating a limited telephone service.

Please visit the council website to find out when your bin is collected during Christmas and New Year holidays, and January 2013 or to report a bin missed by the Council.

Opening hours of telephone service Monday, 24th December...

It was like a summer's day on Exmouth beach this morning as the traditional swim took place.

Exeter Daily user David Bunton captuted the spectacle as hundreds of brave souls entered the chilly water.

David Simpson, from Exminster, who was among those to take the plunge said: "It was colder than I expected but it certainly blew away the cobwebs."

Hundreds of people turned out for the annual Christmas swims across Devon.

With milder temperatures than in previous years, beaches were packed with revellers wearing fancy dress.

Among them was Exeter solicitor Kate Baker and her friends who took a dip at Budleigh Salterton.

She told the Exeter Daily: "It was great fun and certainly cleared by hangover!"

Exeter City FC and Devon & Cornwall Police would like to thank fans of both City and Plymouth Argyle for their excellent behaviour during the recent meeting between the two sides at St James Park.

The Devon Derby is always a passionate affair and often attracts the largest gate of the season – both at St James Park and Home Park. We are pleased to report that this year’s derby can live long in the memory for the exciting on-field action, an electric trouble free atmosphere enjoyed by all.

Both sets of fans made plenty of noise as they cheered on their teams, as the...

Thirty nine young people from Devon will be honoured for their contribution to the Duke of Edinburgh Gold Award scheme.

The young people have completed their Gold award and will be presented with their awards by Sir John Evans, Deputy Lord-Lieutenant of Devon, at a ceremony at County Hall in Exeter on Saturday 5 January.

Attending the ceremony will be Helen Jenny MBE, Chair of the Duke of Edinburgh's Award scheme in Devon, Devon County Council's Head of Child and Adult Protection Rory McCallum will also be in attendance, and Cabinet Member with responsibility for the youth...

by the Very Revd Jonathan Draper, the Dean of Exeter Cathedral.

Your Christmas Day may be just beginning, or it may be nearly over.

However much of it has gone, I hope there has been joy, amid the frenzy that comes with present opening, turkey basting and cooking and for many of us, fitting in a few church services as well!

After all the hectic preparations, the arrival of Christmas day itself can sometimes feel like an anti-climax.

After the presents have been opened, the food eaten, the crackers pulled, what then?

What has all the rush and...